Kia ora, talofa and good afternoon to you all

Term 2 has come to it’s conclusion, and it is amazing to think just how fast the year is progressing.

With our school holidays about to commence I have conveyed to our young men the need to have a concerted effort to ensure they do have a break, as it is a great chance to relax, recharge, enjoy catching up with friends and family. To maintain balance, and perspective it is also a time to ensure that one sets aside time to complete any subject tasks, assessments or any other school related work. Our young men are also aware of this.

I wish to take this opportunity to share some of my thoughts and reflections from this term and offer some insights as to what I have observed through my lens, as the Acting Rector of our school.

At the start of Term 2, on Day 1, I stood in front of our young men, reaffirming what was required of them this term and that there would be an emphasis needed to ensure their focus in class would need to shift to another level. I can report, that on the whole, this has been successful, which was not overly surprising given our young men are very good at taking on board the advice, support and guidance on offer to them.

For Term 3, I have conveyed there is a real need to raise the roof in terms of their focus, aptitudes, and the effort they must put into their studies. They must go again to reap the benefits and rewards to achieve their personal excellence.

This term we had a focus on Compassion and I wish to commend our young men for their work in this space.

•  Our prefects have provided their thoughts and insights

• At Group Time, our young men connected and shared their thoughts as to what Compassion, was and needed to look like

And…

• At our assemblies, I have provided my thoughts, from my lens around Compassion sharing many examples, as take away opportunities, notably the story of Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield.

As a school and as a community early in Term 2, we navigated a very difficult and tragic set of events with the passing of a young man who was a former King’s High School student. I wish to thank you all for your support and aroha then, now, and also what will be required for those impacted in the future.

The concept of support, care and aroha for each other is a common theme our young men grasp – which always makes me very proud to be a part of our school.

These events, I hope will serve as a motivating and purposeful opportunity for us all to grasp the importance of “the gift of life” and to take every opportunity that becomes available to us.

In Term 2, I was presented with the opportunity to lead our school in the absence of Mr McIvor who we welcome back for the start of Term 3.

Leadership has been a big part of what I have been involved with in life and as I reflect, I guess I have found a place, or space where I embrace the challenge of what situations can bring. As a person who enjoys structure and routine, I have found it important to ensure I am prepared for the unexpected, and that, is certainly a great learning moving forward in my career.

In Leadership, you have to have a lot of things, but for me you must have “The Courage of your Convictions”.

This means, you must trust your decision making, you must trust and back your values, you must trust you!

If I was to summarise, what is important to me in leadership, it is about being:

• Resilient

Being able to withstand the pressure and the multiple demands and requests, can, I am sure be overwhelming. I believe, slowing things down and seeking guidance from those you trust allows you to deal with and make informed decisions.

• Committed

You are either in the waka or you are not, it is as simple as that. Leadership isn’t for everyone, and that is ok. For a number of our young men, it is – so I have asked them to embrace it.

• Hardworking

It is a must – as a leader you never want to be out done on effort, ever!

• Protective

It needs to be a cornerstone value of leadership. There have been times where people or persons have wanted to challenge our school, around our students or our staff. What I can say is, I will always protect 270 Bay View Road, our legacy, and our people.

Leadership as service, and in the words of a famous staff member, well he’ll say he is famous, “it’s all about giving”.

I wish to speak about the service that Mr Sullivan has provided to King’s High School over the last seven and a half years. Mr Sullivan has been an outstanding Teacher, Year Level Dean and latterly part of the Senior Leadership Team. Mr Sullivan leaves us to take up the position of Deputy Rector at Otago Boys' High School, with oversight of Pastoral Care.

Mr Sullivan, we thank you for your contributions, your insights and leadership for making King’s an even better place. You have certainly left the jersey, as it were, in a better place.

In conclusion, I wish to thank our students and our staff for their support over the term. Also, to Mr McIvor and the BOT, for entrusting me with the privilege of leading our school.

“Ehara taku toa I te toa, takitahi engari he toa takimano”

“My strength is not that of an individual, but that of the collective.”

Regards
Darin Smith
Acting Rector