Senior Prizegiving Address, 2011

Invited guests, Mr Duncan, Staff, Parents and Bedeans

Good evening –
Winston Churchill, long standing British politician, well known for not only his outstanding leadership as prime minister during World War II but also for his wartime failures in World War I was invited late in his life to address this old school, Eton College. This was a momentous occasion for the College, one of their most well known and outstanding returning to his almer mater to pass on his pearls of wisdom. Known as a great orator, the visit was looked forward to with anticipation. Here was one of Eton’s most famous who had contributed so much to his country especially in leading them in their greatest hour of need in the early parts of World War II.

The students were prepped and encouraged by their teachers to take notes of not only what he said but also his ability as an orator to motivate and inspire.

The day arrived, the great assembly hall at Eton filled with anticipation. Student pens were primed, the cameras and press scribes readied in anticipation to report one of the last times Churchill would give an address. Eton’s honoured guest was duly introduced and slowly approached the rostrum. When there, he gazed around the walls at the portraits of all the Headmasters of his Colleges four hundred year history.

Finally he began saying simply this: Never, never, never NEVER give up.

And he then sat down.

Why at this end of year prize giving does this story come to mind? Because this 100th year in St Bede’s College’s history is as much about triumph over adversity as it is about tragedy.

Churchill’s triumphs that are most remembered are far fewer than his many tragedies – his blunders in WWI, his political gaffes and personal struggles.
His message to his old school speaks of very much of how the human spirit especially in times of adversity responds in its best manner. Just last week I had cause to be in discussion with a year 12 student who was one of many who had a lot to cope with over the last year – and his response was interesting and indeed uplifting. He responded when asked how he coped with each setback and there were a number of them by saying “I just kept on getting up” and then he said something very interesting but most sincerely – “and I turned to God”……. “I just kept getting up and I turned to God” – the word resilience comes to mind and a determination to keep going, but also the humility to recognise that you cannot do it alone.

2011 has been one such year for our College. When one of the best aspects of the human spirit – resilience – shone through in so many different ways and made this 100th year in our history special.

Ladies and gentlemen, staff and men of the school, you know the reasons for the challenges and subsequent sacrifices we had to make so I need not elucidate. What I do want to highlight and acknowledge is how our people responded in a number of uplifting ways.

At the beginning of the year we had a special visit from the daughter of the first rector, Fr Graham accompanied by various members of her extended family. This to many was a marvellous reward for the author of the centenary book – David McCarthy who never gave up tracking down the first Rector’s family and by so doing unravelled one of the mysteries of this College’s history surrounding the disappearance of the first rector. He recounts a delightful story when he was at the end of his tether in tracking down the family of calling upon providential help. I think his words were “come on Charlie Graham get the big fella to give me a hand to find your family”! He never gave up and called upon whatever help was needed, on this occasion the power of prayer, which duly was answered.

That persistence/resilience led to something of far more benefit – the chance for that family to reconcile itself with the life of their father and grandfather and to acquaint themselves to the College their ancestor had established once at Ferry road and once here at Papanui but which they had no knowledge of until only last year when David contacted them. It was a special visit just after the earthquake and Pauline Newhouse’s address to the boys struck a chord – the powerful haka at the end a spontaneous and moving response by the boys.

Our present staff and students of the 100th year showed a resilience too in this year of adversity. Staff were generous, accommodating, welcoming in the extraordinary situation we were faced with double bunking with Marian College. When problems arose, the motivation to fix them, was the students in front of them from both Marian College and St Bede’s and invariably by thinking laterally and creatively, most problems were sorted.

Contrary to some thinking, the site sharing arrangement with Marian College has been a magnificent success and one that both Colleges should be proud of. This was even more extraordinary because staff, students and many families faced and continue to face challenges they probably wouldn’t have dreamed of fifteen months ago, but once again the best in the human spirit was revealed in the most challenging of times – the determination to keep going and to not give up was evident to all.

