Kia ora, School and welcome back to Term 4. E noho, please be seated.

I’d like to invite Durham House Prefect Ethan Byloo 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

Rectors Comments:

Thank you, Ethan

I hope you’ve all had a restful and fun break, those of you who could afford to relax and for those of you who had to study or work I hope you have achieved everything you needed to in the holidays and you’re all set for a very busy, jam-packed term ahead. For our seniors there are just 2 ½ weeks of classes until Prizegiving and before NCEA exams begin, so all the very best for the goals you all have in the academic cornerstone. It’s a short term for juniors too, 8 weeks, and so make the most of the short term as you lead up to your junior exams in Weeks 6 & 7.

Today is a very special celebration assembly when we take the opportunity to acknowledge two national title winning performances that occurred at the end of last term. As you know we normally hold our chapel service on a Monday afternoon, but due to the significance of these achievements we’ve called this special celebration assembly.

Our Clay Target Shooting team won the Nationals teams event down in Christchurch two weeks ago and today we are joined on stage by the coaching and management team of Mr Ralph Harper, Mr Mike McCormick and Mrs Robyn McCormick, who do a wonderful job supporting our clay target shooting boys and have done so for many years. It is a testimony to their commitment that we are able to celebrate out boys’ achievements today.

We are also joined on stage by Yr 12 student Heremia McGarvey’s parents Patrick and Tamaku and by Heremia’s brother Te Aramai. As you will recall from last term, Heremia was placed first in the Senior Maori Section for Nga Manu Korero Regional Competition and has now gone on to win the National title which is a significant achievement not only for Heremia, his whanau and our College, but also for the entire Ngati Kahungunu iwi. We look forward to learning all about Heremia’s achievements when Matua Pomare addresses us later on.

Winning a national title is a major accomplishment. There are so many things that have to go right because the competition is fierce as everyone if vying for that 1st place. There are countless hours of preparation, practice and dedication required if you are to achieve a national title and I can think of many incredibly talented individuals and teams from past years who have gone so close, but have not quite managed to win a national title.

So we must feel immensely proud of the boys who come forward today to be acknowledged and we must congratulate them and their coaches, managers and whanau for the part they have played in helping to make these successes possible.

Before we move on to our national titles, Dr Kristensen and Mr Petersen are going to acknowledge other outstanding achievements in the cultural and sporting cornerstones, and I’ll invite Director of Performing Arts Dr Kristensen forward first.

Cultural Colours:

At our last assembly at the end of Term 3, we presented Cultural Colours. Two recipients of these awards were away from school on the day, so I therefore take this opportunity to present their awards to them both today. ( 3 certificates to be presented)

Jaidyn McCurdy

Jaidyn has become an important part of the drama team for the first time this year. He is now working at a level of excellence in preparing for scholarship drama. Jaidyn’s performances in Wheelers Luck demanded that he work at an extremely high standard. He entertained us all with characters that varied from comic character roles to even a rapper. Jaidyn dedicated his time and skill willingly to our school show providing a role model for all.

Daniel Diprose

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Daniel is a role model for public speaking within the school and he was place 1st at this year’s Churchill oratory speech competition. He consistently delivers sermons in chapel and recently delivered an 11-minute speech at the Presbyterian conference to great success. Daniel is completing his Speech New Zealand diploma to a level of excellence.

DEBATING

In 2022 Daniel Has been in one of the senior debating teams, he has debated in the exchange, attended the HBSS Russell McVeigh debating day, and participated in the HBSS Impromptu Debating competition. He was involved in the Model UN but more importantly, of his own accord he ran an intra-school debating competition for our boys at lunchtimes in Term One and Term Two.

Trinity College Music Examination Success

Year 13 cultural prefect Quinn Le Lievre recently passed his Trinity College LTCL piano examination. This is the highest music examination that a student at

Lindisfarne College has ever received and it is equivalent to completing the third year of performance degree at university. Quinn performed a number of demanding pieces for piano in his recital that took place at the Blyth Theatre at Iona College. This is a fantastic result for Quinn who has been working towards this examination over the past two years. Please congratulate Quinn Le Lievre.

Musical 2023 – The Addams Family

And finally today, I would like to officially announce that Lindisfarne College will be putting on the musical The Addam’s Family together with Woodford House next year in term 1. Auditions take place this coming Wednesday at 6pm in the auditorium for year 9 -12 boys. If you are interested, just give it a go – you don’t need to have any prior experience with musicals or stage productions. If you are interested, have a look at the audition materials on Schoology before Wednesday or come and have a chat with me about what is involved.

Rector speaks

Thank you, Dr Kristensen. I now invite Director of Sport Mr Petersen forward to report on our recent sporting achievements and to introduce Mr Harper who will give his report on Clay Target Shooting Nationals.

EXTRA REPORTS FOR MONDAY 17TH OCTOBER ASSEMBLY

RUGBY

Congratulations to Patrick Tuifua for being selected in the Hurricanes U18 Development camp in the holidays and will play against Fiji.

Congratulations to the follow boys for making the Hastings West Ross Shield Team: Liam McEntee, Fergus Benefield, Hunter Reed, Hunter Thow and Spencer Bruce

KAYAKING

Matt McKendry and Oscar Jarvis competed in the 5km National Champs on Lake Okareka in the Bay of Plenty on Saturday. Matt led from the start and stayed with the senior paddlers to produce a gutsy effort to win the u16 national title. It was also terrific to see Oscar Jarvis coming in at second. So a 1st and 2nd for Lindisfarne at a national event.

SAILING

Last month Finn Balchin represented New Zealand at the 420 Sailing World Championships in Lake Balaton, Hungary. Placed 2nd in the 3rd flight.

FENCING

Jacob Double recently competed at the Fencing New Zealand National Secondary School Championships held in Auckland on 2nd to the 4th of September. He received 2 silver medals one in Team Men's Epee Silver and the other in Team Men's Sabre. He placed 6th in Men's Epee and 39th in Men's Foil. These are great results all round.

ASK MIKE AND RALPH TO SPEAK RE SHOOTING NATIONALS

PRESENTATION OF SHOOTING COLOURS

Following boys come forward to receive their colours. No blurb to be read out due to the speeches prior

JONTY BOTHAMLEY

NATHAN CAMPBELL

JACK HAMILTON

SAM RASMUSSEN

OWEN READ

Rector

Thank you Mr Petersen, and Mr Harper.

Before we move on to our other National title, we are going to sing one of our College hymns. We need to raise the roof with our singing this term, boys, as we move towards our Christmas Carols Service and Snr Prizegiving in just a few weeks, so please join me in singing the College hymn, How Great Thou Art.

How Great Thou Art

As stated in my opening address, we also received some incredible news on the last day of Term about Heremia McGarvey and to tell us all about this significant achievement, I call on Matua Pomare.

Pomare gives his report and invites Heremia forward to receive the congratulations of the Rector and School. This is followed by a haka.

Congratulations Heremia, the Clay Target Shooting team and all who have been acknowledged today. I also thank our special guests who have joined us today for this special assembly. What an incredible way to start our term. I’ll now invite Reverend Dunnett to close our assembly in prayer.

Article added: Tuesday 18 October 2022