Assembly Notes - 15.05.26

Rector: I would like to invite Joshua Vossen-Chong up to deliver the opening reading.

Ephesians 4:32 — "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Thank you Joshua

Today on Pink Shirt Day, we're reminded that what we wear can send a message—but what we say and what do matters even more. As we listen to these words from Ephesians, let's think about how kindness, compassion, and forgiveness can shape our school and the way we treat each other every day.

Today is about you standing up, but the power, is how you follow this up in the weeks, months and years to come. Thank you for embracing the day.

I wanted to say a big thank you to the way in which respected Roger Alexander last week. The way in which you were silent when needed, the way you really lifted your singing and the spine tingling haka you performed – thank you.

Today we will have cultural reports, sports reports, a hymn which we will sing with gusto, followed by an address from wellbeing prefect – Noah Hemmingsen. Mr Howlett will then deliver a message and we will then close in prayer.

Rector: I would now like to invite Cultural Perfect, Gus Denton forward to present this week's Cultural report.

Cultural Report

West Side Story - This year's musical production together with Iona College came to a close in week two of this term. All five performances were a great success and showcased the talent, effort, and dedication of many students and staff members. The costumes, music, set, props, sound and lighting all helped in creating an exciting and realistic atmosphere for the cast and audience. And there were many students and staff working behind the scenes. The production was an entertaining and memorable experience that brought the school community together and highlighted the creativity and teamwork within the school. Well done everyone that was involved, and we look forward to congratulating the lead cast members at next week's assembly.

Impromptu Speech Competition - Last Monday six junior and six senior students spoke in the final of the Impromptu Speech competition. The juniors could speak on two topics: why homework should be banned, or whether social is doing more harm than good. The senior students were able to choose between three topics: whether the voting age should be lowered to 16, whether space exploration enhances the human race, and, thirdly, that anyone can become a millionaire if they work hard enough. Congratulations to all speakers for your bravery and courage in making it to the final. Congratulations to Dominic Goodenough – the winner of the senior section, and Sam Allen – the winner of the junior section.

Chamber Music Coaching - On Wednesday our chamber musicians attended a chamber music coaching with leading Auckland pianist and teacher Justin Bird. It was fantastic to see the boys develop their skills and overall sound in the lead up to next month's HB chamber music competition.

Band Festival this weekend - This coming Sunday, Lindisfarne College hosts the Hawke's Bay Festival of Bands here in the auditorium. There will be jazz and symphonic bands from Palmerston North, Hamilton, and the Hawke's Bay. All the best to our symphonic band, jazz band, and our joint junior wind band with Hereworth school. You, the students, are all welcome to come along to listen to the music on Sunday – entry is free, and the schedule will be on the school notice board.

Rockquest - Also on Sunday is the Hawke's Bay round of Rockquest. All the best to our two rock bands that will be performing: they are Miscelania and The Knights of Noon. And there are other boys also performing in mixed-school rock groups. All the best to everyone, and anyone is welcome to get along to Havelock North High School to support the boys and listen some top-class, original, rock music.

Rector: Thank you Gus. I would now like to welcome Sports Prefect, Andrew Wakefield, up to present this week's sports report

Sports Report

In Orienteering - On Sunday 3rd May, two intermediate teams represented Lindisfarne at a Rogaine event on Bluff Hill – an orienteering challenge focused on navigation, teamwork, and endurance. Flynn Webber, Henry Garner, and Greyson Pentreath finished 1st in the Intermediate Boys category, with Elliot Lewin and Spencer Hope placing 4th.

A great effort from both groups, supporting each other well throughout the event.

In Golf - Our golfers competed in the Hawkes Bay Secondary Schools Regional Tournament last week and produced an outstanding performance to secure victory and thereby qualify for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Nationals to be held at the end of August. The winning margin was by eight strokes over Napier Boys High School and saw Luke Jarvis shoot a 2 under par 70, Cordell Henare 73 and George Pogson 76. Well done boys!

In Chess - We had four teams competing in the Hawke's Bay Interschool Teams Chess Competition with the intermediate B Team placing second in their division. The boys in the team were Jadon Tso, Magnus Jones, George Sun and Greyson Pentreath.

In Shooting - The first round of the Central Lower North Island Secondary School Series was held on Sunday

The A squad of Josh Snijders (19/20), Gus Denton, Will Smiley, Jacob Mathers (19/20) and Duncan Logan (20/20). Will Hunt (19/20), Oscar Von Dadelszen (18/20) and Oscar Hunter (18/20) shooting for the B-Team had a good day out with Robbie Logan (17/20) and Tom Lowry (17/20) doing well for the C-Squad.

In Points Score, Duncan Logan (A-Squad) dropped one target for 57/60 with Oscar Hunter (B-Squad) and Sam Beetham (C-Squad) shooting 54/60. In Single Barrel, Oscar Hunter shot 19 to take out the Single Barrel event. Josh Snijders was third in Skeet with Duncan Logan coming first in Single Rise, third in Points Score and second overall on 94/100.

