I made this reflection to the boys and staff this week which seems apt for today.

My message this morning is one of acknowledgement and congratulations to the whole community. As I said to the staff last night, we have been put to the test this term, and in quite a number of weeks we had to cover nearly 200 classes and on average 20 per cent of the student body were away at one time. That takes its toll on any school community, on its systems and its people, and I want to acknowledge that and thank the significant part the staff played to keep your learning happening, but I also want to thank you boys for the part you played as well. Most of you adapted well to the challenge of not having your teacher in front of you all the time. There was a bit of give and take from all of us as the community responded to the challenge.

Highlights for me were that we could firstly come back together as a school in settings like this, for assemblies, and our first whole school mass for over a year. But I also remember the good feel out the back as staff and students enjoyed a bit of fun together on Feast Day.

I am sure you have also enjoyed the freedom to fully participate in our sports and cultural programmes. Well done to all those who have represented us in both these fields. We have seen the successes of all our top teams, who are well placed in their competitions, and what really pleases me is the way all of you represent our College in the various teams no matter what your ability. We have one of the highest participation rates of any school in the country, and that comes on the back of outstanding coordination by the respective clubs working with Mr Pithy, all of them doing it voluntarily, and willingly for your benefit. Make sure you give your coaches a mid-winter thanks before the term ends.

In the cultural arm of the College a first for the top choir as they represent us at the South Island Big Sing, and to the rock bands who we saw a couple of weeks ago.

As with all communities under stress there are some cracks. I have alluded to the uniform and hair standards, and we are going to keep addressing this next term. We cannot abide the serious behaviour I spoke about last week, and there was some behaviour emerging as the term progressed which showed we were under the pump with all disruptions due to staff and students being absent. But that should not detract from my overall message of congratulations for a term well played out and of a community pulling together.

I hope all families are able to get some down-time with each other in the holidays and we look forward to seeing good numbers on Conference Day a t the beginning of the term.

Until next term.

JG Boyle