To thank only a few means I am in danger of missing some . . . . but in the immediate aftermath of the February earthquake the assistance and support a few closest to me deserves comment tonight. To my direct reports, Mr Davidson, Mrs Kilpatrick, Mr Murdoch, Mr Vincent, Mrs Pitcaithly, Mrs Hubble and Mrs Kissick as well as the dependable unfailing ground and property staff. Also thank you to my executive assistant Ms Sally Bird. All who I have a deep sense of gratitude for the extra mile they ran in the weeks following the earthquake. Not only were they supportive and hard working they were also generous and giving of their own time and found inner resources to make creative, effective decisions that made a difficult and unique situation work. I’d also mention the good will and the harmonious relationship we had with the Marian College senior team and staff as a whole.

The boys led by an outstanding Year 13 made a decision as well that reflects the Churchillian message – sometime at the beginning of the second term, a collective decision was made that this year was not one to be mourned. They made a decision that they were the men of the 100th year and no one could take that away from them, and despite so much being taken away, the Centennial celebrations, the Canteen Run, sports tours etc – they were still determined to make this 100th year one to remember, and certainly not one where they succumbed to the significant challenges the college faced.

In so many facets of the College they did so and on many fronts this 100th year in our history is one to remember. If you attended the variety concert at the end of last term in front of a packed audience, you would have seen a snapshot of an excellent cultural sphere of the college which is something to be truly proud of – ranging from a world champion dancer, to a nationally ranked barbershop quartet, to talented thespians, and a wide range of gifted musicians, moulded, directed and superbly prepared by committed staff – it was an outstanding night’s entertainment.

And during the year if you walked the fields on a Saturday you would have witnessed perhaps football and hockey first 11s who were the best in a decade and many more codes that represented us so well. Basketballers and golfers also were to the fore to a national level, the golfers second in the country, and the cricketers once again made the regional final and even though they were gallant losers, they too did St Bede’s proud.

Many of you would have also taken great pleasure in seeing a first 15 which once again exceeded even its own expectations and ended up 3rd in the country, continuing an outstanding era in recent years and being a source of great enjoyment and price for many in the immediate or wider Bedean community.

And if you were in the College grounds on the last Sunday of Term 3 you would have witnessed the boys’ (and Marian girls) generously giving to our day long “one team for canteen” fundraiser – another example of spirited young people doing something for others worse off, but being given the opportunity to do so by committed staff. All activities, the ingredients of a year to remember in our history.

And it is our fervent hope that with the help of dedicated staff and the determination of the boys that our academic results will not be effected and we continue the improvement in our results from 2010.

At this point I wish to acknowledge our parent community many of whom have coped with personal challenges, for your support of the College, which was much appreciated. The sacrifices made to get your sons to school, often in the dark, and consequent disruptions we acknowledge and thank you most sincerely.

Also I want to acknowledge those Year 13 prefects. As I said above, they had many plans at the beginning of 2011 that were dashed by the events of the year, but they can take considerable credit for their part in galvanising the student body in this challenging year.

I especially wish to acknowledge Joseph Stretch the head boy, who grew into his role, accepting the challenges presented willingly, acting responsibly but remaining positive. He too had a personal sporting goal to be a member of the 1st XV denied because of injury but accepted that disappointment and got on and was an even greater presence at a wide range of college events.

He was ably assisted by Jordan Toa. Widely involved in many College activities he was an inspiration to many as to how he juggled all his commitments so that all of us could benefit from his considerable talents.

To both though, I congratulate you for the young men you are. Although blessed with considerable talent, the humble manner in which you generously share those many gifts will remain in not only my mind but many in this community.

At the end of Term 2 we announced three more icons and Churchill’s message rings true once again. All three exhibited or had the qualities Churchill implied and thus made an outstanding contribution to St Bede’s College.

Robin Corcoran was a student from 1941-46 and not long after he left school was shoulder tapped by the Rector to be a part of the Old Boys Association and he continued an association with the College until he died in 2008. He never gave up (when asked) to lend his considerable skills in helping St Bede’s. Rectors, fellow old boy committee members, staff and generations of Bedeans benefitted from his great generosity and service to the College.

