My name is Gethin Blair, and I am honoured to serve as Head Boy for 2025.

This role comes with great responsibility, but also great opportunity—to contribute to the legacy of those who came before me, and to help shape the future of our college.

The first few weeks of Term 1 have been filled with energy and excitement. We welcomed our new Year 9 students on Tuesday, 28 January, a moment that marked the beginning of their journey at St Bede’s College. Matua Mark led a warm welcome for the Year 9s, alongside Mr Hikaka. This was followed by a few words from myself and Mr McDowall, finished off with a powerful haka from the Year 13s.

Students then connected with their new Mana Tāne and new classmates. It was an amazing way to introduce them to the brotherhood that makes our school special. Their orientation included a range of activities, a highlight being a refreshing dip in the school pool during lunchtime.

At the end of week one, the annual swimming sports events kicked off, with both junior and senior events running smoothly. It was great to see so many students getting involved, whether in the races or cheering from the sidelines. For the juniors, the mānu competition was a clear favourite, where they brought plenty of energy and house spirit. This certainly set the tone for the big house events coming up, such as athletics day.

Week four saw another important event in the college calendar - our opening Mass - where the entire school is brought together in faith. For the Year 9s, it was their first experience of a full school Mass, with plenty of guests in attendance, making it a special introduction to the traditions of St Bede’s. It was also an important occasion for the senior leaders, as we received our badges and formally stepped into our leadership roles for the year.

Looking forward, the prefect team and I have set a strong vision for 2025. We want to build on the traditions that make St Bede’s what it is while also creating new opportunities for student involvement. This means strengthening our house system, increasing participation in events, and fostering even more school spirit. We’re also exploring ways to make our student-led assemblies more engaging, ensuring they reflect what matters most to us as a school, as well as making them as fun as possible for all students.

Additionally, we’re looking at how we can enhance Feast Day, which is already one of the highlights of the year, and introduce more cultural and community events, giving every student a chance to contribute to the life of the college.

This year is an opportunity to make a lasting impact. Together, as students, staff, and whānau, we will continue to build a St Bede’s that grows stronger with every generation and make sure it's a place where everyone feels comfortable as they are.