Good afternoon School. Please be seated.

I’d like to invite school prefect Daniel Brown to deliver today’s reading

Today’s reading comes from the Book of Revelation, Chapter 7, Verses 16-17

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

This is the word of the Lord

Thank you, Daniel.

Rectors Comments:  

Well boys, here we are on the last day of Term One. It’s been a long and busy term for us all and I think we all agree that students and staff deserve a well-earned rest and a holiday with family and friends.

If we reflect on the 11 week term, we recall starting back in week one with our Yr 9 Pilgrim walk, powhiri, Prefect chapel service and blazer presentation lunch. We certainly hit the ground running and it hasn’t slowed down. A special congratulations to all students who were new to the school at the start of this year - day boys and boarders, for managing the challenges you faced in order to adjust to life in a new school and new home. You were courageous in facing news challenges and now you can finish the first term confident in yourselves for what you’ve achieved.

We moved on to swimming sports, athletics sports and several traditional exchanges with other colleges which many of you were involved in. We also had massive success with our annual Gala, Open Day and our 2021 Production of Fame. There has been incredible success on the sports field, in the music arena, on several camps including Duke of Ed and there have been many successes in the classroom. We even managed to get our South Island coast to coast trip off the ground yesterday, with Mr Dunlop and Ms Davis taking 14 boys away on an exciting trip down south.

Reverend Dunnett and his team of committed students and staff have run exceptional chapel services where we have been challenged on themes such as integrity and respect. The chapel band and worship band have helped us to improve our singing. So well done to all on helping us make a great start to the year.

Last weekend I joined Mr Sidney, Mr Dunlop, Mr Hay and several of our students on a trip up north to the Coromandel. We were going to support one of our old boys, Mr Joe Williams, who was receiving a knighthood at his local Marae, Manaia, which is just north of Thames. A knighthood is awarded to a person who has served his or her country with distinction in their chosen field. Sir Joe Williams, as he is now referred to, received his knighthood for services to the justice system. He was the first Maori Supreme Court judge and we can feel proud that he once sat in those seats where you are today and has gone on to give incredible service to his country and to his people in the world of law and justice. The nine boys who travelled with us performed a stirring haka for Sir Joe in their distinctive, red Lindisfarne blazers and it was very moving for him and a very proud moment for me and the rest of the staff. It made the 6’clock news and some of you may have even seen it. I thank those boys for representing Sir Joe Williams and the college so well. I look forward to Mr Williams returning to the school later in the year so we can all acknowledge his achievements.

Today we say goodbye to one of our long-serving staff members. Mr Simes in the Maths department started with us in 2004 and so he’s been with us over 17 years. Today is his last day, boys, as he begins a well deserved retirement from the beginning of Term 2. Mr Simes has made a huge contribution to Lindisfarne as a gifted Mathematics teacher who makes a difference for all students. He caters for those who need to be extended, and he has enabled students doing university maths papers in Yr 13 and those doing scholarship to achieve fantastic results for many years. But he’s also worked brilliantly with those who benefit from extra support with their learning, and it’s not uncommon to see Mr Simes working individually with students before and after school, or at lunchtimes.  A superb Tutor Teacher, I know the boys in KES Tutor Group will miss him,….. and someone who has made a significant contribution to the co-curricular life of the school, through hockey in his earlier years and in supporting those with a passion for chess among other things.

Mr Simes takes his place regularly alongside the band in Chapels and assemblies and that’s where he is right now. He always likes to remain in the background and never wants to be in the spotlight. However, in keeping with a large number of student requests this week, we will gather in the circle outside the Homestead at the end of assembly to show our appreciation to Mr Simes for all his has given us over these past 17 years. For now, let’s put our hands together for him.

Finally, I’d like to speak briefly about Anzac day, which is on Sunday 25^th April when we are on holiday. Anzac Day in our country commemorates New Zealanders killed in war and honours returned and serving servicemen and women. The date marks the anniversary of the landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers – the Anzacs – on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey in 1915, 106 years ago.

Thousands lost their lives during the Gallipoli campaign: 87,000 Ottoman Turks, 8500 Australians and 2779 New Zealanders, which was about one in six of those New Zealanders who served on Gallipoli. Many New Zealanders have lost their lives in subsequent wars.

War is a terrible thing and should always be a last resort, avoided at all costs. We are lucky that we and our parents and for many of you, your grandparents have lived in a period of history in which our lives have not been affected by war. I like to think that as humanity evolves, the value we place on human life means that we’ll never experience a repeat of those terrible times.

We pause to remember fallen soldiers on Anzac Day because those who died, laid down their lives for future generations….. for us. Most of the soldiers who fought in Gallipoli would not have been able to conceive of what they were about to face, as they left New Zealand shores to serve their country. They were young, not much older than you. They were full of hope and excited about their futures beyond Gallipoli. Sadly, many young people thought that war itself would be an exciting adventure, but of course we now know that it was destined to end in tragedy. So please remember them on Anzac day, and the many who continued to serve after them and who continue to serve on our behalf today.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Thank you boys, and we continue our assembly today in an appropriate way, with the singing of the National Anthem, God Defend New Zealand. Let’s sing it with pride and respect as we finish the term.

