Wednesday 7 May 2025
The Chapel Centenary
Over the last three weeks, since the end of Term 1, we have been right in the midst of remembering the Chapel’s Dedication and Consecration Services, that were held one hundred years ago, over 25 and 26 April 1925.
I cannot begin to express my sincere thanks to everyone who has been a part of the preparation and celebration of these services. One of the pieces of preparation that we hold to be especially meaningful, is the laying out of the two hundred and twenty white crosses on the Quad, that name every single Old Collegian that went off to war and never returned home.
Sacristans Sofia Gong (Year 13, Marion Bruce), Gemma Kidd (Year 13, Marion Bruce), Joseph Tautu-Buchanan (Year 13, Selwyn), Ryan Gabriel (Year 13, Major) and Issy Toms (Year 13, Taylor) willingly gave up three hours of their term break to assist with this special task. One cannot but be moved when one thinks about the young lives they represent, especially as their names are read aloud each Anzac Day service.
It was especially precious to have The Right Reverend Ross Bay, Bishop of Auckland with us to celebrate the Anzac Day centenary service, along with our guest speaker Lieutenant Oliver Cook (School,2013-17), and President of the KCOCA Mr Matt Willis (Averill, 1987- 1991). Sincere thanks go to Mr Simon Lamb for his support of these services, together with Matua Steven Rapana and the College Choirs, and Mr Nicholas Forbes on the organ.
Special mention must go to the College’s Marketing and Development department, along with Mr Paul Stanton who helped make these landmark services significant with generous hospitality. Mrs Sandra Ward, our College Archivist has completed a breath-taking amount of research and preparation in putting together the Chapel exhibition that was opened at the Anzac Day service. This is still available for you to come and view it, in the Chapel Close, and will remain in place for families to come and look through – at their own leisure. If are coming out for a Sunday service do take time to walk through the Chapel Close, and view this largely outdoor exhibition, with a number of exhibits available in the Lady Chapel.
Sunday Chapels
Speaking of Sunday Chapels, we are delighted to begin our cycle of weekend these services, beginning this coming weekend with Peart and Marion Bruce joining for a 6pm Sunday Chapel. There will be an afternoon tea for students and their families served at 5pm, so students can go straight from their Big House practices to the Student Dining Hall, and then onto the start of the service at 6pm. We are really pleased to be hearing from Mr Max Masters, our newly appointed- lay-chaplain this term, who will be speaking on our next centenary theme of Celebration. We look forward to having you here with us for these very important services in the life of the College.
- Sunday 11 May – 6pm Peart and Marion Bruce - Sunday House Chapel Service
- Sunday 18 May – 5pm Marsden and Greenbank - Sunday Chapel Service
- Sunday 18 May – 6.30pm St John's and Selwyn Sunday Chapel Service
- Sunday 25 May – 6pm Taylor and Averill Houses Sunday Chapel Service
- Pentecost Sunday 8 June – 6pm Parnell and Major Sunday House Chapel Service
- Pentecost Sunday 8 June – 7.15pm School and Middlemore Sunday Chapel Service
Runathon Singlets:
In other news, we are pleased to have announced the winning design for the new Chapel Runathon singlets. In a split decision, it was decided to combine the designs produced by Melanie Wang (Year 13, Marion Bruce) and Jordan Yang (Year 13, Greenbank), which I think together have produced probably the most impressive design ever created. The students have had opportunity to order these and the orders have now closed.
The students shortly will begin their preparation for the Runathon, which is due to be run on Friday 13 June, from 3.30pm until 5.30pm.
This year, the monies raised will go to UNICEF to support their work in Northern Darfur, where civil war and famine has created a humanitarian crisis in the refugee camps. Students will be seeking sponsorship also, so of you feel like getting behind them, then do sponsor them for either total distance or laps run.
Thanks again for all your kind and generous support of the Chapel.
Peace and grace,
The Chaplaincy Team - Rev’d Gareth Walters, Mr Antony Horacek-Glading and Mr Max Masters