Wednesday 10 June 2026
King’s College Runathon
This week we are gearing up for our 2026 King’s College Runathon, which is being hosted here at the College from 3.30 - 5.30pm, next Friday 19 June.
Along with the upbeat vibes of DJ’d music and the aroma of sausages being sizzled, we are looking forward to seeing EVERY student body being out on the track, wearing their newly designed King’s Runathon singlet (or PE gear) and running shoes - as they do laps for a great cause. It will also be great training for the upcoming Cross-Country in Week 11!
You can sponsor your student per lap (forms available on Schoolbox) as they seek to add their name to Runathon history, by running the furthest distance in two hours, or win a free pizza lunch in Term 3, with their House! We’ve even have had the occasional person run a half marathon – twice! But if, like me you just want some fun with some friends then this is a brilliant cause to get involved with.
This year we are raising money to support the work of Alongsiders’ International. Working in 30 countries across the globe, Alongsiders’ is passionate about providing big brother/big sister companions to walk alongside children from some of the poorest, most disadvantaged communities in the world. Safeguarding them from a life of exploitation and misery, statistics show the powerful difference having an ‘alongsider’ can make in a child’s life, as they mentor them to grow up to make their own contribution.
Imagine a world, where young people of both compassion and resource, got ‘alongside’ other children who had very little. Imagine the ripple-effect of that kind of movement. At King’s College we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential and that is why we are doing next week’s Runathon 2026.
Please make the effort to sponsor a student you know so that we can stand alongside those in most dire need.
Samoan Language Week and Fiafia Night
On another note, it was an absolute pleasure to attend and celebrate the Samoan Language Week, last week. Beginning with a ceremony last Wednesday – and the flag-raising, the Chapel offered two services at which we heard our Samoan students share their language, their traditions, as well as their faith. Our student body also had the privilege of learning with Matua Steven Rapana (Head of Choirs) a Samoan hymn – which was a first for many of us.
The Fiafia Night last Thursday was especially precious as our Pasifika groups all took turns to share their traditions including beautiful music, dance and stories. A huge thank you and alofas to our Pasifika Advisory Panel and to Mr Matt Kidd who serves as the College’s representative.
We look forward to our annual Pasifika Service on the evening of Monday 31 July - the first Monday of Term 3.
Further Charitable Giving
We also want to take the opportunity again to acknowledge and say thank you to the boys of Greenbank led by Jaedon Gin (Year 13, Greenbank) who spent time over King’s Birthday weekend raising funds for the Child Cancer Research Foundation. They spent all of Saturday outside Mitre 10 in Lunn Ave, collecting for children who find themselves in very difficult circumstances.
And finally, as we help others prepare for winter, as temperatures drop, please support the charitable drive for sleep-ware as we support Jammies for June, which gives warm winter pyjamas for girls and boys, to the Middlemore Foundation – the charitable-wing of Middlemore Hospital.
Peace and grace,
Reverend Gareth Walters