Tēnā tātou katoa, please be seated.

I’d like to invite Cultural Prefect James Kennedy forward to deliver today’s reading

Today’s reading comes from Philippians Chapter 4, Verse 8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me — practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you

This is the word of the Lord

Sports News

DUKE OF ED

Congratulations to Jacob Porter for achieving his bronze level.

Jacob can you please come forward to reive your award and badge.

Well done to Sam Alexander for completing his gold award, it is a fantastic achievement.  He has completed bronze, silver and gold.  A lot of dedication went into completing this award.  This can be used in applying for university scholarships and jobs and is recognised worldwide.

Sam can you please up to receive your certificate.

SPORTS COLOURS

SWIMMING

1. NAME:            MARCUS SISAM
YEAR LEVEL:      13              YEARS IN TOP TEAM: 5

Marcus has represented the school on 2 occasions at the NZSS Swimming Champs. This year he was placed 2^nd or 3^rd in 4 events at the HBSS Champs. In addition Marcus has been selected to represent the school at the NISS Champs while also qualifying for the NZ Short Course Championships in Auckland.

SURFING

1. NAME:            JOSH WYNNE-LEWIS
YEAR LEVEL:      13   

Placed 7th in NZ U18 championships earning a spot in the New Zealand junior pro in Piha. 

- Selected to represent Hawke's Bay at the national scholastic surfing competition in 2020, 2021. 

- Winning the U18 Hawke's Bay board riders surfing competition 2021  

- Placing 2nd at the Hawke's Bay board riders surfing competition this year after coming back from injury.

Rector Speaks:

Thank you Mr Petersen and congratulations to those 4 boys.

Today we recognise those students who have earned their Lindisfarne Cultural Colours.

Hopefully by now you have worked out that I am a massive fan of performing arts at our College, because I do try at every opportunity to encourage and support the cultural cornerstone and of course I do that by commending all of our performing artists whenever they do perform and by encouraging and thanking you every time you sing at the top of your voices to show your pride and passion for our amazing college.

You might think that the reason I am such a huge fan of the arts is because I have a background in the arts, but that’s not the case at all. I’ve never learned a musical instrument properly. I’ve played around a bit with guitar and bass over the years, but I’d never call myself a musician. I’ve never acted on stage. I wasn’t flash at public speaking at school and the only reason I speak with confidence now is because like all of my colleagues on stage here it’s been a big part of my job for many years. Debating? No, never done that either.

My co-curricular interest at school in England started and finished with football. It’s all we cared about and it’s all we did. I didn’t take an interest in the arts and to be honest in my particular school, there weren’t the opportunities that you have, but that’s not an excuse – even if there were, I don’t think I would have taken those opportunities because I just didn’t get it back then.

But now that I’m older, with more life experience, I would have to say that it’s one of my biggest regrets that I didn’t get into the arts when I was younger, because I now look at those of you who are getting involved and see that it’s not only an incredible amount of fun, but it’s also so good for you in lots of different ways.

Take this year’s school play Wheeler’s Luck. At the end of the performances, everyone who was on that stage receiving the applause of the audience had clearly had an amazing time and an incredible experience. You could see it on their faces. And I’ll bet they’d all been challenged in some way. In fact a number of the actors were performing on stage for the first time and their personal growth and skill development would have been huge!

I really enjoy seeing you step outside of your comfort zone and have a go at something in the performing arts when in the past you’ve tended to stick to sports or the academic side of school life. It takes great courage to try something new. It’s a bit like the Duke of Ed guys before Jacob and Sam. They probably didn’t think they were going to be doing Duke of Ed when they started high school, but there’s Jacob picking up his Bronze award as a Yr 10 and Sam about to graduate as a Year 13 picking up his gold award.  That’s why you come to Lindisfarne – to take up the incredible opportunities on offer in all cornerstones.

