The boys have had a short week and the staff had a most productive couple of teacher only days. 

Classes have resumed and often at this time of year post exams, teachers can indulge in other aspects of their subject area without the pressure of assessment. Option teachers introducing juniors to their subject areas often for the first time, enjoy that opportunity to give the boys new learnings not experienced previously.

Preparation for the year 9 big days out and the year 10 camps are well advanced. Similarly, these will be an opportunity for boys and staff to interact in activities out of the classroom. Better relationships between boys and staff are forged outside the confines of the classroom.

Yesterday I flew up to Auckland with Tony Murdoch and Jacinta Gardner from the Development Office to promote the chapel appeal to old boys living in the Auckland or Waikato region. At the two functions we met approximately 40 old boys who were keenly interested and supportive of the Colleges impending building developments.

Since the initial launch two months ago we have raised or have been pledged about 350K which is most encouraging. If any parents are interested or have a desire to pledge or donate please go to www.oldboys.stbedes.school.nz/chapelappeal

In between the two old boys meetings I met with another old boy, Fr Merv Duffy SM, who is the Dean Of Studies at Good Shepherd Theological College. Apart from having a doctorate in Theology, he has a vast knowledge of church art, and on our prompt, has offered to help design the rose window which will be a feature of the new chapel. He has some interesting options for us to ponder.

He also showed me the extensive library at the College, which included books and texts written or owned by the original Marists who came to NZ in the 1830s. It was a most interesting 2 - 3 hours reminding me of the part the Society of Mary, the order of priests that founded St Bede’s, has played in bringing the Catholic faith to Aotearoa.

Those original French Marists came not to establish schools but to convert the indigenous people to the catholic faith, and the order was only approved by the pope on condition they came to the South Pacific with that purpose. Those original Marists made significant sacrifices as they established various Maori missions mainly in the North Island. Later in the century the Irish branch of the society of Mary began to establish the schools, the first existing College being St Patricks in Wellington in 1885. We were next, 1911!!

Until next time

Justin Boyle, Rector