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 (thanks be to God) 

Rectors Comments:    

Thank you, Philip.  

Well, here we are on the last day of Term One, it’s been a full and busy 10 weeks and so we should take a moment to reflect on our first term of the year and all that we’ve achieved.  

First of all we welcomed lots of new students and staff to the College at the start of the year. Obviously lots of new Yr 7 & 9 students and by now you boys will know the rules and routines of Lindisfarne. You can feel proud of getting your first intermediate or high school term under your belt. That’s a pretty significant milestone. 

And we’ve also welcomed students at other year levels into our school, and this can be extra challenging as friendships have already been formed and you have to navigate your way into these groups and it takes a fair degree of courage and patience. I hope you’ve been made to feel welcome, as is the Lindisfarne Way. We know it’s our job to look after the new members of our community and I hope the rest of you boys can all think back to at least one moment this term when you’ve helped out a new student in the College. So well done to  

Kingkaew Jia 8 

Mori Kazuma 8 

Zampese Mitchell 8 

Merkel Jhett 10 

Mibu Key 10 

Nthekela Sean 11 

Taylor Tk 11 

Watson Oliver 11 

Yeung Quentin 11 

Belcher Aydan 12 

Brandon Danilo 12 

Lennox Riley 12 

Lodewyk Hugo 12 

Uregei Louié 12 

We’ve also had a number of new staff join us this year and they’ve had to work incredibly hard to get up to speed with all the systems, to get to know you as well as their new colleagues. I think we’re very lucky to have appointed our new staff and we’re already seeing the impact they’re having in the classroom and in the extra-curricular life of the College.  

We’ve has some fantastic events this term if you think back: Yr 9 Pilgrim walk, powhiri, blazer presentations, our full school lunch in the gym, lots of outstanding chapel services (including Wednesday’s service which turned into Lindisfarne’s Got Talent on the dance floor) several sports exchanges, swimming sports, athletics sports, the College Gala, Haka Competition, Open Day and many incredible success on the sports field, in the music arena (tuition and performances), and there have been many successes in the classroom and on academic field trips. We even managed to get the first two post-Covid overseas tours off the ground, with footballers leaving on Wednesday for Dubai and yesterday our history and geography trip heading to the US.  

We’ve launched the Young Enterprise Scheme at Lindisfarne, our new Tutor Group system, The William Pike challenge and compulsory arts programme in the intermediate school. We had our first Women’s refuge fundraiser and gardening service day last week. Yr 9/10 social, Preparations for Grease the Production, summer tournament week, Good report morning teas. Pause. 

And thank you to all boys who attended and participated in Rory Stewart’s funeral here at the College in Week 2. A sad day but you were amazing in how you supported the family that day.  

One thing I did want to remind you is that we launched our new College values and the Lindisfarne Way. I hope you are referring to the Lindisfarne Way in your classes and in other cornerstones. Living our lives according to the Lindisfarne Way is something we must all be committed to if we are to make our College the most special place to learn at, to work in and to call home. 

So all that adds up to a massive term and I think everyone is ready for a well deserved break. Whilst there’s been heaps of cool stuff happening, please remember your first priority is to your academic work, so if there are any areas to address, get onto those things in the break. Seniors you will know how you’ve gone in your first standards or you will soon and juniors you have exams in Week 5. 

Finally today, I’d like to speak briefly about Anzac Day, which occurs on Thursday 25th 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, 109 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. What is occurring right now in the Ukraine and in Palestine illustrates that such devastation is still going on 109 years after Gallipoli. 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 hope you never have to experience it.  

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 amazing 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. During the Anzac Service in Hastings our prefects will lay a wreath for the fallen. And they will hear the following Ode of Remembrance: 

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. 

I hope that some of you get to attend an Anzac Day service. I’m sure some you attend with parents and grandparent every year. I look forward to sharing the Anzac Service with our 1st XV rugby boys at Quad in  Auckland. That will be special for us to be together at that time of remembrance. 

Thank you boys, for your courtesy while I talked about Anzac Day.  

We continue our assembly with the singing of the school song, Highways in the Heart, as we do on the last day of every term. Please sing it at your very best to celebrate the wonderful term we have shared together.  

SCHOOL SONG - HIGHWAYS 

Thank you, please be seated.  

I’ll now invite Cultural Prefect, Te Ā Kruger-Taylor, forward to update us on the latest Arts and Culture news. 

Arts and Cultural Report 

Open Day  On Saturday, the college hosted their annual Open day which was a great success. The school bands gave awesome performances, including the pipe band, symphonic band, and jazz band, leaving visitors impressed with their professionalism and love for music. Thanks also to the other ensembles, such as the two junior rock bands, and other junior musicians that performed in the music room. Additionally, the tour guides did a wonderful job providing informative and interesting tours of the college, their enthusiasm and knowledge made the experience enjoyable for everyone. A huge thank you, from the college to everyone who took part, showing their commitment to representing the school in the best possible way. 

