Kia ora, School. Please be seated. 

I’d like to invite Wellbeing Prefect Niko Sawyers forward to deliver today’s reading  

Today’s reading comes from Ephesians 4, Chapter 29-32 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 

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

Rector Comments:     

Thank you, Niko. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” 

Today is Pink Shirt Day, we celebrated it yesterday because we like to be different, which is the whole point of Pink Shirt Day - to celebrate diversity and difference and to take a stand against bullying. So we get extra points.  

Thank you all for your donations and support yesterday. You looked amazing and really got into spirit of the day and I hope you were wearing your pink tutus and angel wings and all the other weird and wonderful apparel not just for a laugh, but because you really do believe in the cause. If you stepped outside of your comfort zone yesterday, and wore a skirt or something that made you think “Oh I don’t know my mates might laugh at me, or tease me, or wind me up” but then you still did it then you’re a legend in my book. If you believe in the cause and you want to be part of a community where all people feel safe, valued and respected, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion or cultural background, you’re a legend and you’re the sort of person who will make this College stronger and happier for everyone. 

A hugh thank you to Reverend Dunnett and could we please put our hands for this his leadership on the day. 

Pink Shirt Day is about working together to stop bullying by celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusiveness. And you know we have to face the fact that bullying in Aotearoa New Zealand is a real problem. We have the third-highest rate of school bullying out of 36 developed countries. Those bullied are far more likely to experience mental health issues in their lives and that’s just not right. 

Why do people feel the need to tease and torment people who are different? Sadly we do see far too much of it and I think bullying in schools can be a particular problem because young people sometimes don’t have the maturity and self discipline to keep their mouths closed and their hands down that we have in later life. 

• You all out did me yesterday 

• I didn’t wear enough pink 

• I thought what could I do to stand up for the victims of bullying 

• What could I do to stand up for people who are different, and stand up for diversity? 

• I thought I’d tell you a little story. 

• When I was 16 in 1984 it was kind of trendy to wear an earing. 

• My mate Garry had 5 

• I thought I’d like to join the fashion craze 

• Told mates I was getting my ear pierced that weekend 

• But here’s the thing, most of my mates were getting their left ear pierced. And I wanted to be different. I didn’t want to just follow the crowd.  

• And some mates told me not to , and I listened and I decided I don’t care what people say.  

• I’m going to be different and people will just have to live with it. 

• So I did 

• Last night thinking about Pink shirt day and celebrating diversity.  

• I thought, I wonder if I’ve got my old earring. I stopped wearing it when I was 25.  

• And I found it in my bottom drawer. 

• And then I thought I wonder if my ear still has that hole 32 years later 

• So today I’m going to make a stand for difference, and I’m going to stand up to bullies by putting that earing back in, but I’ll need some help…. 

At Lindisfarne College, whilst we can’t make every day Pink Shirt Day, we must work together to make every day a day when we respect each other, live and let live, not judge each other based on those characteristics I mentioned earlier.  

By choosing compassion and standing up for each other, we can reduce bullying in Aotearoa and foster spaces where everyone feels they belong. 

Please join me in singing the hymn Highways in the Heart.  

HYMN   

Thank you, please be seated.  

I’ll now invite Cultural prefect, Josef Oosthuizen, forward to update us on the latest arts and cultural news. 

Cultural Report 

Good afternoon boys, it is my pleasure to be bringing you this week’s cultural report. 

Hawkes Bay youth orchestra concert. On Sunday, three students from Lindisfarne performed in the Hawke’s Bay youth orchestra Mother's Day concert in the first violin section. Isaac Chou led the orchestra as concertmaster. Beside him was myself, and behind us was Ethan Xu on second desk. The concert was great fun and was an awesome way to celebrate Mother's Day. 

Speech and drama exams: This week, many boys in the senior school sat diploma level public speaking and drama exams. It is great to see so many students achieving this high level, and well done to them for the effort and work that goes into these exams. The skill that these boys are developing now will be valuable  both during their studies and in the workplace in future. 

Student Lunchtime Concert at Gracelands Retirement Village Yesterday 12 boys gave a concert at the Gracelands Retirment Village on Lyndhurst Road. This included two chamber music groups and the year 7/8 Junior Vocal Ensemble. This was a great chance for our boys to perform new pieces of music to the public, and the large audience thoroughly enjoyed the half hour of music. It was also great to Mr Miller at the concert, too. Congratulations to all the boys that performed.  

Hawkes Bay Festival of Bands. This Sunday, Lindisfarne College will be hosting the annual Hawkes Bay Festival of Bands, a lively day filled with spectacular performances by talented symphonic and jazz bands from all over the north island. The festival will runs  from 9:00 until 4:00, so come along at any time to support our bands and listen to some great live music. The symphonic is performing at 11.20am, and the jazz band is on at 2.25pm.  

Rockquest Heats at Lindisfarne College Next Thursday 22nd May Lindisfarne College will host for the first time a number of rock bands for the first round of the Smokefree Rockquest. This will include three Lindisfarne College Rockbands and bands from other Colleges. You are welcome to come along and enjoy the rock band talent from Hawke’s Bay in a concert setting in the auditorium. To register your interest, please see Mr Kristensen or Mr Selfe. 

Rector Comments: 

Thank you, Josef. I will now invite Sports Prefect, Matt McKendry, forward to update us on the latest Sports news. 

Sports Report 

In Rugby Our 1st XV enjoyed success in their first CNI encounter beating St Paul’s Collegiate 19-10. Other results on the day saw the 2nd XV win 12-7 against NBHS 3 White and the Division 3 team too strong for NBHS Gold winning 57-7. 

In Basketball The Senior A team completed grading matches against NBHS 11A and Senior A White and were comfortable winners in both encounters, winning 50-11 and 52-43 respectively. 

In Hockey Both the 1st XI and Junior A teams were victorious this week beating. The 1st XI beat St John’s, Hastings 8-0 and the Junior A team secured a 9-1 win over Taikura 1st XI. The 3rd XI took on St John’s Maroon team and produced a good performance outscoring the opposition 7-2 whilst our Intermediate A team had a resounding victory over Eskdale Kwik Sticks winning 16-0.  

The Intermediate B team were also victorious, beating HIS Hydras 7-0. It was great to receive an email on Monday commending the boys on their sportsmanship. 

A parent wrote, “I was so impressed with the kind, caring attitude of your students. When they passed my child, each Lindisfarne student asked if he was okay. And the female staff coach checking in on us as well as looking after her own team. Please be proud of the wonderful caring students and staff, they showed such kindness to others”.  

This is an excellent example of our school values in action.  Well done boys. 

In Football The 1st XI secured a fine win against Havelock North High School, winning 4-2 and the 2nd XI were too strong for NBHS securing a 16-0 win. 

In Water polo The Intermediate A team played against Hereworth and enjoyed a successful outing, securing a 12-0 victory. 

In Badminton Our Senior A team competed in the first league fixture of the season and were good value in securing a 6-0 win over Taradale A1.  

In Jiu Jitsu Max Russell and George Powdrell competed in the New Zealand Jiu Jitsu National tournament with both producing a fine effort in finishing 6th and 2nd respectively. Max competed in the Adult Under 74kg division whilst George competed in the Juvenile Under 66kg division. 

Note There are several games being played here on Saturday and it would be great students down at the games supporting our teams. 

Rector Comments: 

Congratulations to everyone whose been recognised today. 

Reverend Dunnett, will now close our assembly in prayer.  

Article added: Thursday 22 May 2025