Assembly Notes - 11.09.26

College Assembly – 11 September 2026 

Kia ora school, e noho please be seated. 

I’d like to invite Liam Pentreath, forward to deliver today’s reading. 

Today’s reading comes from Proverbs Chapter 21 verse 21  
“ Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honour.” 

This is the word of the Lord (thanks be to God) 

Rector Comments: 

Thank you, Liam.  

Today I want to talk about something that sounds simple, but is actually one of the most powerful qualities a person can have and one of our key character flags:  kindness. 

Gilbert Enoka, the former mental skills coach of the All Blacks, once said: 

"There is nothing more powerful than a kind word." 

It's a simple statement, but the more you think about it, the more profound it becomes. 

We often think power comes from strength, status, talent, achievement, or influence. Yet some of the most significant moments in our lives come from something much simpler. A word of encouragement when we're struggling. A genuine compliment when we've lost confidence. Someone noticing we're having a tough day and taking the time to ask if we're okay. 

A kind word costs us very little, but it can mean everything to someone else. 

Which brings me to my cat, Tilly, the tortoise shell that you will see wandering the campus 

As many of you know, we brought Tilly with us from Hamilton. We arranged a lovely home for her, made sure she has food, a warm bed, and every comfort a cat could want. 

And yet, during the week, she seems to have made a very disappointing decision. 

She has largely abandoned us as a family.  

Instead, she spends most of her time wandering around the school, visiting classrooms, boarding houses, turning up in offices, sitting in reception, and generally socialising with you boys. 

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure where I now rank on her list of favourite people anymore. I suspect I'm somewhere behind half the boarding house, several Year 7 boys, and possibly our kitchen staff. 

But there's something interesting about Tilly. 

Animals instinctively gravitate towards people who make them feel safe. They go where they experience warmth, attention, and kindness. 

Tilly keeps coming back because many of you stop, pat her, talk to her, and look after her. You don't really gain anything from doing that. She's not marking assessments. She's not teaching you. She’s not coaching you and she’s not making your lunch or doing your washing. Yet, all of you choose to be kind anyway. 

And that's what kindness is. 

It's the decision to make someone's day a little better when you don't have to. 

Sometimes kindness is obvious: 

Helping someone carry something. 

Including someone who's on their own. 

Checking in on a friend who's struggling. 

But often it's much smaller: 

Saying good morning. 

Thanking a staff member. 

Holding a door open. 

Choosing not to make the sarcastic comment to a sibling or a mate. 

Choosing not to join in when others are putting someone down. 

The interesting thing about kindness is that it spreads. 

One kind action often leads to another. 

A smile becomes a conversation. 

A conversation becomes a friendship. 

A friendship becomes a sense of belonging. 

And a sense of belonging creates a community where people can thrive. 

As boys of Lindisfarne, we talk a lot about excellence, achievement, and success. Those things matter. 

But at the end of your time here, people are unlikely to remember every test result, every try scored, or every prize won. 

They will remember how you made them feel. 

They will remember whether you were someone who lifted others up. 

And they will remember whether your words and actions made this place a little better for everyone around you. 

So today, and throughout the remaining weeks of term, challenge yourself to offer a kind word, a kind gesture, or a kind act every single day. 

Because Gilbert Enoka is right: 

There is nothing more powerful than a kind word. 

And if you see Tilly today, please remind her where she actually lives.  

Please join me in singing the hymn: God Defend New Zealand  

HYMN: God Defend New Zealand 

Rector Comments:  

Please be seated. I will now invite Liam Pentreath back to the stage, to update us on the latest Arts and Cultural news. 

Cultural Report 

Guitar Recital  

On Monday evening, 30 Lindisfarne College guitarists performed at our yearly guitar recital in the auditorium that celebrates students that learn with guitar tutor Mr Boston. Boys from years 7 through to 13 performed guitar pieces to an audience of family, friends, and their guitar peers. It was fantastic to see how well the boys presented themselves on stage and how well they had prepared and practised their guitar pieces. For many boys it is a significant challenge performing solo in front of an audience – this takes courage and determination. So well done to everyone that performed on the night. Thanks to Mr Boston for his teaching of the boys this year.  

Junior Music Performance Evening 

All the best to all boys performing in the junior music performance evening next Tuesday evening in the auditorium. We look forward to hearing how this goes.  

Rector Comments: 

Thank you, Liam. I will now invite Joshua Arnold forward to update us on the latest news from the AIMs games. 

Sports Report  

In AIMS games 

Competing in the Canoe Slalom event, Year 8 category, Will Kilpatrick finished 3rd with Alby Redmond finishing 5th. In the Year 8 competitive team category, Will Kilpatrick, Alby Redmond and Lucas Malone came 1st. In the Year 8 composite team category, Lachie Renall, Carter Davies and Braxton Truman came 1st. 

Competing in the Kayak Sprint, Year 8 category, Will Kilpatrick finished 3rd with Magnus Jones achieving a 4th place finish in B-final and Carter Davies placing 6th in the B-final. In the Year 8 boys team category, Will Kilpatrick, Alby Redmond and Magnus Jones finished in 1st place.  Our B-team was fifth in A-final and included Carter Davies, Lucas Malone and Lachie Renall. 

In the Year 7 boys’ category, Braxton Truman finished first in the B-final. In the Year 7 composite boys team category, Braxton, who competed with Yr 7’s from two other schools achieved first place. 

Flynn Dobson competed in a stacked and competitive field of 155 Year 7 boys in the Cross-Country event at AIMS Games. He made a strong, controlled start, quickly establishing himself in the front pack and settling around 5th place for the first 2 km. Coming into the finishing chute, Flynn produced a massive finishing sprint, overtaking the runner ahead to secure 3rd place overall. 

Greyson Pentreath competed in the sailing regatta and progressed through to the Gold Fleet finishing 24th overall but in terms of age group category (Year 7 Boys), he was placed 7th. 

Wiremu Geary had a huge four days of swimming with almost 500 athletes and came away with 4 PBs after some impressive swims. He achieved 26th place in the 100m Butterfly which was a fantastic achievement. 

The school sportsmanship medal is awarded to Will Kilpatrick who was an excellent role model to his peers, competed consistently throughout the competition, and was an excellent support to his team mates.

Rector Comments: 

Thank you, Joshua.  

Congratulations to everyone whose been recognised today. As we move into period 5, the week and the final two weeks of term, please let’s be kind to one and another. Thank you for being mindful about those who are sitting examinations.  

Felix Macfarlane will now close our assembly in prayer.