2024 Musical Production The 2024 Lindisfarne Production of Grease with Iona has been well underway during the second half of term 1 with significant progress being made as the cast brings the iconic musical to life. The cast members have been thoroughly enjoying the process of learning and rehearsing, filling the show with energy and enthusiasm. From mastering dance routines to perfecting vocal harmonies, the cast has been fully engaged in every aspect of the production, whilst socializing and getting to know each other in a drama environment. Tickets are on sale now, so I really encourage you and your family to get along to the show, which starts in week 2 of Term 2.  

Musicians visit Hereworth and Te Mata Primary School On Tuesday the college’s symphonic band, jazz band, members of the pipe band and the drum line spent the day performing at Hereworth School and Te Mata Primary School. The Pipe band was welcomed with great interest as pipe major Fergus Morunga led them in to begin each performance. Following this, the symphonic band played 2 pieces, ‘The Tenth Planet” and ‘The Avengers’. This was followed by the drum line which performed an arrangement of their own consisting of pipe drums, snare drums, a bass drum and concert toms. The jazz band entertained the crowd and invited some students from the audience up to play ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ and ‘Hooked on a feeling’ with them. Both Hereworth and Te Mata Primary were grateful for the time these bands took from their day to play for their aspiring musical students. The day was successful and will be a great program to run again in future.  

Music Performance Events On Monday evening our NCEA musicians had their first performance opportunity of presenting music to each other and their families in the great acoustic of our atrium. Well done to all the year 11,12, and 13 students that performed on this evening, and all the best for your next performances. Thank you Mr Selfe for organizing this. 

Fergus Pipes at Auto Extravanganza Last Sunday Pipe Major and Head Boy Fergus Morunga piped the start to the Auto Extravaganza and welcome a Hawke’s Bay councillor at the Hastings Showgrounds. Thanks, Fergus, for representing the College so well! 

Year 7/8 Cultural Programme Congratulations to all the year 7/8 students who participated in the Thursday lunchtime cultural activities. A lot of progress has been made and we look forward to continuing this success in term 2. 

Rector comments:  

Thank you, Te Ā.  

I would like to welcome Durham House Prefect, Gordy Chatfield, to present this week's sports report. 

Sports Report 

Good afternoon school, it is my pleasure to read this week’s sports report.  

In Rugby Our 1st XV team put on an impressive performance against Mana College. Scoring 78 points to Mana’s zero. The team executed their game plan effectively, with good teamwork, ball retention and solid defensive efforts.  

In Hockey On Wednesday our 1st XI Hockey team completed their first pre-season game. This was a great opportunity to blood new players and compete against Hastings Boys High School who had already played two games prior. The squad demonstrated great improvement across the four quarters. Riley Lennox and Jacob Holder scoring a goal apiece. Final score 5-2 to Hastings Boys. 

In Athletics Austin McDougall and Leonardo Kirkpatrick competed at the North Island Secondary Schools’ Athletics championships in Palmerston North over the weekend. Having been selected for the East Coast North Island regional team, these boys proudly represented our school. Both Austin and Leo posted results that put them in contention for the Top 10 Athletics New Zealand rankings in their age divisions and events. 

Austin came 2nd in the Shot Put with a 13.29m shot, and 9th in the High Jump at 1.75m. Leo came 5th in the Javelin with a throw of 41.12m, 5th in the Triple Jump with a personal best of 11.98m 

Can both Austin and Leo come forward to receive a certificate to acknowledge their achievements. 

In Sailing Jake Dickey’s NZ sailing season has now finished. Jake recently won the Taupo centreboard regatta in the Optimist class. He also came 6th out of 140 boats in the New Zealand Nationals. 

With this success Jake has now been invited to represent New Zealand in the 2024 European Cup in Italy this year. 

Can Jake please come forward to receive a certificate to acknowledge his achievements. 

For Duke of Edinburgh Today we have two students receiving their Duke of Edinburgh ‘Bronze Award’. 

Can the following student please come forward to receive their Bronze Award certificate, Isaac Dann. (George Kenny is away)  

Isaac is also receiving his Duke of Edinburgh badge 

Coming up this week in sport - Tomorrow morning five teams from Lindisfarne College will compete in the annual Triple Peaks Challenge. This is a gruelling race over Mt Erin and Te Mata Peak. This year the race is run in a two-leg relay over 35km course climbing over 1600 meters in elevation. Good luck to all competitors. 

- Currently we have our Football team touring Dubai. 

- Over the holiday break our Colts Hockey, 1st XI Hockey and 1st XV Rugby teams have significant pre-season tournaments. Best of luck to those students and staff involved. 

- Best of luck to those students competing in the NZ Kayaking Nationals in the second week of the holidays. 

Rector comments: 

Thank you, Gordy.  

Congratulation to all those boys who were recognised today, and I wish you all the best for your holidays. Please stay safe. Look after yourselves and your whanau and friends. Come back with appropriate haircuts and an attitude to be at your best every day in all cornerstones. 

Reverend Dunnett will now close our assembly in prayer. 

Article added: Wednesday 17 April 2024