College Assembly

Kia ora, School. Please be seated. 

I’d like to invite Yr 7/8 Prefect, George Ladbrook forward to deliver today’s reading. 

Today’s reading comes from St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 1, Verse 10. 

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 
 

Rectors Comments:    

This week Reverend Dunnett started us off on our exploration of the new College Value of “Caring and Connected”. It relates to the Christian Character flag of Kindness and Service but actually it fits perfectly with all the Character flags.  

To care for others shows respect to them and respect is one of our Character flags. We looked after Whanganui Collegiate on Monday night when our 1st XV billeted them. We fed them during the day and we thanked them for making the trip over.  

To care for others shows integrity, another one of our flags. If you see someone who is upset, you don’t console him because you want to get an award or thanks – you do it because it’s the right thing to do. Who cares if anyone sees it? 

To care for others shows courage. If you see a student picking on someone, or teasing them, you step in and say something because you care and that takes courage.  

Caring and Connection is a strength of our College. On Saturday I was at the 1st XV training run and the parents had a barbecue afterwards and I said to one of them that we must make sure we provide a sausage sizzle or some kind of hot food for the Collegiate parents who make the trip over. Because we are a caring and connected family and community, which is what whanaungatanga is all about, there were many hands that made sure it happened. Mrs Mathers got all the food ready with her amazing team in the kitchen, Matua Pomare drove the BBQ trailer around and got it in the right place, Mrs Stuart our amazing President of Parents and Friends came along on the day with a host of other parents to help cook the food. I said to Fergus hey we could do with a few boys to help deliver food to the parents on the sideline. Freddie Hoggard and Taniora turned up and did an amazing job supporting the parents. 

Now this was a small thing in the scheme of things that day, but it was a brilliant example of the way we all connect and come together to care for our guests. 

If we talk about caring and connected at Lindisfarne, we think of days like the Gala Sunday. Everyone jumps in and we support each other to raise funds to give you guys the best resources and experiences.  

What about the recent Walk the Talk fundraising effort as a sign that we care as a College? George Ladbrook who delivered today’s bible reading raised over $3,000, the College raised over $7,000.  

And now we turn our attention to the Replay initiative with Iona College that Service Prefect Sam Young has spoken about after Chapel. What a great opportunity to show we care. Women’s Refuge gardening and care packs is another example and so the list goes on and on. 

We ask a lot of you in all cornerstones and ask you to strive and achieve, and lead and innovate, and here we are again urging you to take every opportunity to care and connect. 

When I think about the term connection though, two things come to mind for me: 

1. The connection between students. There are some tremendous friendships amongst you. For the Year 13s who leave at the end of this year some of those friendships will be life long. Have a look at this photograph.   Last week I attended a lunch for old boys out at Puketapu. The photo on screen shows a room full of about 35 old boys who get together once a year to catch up with their mates from Lindisfarne. A few of them started here in February of 1953, the day the school opened for the first time. They might have been 12 years old at the time. They’re now 83 or 84. They’ve been staying connected as friends for over 70 years. You can see can’t you that they’re great mates. And by the way a lot of them have gone on to achieve incredible things in their lives. But imagine you Year 9s still catching up with some of your mates here at school - in 2094. It’s not only possible, it’s highly likely that some of you will. I just hope I can be there to see it. I’ll be 126.  

1. Here’s another photo that shows awesome care and connection. You’ll remember last week at assembly I told you’d I’d seen Ardie J Smith and Remy Taong speaking at Nga Manu Korero competition earlier that day. We’re going to hear from Te A later on about how they went. But this photo shows our Kapa Haka boys surrounding Ardie and Remy, supporting them at the event. It takes great courage to speak in public in front of other students, staff and parents. For Ardie and Remy they had to speak in front of judges and they had to memorise thousands of words and not make any mistakes. But you can see that they had a whole lot of mates showing that care and support for them when they needed to find the inner strength to perform under pressure. You might have heard the term “tautoko” before. It means to support. So there’s a group of boys who are connected and I reckon it would have provided Remy and Ardie with the strength they needed to perform on the day. 

