Kia ora

This week, the prefect team and I ran our first student assembly of 2023. Our focus was the meaning of culture and the importance of diversity at the College. We started with Sean talking about singing, and how singing is a way we can show pride in our school and went on to discuss what inclusion and acceptance looks like in the classroom, around the school, in the Arts and Sports programmes. Some of our prefects were direct to the boys and emphasized that racism, bullying, and violence isn’t what our school allows and represents. Below is the message a shared with my fellow students:

Culture can mean different things to different people, to me it simply means ‘how we do things around here’

Promoting a positive school culture is something our perfect team wishes to focus on this year. It is important to us, as I am sure it is to you ,that students attending St Bede’s enjoy their time here and look forward to coming to school each day. I know I do, and so do many of you, but sadly this is not the case for everyone.

So that leads me to think about what are some of the things I have experienced, heard or seen that would make someone else not want to come to school; and I am ashamed to say that this includes racism, jokes about they way someone looks, their academic or sporting ability, homophobic comments, exclusion and some pretty poor comments about those who we value most - our mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters.

That is not our culture, this is not St Bede’s.

Racism is not ok, comments that you think are just jokes are not ok, making fun of someone else's weakness is not ok, sending images and comments online is not ok, treating females poorly is not ok. Men this morning I challenge you to live up to what it means to be a Bedean, stand up for what is right, treat others as you wish to be treated, and most of all have the courage to stand up to your mates and pull them into line when they cross that line.

A reminder of what our BEDES acronym stands for, Be Courageous, Everyone Matters, Develop faith, Embrace opportunity and Strive to succeed.

No matter the colour of your skin, age difference between you or what friend group you're in, we're all brothers here at this college and we are all equal and we are one. Difference deserves to be celebrated and people's beliefs, cultures and values should be to.

This follows the Bede’s values he hold here at the college.

Our prefect team invited former Head Boy Norbert Muller (2018) to come talk to the students and staff about his journey in the college and how he helped shape his culture and leadership. One quote Norbert said that stood out to the prefect team was all about being present together.

“A table is unstable without a leg, a propeller will not work without one of its blades, a rowing boat will become uneven with one oar broken, a football team is not complete without their goalie, a rugby team is no good with a lock missing. All I am trying to say is that without everyone being supported, without everyone being present, things will not go accordingly.”

This quote represents what it means to be a Bedean. Our prefect team will work and strive to make sure our students are supported and are seen as equals. We are all one and our differences should be accepted and acknowledged.

I will leave you with Norbet’s address to the college community.

What does it take to be a Bedean? A Bedean is someone who lives by their faith, and works just as hard to show it. A Bedean is someone who does the best they can no matter what. A Bedean is someone who takes any opportunity given and does their best to utilise it. A Bedean is a team player, supporting each other through and through. A Bedean is someone who respects and loves their fellow brothers enough to have their back.

Malo e tau ma’u he pongipongini, ko eku hingoa ko Nopeti Muller, Good morning, I am Norbert Muller. Ex- Bedean finishing in 2018. I’ve come here today to share the importance of unity within our school. Over the span of your time here at Hato Peti, there will be various exciting events and opportunities to learn new things and to showcase your skills. And for 5 or so years, you will be seeing the same faces walking in and out of those gates, you will be sitting in each-others classes and you will be walking past each other almost every day. St Bedes College is a diverse kura full of various nationalities and personalities. And in a world full of discrimination and judgment where difference is feared, where difference is seen by the colour of your skin, by where you’re from or by what you believe in, what we as whanau of Hato Peti need to do is recognise these issues and to leave them at the gate when you enter the school grounds. I recognise the discrimination that rules our world, and to even joke about these things isn’t seen as harmful, where even for some ignorance is bliss. The answer for this is accepting each other’s differences, it is aroha for each other, it is Unity.

Hato Peti should be a safe place to be who you are and to be accepted, and so my brothers, I ask you to embrace each other. Although you may not eat or sit with each other every day, I urge you to look past whatever differences the outside world tells you to worry about and to simply see each other as your brother.

A table is unstable without a leg, a propeller will not work without one of its blades, a rowing boat will become uneven with one oar broken, a football team is nothing without their goalie, a rugby team is no good with a lock missing. All I am trying to say is that without everyone being supported, without everyone being present, things will not go accordingly. Throughout the year, I implore you to bring each and every one of your brothers up with you, if you see someone falling, be there to pick him up. If someone’s having a bad day, simply saying hi how’s it going. If you see someone alone, try to be there for them. An example I have from my own personal experience is during my Year 13, a young year 10 boy was sitting unknowingly on the precious knoll where the old chapel used to be. Obviously, it’s an unwritten rule to stay clear of the knoll, however this young boy did not know that. I could hear the boys talking about going to kick this young man off the grass. So, I told the boys not to do so and remain calm while I go talk to him. So, I was off, I came and sat down with the young man while he ate, only to find out that he was a new boy who moved over from St Thomas. We then proceeded to have a chat and we became good friends. Therefore, I say never judge a book by its cover, and always be friendly because you never know what’s going on in others lives.

And when you sing the school songs, sing them with pride. Believe in what you sing. You don’t need to a be a singer whatsoever, all you need to do is embrace the words of the waiata, “We are One, we are Three, of God and Mary, us Men of Bede. And The strength of brothers, hand in hand”. In other words, Unity. Unity is inclusivity, Unity is loyalty, Unity is aroha, Unity is backing your brother, Unity is the way.

Like I said at the beginning, a Bedean is a team player, supporting each other through and through. A Bedean is someone who respects and loves their fellow brothers enough to have their back. Now it’s time to step up, I put this in your hands now. Are you willing to Unite?

Thank you

Christian Ioane

Head Boy