Fr Bern Ryan has never given up his faith, his faithfulness to being a Marist missionary, as evidenced by this final chapter in his life serving in an aboriginal community in New South Wales and his commitment in general to others; his ten years as a teacher in the 1950s were remembered fondly by many old boys who have subsequently returned to honour one who served them so generously. He is much loved by many because of that unstinting service to others.

Mr Gary Lennon was the third icon named, and one received by many with great acclaim who knew or came into contact with him in his 31 years as a teacher, coach, dean, deputy rector and acting rector. He too never gave up in his service of the boys who walked in the gates during his time at the College.

I mention these three tonight because in them we saw many of the qualities exhibited this year in our community – students, staff, parents, boards, community groups.

It is those qualities that will be needed in the near future to face the significant challenges the College will be presented. It is the qualities that Churchill alludes to, the need for resilience and perseverance that will also be required, not only in our own college community but indeed in our city and province. Specifically here at St Bede’s College, it is becoming apparent that the College will be confronted over the foreseeable future with significant upgrades of existing buildings to meet an earthquake code which will be enforced in the next few years. Undoubtedly this will be THE major challenge for the College over the next decade. We can take heart that there have been and there are many in the Bedean community who do exhibit those qualities. That is what this College was based upon and it is those same qualities that this College will continue to prosper even in these times of adversity.

Next month, Mr Bernard Duncan steps down as chairman of the Board of Trustees. He will still remain as a Proprietors representative appointed to the Board of Trustees but it is important to acknowledge his seven years of chairmanship. This followed on from a similar tenure as Board of Trustees Chair at Villa Maria College so his contribution to Catholic secondary education in Christchurch is indeed most significant. One Minister of Education a few years ago stated that no board member should work any longer than three hours per month. How far from the truth. Bernard is one of a number on both the Board of Proprietors and Board of Trustees who generously give many hours of their time and skills for the benefit of the College. Bernard, thank you for your advice and guidance over these seven years; your support and your chairmanship of this important governing body. We hope that you now have more time for your many other interests and roles as well as for Jane and your far flung family who I know you look forward to visiting.

Last month we accepted the resignation for medical reasons of long serving staff member, Mr Barry Stephens.

Barry has worked at the College since 1974. Primarily a commerce teacher, Barry has also taught IT, Social Studies and Driver education. Barry was soon appointed as the HOD Commerce a position he filled until two years ago.

While a non Catholic, Barry as a strong practicing Christian, embraced the Catholic values of St Bede’s. He was a strong supporter of Bedean community activities like CanTeen, feast days, and similar activities. His bus license meant his services driving Big Red, a Bedean icon in its own right, to many of those community activities that form such an important part of the fabric of the College.

Barry’s care of not only the students but also his colleagues was much appreciated and showed the Christian principles he lived by. His involvement as organiser of staff social activities was always appreciated.

Barry is a devoted family man, and his resignation while a loss to St Bede’s will mean far more time spent with Shirley and his extended family. From all here at St Bede’s we wish him the best for the future.

During the year Dr Catherine Owens y de Novoa resigned to take up a position in Whangaparoa College in Auckland. Dr Owens taught at St Bede’s for 15 years joining our staff after a 15 year career at Lincoln University. She held various roles; science teacher, Agriculture and TIC Biology. She was also our health coordinator for four years and since 2006 was the Gifted and Talented coordinator. Academic students benefitted from this highly academic teacher, and she spent considerable time in mentoring some of our most able. We wish her all the best in Auckland.

2011 is a year we will not forget, a year which many in the city will no doubt wish to see the back of! But here at St Bede’s it is a year the College can be proud of.

To all families, may your Christmas be restful and holy. To all our seniors, go well in your upcoming exams, to all staff thank you for the extra mile you have gone in the service of our students.

And lastly to our departing Year 13s – thank you for the positive manner in which you have led the College. We wish you all the best in the future.

Fide et Opere.
Justin Boyle, Rector St Bede’s College, 7 November 2011