In September, Carmel College was honoured to welcome a special visitor with a unique connection to the Homestead. Kim Greenwood, visiting from Ottawa, Canada, took a meaningful walk through history when he visited the Old Convent House on campus — a house built by his great-great-grand uncle, William Henry Shakespear, in the 1880s.

The home, originally known as Shakespeare Villa, was constructed around 1884, making it one of the first settler homes in Takapuna. William Shakespear had emigrated from England to New Zealand in 1878 with his wife Harriet Kennerley and his daughter Edith Amelia, hoping for a new beginning after some challenging years back home. He went on to become a successful businessman and Justice of the Peace in Auckland until his passing in 1899.

In 1922, the property was sold to the Sisters of Mercy, who later established Carmel College — making this historic home an important part of the school’s origins.

Reflecting on his visit, Ms. Greenwood shared

“I appreciate the opportunity to visit the property and the surrounding grounds that my family member once resided in. It certainly brings a portion of my family history to life for me.”

Visits like this remind us that history is not just something we study — it’s something that connects people, places, and generations. We thank Kim Greenwood for sharing his story with us, and for highlighting the rich heritage that lives on at Carmel College.

Images – Kim Greenwood, William Shakespear