Kia ora, boys and staff e noho please be seated. Welcome to our first formal Assembly for the year. 

I’d like to invite Assistant Rector Mrs Duncan forward to deliver today’s reading. 

Today’s reading comes from Joshua 1: Verses 16 to 18 

Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.  Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!” 

This is the word of the Lord (Thanks be to God) 

Rectors Comments:    

Thank you, Mrs Duncan.  

Today we present to you the 20 Lindisfarne Prefects for 2025. In doing so, we formally welcome them into their new roles, and announce to you the specific positions they will hold this year. Our prefects have already taken on some responsibilities at the start to the year, including assisting staff with the first day for Yr 7-9 students, helping with our Blazer Presentations and setting up for the Full school lunch on Tuesday. I know many have been providing leadership in the hostel along with our other Yr 13 Boarding prefects and thank you all for the outstanding service you are providing there.  

To be named a Lindisfarne prefect is a huge honour. It demonstrates, first of all, that these young men have offered to serve and to lead their college. Secondly it speaks to all that they have achieved up to this point in their Lindisfarne journey, and thirdly it demonstrates that they have the support of their own Yr 13 peer group, the rest of the student body and the staff. 

At this point I do wish to acknowledge all Yr 13s students who applied for a prefect position. It was a difficult choice and many outstanding students missed out. It’s come as no surprise to me that many of the students who did miss out on a prefect badge, have returned to school for their last year with a positive and mature attitude and they are already looking for opportunities to serve and lead. Well done to these good men of character. Every Year 13 student has a significant leadership role to play this year, and I guarantee that we will see some outstanding leaders flourish in our Year 13 in 2025, whether they wear a kilt and badge or not. 

When chosen for a Prefect role, students have to be ready to sacrifice much of their own time in the service of you, the students of Lindisfarne. At this Sunday’s Chapel service, which I encourage you all to attend, Reverend Dunnett will ask our Prefects to make their promises to the College with respect to the prefect roles they have taken on. Those promises are not just made to made to me and the staff, they are made to you as well, so as I say please come along to show respect and support for our 2025 Prefects. 

On Tuesday at our Powhiri we ushered in a new school year at Lindisfarne College. The following day was the start of a new Chinese Lunar New Year and what you may not know is that 2025 is the Year of the Snake, which symbolizes, among other things, transformation, re-birth and compassion. There are 12 zodiac animals in Chinese astrology and at the start of the Lunar New Year, we have an opportunity to be inspired by the animal for that year. 

Now I know snakes get a bad rap for obvious reasons, but snakes are revered for their ability to shed their skin and renew themselves, symbolising transformation and rebirth. Perhaps this is the year that you shed your skin - the “old you”, the one that’s been holding you back from reaching your potential, and now you’re on a different, more positive and aspirational path that will see  you enjoy success and happiness. 

People born in the year of the snake are said to be resilient and courageous, with strong communication skills and leadership qualities and that links nicely to our whakatauki here to my right that has recently been installed. 

The whakatauki that was written for Lindisfarne College by The Honourable Justice Sir Joe Williams, old boy of the College and New Zealand’s first Maori Supreme Court Judge. Sir Joe gifted it to the College at the 70th Reunion a few years ago and we have now installed it in this most special building – our Assembly Chapel Hall.  Going back to those qualities of the Snake, courage, communication skills and leadership, Sir Joe has shown incredible courage in his life, advocating for the rights of his people. He is also a gifted orator and leader, so he is someone who definitely resonates with the Year of the Snake. 

The whakatauki says: 

He Motutapu, he whare wānanga 

He whare wānanga he māra toa i  

Whakatupuria hei ara ngākau ki te ao 

A Sacred isle, is a house of learning 

A house of learning is a garden to grow warriors, for 

They are the highway to the heart of the world 

Sir Joe wants to remind you all that you are the warriors who must practise and safeguard the Christian values of the College. In doing so, you grow these values in yourself and create highways in your heart that make the world a better place for everyone. What a wonderful taonga or gift he has given to our College. 

