Kia ora Tatau. Please be seated. 

We will start our assembly with a reading from the Bible which Assistant Rector Mr Cournane will bring to us. 

Today’s reading comes from Colossians chapter 4 verses 5 to 6. 

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. 

This is the word of the Lord, thanks be to God. 

Deputy Rector, Mr Howlett

Thank you, Mr Cournane, in today’s reading, Paul is trying to help the church to work on relationships and this is the way he is asking them to behave towards each other. Last week the Rector spoke about manners and I’d like to continue this theme today. I’m going to use the movie The Kingsman to highlight the importance of manners. 

If you have never seen the movie, it is about a special, independent group of secret agents stationed in the UK.  It is a good piece of escapism with the usual shoot ups and car chases. However, as I have reflected on it over the last week I see similarities in what Colin Firth who plays one of the main characters in the movie is trying to do and what we are trying to do here at Lindisfarne.  Don’t get me wrong, we are not trying to create or turn you into international spies or lethal agents who will defend Queen and country.   

Early on in the movie Firth makes a statement that underpins what is I believe one of the central themes of the movie.  It is a simple statement, but one that carries a powerful message. “Manners maketh man”.  This statement got me thinking and this is where I see the similarities between the message in the movie and Lindisfarne College.  Firth is trying to recruit a young man Eggsy played by Taron Egerton.  A young man from an impoverished background who has made some bad choices.  Firth tries to change the young man so that he can reach his potential.  While looking into a mirror Firth asks Egerton “What do you see?” and then goes on to explain that he sees a man with potential.   

If you are prepared to adapt you will transform is another line in the movie when Firth is encouraging Egerton to move outside his comfort zone and take risks.  During his training Egerton is forced to confront and overcome his own preconceptions about what he is capable of.  This is very similar to what we are trying to do with you.  Your teachers see the potential in you, they push you so that you will develop and become better.  You have to be open to the fact that you can achieve, with hard work and plenty of effort. In the same way that Egerton was thrown into situations he had never encountered before he came to understand that he was capable of anything. If he learnt from his mistakes and applied himself to the task at hand, there was nothing he couldn’t do. Again, we are not here to teach or train you in the art of espionage or spying, but in understanding and applying knowledge and skills in a variety of academic subjects, and cultural and sporting pursuits. 

I mentioned one of the central themes was around the statement “manners maketh man”.  The Kingsman are a group of agents who portray themselves as being like the Knights of the Round Table.  The idea of being a gentleman is central to their persona. So, what does Firth mean when he makes the statement “Manners maketh the man”.  I believe he is conveying the same message as we are with our Goodman ideals.  Manners maketh man means being respectful, treating others how you want to be treated.  Being considerate and treating others with respect, as this is what defines a man and makes him a man.  The ability to show humility and kindness.  With the term manners we are not just referring to ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ or calling your teachers ‘sir’ or ‘miss’.  No, manners refer to the characteristics of gentlemanliness or being a good man. A sense of fair play. Doing the right thing on all occasions.  Being beyond moral reproach.  Your manners / characteristics make who you are! 

When digging a little deeper into the saying I discovered that it is the motto of the schools founded by William Wykeham – Winchester College and New College Oxford, dating back to 1384.  While this saying maybe old fashioned and from a different time and different generation, it still has value today.  Manners – good manners are recognised in every society and culture as being significant.  Manners are important as a respectful acknowledgement of the rights of others.  Generally, good manners are an indication of the level of refinement in a person.  People with no manners; those who are offensive in their behaviour; those who use abusive or foul language; those whose conversation contains a high proportion of expletives are generally considered impolite or vulgar and lacking in good manners.  Good manners are an indication of how we treat others and how we expect to be treated by others.  In other words – how good a person is – and we all want to be considered good. 

It can be said that good manners set a standard of behaviour that those concerned understand and try to adhere too.  Fundamental to manners, is the principal that a person’s behaviour should be governed by the standard of behaviour they would expect from others – in other words, treat others the way you would like to be treated.  Someone who has manners is, kind, generous, just, honest, courageous and pleasant in manner.  These are all the characteristics that we espouse in developing you, gentlemen, to be good men. 

The way you behave and conduct yourself is a reflection of your personality. Your eye-contact, your smile, your handshake and the way you interact with others are usually the first things someone will notice about you. Your manners define your character and influence your attitude as well as the way you treat other people. These behavioural traits are often used by others as a judge of our character and are used to assess whether they feel comfortable in our presence.  More importantly, they’re usually a good indication of an individual’s honesty and integrity; essential qualities of a goodman. 

