LEADERSHIP Executive Principal’s Prize-giving Address
and the Board for their oversight through interesting times. To the boys assembled, thank you for your contribution this year. I would like to acknowledge the boys who are leaving, especially our Year 13 students. As recognised, the particular demands of 2020 have certainly made it different. I would ask you to reflect back and consider how you have grown in the skills of flexibility and adaptability this year – and focus not on what may have been lost, but what you have gained along the way. Your contribution this year was made special because it needed to be so, and you will be remembered fondly for the good humour and fun you brought along the way. You have, in various ways, been inspirational – and the boys who remain will always remember you. Your page has now been turned in College history, opportunities have been taken, friendships have been forged, glory days have been created ... thank you for your gifts of leadership and support. I would particularly like to highlight Head Prefect Dominic Edmond and his Deputy, Louis Gunn. From College Cribs to the articulation of brotherhood, you have both balanced your extraordinary talents with humility in an endearing way. You have been true leaders by example, modelling personal excellence along the way and, when asked, you have represented the views of your schoolmates with great empathy and forthrightness. As they leave school for the next exciting phase of their lives could I ask you to acknowledge, thank and wish well
Dom and Louis and all our leavers here today. There are two key groups that significantly influence the nature of College. First, our parents. Whether as members of the Parents’ Association, or through various “Friends of” committees, or by attending our various events, or just being alongside their boys, parents are involved in school life and make an appreciable difference in so many ways. I would particularly like to acknowledge Christ’s College Parents’ Association President Catherine McClean, who has so ably led her committee in this stop, start and plan again affair. Second, our Old Boys’ Association that, under the leadership of Richard Polson, has made huge gains in 2020 in moving the Association closer to its purpose and to College. Of course, this year it was these two associations that gifted College the beautiful korowai that Dom and I are wearing today. The fact that this gift was from our most significant traditional stakeholders should not go unnoticed, nor be understated. 2020 sees the conclusion of a four- year strategy that has focused on ensuring an equitable student experience across programmes, a higher level of personalisation, the introduction of Round Square IDEALS, and an emphasis on health and wellbeing. Much has been developed over that time, and indeed the boys who leave have in mind the graduate outcomes defined during this phase. Our next steps,
Ka tangi te titi, ka tangi te kaka, ka tangi hoki ahau.
Tihei mauri ora!
Te¯ na¯ koutou, te¯ na¯ koutou, nga¯ mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa. Nau mai, haere mai ki te Kura o ¯ te Karaiti. Warden of Christ’s College Bishop Peter Carrell, Ma¯ ori Bishop Richard Wallace, Chair of the College Board Hugh Lindo and members of the Board, special invited guests, staff, parents and students. Thank you for attending today for what I hope will be a celebration as we reflect back on what has been rather an extraordinary year and hand over the prizes. I am not intending to dwell on Covid-19 at this time, I think that has been considered enough, other than to say circumstances asked something of this community and we responded as best we could both individually and collectively. Thank you to staff, parents and boys for all that you did to make things work. I am proud of our response. Thank you to Hugh
toward our 175th anniversary, will rise through projects that
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Christ’s College Canterbury
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