Special assemblies

Girls’ and Boys’ Assemblies

The annual Secondary School Girls’ and Boys’ Assemblies organised by Year 13 students were enlightening events, which saw two panels of guests share life experiences and answer a range of questions The girls’ panel of Lauren Whittaker (OC 2023), Assistant Head of Physical Education and Health, Ash James and Rector, Christine Leighton, revealed personal challenges and the ways they bounce back from setbacks. Chloe McFedries (Year 10) also sang a beautiful solo.

The Boys’ Assembly featured a panel of three guests – Agriculture teacher, Liam Smith, Athlete Development Programme teacher, Trent Harris, and Thomas Kamo (OC 2022), who is currently studying Law and Arts at University of Canterbury. The panel was interviewed by Macklan Robertson and Daniel Ruge (both Year 13) with questions ranging from sharing a favourite childhood memory, to what it means to be a good man. The rock band Awthentix, made of up Year 13 students Tamaroa Connelly, Jack Flanagan, Hugo Ranken, Daniel Ruge and William Ruge, performed two numbers.

Prefects’ Assembly

The prefect team put together a fun, high-energy Prefects’ Assembly, with the theme ‘Survivor Games’ keeping the audience well entertained. The Sports, Cultural and Academic tribes battled it out in a variety of challenges with the Sports tribe announced as the final champions.

The highly anticipated assembly was punctuated by the singing, dancing, and the thoughtful Morning Comment from prefect Benjamin Ashman (Year 13), whose worthwhile message around nurturing a positive attitude, with references to personal setbacks and challenges, was well received. Another crowd favourite was the appearance of Enzo the dog.

The Senior College and Middle School DPR Awards were presented to Michael Vaivai (Year 13) and Ewan Mander (Year 11), with a number of other students recognised, including the Year 9 Future Problem Solving team, which achieved third place in the world.