This has been a week full of ceremony and events,

an emotional one for many leavers and their parents, but a week when our College excels in the manner in which we farewell them.

Senior prize giving on Tuesday night at the Aurora Centre, Burnside High, was a marvellous celebration coordinated for their first time by Mr McDowall and Mrs Pitcaithly, who filled the big shoes of Mrs Kilpatrick, who has coordinated this special night on our calendar so ably for the previous decade.

Outstanding musical items, an excellent performance to begin proceedings by the kapahaka group, featured on the night, but also a visual presentation put together by the senior students which highlighted the year, through their eyes. The video of the launch of the chapel appeal was also shown.

The following received the premier awards on the night:

The Year 13 Diligence Gold Medal – awarded to the student, or students who received the most top weekly notes certificates during the year – Tom McKenzie & James Blenkinsop

The Brodie Gold medal - for Religious Knowledge – Will King

The Clayton Cosgrove Cup - for Leadership and Service – Connor Kitto

The Carl Sweeney Memorial Trophy – is awarded to the best and most generous use of personal talent – Adam Lyons

The JC Colin Trophy - for outstanding contribution to the Special Character of the College – Josh Naylor

Blue Riband: The Ignatius O’Boyle Cup - for the best and most generous use of talent in all aspects of school life – Harry Staples

The Cup for Proxime Accessit and runner up to Dux – Harry Staples

The GRIME’S GOLD MEDAL and DUX oF St Bede’s College – William Connell

On Wednesday morning nearly 400 attended the leavers breakfast held at the Papanui Working Mens Club. Maurice McDermmott, father of Josh, and Maria van der Plas, mother of Mitch spoke, a practice that has developed as part of proceedings in this event, which is sponsored by the old boys association and organised by the community development office, run by Tony Murdoch and Jacinta Gardner.

Later in the morning we assembled for the final mass. Main celebrant was recently ordained old boy Alistair Castillo, and the large 1400 strong congregation participated in and contributed to a moving farewell to the year 13s. I acknowledge the coordination and effort of Mrs Pitcaithly and the musical direction of Dr Hawkey to help make this a memorable occasion.

The final stanza in proceedings after the boys had sung to their parents and performed their last school haka, is the tie ceremony post mass. At this, the president of the old boys and present parent, Steve Kennedy addressed the boys and their parents and ended by inviting the boys to remove their school ties and don the old boys tie, donated to them by St Bede’s Oldboys.

Nothing like a bit of pomp and ceremony!!! We had it all at St Bede’s this week!

Until next time