Across the day, Oscar Hunter and Josh Snijders shot 91/100 and Sam Beetham 88/100. This performance secured Sam the Best Junior Shooter title.

In the team event. Our A-Squad finished third behind Palmerston North Boys High School and Feilding.

In Cross Country - Our boys competed in the East Coast North Island Cross Country Relays and achieved some pleasing results. Our Year 9 of Ben Nelson, Oscar Fitness, George Wickham and Levi McEntee finished third overall. Our Junior team of Owen Booker, Beau Henderson, Lote Shanley and Charlie Butt also finished third with our Senior boys (Noah Hemmingson, Alex Ferguson, Lucas Rutherford and Ted Oliver) coming fifth.

Rector: Thank you, Andrew

Please now join with me in singing the hymn – Shine Jesus Shine

HYMN – Shine Jesus Shine

Rector: I'd now like to invite Wellbeing Prefect, Noah Hemmingsen forward to talk about Pink Shirt Day;

Rector: Thank you, Noah. Mr Howlett will now say a few words, to wrap up today's Assembly.

Kia ora e te whanau.

I've asked Mr Hardman if I could say a few words at assembly today because it is a topic that has meaning for me. It's something I haven't just read about, it's something I've lived and experienced. That's why days like Pink Shirt Day matter to me, and why I believe they matter to us as a College.

I'm not here to tell stories from the past. It was a different time, with different attitudes. What matters is how we live in the present, because what we choose to do now is what shapes the future, the culture we build, and the kind of men we become.

Today we are recognising Pink Shirt Day, a day that reminds us of the power of kindness and the responsibility we each carry to look after one another.

I would like to reflect on a short passage from the Bible.

In Micah 6: verse8, we are reminded of what God asks of us. In verse 8 he asks us to;

"To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

This verse is powerful because it does not call for big speeches or grand gestures. It calls for everyday actions, choosing what is right, showing compassion, and living with humility. That message sits at the heart of Pink Shirt Day.

Looking out over this sea of Pink, I want to congratulate and thank everyone who has made the effort to support this day, whether you wore pink, encouraged someone else, or simply chose to be more aware of how your words and actions affect others. Those choices matter.

Pink Shirt Day also gives us an important opportunity, an opportunity to re-imagine what our masculine culture looks like.

As a boys' college, we are constantly shaping what it means to be a man. Here at Lindisfarne, that is not defined by toughness alone, or by bravado, or by always being right. It is defined by the values and virtues of our College, the Character traits of integrity, respect, humility, service, courage, and above all, kindness.

Being a man of Lindisfarne means having the strength to be kind.

The courage to stand up for others.

And the humility to walk alongside someone who is struggling.

Pink Shirt Day reminds us that we all can make a difference. And often, that difference is small, but no less important.

A small difference still makes a difference.

A kind word.

A quiet check-in.

A decision not to join in when someone is being put down.

Often, the most meaningful support is quiet support. Not making a big deal of it. Not drawing attention to yourself. Simply noticing someone in need and choosing to be there. That kind of kindness reflects maturity. It reflects humility. And it reflects strength.

To do this well, we must work at understanding and accepting each other. As brothers, we won't always agree. We won't always get on. Brothers argue. Brothers clash. Brothers see the world differently.

But real brotherhood means that even when we disagree, we still stand together.

It means having a bond, a strong connection, where we look out for one another, back each other, and do not walk past when someone needs support.

This idea of brotherhood is a strong one at Lindisfarne, and it is captured powerfully in the new sculpture that sits out front the of the homestead. This sculpture was donated by the leavers of 2025 and represents connection, strength, and unity. It reminds us that we are not individuals standing alone, but brothers linked together.

Boys I'd like you to stand quietly.

Today, we are not standing because of what we've experienced. We are standing because we choose brotherhood.

We stand because we believe kindness matters.

We stand because brotherhood means being there for each other.

We stand because even when we don't agree, we stay connected.

We stand because quiet support can change someone's day.

Quietly look around you boys, without talking.

This is what it looks like when a community chooses to stand together.

This is what it means to be a Lindisfarne man, strong enough to stand, humble enough to support, and committed to brotherhood.

And remember boys - kindness is how brotherhood is lived.

E nohu, please be seated.

My challenge to you today is this: Link kindness to brotherhood.

Let kindness be the way brotherhood is lived out every day, in classrooms, on the field, in the corridors, online, and especially in the quiet moments when no one is watching.

If each of us commits to acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly, then Pink Shirt Day becomes more than just a day. It becomes part of our culture. It becomes part of what it means to be a Lindisfarne man.

Let us be known as a place where kindness is normal, support is genuine, and brotherhood is lived.

I would now like to invite Jasper Jamieson to close our assembly in prayer.