Please join me in singing the National Anthem. 

I’ll now ask Dr Kristenson forward to give us a cultural report. 

Kia Ora  boys and staff, 

As we come towards the end of the year, I would like to take a moment to talk about the opportunities in the area of performing arts at Lindisfarne College that are available to you all.  And now is a good time to register your interest in getting in involved in cultural activities for 2023.  I would like all of you to seriously consider getting involved and to ask themselves how they can contribute to the cultural cornerstone at the College.   

• Junior Training Band  
• Symphonic Band  
• Jazz Band 

• Pipe Band – pipes and drums  
• Line Drumming 
• Chamber Music 
• Instrumental Lessons 
• Junior Vocal Ensemble 

• “The First 16” Vocal Group 
• Speech and Drama  
• Kapa Haka 
• Tech Team 
• Drama productions 

• Trombone Ensemble – For year 7/8 students next year.  
• Rock Band 

There are huge benefits to be gained from being involved in the cultural groups and activities at the College.  Your get to meet new people, create friendships, you get to travel to performances and go to special events, and you essentially get to see a whole different world that is different to what you do in the classroom or on the sports field. It’s a great idea to get involved with any groups early on in your time at the College so that you can develop your skills and build friendships through your time at school.  

All of the bands travel to festivals and competitions, perform at concerts and gigs around the North Island and Hawke’s Bay.  

Everyone here has the ability to become involved some way in the performing arts, even if you have never done it before, and even if your parents do not consider themselves musical or are they are not familiar with some of the performing arts opportunities at Lindisfarne College. And the great thing is that you can still continue with a cultural activity when you leave College, and even when you are much older. So I courage you to be take the opportunity to do something different and new. Just come and have a chat with me or Mr Selfe, Mrs Atkin, Miss Jeffery about where you think you could contribute to culture at Lindisfarne College.   

I would now like to present a few awards to two students that have done exceptionally well recently with their music examinations. Could Daniel Lie and Jamie Lie please come forward… 

Daniel Lie – Trinity College London-Grade 7 Piano with Distinction 

Daniel Lie- The Royal Schools of Music- Grade 6 Music Theory 

Jamie Lie- Trinity College London- Grade 3 Piano with Distinction 

Jamie Lie- The Royal Schools of Music- Grade 3 Music Theory 

All the best to the year 7/8 boys who are part of the junior production The Book of Fame also to the musicians that are preparing music for the first half of this performance. The Junior Production will take place on Monday 5^th December at 6.30pm. If you are a year 10, you are welcome to come to the evening performance which starts at 6.30pm, no charge.  

Have a great weekend 

Thank you, Dr Kristenson, I would encourage you to seriously consider what Dr Kristenson has just spoken to you about, take up the opportunities that you have been given.  Please join me in singing the school song – Highways in the Heart. 

Thank you please be seated. I would now like to invite Mr Petersen forward to read the Sports news. 

Tēnā koutou katoa, nau mai, whakarongo mai, ki ngā pito,  

Kōrero, hākinakina i tēnei Rāmere. 

Good afternoon all, welcome  

CRICKET 

Junior White team v Taradale. We bowled well restricting Taradale to 48/3 off of their twenty overs. Will Baines, Sam Parbhu and Wiremu Rogers-Hall all picked up wickets with Wiremu finishing with the excellent figures of 1 for 2 off 3 overs. In reply we chased down the runs comfortably with Sam Parbhu scoring 22 not out. 

SURFING 

On Saturday there was the final club round held at Waimarama.  We had five students enter – George Clarke, Tom Holder, Ben Ryan, Knox Allen and Beck Allen.  The conditions were not ideal but they competed very well.  Beck Allen won the U14 age group with Ben Ryan placing 2^nd in the U16 division. 

Thank you, Mr Petersen. 

Congratulations to everyone who has been acknowledged today. All the best to the Intermediate School for your camp next week, please look after each other and help where possible. 

Year 10. Now that your exams are over, that does not mean that your year has finished. The expectation is that you will apply what you have been told of the past two Fridays, that your manners will be impeccable, that you will remain attentive and respectful in class and that you will finish the year positively. The race is not yet run and you must ensure that you are in the best position possible to finish the year strongly. Remember your last action is what you will be remembered for. Lets finish the right way. 

I would now like to invite Reverend Dunnett to close our assembly in prayer. 

Article added: Saturday 26 November 2022