Kia, ora, School. Please be seated. 

I’d like to invite Year 7/8 Prefect George Kenny forward to deliver today’s reading. 

Today’s reading comes from Luke Chapter 23 Verses 44 – 47  

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 

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

Rectors Comments:    

Thank you, George, for that reading which relates to Easter and more specifically Good Friday which is next Friday. More about that later.  

Today is the day we acknowledge our Summer Sports Colours for 2025. Director of Sports Mr Gaffney will explain to your what sports colours are all about and how you qualify for them, so I’ll leave that to him, but I just want to congratulate the Colours recipients for all the time and effort they’ve put into their various sports.  

Colours is the outcome, the reward that we see and hear about today, but the many hours of practice, training and play that has taken place, play a big part in earning colours, so well done to you all, and I look forward to seeing who we recognise later in the year for cultural colours, winter sport colours and Yr 13 Academic colours. 

As I mentioned on Monday, Open Day was a big success and so thank you all once again. The word is out that amazing things are happening at this College and I’m proud of the fact that we are the No 1 school of choice for boys in the Hawke’s Bay. That’s down to you boys and our incredible staff and the parents and friends who support us too, so thank you for the successful term we’ve all shared together. It’s so exciting to be part of a school that’s committed to growth and improvement and that’s what makes us a great school and not just a good school.  Be proud to be at a school with a big waiting list, where it’s hard to get a place. Old boys often come back and remark on the changes that you’re all a part of. They say things like, we didn’t sing like that in my day. We  didn’t perform the haka like that in my day. Didn’t even have a school haka. We didn’t have all those subjects in my day. Didn’t have all those facilities, those overseas trips, those productions, musical instruments to play, and so the list goes on.  

And I often hear about how impressed they are with your manners, your ability to hold a conversation and they’re impressed with your results in all the cornerstones. So you are making us better and stronger and so feel proud. 

Congratulation once again on your haka performance on Wednesday. Easily the most measured and co-ordinated haka across the four houses I’ve seen. The vast majority of you put in 100% and it was awesome to see. The results matter I know and well done to Durham and Oswald, but actually if you personally are now more confident and more skilled at haka than you were four weeks ago, then that’s a big tick and it means that the next time you’re called upon to perform the haka, you will step to the front and won’t hang out the back. Well done once again to our House Prefects and House Leaders for the work you all put in. 

Tomorrow is the start of your school holidays and I’m sure you’re all looking forward to them. Next Friday is Good Friday, the start of our Easter weekend and a day when we mourn the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. So it’s a day for you to reflect on the Christian cornerstone and the powerful part it plays in your life. If you don’t think the Christian cornerstone plays a big part in your life, then think about the fact that you attend about 400 chapels if you start at Lindisfarne in Yr 9 and 550 if you start in Year 7. That’s a lot of sermons and lots of opportunities to relate the stories we hear about in our bible readings to your own lives. 

And then we have Easter Sunday and that is a day of celebration as we celebrate the resurrection, and if we’re lucky we might receive or discover an Easter Egg on Sunday. The egg is a symbol of new life and it gives us that sense of hope and optimism for all the good things that will come in our lives. So please reflect on those this Easter Weekend. 

Let’s not forget that Anzac Day is on the following Friday 25 April, just before our first day back at school on Tuesday 29 April. It’s the day when New Zealanders and Australians, two nations who fought alongside each other in WWI and subsequent wars, honour those who have given their lives for their country. You may be attending a dawn service with your parents or other families on that day. I’ll be joined by Chris our Head Prefect, Angus our Deputy Head Boy, Theo our Head of Boarding and other members of the Prefect team at the dawn service in Hastings, as we lay a wreath at the cenotaph on behalf of you all. Another day for you to reflect on all the things that you can feel grateful for in your lives. Your family, your friends, those you love and care about. Hopefully you will never have to experience the horrors of war that the ANZACs and subsequent service men and women experienced. 

I’d like us to acknowledge two staff members today. Firstly, Whaia Rawinia has been with us for the past 11 weeks teaching the Te Reo Maori classes in Matua Pomare’s absence. She’s also managed and tutored our Kapa Haka boys as well as helping to co-ordinate our powhiri at the start of term and Wednesday’s Haka Competition. Whaia Rawinia has got the sport of Waka Ama up and running at the College and of course we know how well they’ve done! We’re confident it won’t be the last we see of her, first because Whaia’s son Julius is a student in Year 9, and secondly because I think she’s grown to love us over Term 1 and she won’t be able to stay away. Coud I please ask Whaia to come to the front so we can give her a round of applause for an amazing 11 weeks. (Haka from Kapa Haka boys). 

