this year and which heralds the most significant internally focused curriculum change the College has undertaken in some time. It does so with our mission at the forefront, for we believe that holistic education is one that allows boys to find the pathway to be at their best. This is an exciting but not exceptional time for College as we walk along a path of change and continuity. I will leave a similar message with the boys today. The high school journey from 13–18 years old is about finding within, the balance of who you are, so you can face the inevitable challenges of what is next. You have done this in a place where you have joined a whakapapa that goes back over many years. You are forever a part of something that is much bigger than yourself and you now have been placed within this story. Those connections are to a tradition, we acknowledge some of which has held us back and is dark but, mostly, has helped us on to where we are today in the most positive of ways. College has provided you a clear framework and a foundation. It has anticipated a search for self through a consideration and consolidation of dispositions and character. We now wish you well for the future – be that beyond or returning through those Rolleston Avenue gates next year. In all things and at all times you are the sum of your choices – we pray that you choose well and, more than anything else, I trust that Christ’s example continues to guide you in all that you do. We now move to the awarding of prizes orchestrated by Mr Donaldson. Prior to commencing, can I ask you to acknowledge our Deputy Principal who, by leading our Housemasters and Wellbeing team this year, has cared for you in ways that most of you are not even aware. Noˉ reira, te¯na¯ koutou, te¯na¯ koutou, te¯na¯ tatou katoa. Garth Wynne Executive Principal
song, Army of Darkness under the introduced alternative title A Ray of Sunshine on an Otherwise Cloudy Day . Anyway, since then we’ve recorded an album, The Void , and actually got signed to a metal label in Europe and have a tour planned for next year. Our new name is ‘3000 AD’, but it’s all the same guys from school. Thanks again … Sam. That may not necessarily be to Nick’s particular taste, but a music teacher wants boys to love music for life. Thank you, Nick for making that a reality for so many and very best wishes for your retirement. We look forward to you handing over the prizes to our junior boys later this month. Could we please farewell Nick Coxon with applause. Finally, it is with sadness that I now officially farewell, after 24 years of truly remarkable contribution to the community of this school, the Rev. Bosco Peters. Bosco was commissioned as our Chaplain in 1998 and, alongside Headmasters Zordan, Leese and I, has led the spiritual dimension of our school. From that time he would be the only person to have taught almost every boy in the school through the classroom of Year 9 Religious Education. I trust that everyone here through those 24 years has taken the opportunity when provided to make conversation with Bosco, for it is through such conversations that one comes to appreciate his depth of knowledge and intellect, his appreciation for the needs of others
and his capacity to care. To make the mystery of faith interesting, for a compulsorily assembled group of adolescent boys, and their teachers, is a challenge only faced by the brave few. It is in this circumstance that Bosco has shone, for it is here generations have been touched by the word of God in a way that has been accessible, meaningful, at times provocative, and, so often, motivational, yet never in those 24 years has anybody ever felt excluded for what they did or did not believe. Along with other taonga of this College, Bosco led the introduction of Te Reo Maˉori through worship and, in doing so, made available to all the richness of a Maˉori spirituality which enhances our Christian foundations. He and his wife, Helen, have been an example of service and care for the community through their particular gifts to worship at Sunday Chapels, which are a special component of the Christ’s College experience. Christ’s College has been honoured and privileged to have Rev. Bosco Peters as its Chaplain. As Bosco retires, we wish him and Helen all the very best. We thank Bosco for handing over the prizes today and we will hear from him later. 2022 is an important year for College as we see the introduction of our unique Diploma in Years 10–11 and we start to impact with intent our strategic themes of Motivation, Connection, Philanthropy and Sustainability. My thanks again to the staff, led by Assistant Principal – Curriculum, Nicole Billante, for all the preparation that precedes
7
Register 2021 Leadership
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software