Friday, 28 August 2026
Assembly Notes - 28.08.26
Today’s reading comes from Luke Chapter 12, Verses 48
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
This is the word of the Lord (thanks be to God)
Rector Comments:
Today’s reading from Luke is very relevant and intentionally the same reading I chose for our Legacy breakfast yesterday. At Lindisfarne, we are fortunate. We have been given opportunities, support from our families, excellent teachers, coaches, and a community that believes in us. The question for each of us is simple: What are we going to do with those opportunities?
We have now reached the end of August and today I want to talk about leadership.
Every year we select around 20 prefects. Firstly, congratulations to this year's prefect group. You have done a good job so far. You've embraced opportunities, represented the College well, and contributed positively to our community.
But the job is not done.
Leadership is not something that concludes when the badge is pinned on your blazer and the job is half done. In many ways, the hardest part starts afterwards.
At the same time, I know there are students here who missed out on leadership positions. That can be disappointing. You may have worked hard. You may have felt ready. You may have thought your name would be called. The reality is that not everyone receives a badge.
But leadership was never meant to belong only to those who wear a badge. In fact, some of the most committed leaders I've known have never held an official title.
When I was in Sixth Form, what we now call Year 12, I received my first real opportunity to lead.
I wasn't good enough to make the First XI Hockey team. I got the occasional call-up during the season, but I mostly played in the Second XI.
I was given the opportunity to captain that team. I worked hard. I trained hard. I ran hard. I did everything I could to be the best teammate and leader I could be in my eyes.
At the end of the season, I was called into the tournament team for the 1st XI, and I was absolutely stoked even though I didn’t get much game time.
The following year, in Seventh Form, I was pretty confident I would receive a leadership position. I felt I had done enough. My grades were solid. I'd led the year before. I was coaching another team at school. I personally thought I had worked hard and certainly harder than others.
Then the announcements came.... Everyone was nervous.... I knew that I was not in the running for Head Boy or Deputy Head Boy. It came to house captains. I missed out on being Green House Captain.... I felt that I also had the chance to be a Sports prefect.
I missed out on being Sports Prefect.....
To be honest, I was gutted. I was so disappointed. I was happy for my mates who got positions. But for me this was a tough day.
All that expectation came crashing down in a matter of minutes.
I had a choice. I could have felt sorry for myself. I could have complained.
I could have thrown my toys. Instead, I decided not to.
I looked for other ways to lead.
I earned a place in the First XI Cricket team and contributed to a successful season. Batting in the middle order, I had to work really hard. I can’t say I was talented, I was a grafter.
I was selected as co-captain of the First XI Hockey team and we had an excellent year. I made the Harbour Under-18 Hockey team and the Hibiscus Coast Men's team who I got to learn or some of New Zealand's most capped Blacksticks Players like Darren Smith.
Most importantly, I supported one of my best mates, who had been appointed Green House Captain as his deputy (a non prefect position)
Then, two weeks into Term 3, he made the decision to leave school and pursue a trade.
I was disappointed to lose him as a mate at school, but it also gave me the opportunity to step into the role and lead Green House for the rest of the year. A double edged sword for sure.
Because of the work he had already put in, and because of the effort of many others around him, Green House went on to win the House Competition that year for the first time in a decade.
The lesson I've never forgotten is this:
Leadership isn't about the badge. (Ironically, I was never given one). It's about the behaviour. I didn't have large groups of people following me around.
I wasn't standing at the front giving speeches every day.
I wasn't telling everyone what to do. What I could do was be an example.
I could be one of the first to arrive. I could be the one of the last to leave.
I could train hard. I could encourage others.
I could genuinely want to learn and help people around me get better.
That is leadership. Positions are important. However, leadership is not purely a position.
Leadership is influence. Leadership is service. Leadership is example.
Leadership is consistently trying to do the right thing when it would be easier not to, even though you get things wrong.
Leadership is helping the person next to you succeed.
Leadership is making your whānau proud through your actions and your character.
Every day you are contributing to the culture of this school. Have you checked out, or are you dialed in?
Every conversation positive or negative. Every training – in the comfort zone or uncomfortable zone. Every lesson – learning or copying. Every chapel service being present or being absent.
Every House event – here or not. Every interaction with a younger student.
You are either strengthening our culture or weakening it.
And so, as we move into the final part of the year, I want to challenge every senior student.