I also acknowledge Mrs Jarden who husband passed away on Sunday in the light aeroplane accident we all heard and read about. It was Mr Jarden’s funeral today (although it was called a celebration of a life-well-lived rather than a funeral, and Mrs Jarden didn’t want it to be sorrowful event because her husband was a joy, a happy and generous man and we know she will miss him dearly of course. Mrs Jarden was due to conclude her time with us today after teaching many of you English, Social Studies, Oral Comms and Spanish.

So, to close my words to you today, I look forward to seeing many of our boarders return on the Monday evening before school starts back and then everyone else returning for our first full day of school on Tuesday morning 29 April. I call Terms 2 and 3 the working terms – there lots of interruptions and events in Terms 1 & 4 – Terms 2 and 3 are when you really get stuck in and secure those credits for your national qualifications and for juniors it's when you build up your learning and set yourselves up for the challenging end of year exams. 

Have a fantastic break and make sure you have fun and at the same time stay safe. We want you all back safe and sound ready for Term two. 

I look forward to acknowledging our Colours recipients very soon. First, please join with me as we sing in full voice the school song Highways in the Heart. 

School Song Highways in the Heart. 

Thank you, please be seated. I will now invite Cultural Prefect, Josef Oosthuizen, forward to present this week’s Cultural Report.  

Cultural Report 

Shakespeare Fight Scene Workshop  

Last Friday our Year 10 drama students were lucky to have three actors from the Shakespearean Ensemble The Barden Party teach them how to choreograph fight scenes in plays. This included handling prop weapons such as daggers and swords and was a lot of fun. It was fantastic to see Old Boy Oliver Howlett teach the boys and to hear him talk about what it is like making a career out of acting and music.   

Pipe Band at Gracelands Retirement Village  

Yesterday afternoon the College Pipe Band performed to residents at Gracelands retirement on Lyndhurst Road. The band performed a 20 minute concert and marched around the village. The residents were hugely appreciative of this and it showed how important music is for the wellbeing of both young and old people.   

ANZAC DAY Service in Havelock North, 25th April, 9.00 – 10.00am 

In the holidays, our pipe band will also perform at the Havelock North ANZAC Day commemoration, which starts at 9am at the Havelock North Information.  It would be great to see any of you boys at the service which goes for one hour.   

House Music Competition 2025  

Next term is the house music competition, and the holidays are a good time to start thinking about preparing for this. The theme for this year’s Full House Choir is “SURF”. The song must have the word surf or surfing in it and generally be about surfing and good times at the beach. This year’s set-song is “Hallelujah”, singing the same lyrics that we do in chapel. All other groups are the same, including: Soloist, Instrumental Ensemble, Rock Band.  

Have a great holiday! 

Rector comments: 

Thank you, Josef. I will now invite Sports Prefect, Riley Lennox, forward to present this week’s sports report.  

Sports Report  

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

In Rugby 

Pre-season fixtures for our 1st XV continued over the weekend and our 2nd XI wider squad also had an opportunity to get some game time in. Palmerston North Boys High School, a proud Super 8 team, was always going to present as a significant challenge but our boys, both 1st XV and 2nd XV were outstanding in securing a win a piece.   

1st XV beat Palmerston North Boys High School 34-15  

2nd XV beat Palmerston North Boys High School Under 16 A 55-12 

In Hockey 

The 1st XI played against Hasting’s Boys on Monday evening in a pre-season match and delivered a strong performance in going down 3-2. 

In Waterpolo 

Our Senior A team competed in the Hawkes Bay Final taking on a strong Havelock North High School team. The teams couldn’t be separated in regulation time and the match ended 6-6. A penalty shootout ensued and unfortunately our boys lost the shootout 0-3. 

Our Junior A team competed in the 3rd / 4th play-off for the Hawkes Bay region and were comfortable winners against Karamu High with the final score being 12-4. 

In Jiu jitsu 

George Powdrell competed in the North Island Jiujitsu Championships last weekend. Competing in the Under 17 division, George did exceptionally well and won the gold medal. 

In Duke of Edinburgh 

Samuel Pearse has, through a co-ordinated programme of service and achievement, completed the requirements for the Bronze Award. 

Can Samuel please come forward to receive their certificates and our congratulations. 

In Cricket 

The Hawkes Bay Cricket Association held their annual prize-giving recently and the following students received awards: 

Archie McDonald – Year 10 Best Batsman 

Fergus Benefield – Year 10 Best Bowler 

Samuel Parbhu – Year 11/12 Best Batsman 

Riley Lennox was also acknowledged for his contribution with the bat against Nelson 

We would like to wish all the 1st XV rugby players participating in the Presbyterian Quadrangular all the very best! The team play Saint Kentigern on Monday at 3pm and it will be great to see all of you down offering support to our boys. 