As we now turn to the presentation of our 2025 Prefects and you see them receive their badges, please use this moment to reflect on Sir Joe’s words and on 2025, the Year of the Snake, and be inspired to grow and develop your own leadership and service this year, to be courageous and to help each other make those highways in the heart of the world. 

It’s now my pleasure to invite Deputy Rector, Mr Howlett, forward to announce the 2025 Prefects. Each student will be presented with his prefect badge. 

 Mr Howlett Speaks 

It’s my pleasure to announce the 2025 Prefects. 

Harrison Quayle - Academic Prefect 

Jaimil Ravla  - Academic Prefect 

Fletcher Mackay - Aidan House Prefect 

Austin McDougall - Cuthbert House Prefect 

Benjamin Gray - Durham House Prefect 

Noah Rogers - Oswald House Prefect 

Daniel Hoffmeister - Chapel Prefect 

Will Telford - Service Prefect 

Niko Sawyers  - Wellbeing Prefect 

George Kenny  - Yr 7 & 8 Prefect 

Liam Monteith  - Yr 7 & 8 Prefect 

Charlie Wenley  - Yr 7 & 8 Prefect 

Josef Oosthuizen - Cultural Prefect 

Jiten Ravla - Cultural Prefect 

Oscar Jarvis  - Sport Prefect 

Riley Lennox - Sport Prefect 

Matt McKendry - Sport Prefect 

Theo King - Head of Boarding 

Angus Scott - Deputy Head Prefect 

Chris Proctor - Head Prefect 

Thank you, Mr Howlett and congratulations boys. 

Rector Speaks 

It’s now my pleasure to invite Head Prefect Chris Proctor forward to address you all. 

Chris Speaks 

Rector Speaks 

Thank you, Chris, and congratulations once again. 

Please join with me in singing the hymn Highways In The Heart. 

Rector Speaks 
 

Continuing on with the theme of service and leadership, congratulations to Remy Taong in Year 11 who was successful in gaining a place in the Hastings Youth Council for 2025. Well done, Remy. APPLAUSE 

I’ll now invite Cultural Prefects Jiten Ravla and Josef Oosthuizen forward to introduce themselves.  

Arts and Cultural Report 

Good afternoon, boys and staff. For those who don’t know me, my name is Jiten, and I am pleased to be one of your cultural prefects for 2025 alongside Josef. For me, the cultural cornerstone has been an integral part of my life at Lindisfarne, from partaking in learning drums, piano, and currently clarinet, to being a part of the symphonic band and taking part in speech competitions.  

The cultural cornerstone is for everyone, even if you have no experience in music or performing arts. I realize that signing up is sometimes the hardest part, but after that, you’ll never regret it. There are many opportunities to get involved, so even if you’re not sure, just sign up and give it a go.  

Each week we’ll provide you with a report about what’s been going on in the Cultural Cornersone at Lindisfarne. We are only just getting going at the moment, with this year’s production of Mamma Mia, in conjunction with Woodford House, a very big focus. 

Congratulations to Ethan Lys in Yr 11 who represented New Zealand in hip hop at the end of last year with his group “Rezpect””.  Ethan travelled to Sydney for the world champs. Whilst the team didn’t earn a placing it was an amazing experience for Ethan to represent New Zealand at this event.   

I’ll now hand over to Josef to introduce himself. 

Thanks, Jiten. I’m Josef Oosthuizen and it’s a privilege to be one of you Cultural Prefects for 2025. For me, Performance opportunities, such as playing an instrument in a band or chamber music group, performing a solo on the violin, or acting in a musical production, are incredibly effective ways to make connections with other like-minded people and build lifelong friendships. Participating in cultural activities can also enhance cognitive functions, as indicated by numerous studies, but most importantly, it’s great fun. 

Please note that even if you have already signed up for speech and drama, this does not prevent you from doing musical tuition, and vice versa.  

Jiten and I wish you all the best for your cultural endeavours here at Lindisfarne College. Please come and see us outside the chapel at the end of assembly if you have any questions, and feel free to email us, Dr Kristensen or Mr Selfe if you need any further help regarding music and the performing arts.   