1. My final point about Caring and Connection today is the incredible connection that exists between you boys and the Lindisfarne staff, because of the way they make an effort to support or tautoko you every day. I see that in Tutor Groups, in the dining room, on the sports field, in the music room or on stage and of course in your classrooms. It’s one of the things that makes Lindisfarne a special school to learn in and work at, because the staff connect with you, and it’s awesome to see you guys making an effort to connect with them too. Remember the words in the Lindisfarne Way: We are one big family who relies on each other. Whanaungatanga and relationships form the basis of our community, and we put great value on building and maintaining connections. Relationships are earned and come with effort. 

1. So I leave you with this today. Are you making an effort to build strong connections and relationships with the people who support you in your life. Staff, parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents and friends. The more connections you make with others, the stronger you will be to face life’s challenges when they come your way.  

Please join me in singing the school song, Highways in the Heart.  
 

I would know like to hand over to Assistant Rector Mrs Duncan to read out the Academic Awards.  

Academic Awards – Read by Assistant Rector, Mrs Duncan.  

Level 2 Economics  

Hunter Bruce 

Alexander Boustridge  

Niko Drayton 

Noah Hemmingsen 

Jasper Jamieson 

Theo King 

Orlando Norman 

Jiten Ravla  

Charlie Wenley 

Thank you Mrs Duncan. I’ll now invite Cultural Prefect Te Ā Kruger Taylor forward to update us on the latest Arts and Culture news. 

Cultural Report: 

Chamber Music Competition On Wednesday and Thursday night the Lindisfarne College Piano trio consisting of Raymond Chow, Josef Oosthuizen, and Max Han competed in the Hawke’s  Bay Section of the NZ Chamber Music Competition. They made it to last night’s final and won the competition, gaining first place out of 28 different groups from around the Hawke’s  Bay. This is an outstanding achievement for the boys who have worked hard over the past six months on this goal. The boys will now travel to Wellington next weekend for the Wellington regional final which will include 12 top chamber music groups for the central region. Congratulations to Raymond, Max and Josef on their success and could they please come forward to accept their certificates. 

HB Festival of Bands  This Sunday 15 bands will be performing at the Lindisfarne College Hawke’s Bay Festival of Bands, including jazz and symphonic bands from Hamilton, Napier, Hastings, and Palmerston. Come along and support our boys, and also buy some great food from our stall. Our symphonic band plays at 10.10am. the jazz band performs at 2.35pm. 

Manu Korero Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competition was held on Friday, 7th June at the War Memorial Centre in Napier. Schools from around Hawke’s Bay gathered to support their speakers, with winners proceeding to Nationals to represent both their school and region (Te Matau a Māui/Hawke’s Bay).  

We are incredibly proud of our two speakers who represented Lindisfarne, Ardie J Smith in the Junior English section and Remy Taong in the Junior Māori section.  

Both boys were outstanding, and a special congratulations to Remy, who won the Junior Māori section! This victory secures Lindisfarne a spot to represent Te Matau a Māui at Nationals in Auckland this September. 

Big mihi to both our speakers who worked extremely hard to prepare for this competition. Also, a huge thank you to our kapa haka boys who performed and supported our speakers, representing Lindisfarne with mana, pride, and humility. Along with Matua Pomare, Mr Dunlop and Mr Watson who were also in support on the day. Kei runga noa atu koutou.  

Could I please invite Ardie and Remy to the stage to receive their awards.   

Kapa Haka performance to acknowledge Remy & Ardie J (who will be presented with certificates and taonga).  

Rector Comments:  

Thank you Te Ā. Well done Remy and Ardie. 

I’ll now invite Sports Prefect, Finn Reid, up to present this week’s sports report.   

Sports Report 

In Basketball On Monday, the Junior A basketball team played Hastings Boys Junior A. Lindisfarne competed well throughout the game, scoring close to the final quarter. This was the best effort the boys have put out this season. Although we went down 80-60 there were some great performances. Ardie J Smith led from the front with some great moves to the basket. He was well supported by Hunter Manaena, Waiariki Hunia and Fergus Benefield. 

In Canoe Polo Recently, we had some fantastic achievements by our Lindisfarne College students in the National League Canoe Polo competition, which wrapped up with the Grand Final in Wellington over King's Birthday weekend. 