We would also like to wish all the 1st XI and Colts hockey players all the best for their pre-season tournament at Wairarapa College next week. 

Rector comments: 

Thank you, Riley. I will now invite Mr Gaffney forward to present the Summer Sport Colours for 2025.  

Summer Sport Colours – 2025   

Good afternoon, school! It's my honour to present the Summer Sport Colours for 2025.  

Summer Sports Colours recognise the achievements of our senior students, Year 11 to Year 13, who have excelled in their chosen sports. To be considered, recipients must exemplify outstanding sportsmanship and serve as role models both on and off the field. Qualifying for this prestigious award demands unwavering dedication and a commitment to excellence. Recipients truly embody the values of our college—demonstrating leadership, commitment, strong character, and outstanding ability in their chosen sport.  

In combination, the individual students must showcase a high level of performance and this may include:   

Holding representative honours 

Holding national honours 

If not, tangible evidence of their exceptional performance must be provided 

Consistently perform at the highest level, setting themselves apart from their teammates or, in individual sports, maintaining a top-tier standard. 

Winning a regional title as an individual athlete 

Placing in the top five in a North Island event 

Achieving a top ten finish in a New Zealand Schools Championships or equivalent 

For individual non-school sports, the athlete must have competed at a national-level competition and achieved a top 10 finish to be considered. 

Within a team sport context, you must gain representative honours or have clear evidence of high-level performance.  

Athletics 

NAME:           Gus Munro YEAR:             11 

CITATION:   Represented Lindisfarne at the East Coast North Island Secondary Schools Championships winning a gold and bronze medal in the 200m and 100m Intermediate event, respectively.  

NAME:           August Popadich YEAR:             11 

CITATION:   Represented Lindisfarne at the East Coast North Island Secondary Schools Championships winning a gold and silver medal in the 800m and 400m Intermediate event, respectively. 

NAME:           Austin McDougall YEAR:             13 

CITATION:   Represented Lindisfarne at the East Coast North Island Secondary Schools Championships winning two gold and a silver medal in the shotput, discuss and High Jump Senior event, respectively. 

NAME:           Waiariki Hunia  YEAR:             11 

CITATION:   Represented Lindisfarne at the East Coast North Island Secondary Schools Championships winning the gold medal in the Intermediate Triple Jump event. 

Group #2: Riley Burley, Austin McDougall 

BMX 

NAME:           Riley Burley              YEAR:             11  

CITATION:   Competed in the 2025 BMXNZ National Series held in Invercargill with a view to improving his plate ranking for under 16 boys. He placed fifth in New Zealand, thereby qualifying to attend the World Championships. 

Boxing 

NAME:           Austin McDougall YEAR:             13  

CITATION: Represented Giants boxing club at the Fiji Amateur boxing tournament, winning 10 out of 12 bouts over two tournaments. He is the highest ranked athlete in his age group and has been named as part of the New Zealand Youth Development team.  

Canoeing 

NAME:           Oscar Jarvis YEAR:             13  

CITATION:   Competed in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Kayak Regatta achieving multiple podium finishers including two silver medals and a bronze. Competed at the New Zealand Canoe Racing Sprint Regatta winning a silver and bronze medal in his respective events. 

NAME:           Matt McKendry YEAR:             13  

CITATION:  Competed in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Kayak Regatta achieving multiple podium finishers winning three silver medals. Competed at the New Zealand Canoe Racing Sprint Regatta winning two gold and two silver medals. He has been selected to represent the Junior New Zealand team that will compete at the Asia Pacific Championships in Japan. 

NAME:           Corby Allison YEAR:             12 

CITATION:  Competed in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Kayak Regatta placing third in the long-distance event. He also won a silver medal and is currently ranked in the Top in New Zealand in the K1 200 and K1 500. 

Cricket 

NAME:           Riley Lennox               YEAR:13  

CITATION: Riley represented the Hawkes Bay (Year 12) team and furthermore contributed significantly to the success of the 1st XI during the season, scoring 875 runs at an average of 41.6. This included an impressive top score of 171 against Napier Boys High School, one of four centuries. 

NAME:           Andrew Wakefield               YEAR: 12  

CITATION: Andrew represented the Hawkes Bay (Year 12) team and furthermore contributed significantly to the success of the 1st XI during the season, scoring 638 runs at an average of 29. He was also selected to represent the Central Districts Under 17 team. 