Last Thursday I attended the guitar recital where those students who are learning guitar or bass or ukulele were performing their pieces in front of an audience in the auditorium. What I reflected on as I watched the performances was the different stages that each of the boys were at. Some of the boys were clearly learning the basics of their instrument and were playing a few basic chords and having to really concentrate to strum in time and wrap their fingers around the frets for each chord. And then there were those who were clearly at the advanced level, playing intricate picking songs at speed. But those advanced players were once like their younger peers and they’ve had to practise and practise to take their playing to the next level.

And that’s one of the massive benefits of the performing arts. You can achieve amazing things if you are willing to put in the effort and the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from that hard work must be a phenomenal feeling when you start to become highly skilled. Today when you see these young men receive their colours, try to recall when you have seen them perform and try to appreciate how much time and effort they have given to their chosen area or areas and what incredible self-discipline they must have shown to stick at it and to get better.

And please remember that it’s never too late to get involved in the performing arts at Lindisfarne College. We’ve got a production next year – only our 2^nd production in 4 years due to the pandemic. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by, just like the boys who signed up for the school play this year didn’t let that opportunity pass them by – I’d love for one of you to come to me after the production next year and say Mr Hakeney I remember you encouraging us to give the production ago when you spoke at assembly and I didn’t forget and I’ve just had the most amazing time this term. Or go and see Dr Kristensen or Mr Selfe and say hey sir I was thinking this year about playing an instrument or having a go at debating or whatever it is that you think looks like it might be fun and give it a go. The only way we can keep our 4 cornerstones strong at Lindisfarne College is through you boys getting involved. Academic, Christian and Service, Cultural and Sport. We can talk about how great we are in these areas all we want, but we can only show that we are great through your dedication and hard work and so really your commitment to the cornerstones.

My message today then is that of course we want you to continue to commit to the sporting cornerstone, and all the benefits that sport brings. And the same for the academic cornerstone. But getting involved in the cultural cornerstone and the performing arts, just like the Christian cornerstone and service, will require you to make an effort to step outside of your comfort zone and perhaps try something new. You won’t regret it and it will enrich your life in ways that you could never have imagined, giving you confidence and a whole new set of skills and probably a whole lot more friends.

So before we recognise today’s Cultural Colours Recipients, let’s join the band for the last time this term by singing at our very best the school song Highways in the Heart.

Cultural Report 30^th September 29, 2022

I’d like to first of all welcome home our symphonic band and jazz band that have been in Wellington this week attending the Musicworks Ensemble band festival. The boys performed excellently – the symphonic band gained a gold award and the jazz band was awarded a …………… TBC …………Both bands attended workshops with internationally acclaimed music directors, including jazz expert Mr Roger Fox. Four of our musicians had the opportunity to perform as soloists with the Royal NZ Airforce band – this was Quinn Le Lievre, Marcus Gallagher, Leo Guo and Callum Wallace. Only six students from the whole festival were confident enough to do this, which meant improvising with the NZ Airforce Band as your backing – so it was fantastic to our guys excelling at what they love.  Congratulations to all the band boys that travelled to Wellington.

On a different note – auditions for next year’s musical will take place in weeks one and two of Term 4. We will be picking up where we left off with the musical The Addams Family – and we will again be  working next year with Woodford House. If you are interested in auditioning, please see me straight after the assembly.

Cultural Colours – Presented by Flemming

Double Colours

Fergus Morunga

Music

This year Fergus Morunga has stepped up as a year 11 student to show excellent leadership within the pipe band, particularly around supporting younger members of the band. He is piping at high level and is a strong performer. He is dedicated and passionate about piping and the pipe band and he is selfless in his contribution to school events that involve piping.

Arts

Fergus is receiving Arts colours for his work on creating the film “The Good, the Band, and the Elderly. The film that he created has had a huge impact, not only within the school but on Lindisfarne’s standing within the wider community. Fergus’ high level of self-driven motivation and his ability to produce an entire script on his own and then do all the logistical work involved in casting and directing the film is truly extraordinary and an example to other boys of what can be done with determination and persistence.

Daniel Diprose.