HYMN 

Thank you, please be seated.

I’ll now invite Cultural Prefect Oliver Newton forward to update us on the latest Arts and Culture news

Arts and Cultural Report

Easter Music Piano Success

During the Easter Holidays pianists Quinn Le Lievre and Daniel Lie competed at the Napier Performing Arts Competitions Easter Festival.

Quinn entered four classes gaining three firsts and one second. Quinn also won the following awards: The Clare Challenge Cup for an own selection piece (16 yrs & over), The Music at the Muni Piano Scholarship, and The Williams Piano Scholarship for presenting a piano recital. Quinn was also awarded the 16 years & over Pebble Beach Motor Inn Instrumental Championship.

Daniel competed in the 12 and under 14 years category gaining 2^nd in the Piano Solo class, 3^rd in Modern Rhythm, and 2^nd in Contemporary Piano Solo.

Congratulations to Quinn and Daniel on their fantastic results!

Debating

The inter-school debating competition is now underway, and our two senior teams faced the HNHS senior teams here at Lindisfarne in Week 11. Both our y12 and 13 teams won the prepared debate for which the moot was ‘This House would ban the bottling and export of NZ water.” Both teams affirmed this moot and both teams proved to be strong in substance and style. In the limited prep debate, our Y13 team successfully negated the moot ‘This House believes pop artists should be judged on their work and not their lifestyle’ while the Y12 team were unsuccessful in their encounter on the same moot against the HNHS Y13 team. 

In a further inter-school debating competition against Karamu High School, debaters Antoni Milewski, William Duncan and Leo Guo were successful affirming the moot ‘This house believes that all public toilets should become unisex toilets’. Leo was named best speaker overall.

Fame

Last Saturday evening was the final performance of this year’s musical FAME. Congratulations to all performers and crew involved with FAME. All shows sold out, reflecting the high level of interest around our musical productions. Since closing night, we have received a lot of positive feedback from the wider public. Congratulations again to the full cast, crew, tech team, and ushers involved in FAME. Thank you to those boys that supported us by getting along to the auditorium to watch the show.  And thank you also to all teachers and staff that invested a huge amount of time into making FAME possible.

House Music Festival 2021

On a final note for today, this year’s House Music Festival will take place on the last of Term 2, Friday 9^th July. This year the Full-House choir own selection song will have the theme Back to the 70’s, meaning that the full house choir songs will need to have been released some time between 1970 and 1979. So, start thinking about what your House could potentially sing. All other categories will be similar to last year.

Thank you, Oliver

I’ll now invite Sports Prefect Charlie Roile forward to update us on the latest Sports news

Good afternoon I am pleased to be able to read today’s sports news.

ATHLETICS

Six Lindisfarne boys qualified for the East Coast North Island Track and Field Team for the North Island Secondary School Championships held over the weekend held in Hamilton. Our boys had a fabulous time working with a combined regional team and building up competition experience. Callum O'Keeffe placed second in the Intermediate 800m final and Hadley McDougall secured third in the High Jump. Tom Goodisson secured 6th place in the 2000m Steeplechase. 

ATHLETICS

The Hastings athletics prizegiving was held earlier this week and the following athletes received awards:

For club sprinter of the year:

In the mens 14yr old category Josh Griffiths received the Vern Walters trophy

In the mens U20 category Taylor Topp received the Malcom Cameron Royal Sports Cup

For club 400m runner of the year:

In the mens 14yr old category Jonty Roil received the SC Rusbatch Cup 

For club hurdler of the year:

In the mens 14yr old category Josh Griffiths received the Hastings Athletic Club award

For club middle distance runner of the year:

In the mens 14yr old catergory Jonty Roil received the Jimmy Spencer Memorial Trophy

For the club jumper of the year:

In the mens 14yr old category Hadley McDougall received the Ian Ward Cup

For club thrower of the year:

In the men 14yr old category Jonty Roil received the Strickland & Bryant Cup

CRICKET

Our Junior White cricket team played NBHS a few weeks ago and Jake Parbhu scored 56 run not out and took 5 wickets for 4 runs.  In the same game Jack Workman scored 1010 runs retired including 16 fours.

VOLLEYABLL

Our Intermediate Red team played their final game this week which placed them 2^nd in division one.

Our Senior A team had a fantastic season but didn’t play as well as anticipated in the final round on Wednesday night coming 4^th in their division.  The team had fun and several laughs even when things were not going to plan which was great to see and when you have a large number of competitive players who still left the court on a high.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH

Congratulations to William Duncan for achieving his Bronze Award.  

Thank you and to everyone have a great weekend.

Thank you, Charlie

Congratulation to all those boys who were recognised today. I thank you all again for a superb term and I wish you all a very safe and happy holiday. Once you are dismissed, a reminder that we’ll meet in the circle in front of the homestead to acknowledge Mr Simes.

Chapel Prefect Maclan Wright will now close our assembly in prayer.

Article added: Monday 19 April 2021