Fifty years ago, Gillian Wilkinson began her journey at Kingsmead College as a gentle and promising presence. Over the decades, she became an integral part of the school community—supporting, guiding, and inspiring students, staff, and parents alike with quiet strength, deep compassion, and enduring wisdom.

Her influence grew like a rose spreading its roots and blossoms throughout the school, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew her. In honour of this profound legacy, a Legacy Rose will be planted in the Kingsmead gardens—a living symbol of her dedication, warmth, and the spirit that continues to shape the community she so dearly loved.

This rose is a high-centred, elegantly shaped Hybrid Tea, its petals forming a perfect swirl at the apex before unfolding. Its distinctive golden-yellow hue, tinged with orange, is softly edged in a deep pink, giving the bloom a striking two-tone appearance. Thornless stems and spear-like shoots rise from the leafy canopy, each bearing a bud that matures into a rich, full flower—one that lasts beautifully both on the bush and in a vase.

Eco-chic and effortlessly graceful, this rose mirrors the legacy of Gillian Wilkinson: resilient, quietly powerful, and forever blooming.