College – Issue 43

C hrist’s College 2022 Head of Character & Leadership Oli Aikawa has shared some stirring words with the whole school at assembly prior to leaving College. In a meaningful address, Oli has spoken to the boys about taking the lead.

Tuturu whakamaua kia tina Haumi e Hui e, Taiki e. Morena ki a koutou katoa

One thousand, 400 and 40 days ago, I was a Year 9 sitting back there in the front row of Corfe. At that time, I had had a few hard experiences and I was subconsciously questioning whether Christ’s College was the school for me. Today, I stand here knowing that there is no place I would rather be. This is because, over the years, College is a place – Where I have felt respected Where I have seen sportsmanship comes first Where I have seen a shift towards courtesy and fellowship And a school where everyone knows our haka. Kia ora to Julius House, which won the recent haka contest, and Somes House for ki-o-rahi. It has been incredible to see these changes through my time at College. However, this didn’t just happen. It took people like you. Leaders. Whilst things have improved, there is still more to do. Can you further accept others? Can you be more equal, and fair? Can you respect everyone for who they are? Can you stand up to the bully? Can you try to tell your mate that you are worried about him, and that you care about him, and that you are here for him? All of this is hard. Dealing with how others think of you will always be hard. But I challenge you to show leadership by not letting the way things have been, or how others think of you, define how you know things are supposed to be. Whāia te iti Kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei Dream bigger than you can imagine and even if you don’t exactly get what you want, you’ll still do very well. Kia ora.

COLLEGE 2023

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