Thursday 14 August 2025
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We venture into an exciting week as we await the most anticipated final for the First XV Rugby team after a nail-biting game against Auckland Grammar School this weekend. As with all other games that I watched this weekend - including some great netball - there were so many moments to applaud, celebrate and be inspired by. I pay full credit to the students for their hard work and dedication along with the team coaches and managers who lead, help and guide them.
The match on Saturday afternoon showed us the value of tenacity, grit and courage. I was so very impressed to see us rise from 8 points down in the last 5 minutes to the 32-32 draw at the end of the game. This was the personification of tenacity which is always going to be an important topic to talk about with our students at this stage of the year.
As we head into the coming weeks students will be busy and potentially bombarded, by assessment, final preparations and the need to keep up with their academic programmes. Year 13 students are also well into their university applications along with any other plans that they may need to attend to for next year. It’s an important time for all students and I expect that they will be seeking further the support of the College and those around them as they navigate this challenging time. The term has 6 weeks to run, exactly 31 school days, from today. It’s the right time for students to be resilient and focussed on what is ahead of them. It is reassuring to know that evidence shows that students who put in effort around this stage of the planning process can impact and positively influence results.
As I mentioned in a recent newsletter, stability and consistency all produce an environment where students can flourish during their exam preparations. A brain that exists in these conditions will create its own connections in the learning process.
For students who are currently enrolled and will be completing their studies before the full implementation of upcoming changes to the New Zealand qualification, the College remains firmly committed to the existing structure of NCEA. We are dedicated to maintaining the integrity and quality of the current qualification framework, ensuring that every student continues to receive outstanding support, high-quality teaching, and access to all necessary resources.
I wish you all the best for the week ahead and, especially, our First XV rugby team for the big game at Eden Park on Saturday at 2.20pm. All our support, pride and passion will be behind the team.
If you or your children require any help from the College, please don’t hesitate to ask. I am always available at s.lamb@kingscollege.school.nz if you’re not sure who to contact in the first instance.
Kind regards,
Simon Lamb