Have a great weekend. Kia pai te mutunga wiki 

Thank you, Jiten and Josef 

I’ll now invite Sports Prefect Riley Lennox forward to update us on the latest Sports news 

WEEK 1 TERM ONE SPORTS REPORT 

Good afternoon school, it is my pleasure to read this week's sports reports. 

In Rugby 

In December, Yr 9 student Jack Turnough represented Sandy Bay U11’s Rugby in Hong Kong and received most improved player.  Congratulations Jack.  

In Hunting & Fishing 

We do like to recognize sports that aren’t so common, and this is a good example. Tom Munro won the Youth National Goat Hunting competition in December.  He won prizes for collecting the biggest goat head in the junior and senior divisions.  Tom won $6000 worth of prizes.  

In Softball 

Earlier this month Nate Solomon in Year 12 represented the HB U19’s in the NZ National Softball Tournament in Auckland.  Nate played 3rd base and centre field.  The team placed 9th overall. 

In Rowing 

Jack Litherland recently attended several club regattas and enjoyed great success 

• 2nd in the Quad Sculls and 1st in the 8 at the Karapiro Club Regatta 

• 1st in the U17 eight and 1st in the men’s open 8 at the Jury Cup 

• 2nd in the Men/’s Eight at the Karapiro Christmas regatta 

• 1st in the Hawke’s Bay Rowing Regatta in the men’s 8 

Also in the Hawke’s Bay Regatta, Angus Lovell and Ashton Bell came 1st in: 

• Men's Novice Coxed Eight 

• Men's Novice Coxed Quad Sculls 

Ashton went on to win  

• the Men's Novice Double Sculls and  

• Men's Novice Coxed Four 

He also won first place in the North Island Rowing Champs last weekend in the Men's Novice Double Sculls - A Final 

Charlie Cropper and Noah Layton, both Year 10s, gained some commendable results in the North Island Rowing Champs 

Coud Ashton Bell please come forward to receive his medal. 

In Karate 

Henry Cato in Year 9 has been practising karate for about 7 years. He sat his grading for Black Belt the day before arriving at Lindisfarne and was successful. Earning his black belt required discipline, commitment and resilience. Well done Henry. 

In Cricket 

Four our Lindisfarne Boys (Leo Dixon, Archie McDonald, Fergus Benefield and Presley Kupa) competed for Hawkes Bay in the Year 10 Central Districts tournament. With seven wins in seven games, they won the Graham Morrison Trophy for 2025.  

Fergus was the highest wicket taker with 16 and the top runs scorer at the tournament (264 at an average of 66) with memorable highlights of 91 off 37 balls against Marlborough and 5 wickets for 20 runs against Wairapa. 

Well done boys. 

In Boat Racing 

Angus Hodson in Year 9 is in his 2nd year of Boat Racing. He is currently winning the Junior series and last weekend had 6 wins from 6 races. He has the Nationals coming up in February with many south islanders coming up. Good luck, Angus. 

In Surf Lifesaving 

Congratulations to Krishna Singh for achieving his Surf Lifeguard award for Wainui Surf Lifesaving Club. 

In Boxing 

Austin McDougall recently competed for the Giants boxing club at the Fiji Amateur boxing tournament, winning 10 out of 12 bouts over two tournaments. Austin proved too strong for most of his opposition, with precision accuracy and good shot selection earning him success. 

Coming up next week in sport; 

Summer sports training and trials are underway next week. Please ensure that you are checking the student notices to find out when and where these are.  If you are unsure, please ask Ms Akeripa. 

And just a reminder that all summer sports selections should be in by now. Please ensure this is done by the end of the day if you haven’t yet made your selections. 

This ends your sports report for Week 1. All the best to those of you who are playing sport this weekend. Thank you. 

Congratulation to all those boys who were recognised today. Well done on making a positive start to the year and I especially congratulate those of you who have made it through to the end of your first week in a new school, perhaps a new home, region or country.  

I hope to see as many of you as possible at the Prefects Promises Chapel Service on Sunday and all the best for any sports and cultural activities occurring over the weekend. 

Reverend Dunnett will now close our assembly in prayer. 

Article added: Friday 31 January 2025