Xavier Fitness competed in one of the D-grade teams, while Jacob Porter and Ollie Fritchley were key players in the C2 team. Thomas Griffiths showcased his skills in the C1 team. Throughout the competition, they played in three intense rounds, facing teams from as far south as Christchurch and as far north as Auckland.  

- Jacob Porter and Ollie Fritchley’s team secured a commendable 7th place in the C-Grade. 

- Xavier Fitness’s team earned an impressive 3rd place in the D-Grade. 

- And a special congratulations to Thomas Griffiths and his team, coached by Mr Fritchley, who achieved a remarkable 1st place in the C-Grade! 

Can Xavier Fitness and Thomas Griffiths please come forward to receive their medals.   

In Football Lindisfarne 2nd XI Football continued their unbeaten run this season with a 2-2 draw against Hastings Boys' High School. Lindisfarne led for most of the game but conceded late in the second half. Great performances from co-captains Charlie Titter and Ronan Brier who led from the front and showed grit and determination. Joe Morison also performed well, scoring 2 early goals to put us in a strong position. 

In Hockey The 1st XI Hockey team had a good game against the Taradale High School 1st XI on Wednesday night, coming away with a 6-1 victory. Goals to Jacob Holder, Jett Varcoe, Liam Monteith, Matthew Ford and a fantastic deflection from Ben Boere. The team play Hastings Boys’ High next week, it would be great to have support at this game. 

The 2nd XI had a fast paced start to their game against Taikura 1st XI this week. Our team has developed markedly over the start of this season, and have made amazing improvements, which saw them holding the score at 2-0 at halftime, compared to 9-0 the last time we faced this strong team. Well done to all the boys for the hard work during the game this week. 

On Wednesday evening, the Colts A faced Napier Boys 2nd XI. Despite having a reduced squad due to injury and illness, with only one substitute, our boys demonstrated incredible determination. They managed to out-run and out-skill Napier Boys in the second half, winning it 1-0. However, the overall result was 1-3 in favor of Napier, who had a strong first quarter. 

The Intermediate 1st XI Hockey team drew 1-1 with Taradale Intermediate. The team had many opportunities to score the winning goal but couldn't put the nail in the coffin. 

Sports Exchanges Last week, our intermediate school rugby, football, and hockey teams travelled to Wellington to play Hutt International Boys' School. The boys represented the school well, and although none of the results went our way, the boys fought bravely. in their games. Players of the day were Oscar Fitness for hockey, James Anderson for rugby and Michael Chi for football. Well done boys. 

On Tuesday we hosted our friends from Whanganui Collegiate for the annual winter sports exchange and continued the strong connection since our first rugby match back in 1956. 

The Lindisfarne teams had an incredibly successful day with a clean sweep across all seven games.  

In the Rugby 1st XV- 38-29 2nd XV- 26-14 U15 XV- 82-0 

In the Football 1st XI Football 6-1 Jnr A Football 18-1 

In the Hockey 1st XI Hockey 7-0 Colts Hockey 12-0 

Can Will Turner the captain of the 1st XV, Tom Speers the captain of the 1st XI Football and Gordy Chatfield/Jett Varcoe, the co-captains of 1st XI Hockey come forward to receive the trophies. 

Coming up this week in sport; Tonight, our 1st XI Football team faces off against our arch-rivals, Napier Boys, at Park Island! Kickoff is at 6:00 PM. Let's show up in full force and cheer them on to victory! Your support can make all the difference. 

Tomorrow, our 1st XV goes head-to-head with the league leaders, Feilding High School. This is a crucial match to see where we stand. It's going to be an epic battle. 

Rector comments:  

Thank you, Finn.  

Congratulations to all those boys who were recognised today.  

To all the boys playing in sport over the weekend all the best and we wish our Symphonic and Jazz Bands all the very best too on Sunday. 

Don’t forget Chapel on Sunday morning at St Andrews' Church in Hastings. Everyone is welcome and Revered MacDonald loves it when we attend as the singing is awesome when we join in with their small congregation. But it’s most important if it’s your last chance to attend a second chapel this term, so do the right thing, flag of integrity, and front up. 

Chapel Prefect Ronan Brier will now close our assembly in prayer. 

Article added: Monday 17 June 2024