Jiu jitsu 

NAME:           George Powdrell YEAR:             12  

CITATION:   Competed in the North Island Jiujitsu Championships in the U17 event winning the gold medal. 

Rowing 

NAME:           Jack Litherland YEAR:             12  

CITATION:  Participated in the Hawke’s Bay Rowing Regatta in the Men’s 8, finishing first in the event before winning silver in the Men’s Intermediate Eight at the New Zealand Rowing Nationals. 

NAME:           Ashton Scott YEAR:             12  

CITATION:  Participated in the New Zealand Schools Rowing Championships and finished 10th in the Under 17 singles event 

Softball 

NAME:           Nate Solomon YEAR:             12  

CITATION:  Represented the Hawkes Bay U19 team in the New Zealand National Softball Tournament in Auckland where his team placed 9th overall. 

Group #6: Sam Skidmore, Ardie Smith 

Swimming 

NAME:           Sam Skidmore               YEAR:             11  

CITATION: Sam was the Hawkes Bay/Poverty Bay Junior Swimmer of the year in 2024, and he competed at the New Zealand Secondary School Championships winning Silver in the 50m Butterfly. In the long course championships, he won the Opens Men’s 50m Freestyle and 200m freestyle events. 

TAG 

NAME:           Ardie J Smith              YEAR:              11  

CITATION:   Represented the Hawke’s Bay U18 team at the National Tag Championships in Auckland, who placed 3rd at the tournament. 

Touch 

NAME:           Te Awarangi Puketapu-Pene YEAR:              12 

CITATION: Competed in the Māori Touch Nationals in Rotorua playing for the Hawkes Bay U17 Team that placed third. The team also ended fifth at the Touch National Championships in Auckland.  

NAME:           Waiāriki Hunia YEAR:             11  

CITATION: Competed in the Māori Touch Nationals in Rotorua playing for the Hawkes Bay U17 Team that placed third. The team also ended fifth at the Touch National Championships in Auckland.  

NAME:           Ardie J Smith              YEAR:               11  

CITATION: Competed in the Māori Touch Nationals in Rotorua playing for the Hawkes Bay U17 Team that placed third. The team also ended fifth at the Touch National Championships in Auckland.  

Waka Ama 

NAME:           Kahu Walker YEAR:             11  

CITATION:   Competed at the Waka Ama Regionals and placed 3rd and also Waka Ama Nationals and placed 6th in the 500m turns. 

NAME:           Ardie J Smith YEAR:             11  

CITATION:   Competed at the Waka Ama Regionals and placed 3rd and also Waka Ama Nationals and placed 6th in the 500m turns. 

NAME:           Taurere Whiunui YEAR:             11  

CITATION:   Competed at the Waka Ama Regionals and placed 3rd and also Waka Ama Nationals and placed 6th in the 500m turns. 

NAME:           Wiremu-Kai Rogers-Hall YEAR:             12  

CITATION:   Competed at the Waka Ama Regionals and placed 3rd and also Waka Ama Nationals and placed 6th in the 500m turns. 

Waterpolo 

NAME:           Monte Douglas YEAR:             11  

CITATION:   Selected to represent the Hawke’s Bay Under 16 team at Nationals. 

NAME:           Finley Day YEAR:             11  

CITATION:   Selected to represent the Hawke’s Bay Under 16 team at Nationals. 

NAME:           Oisin Rabbitte YEAR:             11  

CITATION:   Selected to represent the Hawke’s Bay Under 16 team at Nationals. 

NAME:           Fletcher Dawson YEAR:             12  

CITATION:   Selected to represent the Hawke’s Bay Under 18 team at Nationals. 

Rector Comments: 

Thank you, Mr Gaffney.  

Service Prefect Will Telford will now close our assembly in prayer. 

Closing Prayer 

Let us bow our heads in prayer. 

Loving and gracious God, 

As we finish this term, we give thanks — for the learning, the effort, and the shared experiences that have helped us grow as a school and as individuals. 

We celebrate those recognised today for their achievements, and we honour the dedication and hard work that lies behind their success. May they lead with humility and pride. 

As we look ahead to Easter, help us reflect on the deeper meaning of the season — the power of sacrifice, the hope of new life, and the strength we find in faith and in each other. 

We pray especially for our students travelling abroad — those touring Nepal and those on exchange in the US. Keep them safe and bring them home to us, enriched by their experience. 

We remember Mrs Jarden and her family during this time of loss, and we thank You for Whaia Rawinia and the gifts she has shared with us this term. 

As the holidays begin, grant us rest, joy, and safety. May we return ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the new term ahead. 

We ask all this in the name of Ihu Karaiti, Jesus Christ 

Amen. 

Article added: Monday 14 April 2025