Whether you are a prefect or not. Whether you wear a badge or not.
Whether you think people notice you or not. You can be year 7-13 and lead, you can be a teaching staff member or a support staff member and lead.
Lead by your effort.
Lead by your attitude.
Lead by your standards.
Lead by your character.
For our leavers, Finish strong.
Make your family proud.
Make your house proud.
Make your school proud.
Most importantly, leave a legacy that reflects the opportunities you have been given and the responsibility that comes with them.
Because as Luke reminds us:
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded."
At Lindisfarne, we have been given much.
We have passed the midpoint of the year, now is the time to show what we will do with it.
Please join me in singing the hymn: He Honore
HYMN: He Honere
Rector Comments:
Please be seated. I will now invite Cultural Prefect, Te Awarangi Puketapu Pene, forward to update us on the latest Arts and Cultural news.
Cultural Report
Intermediate School HB Speech Competition
Last week Magnus Jones placed first in the intermediate-school speech final held at Havelock North Intermediate, with his speech titled 'Why being a child in today’s world is harder than it was in the past’. A large crowd of Havelock North Intermediate students, along with many parents and teachers, attended. Magnus faced twelve finalists from across Hawke's Bay, and he impressed the judges with his confidence, gestures, clear diction, and engaging content. Congratulations Magnus – please come forward to accept your Certificate
Rector Comments:
Thank you Te Awarangi. I will now invite Sports Prefect, Reid Palmer, forward to update us on the latest Sports news.
Sports Report
In Basketball
Our Senior A team played in the final of the Hawkes Bay Basketball Premier Division 2 Final on Monday evening against Karamu Senior A Boys. Our boys capped off a fine season securing a win by twenty-two points with the final score being 81-59. The Boys now shift their focus to the Central North Island tournament to be held in Palmerston North during tournament week.
Can Taurere Whiunui please come forward to collect the trophy on behalf of the team
In Rugby
The 2nd XV rugby played in the Hawkes Bay Secondary Schools Division 1 final on Saturday against Te Aute 1st XV. All players played with confidence and passion with a team first approach. They stuck to the structure and patterns of play to set up a strong foundation that allowed them strike when the opportunity arose. The match was well contested throughout, with Lindisfarne able to apply consistent pressure over the course of the whole match to come out victorious by 50 - 10 to win Hawkes Bay Secondary Schools Division 1 competition.
The Lindisfarne College White team played in the Division 2 final on Saturday against Havelock North 1 and the boys put in a superb performance to secure a 36 – 12 win. Tries from John Coka, Tom Bayliss, Charlie Butt, Robbie Lewis (2) and Payton Thomsen contributed to a successful day.
The Lindisfarne College Red team, competing in the Division 3 final against Central Hawkes Bay College, played out to a hard fought 17-17 draw in wet conditions. The playing regulations stating that in the event of a draw, the team scoring the first try would be awarded the victory. As such, the trophy was presented to the Lindisfarne Red team.
The 1st XV put in a gutsy performance against St Patrick’s Silverstream but ultimately, a close encounter saw our boys suffer a narrow 24-36 loss in the semi-finals of the Hurricanes Top 4 competition.
Can Will Worthington, George Loffler and Julius Raihania come forward to receive trophies on behalf of the Teams
The Hawke’s Bay U16 Black and White squads were announced, and we have a number of players represented. Congratulations are extended to Spencer Bruce, John Coka, Ollie Cranswick, Ricoh Davies, Charlie Hutchison, Kylian Kauvaitupu, Mali Wynne-Lewis, Robbie Lewis, Mikaere Ngahuka, Jay La Dette-Pinfold, Julius Raihania and Davey Simutoga.
In Hockey
The Hawkes Bay U16 team was announced this week, and we are pleased to confirm that George Foote, Rupert McKimm, Sam Pearse and Cooper Witheford have been named in the team that will travel to the national tournament later this term.
Earlier this term we acknowledged Max Allen for his selection to FHL Falcons U18 team. We are pleased to confirm that Hamish Butler has also now been added to the team, joining the wider training squad. Both Max and Hamish will travel to the national tournament to represent the Hawkes Bay U18 team as well.