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Daniel is a role model for public speaking within the school and he was place 1^st at this year’s Churchill oratory speech competition. He consistently delivers sermons in chapel and recently delivered an 11-minute speech at the Presbyterian conference to great success. Daniel is completing his Speech New Zealand diploma to a level of excellence.

DEBATING

In 2022 Daniel Has been in one of the senior debating teams, he has debated in the exchange, attended the HBSS Russell McVeigh debating day, and participated in the HBSS Impromptu Debating competition. He was involved in the Model UN but more importantly, of his own accord he ran an intra-school debating competition for our boys at lunchtimes in Term One and Term Two.

WILLIAM DUNCAN

MUSIC

Trumpet player William Duncan brings excellent musicianship and ensemble awareness to the symphonic, jazz, and improv ensembles, and through doing this he has become an essential part of the brass sections in these groups.  At Chapels and Assemblies William leads the band excellently and is supportive of our younger musicians.

Public Speaking

Year 12 student William was place first this year at the Lindisfarne College Impromptu Speech Competition, and he recently gained second place at the College’s Churchill Oratory Speech competition. William is a highly intelligent speaker who can impressively incorporate humour into his speeches. He is currently studying for his speech diploma this year and has completed one module with a Merit. 

MUSIC

Leo Guo 

This year Leo won the prestigious HB Young Musician of the Year playing piano performing highly demanding piano repertoire, and Leo recently completed his Trinity college ATCL piano an he is a scholarship candidate. Leo is also an excellent trombonist who plays in the symphonic and jazz band, HB Youth Orchestra as well as in the improvisation group. Leo works hard, has high expectations and is a role model for other students.

Quinn Le Lievre

Quinn recently passed his LTCL Trinity College exam on piano, a great achievement for someone of his age. This year Quinn’s Chamber Music ensemble together was placed runner up in the HB Chamber music competition.  Quinn also plays the trombone at a very high, performing in the jazz, symphonic and improv bands. Quinn has been a fantastic cultural prefect there and has led by example.

Llewellyn Ward-Leikis

The Lindisfarne College pipe band has been led excellently in 2022 by Llewllyn Ward-Leikis, who has shown an excellent level of skill on the pipes as well as reliability and a passion to practice and learn new music. A stand out performer at The Trio of Talents and at the Performing Arts Concert, Llewellyn has been a strong contributor at Chapels, Assemblies and other school events.

James Kennedy

James Kennedy is an excellent pipe drummer and has led both the pipe band and the drum section throughout the year in a quiet yet direct manor. James was a key performer in the blossom parade and the performing arts concert. He has been an excellent cultural prefect who gets on with his responsibilities efficiently and leads by example.

Ryan Palmer

Ryan is only in year 11 and he is already drumming at a very high level. Ryan is a key member of the symphonic and jazz bands, and the drummer of the Escalators rock band. This year Ryal performed solo at the performing arts concert and at the HB Festival of the Bands he stepped to help out the Bay Citie’s Symphonic Band  given only one day’s notice. Ryan is sincere and absolutely reliable in everything he does.

Marcus Gallagher

Over the past 12 months Marcus has developed hugely as a guitarist and is now performing at very high level, both as a soloist and in the jazz band and in the improv group. Just this week Marcus impressed a large audience in Wellington through is improv playing with the Royal NZ airforce band. Marcus is supportive of younger guitarists and works excellently with our bands. He always gives a positive contribution and is dedicated to his music.

Callum Wallace

Callum’s love of jazz band and improvisation has flourished this year, and it was fantastic to see him perform so confidently at Trio of Talents and at  the Performing Arts concert. Callum has worked consistently hard over the past few years and is now playing at high level. He is reliable and dedicated to the groups he plays in.

Antoni Milewski

Year 12 clarinettist Antoni Milewski leads the clarinet section in both jazz and symphonic band, as well as playing in the improv group and a chamber music ensemble this year. He approaches everything he does with a seriousness  and focus to do the best he can. He achieves, and has attained a high of confidence and technique in doing so. He is a committed and dedicated musician that you can always rely on.

