From the Deputy Rector
Community and Belonging
A recurring theme of assemblies this term has been the importance of community - of working together for the benefit of us all. In presentations at a Prefect's Assembly about the Crest to Crest and Blue Mountain Adventure Centre (BMAC) camp held in term one, all of the young men who spoke emphasised how much they valued the support they received from the students and staff they were working with on these activities. Being able to count on the support of others, and actively working to look out for and support the others in the groups and communities we belong to, is a key marker of belonging. As is selflessness, thinking about the good of the group rather than just thinking about ourselves.
In Morality, Jonathan Sacks describes the societal shift from ‘we’ to ‘I’ – on how the emphasis has changed from acting for the common good, for the good of the wider community, to acting selfishly and concerning ourselves with just that – ourselves. When individuals and groups of people act in their own self-interest it is damaging to the wider society to which they belong.
In describing the elements required for a healthy society Sacks emphasises the importance of morality; a concern for the welfare of others, an active commitment to justice and compassion, a willingness to ask not just what is good for me but what is good for us all together. It is about ‘us’, not ‘me’; about ‘we’, not ‘me’.
“Morality achieves something almost miraculous, and fundamental to human achievement and liberty. It creates trust. It means that to the extent that we belong to the same moral community, we can work together without constantly being on guard against violence, betrayal, exploitation or deception. The stronger the bonds of community, the more powerful the force of trust, and the more we can achieve together.”
People are 'social animals', embedded and intertwined in networks of relationships – whānau, friends, classmates, teammates, colleagues, neighbours. We are who we are because of the groups to which we belong. Everything we do, all of our experiences and our relationships, shape the people we are becoming. The community we choose to surround ourselves with will have a huge impact on our lives. The message to our young men is: choose to surround yourself with good, like-minded people who will positively influence your behaviour and your character. Community is essential to identity and to our sense of belonging; our sense of belonging is essential to our wellbeing and our ability to thrive.
Tū Whakaaute | Respect
Term two began with a focus on the school value of Tū Whakaaute or Respect. This was to the fore at our Anzac Service where we remembered the service and sacrifices made by 203 Old Boys of our school.
On a daily basis, we see Tū Whakaaute | Respect in the relationships that develop and in the many interactions between young men and between staff and young men. Treating each other with respect is a cornerstone of civil society. Treating others in ways that we would be happy to be treated - our behaviour towards others and the manner in which we speak to each other - is a simple but important step towards creating an environment of care and consideration, an environment in which each of us can thrive.
With the winter sports season upon us, we have also spoken regularly about the importance of showing respect to officials, opposition players and our teammates. Annually it becomes more difficult for sporting codes to get enough volunteers to fill positions as referees and umpires, a reflection of the abuse to which they are frequently exposed. Sport, and indeed all co-curricular activities, should be enjoyable for all who are involved. This can only happen if we treat each other with respect.
Te mahi tahi | Industry
It is also fitting that, as we move into the second part of the term, we shift our focus to the value of Te mahi tahi or Industry. Te mahi tahi | Industry is 'woven into the fabric' of our school through our school motto - Nihil Boni Sine Labore | Nothing Achieved Without Hard Work. While it may have been devised in 1902, the message about the importance of hard work is every bit as relevant today as it was then; nothing of any worth is achieved without hard work.
As we approach the busiest time of the school year with a heavy schedule of NCEA assessments for senior students and mid-year examinations for junior students, alongside the significant involvement in co-curricular activities, Te mahi tahi | Industry will be required if they are to achieve the grades they are capable of. Despite how it may seem, young men spend only a small fraction of their time at school - a little over 12% of their time in a year. It is important that they aim to do their best in order to keep the widest range of future options open. But this requires genuine effort and determination; hard work.
This proverb from Vanuatu tells us that our destiny is determined by us. By working hard and making sacrifices, we all have the potential to go far in life.
School Attendance and Student Achievement
The combination of Covid and seasonal illness has resulted in a decline in student attendance over recent weeks. This is understandable and indeed the advice from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education is that if young people are unwell they should not be at school. However, it is essential that they are at school if at all possible. Nationally school attendance rates have declined over recent years. For a small, but unfortunately growing number of families, regular attendance at school is not seen as a priority.
The excerpt below is from a recently released report from the Ministry of Education examining the relationship between school attendance and academic achievement.
"Regular school attendance is the foundation of student achievement. Research by the Ministry of Education has found a direct relationship between attendance and achievement...Every day that a student misses school predicts a similar drop in achievement. There is little evidence of a “safe” level of nonattendance. Research has also found that even a few initial absences can reduce student engagement and lead to more frequent absence. Every day counts."
The message is clear - make regular school attendance a priority. Ensure that if your son is well, he is at school. If he misses school, please work with him to ensure that he catches up on the work that was missed.