In the final of the Hawke’s Bay Premier Boys competition, on Wednesday evening, the boys put in a tremendous display of skill and ability that extend to the first, third and fourth quarters. Unfortunately, a below par second quarter was where all the damage was done! A year 13 heavy Hastings Boy’s High School were great value for their 7-1 victory which see them be highly competitive at Rankin next week. A result like that often ignites a reset and we hope that our boys go well at Rankin as well.
In Speedway Championships
Vinzent Macgregor has had an outstanding 2025/2026 speedway season. Across 67 races, Vinzent achieved an incredible 35 wins. He secured six major titles: the Ministock 100 Championship, Kevin Milne Memorial Championship, Hawkes Bay Ministock Championship, Future of Speedway Championship, Eastcoast Ministock Championship and King of the Park Championship.
Vinzent also earned podium finishes at the Baypark Allstars, City of New Plymouth Ministock Classic, Waharoa, Manawatu Palmerston North and Awapuni Best Pairs championships. He set lap records at Baypark, Waharoa, Awapuni and Waikaraka Speedways.
His season honours included Ministock Competitor of the Year at both Meeanee and Awapuni Speedways, as well as Up and Coming Young Driver, Young Achiever, Fastest Lap, Most Travelled Driver and the Commentator’s Choice Award.
In Canoe Polo
We are very excited to announce that the following students have been selected to represent Hawke’s Bay Canoe Polo in our Year 8/Under 14 Development Programme for the upcoming season. They are William Kilpatrick, Lachie Renall, Carter Davies, Alby Redmond, Magnus Jones and Lucas Malone
At the Puketapu Night Run
A solid Lindisfarne team took on the annual Puketapu Night Run again this year. With the bridge back in action the full 17-kilometre loop was again open for entries and several Lindisfarne runners took on the challenge. In the Secondary student race, Noah Hemmingsen finished second with Ted Oliver coming in close behind in third place. Over the 11km race distance, Magnus Jones finished second in his age category with Ollie Mitchell running home in third for the Y9+ age group.
In the final category, the 6.2km race, Ben Nelson finished 3rd for his age group.
Well done to all the racers at this year’s event.
In Shooting
Results from Central & Lower North Island Secondary School Circuit hosted by Wanganui-Rangitikei Clay Target Club.
The High overall Junior competition saw Tom Lowry, shooting 85, come 3rd. In Skeet, Joshua Snijders 23/25 came 3rd. In Single Rise Tom Lowry 19/20, Oscar Hunter 18/20 produced standout performances whilst in Point Score Will Hunt and Oscar Hunter shot 57/60. In Single Barrel, Will Hunt shot 18/20).
In the Teams, Open 500 competition, the B squad (Will Hunt, Sam Beetham, Tom Lowry, Zac Dalton, Parker Arnold) came first ahead our A squad (Josh Snijders, Oscar Hunter, Charlie Bothamley, Jacob Mathers, Oscar von Dadelszen). Palmerston North Boy’s High School were 3rd.
In Badminton
Three of our students competed in the Hawkes Bay Badminton Championships on Wednesday and the results reflected a most pleasing outcome with Ben Tian winning the A-Grade Singles Championships. He beat Jianzhi Zhu in the singles final before the two boys paired up to win the A-Grade Doubles competition. Oliver Kee secured the singles title in the C-Grade and won the doubles competition with his teammate from Havelock North High School. We will present the medals at a later date as at the time of the Assembly, they had not arrived.
The week ahead (National Tournament Week)
We wish all teams competing this week all the very best for their fixtures, particularly our teams competing in their respective tournaments. The 1st XI hockey boys travel to Dunedin for the Rankin/India Shield tournament. The 1st XI football boys travel to Palmerston North for the Lotto Premier tournament with the Junior A team travelling to Tauranga for the Hillsdene Junior Nationals. Cordell Henare, George Pogson and Luke Jarvis travel to Christchurch for the National Golf Championships and finally we have the Senior A Basketball team competing in the Central Cup in Palmerston North. There will be a great opportunity for you to get out and support our Junior A rugby team who compete in the U15 tournament that we host towards the end of next week.
Rector Comments:
Thank you, Reid.
Congratulations to everyone whose been recognised today. I would like to wish all the students and staff safe travels for Winter Tournament Week. We have a number of people travelling and will be hosting the U15 Rugby Tournament later next week. Please remember to lead well and represent this College with pride.
I would like to invite Reverend Dunnett will now close our assembly in prayer.
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