Assembly Notes: 30 January 2026 | Lindisfarne College

Kia ora, boys and staff e noho please be seated. Welcome to our first formal Assembly for the year.

I'd like to invite Deputy Rector – Mr Howlett to read today's reading

Today's reading - John 13: 1-17

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.

After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."

Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

Jesus answered, "Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."

For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.

"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Rectors Comments:

Thank you Mr Howlett

Today we present to you the 20 Lindisfarne Prefects for 2026. In doing so, we formally welcome them into their new roles, and announce to you the specific positions they will hold this year. Our prefects have already taken on some responsibilities at the start to the year, including assisting staff with the first day for Yr 7-9 students, helping with our Blazer Presentations and setting up for the Full school lunch on yesterday. I know many have been providing leadership in the boarding house along with our other Year 13 Boarding prefects and thank you all for the outstanding service you are providing there.

To be named a Lindisfarne prefect is a huge honour. It demonstrates, first of all, that these young men have offered to serve and to lead their college. Secondly it speaks to all that they have achieved up to this point in their Lindisfarne journey, and thirdly it demonstrates that they have the support of their own Year 13 peer group, the rest of the student body and the staff.

At this point I do wish to acknowledge all Year 13s students who applied for a prefect position. Talking with staff, it sounded like a difficult choice and many outstanding students missed out. I remember when I was at school, I missed out on being announced as a prefect at school. I was gutted, but, I got stuck in and made the most of my Year 13 year. I just made sure that I led in other ways, like being a good role model for the younger students, helping out when something needs to be done and being a good sportsman on the field.

It's come as no surprise to me that many of the students who did miss out on a prefect badge, have returned to school for their last year with a positive and mature attitude and they are already looking for opportunities to serve and lead. Well done to these good men of character. Every Year 13 student has a significant leadership role to play this year, and I guarantee that we will see some outstanding leaders flourish in our Year 13 in 2026, whether they wear a kilt and badge or not.

When chosen for a Prefect role, students have to be ready to sacrifice much of their own time in the service of you, the students of Lindisfarne. At this Sunday's Chapel service, which I encourage you all to attend, Reverend Dunnett will ask our Prefects to make their promises to the College with respect to the prefect roles they have taken on. Those promises are not just made to made to me, the Senior Leadership team and the staff, they are made to you as well, so as I say please come along to show respect and support for our 2026 Prefects.

On Thursday at our Pōwhiri we ushered in a new school year at Lindisfarne College. A new year always gives us a moment to reset, to lift our heads, and to consider the kind of young men we want to become over the next twelve months. You also had new staff join the College and a new Rector. One thing I haven't shared with the students is that I was born in South Africa and immigrated when I was 12. I do support the All Blacks. In South Africa, we are blessed with amazing animals and National Parks.

If there is an animal that I connect with, it's the lion. It is known around the world as a symbol of strength, courage, discipline, and leadership. Lions aren't the biggest or the fastest animals on the savannah, but what sets them apart is their mindset. They move with purpose. They protect their pride. And when challenges come, they face them head-on with confidence and determination.

Perhaps this is your lion year, the year you decide to step up, to lead, to find your voice, and to push beyond what you thought you were capable of. Maybe it's the year you let go of old fears or habits, and replace them with courage, discipline, and the belief that you can be a better version of yourself.

Lions remind us that leadership is not about being the loudest or the toughest, it's about being dependable, selfless, and willing to do the hard things even when no one is watching. That message connects powerfully to the whakataukī displayed here to my right: a reminder that true strength comes from character, resilience, and the choices we make every day.

The whakatauki was written for Lindisfarne College by The Honourable Justice Sir Joe Williams, old boy of the College and New Zealand's first Maori Supreme Court Judge. Sir Joe gifted it to the College at the 70th Reunion a few years ago and we have now installed it in this special building, our Assembly Chapel Hall. Going back to those qualities of courage, presence, and leadership. Sir Joe has embodied these throughout his life.

Like a lion standing firm for his pride, he has shown remarkable bravery as he has advocated for the rights and dignity of his people. He is also a powerful speaker, someone whose words carry weight and purpose, and a natural leader who inspires others. In many ways, Sir Joe reflects the very strengths we associate with the lion: courage, conviction, and a voice that leads from the front.

The whakatauki says:

He Motutapu, he whare wānanga

He whare wānanga he māra toa i

Whakatupuria hei ara ngākau ki te ao

A Sacred isle, is a house of learning

A house of learning is a garden to grow warriors, for

They are the highway to the heart of the world

Sir Joe wants to remind you all that you are the warriors who must practise and safeguard the Christian values of the College. In doing so, you grow these values in yourself and create highways in your heart that make the world a better place for everyone. What a wonderful taonga or gift he has given to our College.

As we now turn to the presentation of our 2026 Prefects and you see them receive their badges, please use this moment to reflect on Sir Joe's words.

It's now my pleasure to invite Deputy Rector, Mr Howlett, forward to announce the 2026 Prefects. Each student will be presented with his prefect badge.

Mr Howlett Speaks

It's my pleasure to announce the 2026 Prefects.

Joshua Vossen-Chong - Academic Prefect
Leo Marcroft - Academic Prefect
William Worthington-Thin - Aidan House Prefect
Charlie East - Cuthbert House Prefect
Logan Tims - Durham House Prefect
Fletcher Dawson - Oswald House Prefect
Jasper Jamieson - Chapel Prefect
Isaac Dann - Service Prefect
Noah Hemmingsen - Wellbeing Prefect
Otis Hoggard - Yr 7 & 8 Prefect
Joseph Turner - Yr 7 & 8 Prefect
Elliot Wickham - Yr 7 & 8 Prefect
Thomas King - Yr 7 & 8 Prefect
Fergus Denton - Cultural Prefect
Te-Awarangi Puketapu-Pene - Cultural Prefect
Reid Palmer - Sport Prefect
Andrew Wakefield - Sport Prefect
Charlie Tizard - Head of Boarding
Beck Allen - Deputy Head Prefect
Frank Gilligan - Head Prefect

Rector Speaks

Thank you Mr Howlett.

This will be the first time that I see you as a school sing. The new students, this will be new to you as it will me. Give it your best shot. The returning students, you will know this song well. Let's please sing this well, with good gusto. Please join with me in singing the hymn Highways In The Heart.

HYMN

Rector Speaks

Thank you, please be seated.

It's now my pleasure to invite Head Prefect Frank Gilligan forward to address you all.

Congratulation to all those boys who were recognised today. Well done on making a positive start to the year.

I hope to see as many of you as possible at the Prefects Chapel Service on Sunday and all the best for any sports and cultural activities occurring over the weekend. Please represent the College with pride.

Reverend Dunnett will now close our assembly in prayer.

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