Wednesday 29 October 2025
Labour Day!
It was an absolute privilege to offer in Chapel yesterday morning – a message to our Year 9 and 10 cohort – about the background to what we call Labour Day.
A sea of hands went up when I asked the students who managed to get some time with family and friends, kicking back and relaxing and doing the things we love to do as Kiwis, which includes getting to the bach or spending time with whānau and friends over a BBQ. But fewer hands went up when I asked them: "Who knows what the origins of Labour Day are?" For that, we have the wisdom and foresight of Samuel Duncan Parnell to thank (1810-1890), who arrived at Petone, Wellington aboard the Duke of Roxburgh on 8 June, 1840. One of his fellow passengers, a shipping agent called Thomas Hunter, requested on his arrival that Parnell build him a warehouse. The National Library biography tells us that this skilled carpenter agreed to this task only on the following conditions. Parnell is quoted as saying…
"I will do my best, but I must make this condition, Mr Hunter, that on the job the hours shall only be eight hours per day…There are twenty-four hours per day given us; eight of these should be for work, eight for sleep, and the remaining for recreation and for [people] to do what little things they want for themselves. I am ready to start tomorrow morning at eight o’clock, but it must be on these terms or none at all…"
This idea of living ‘a balanced lifestyle’ - is something we prize greatly at this College, as we encourage our students to think about what it means to live a sustainable life. Yes, for sure - there will be some days that will be more fulsome than others, with deadlines to meet and pressures aplenty… but the ideal, long-term goal is that in order for our students to thrive, they will need to think about how they apportion and allocate their time. Too much time on their screen, or staying up late gaming and not attending to their need for real-time, interpersonal connection, physical activity, rest or sleep can lead to students becoming tired, distracted and disengaged.
But perhaps, even more important is the notion of what we hear Jesus describe in Matthew 11:28-30, where he encourages us to take what we might describe as a ‘soul rest’. "28 Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
As we think about this, we also think about the opportunity that we can use our time to voluntarily serve others. A couple of ways which we can do this is support one of two (or both) really, great causes:
Anglican Trust for Women and Children
Supporting the Anglican Trust for Women and Children's Share the Aroha Christmas Appeal. By giving a Christmas Kindness Case Goody Bag, you are giving more than a gift, but also giving aroha, dignity and choice to families. For $30, $60 or $90 you can make a difference to a family's Christmas Day this year.
Monte Cecilia Housing Trust
One of the great needs in transitional housing is to help families in need be able to give their children a gift at Christmas. In partnership with the Monte Cecilia Housing Trust, Te Karaiti Te Pou Herenga Waka Mangere and Dilworth School we are pleased to give families the opportunity to select a gift of approximately $20 to go to a boy or girl this Christmas.
How it works… By emailing me - Reverend Walters on g.walters@kingscollege.school.nz - you will be given both an age and gender to purchase a Christmas gift for. You will be encouraged to bring it along to either the Year 9 or Year 10 Advent Carol services on Sunday 30 November, where it will be placed underneath our Christmas tree. This opportunity will be circulated in two weeks’ time, which will give you a fortnight before the presents are due at the Chapel.
Carol Services
A reminder that our Advent Carol Services are compulsory for our Year 9 and 10 students and their families… and voluntary for any senior students wishing to come along:
- Sunday 30 November 5.30pm - Year 9 Advent Carol Service
- Sunday 30 November 7.15pm - Year 10 Advent Carol Service
In the meantime, have a blessed but balanced start to November.
Peace and grace,
Rev Gareth Walters