Kia ora, I am Simon Curnow, the head boy of St Bede’s for 2024. I’m honoured to be in this role for this year, but mindful of the huge shoes I will need to fill from those that came before myself.

A little bit about me. I was born and have lived in Christchurch my entire life and am the youngest of four. Both of my brothers attended St Bede’s, finishing in 2014 and 2015. My sister went to Villa Maria College, finishing in 2019. I’ve had cousins that went or are going through St Bede’s currently. Mum and Dad, my biggest supporters, also went through Catholic education (Villa Maria and St Thomas's). I love to have a chat with anyone about anything. Music is something I love - both playing and listening. My musical abilities come from mum's side, passed down to me from my grandmother. I haven’t been huge on sports the last couple of years as a national music opportunity that is taking me around the world this year took priority, but I’m all for a bit of a run around and I’ll watch any sport that’s in front of me.

In this being the first monthly newsletter of the year, I wanted to share with you firstly what has happened in the first three weeks of Term 1, and also inform the school community of what 2024 at St Bede’s will look like.

On Tuesday, 30 January we welcomed our new cohort of Year 9s to St Bede’s, one of the many highlights of the school year. Our kapa haka welcomed the new studetns and their families onto the grounds and into the gymnasium, which was followed by a haka from the Year 13s and shared kai straight after. From there, the Year 9s enjoyed orientation activities, including a plunge in the school pool in the afternoon.

Swimming sports this year was called off early due to weather conditions. Seniors finished all their events in the morning, but the juniors were cut short early in the afternoon. Fortunately, the juniors' event was postponed and they will finish their events this afternoon (Friday, 16 February).

At our opening mass, it was really special to have the entire school community together as one to celebrate the Eucharist. I’d like to thank all students for their participation in the mass today. As I said on the Year 9s' first day, our school community is special and like no other.

2024 has already been referenced by some at St Bede’s as 'a year of change'. For myself, the prefects, and our entire year group, that is our goal. This college is greater than it was 50 years ago and will be even greater in another 50 years' time. Great things are made with change and adaptation. This year, after going to Hato Paora College for a Marist leadership course with the 11 other prefects, we’ve come back with fresh ideas from what we learned. One of these changes is that there will be liturgy and song at the start of every assembly. This year, assemblies will be completely student-led and each one will focus on different aspects of St Bede’s. This weeks aspect was special character and the build up to Lent. There are also plans to change up Feast Day, something myself and the prefects are looking at right now, as well as introducing new community events (cultural days, language weeks, school spirit days). Watch this space.