Wednesday 5 March 2025
This week is ‘Spirit Week’ and I was reminded - as I looked around the Great Hall Chapel Service from the stage at lunchtime today - what amazing students we have at this fine College. I love the way most of our students embrace the ‘all-roundness’ of the College and get involved in so many aspects of what King’s offers.
This is particularly true in the service side of the College. There is something truly profound about volunteering to assist someone, without any thought of getting anything back. As we do this, I think, we not only bless the many people we encounter, but there is also something that is changed and formed for the better within us. As John Wesley – the great Church reformer described, there is a special experience of God made available to us, that we experience in the helping of another person – created in the image of God. As Mother Teresa once, “We do not have to do great things for God, but simply small acts for God, with great love…”
Imagine what our world would be like if our world dedicated itself to that way of being! That’s why we strongly encourage students here at the College to participate in Community Service – whether it be organized through the Chaplaincy or outside of school hours, achieved through your own initiative, and approved by ‘Mr G’. You can read below an update from Mr. Horacek-Glading on what has been offered so far.
Peace and grace,
Rev Gareth Walters
Community Service Update
It has been a great start to the year with Community Service. Week 1 of service is under our belts with Ōtāhuhu Town Hall, After-School Care and The Anglican Trust for Women and Children initiatives all underway.
Last Wednesday, we had a special induction afternoon for those wishing to be involved with the ever-popular Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre. It was decided this year to ensure greater continuity for those building ongoing and productive relationships with the resettled children. To do this, we encouraged the first 16 King’s students enrolled to attend the centre for a site visit and to receive instruction on correct protocols, that provide good safety and boundaries. This initiative commenced on 5 March and will continue throughout the year.
We have been fortunate to secure an extra day starting next term at the Resettlement Centre playing sports activities with the older students in addition to the work with the young ones.
On Saturday 15 March, we have the annual Ōtāhuhu Fun Day and another activity at the Ōtāhuhu Town Hall that students will be attending. Over 90 students have signed up to be involved with The Ōtāhuhu Fun Day, doing everything from face painting to baking cupcakes and so much more.
As the year progresses, there will be new initiatives being added to the Tuesday-Thursday slots, including homework and tutoring at the Ōtāhuhu Community Library. Last week, we had several students volunteer to help with the World University Waterski Champs at Ōrākei Basin. This was greatly appreciated by the organisers.
I am so proud of all our students, for their ongoing commitment and enthusiasm for the Community Service programme at school. Well done and let’s keep in front of us the adage, “It is more blessed to give than to receive…”
Virtus Pollet.
Antony Horacek-Glading