Drama

Hugh Kilsby

Hugh is an excellent role model for the drama department, he is always encouraging and inspiring others to get involved. His lead performance of mayor Duncan in our production of Wheelers was a stand out example of a comic but believable role. Hugh has been involved in Speech and Drama for all his years at the college and is currently completing his ASB Speech New Zealand diploma in Public speaking receiving honours for his last module

Oscar Bromhead

Since arriving at school Oscar immediately dedicated himself to theatre and the drama department. Oscar secured himself a much sort after role in the school production and committed to presenting an excellent performance.  He was an important part of the success of the overall show. Oscar has started his Speech NZ exams and is achieving excellence at Grade 7 level.

Jaidyn McCurdy

Jaidyn has become an important part of the drama team for the first time this year. He is now working at a level of excellence in preparing for scholarship drama. Jaidyn’s performances in Wheelers Luck demanded that he work at an extremely high standard. He entertained us all with characters that varied from comic character roles to even a rapper. Jaidyn dedicated his time and skill willingly to our school show providing a role model for all.

Technical

Lachlan Wooldridge

Lachlan is hugely passionate about all things technical, including designing lighting, perfecting sound, recording, and live stream. He has very high understanding of how these different areas work and what needs to be done to achieve the desired result. Lachlan excelled during this year’s drama Wheeler’s Luck, the House Music Competition and the Performing Arts Concert, as well as live streaming chapel in Term 1 of this year. Lachlan has made a huge contribution to the technical area this year, and he has done sincerely and with absolute commitment.

Sam Young

During the covid lockdown at the start of the year Sam edited at least five online Chapels at an excellent level. These were presented online to the public. And in Term 1 he was essential in live streaming further Chapels. Sam has developed a high level of technical skills that he demonstrated during Wheeler’s Luck as the sound effects controller. Sam is always ready to help and he invests a huge amount of his own time into getting technical set-ups ready for events.

Philip Larkin

Philip has showed excellent skills in the area of lighting this year during major school events, such as House Music, Wheeler’s Luck, and the Performing Arts Concert.  He has invested hours of time into programming lighting to make these events look special – and much of this work goes unnoticed. Philip is always reliable and dedicated to what he does and works efficiently and quietly.

PUBLIC SPEAKING
 

Heremia McGarvey

Heremia has represented the College at the regional and national Manu Korero Speech competitions, becoming the first ever student from our school to win the prestigious Senior Maori, Pei Te Hurinui Jones Section. The results from the national competition are announced later on today. Heremia was the winner of the Senior Bible Reading Competition in 2022.

Kapa Haka

To be read by Mr Dunlop (he has the citations)

1. Adam Akuhata
2. Hopa Keelan
3. Te Ā Kruger-Taylor

All of these boys are experienced leaders who are outstanding performers on the kapa haka stage.

They are dedicated and committed to kapa haka and nurturing the younger boys to be the best they can be as performers.
 

Although Te Ā is only year 11, he is already a well-respected leader in Kapa haka and is also the haka leader for the College’s 1^st XV rugby team.

Rector speaks

Thank you, Mr Dunlop and Dr Kristensen - Congratulations to everyone who has been acknowledged today.

I want to thank you all for another superb term and I thought that yesterday’s House Tug of War was a great indication of our house spirit and I could see through the passion and hear through the constant banter that you were all having a great time.

Have a fantastic break and those of you who are sitting NCEA exams in just over 5 weeks, please make that short term sacrifice for the long term gain of earning the best possible marks you are capable of. Most importantly stay safe and come back next term with a positive attitude to finish the year on a real high, and for seniors that’s only 2 ½ weeks of classes and please return with hair cuts those of you who need it.

As I said on Wednesday at Chapel, many of you have had a free ticket on the haircuts following mid-term break, but Term 4 is a term where you are all going to be on show in many end of year events, and I want to feel proud of each and every one of you when we have parents and other guests here at those events and we are on show, so let’s sort that out properly in the holidays gentlemen.

Thank you all once again for a great term 3 and I’ll now invite Service Prefect George Esson to close our assembly in prayer.
 

Article added: Monday 03 October 2022