Have a relaxing and revitalising Summer. I hope your Christmas and New Year are everything you want them to be with family and friends. Make the most of the break; especially any time you can find ‘off the grid’.

This may be remembered as ‘The Year of Covid’ and the departing Year 13 as ‘The Class of Covid’. The pandemic has tested us all and I can’t emphasis enough how proud I am of the way the boys, staff and our many supporters rallied for the numerous Covid challenges. The true colours of King’s came through.

For those young men leaving us, King’s will always be your school. Make sure that you come back to tell us how it has all gone for you. I wish you all the best for your future endeavours.

There is an old Irish proverb:

‘May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.’

Have the good fortune that this proverb invokes and get out there to make your mark and your own good fortune, as you find your way in the world. Be as proud of yourself and what you’ve achieved at King’s as we are, and value highly the friendships and positive connections that you now have with students and staff or others you learned from; many of these will endure. Continue to grow an inquisitive and independent mind, good character, and a good reputation. Keep acquiring the knowledge and skills that add to your capability, credentials and confidence for personal excellence. Look to be in the company of good people, and to be defined, in part, by your good deeds in the years to come. 

 As an Old Boy of King’s, you now carry a special bond with the school and represent the values of the school. We hope that you will be moved to retain this bond and to be a purveyor of our values as a positive presence in the wider community in New Zealand and abroad.

To the boys returning in 2021, come back all the wiser from your experiences in 2020 and ready to learn and perform well in order to achieve your best. Reflect on what has given you success in or out of the classroom, and what has impeded or delayed your progress and full realisation. There are great opportunities waiting to be seized on your return from late January onwards. Come back to us looking, not waiting, for personal growth and up for a big year in 2021.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone.