November 2023

New 30 Teaching Space Construction

Our new 30 teaching space three storey block is scheduled to open at the end of 2024. Drone photos have been provided for an aerial view of the progress made. Very exciting!

Kevin Zhang | Young Sportsperson of the Year Kevin Zhang was presented with a medal at the College Sport Auckland Young Sportsperson of the Year 2023, recognising his New Zealand representation in swimming at the Youth Commonwealth Games held in Trinidad and Tobago in August 2023. Kevin went on to win the Young Sportsperson of the Year, 2023, Boys Swimming. Congratulations Kevin! College Sport Auckland’s Young Sportsperson of the Year (YSPOTY) Awards have been held since 1991 to celebrate the outstanding sporting achievements of Auckland secondary school students in sanctioned sports and give special consideration to students who have contributed to college sport.

Whakapiki Ake

Whakapiki Ake is a Māori recruitment programme that provides a day at the University of Auckland Grafton Campus which follows on from the Hui-ā-Kura: Early Exposure School Workshops. Held on Thursday 16 November the goal is to raise awareness about the importance of the core secondary school subjects and the choices rangatahi are making in these early years. The day provides exposure to science, Māori role models and potential career pathways.

“From the welcoming ‘open arms vibe’ the moment we walked onto campus, to the fun-engaged workshop activities and collaboration with rangatahi from other kura at the event, Whakapiki Ake put on a superb day for everyone. All of us from Lynfield College had an extremely engaging and inspiring experience!! Rocco Maxwell (10PRK).

Blessing and Opening of our new Learning Space

After the uncertainties of demolitions, relocations, noise, dust, water and power outages and the ongoing immensity of the construction work onsite, the opening of a new learning and cultural space for our students on the morning of Friday 17 November was truly welcome.

Principal Cath Knell and the Māori Focus Group would like to extend a huge mihi to Icis Talbot and CJ Gilbert from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust who, through Whaea Larissa, collaborated with us to arrange for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, as mana whenua, to conduct the formalities around the blessing of this new learning space. We are excited about the opportunity to continue this reciprocal relationship. Ngāti Whātua’s connection with the whenua was acknowledged through the reference to the maunga visible from this beautiful learning space: Ōwairaka / Mount Albert; Maungawhau / Mount Eden; Te Tātua a Riukiuta / Big King; Pukewīwī / Puketāpapa / Mount Roskill and Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill.

Matua Tu, Kapa haka tutor, responded on behalf of Lynfield College. We thank him for his ongoing support and commitment to our Kapa haka group and the school.

A very special moment was placing the photographs on display of Kaumatua and Kuia connected to the college who have passed: Ben Tawhiti, Sir John Turei and Whaea Brenda.

Joining us were past principals Jim Sinclair and Steve Bovaird who were acknowledged for their contributions to Lynfield College, along with past and present Board members, staff and pupils.

Those that worked on our behalf to relocate and repurpose L9 and L10 in providing such a beautiful learning space for our tauira were thanked including:

• The Ministry of Education
• Project managers: Rubix
• Architects: DLM 
• Construction companies: Naylor Love and Marathon Construction
• Those that have provided the connections, furniture and fittings, and 
• Our school’s own project team.

This event was also the perfect opportunity to gift the following Year 13 students with pounamu and acknowledge their contributions to the wider school: Temeneti Mathews, Dylen Motufoaki, Thyaree Flores.

We would like to acknowledge the Māori Focus Group for their ongoing support of our tauira and Whaea Deidre for catering the morning.

Marathon Construction – Thanks Team!

Finally a special acknowledgement for the quality craftsmanship by the team from Marathon Construction who worked tirelessly to build and complete this beautiful learning space.

Owners Bruce Carter (past pupil of Lynfield College) and Michael Cross take real pride and care in their work and are passing their finely honed skills onto newest apprentice, Jacob Matson, Lynfield College (2022 graduate).

Above Left to Right: Jacob Matson (apprentice and past pupil), Corey Apiti, Michael Cross, Bruce Carter (past pupil).

Korowai Values in Action

We are always pleased to hear from our wider community when they see or experience our students demonstrating our school values. Last week’s recognition is no exception. Amal Nurhishen, Hayat Nurhishen, Baraa Abou Amsha, and Wadha Abou Amsha were each presented with a Korowai Award for their demonstration of Whanaungatanga tika - we are caring and we are active in our community in saving a toddler from harm and ensuring he was returned home safely. Heartfelt appreciation was received from the toddler’s family.

2024 Rhodes Scholars Announced

Established in 1903, the Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest international scholarship programme, bringing outstanding young people together from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.

The selection panel, which in New Zealand is chaired by Governor-General Her Excellency the Right Hon. Dame Cindy Kiro, seeks young people with proven academic excellence who also show exceptional character, leadership, and commitment to solving humanity’s challenges. This year there were three recipients from New Zealand.

Congratulations to Past Student Karan Kalsi (2017)

Karan Kalsi, aged 24 from Auckland, will undertake a Master of Science in Comparative Social Policy and a Master of Public Policy at the University of Oxford. He is currently at the University of Auckland completing a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) with minors in Politics and International Relations, and French.

Amongst his list of academic achievements is a University of Auckland Top Achievers Scholarship, being named on the Deans Honours List, and the Desmond Lewis Memorial Prize for top undergraduate student in International Law. Karan is in the top 1-3% of students of the courses he has studied. His referees describing him as “head and shoulders above his peers”, and as a student who has brought “kindness, compassion, curiosity and humility to his learning.”

Growing up in Auckland, Karan’s positive experiences of the social institutions that supported him during his youth have steered him towards work in public policy and advocating for people who are struggling.

“Thirteen years of learning in public school institutions built my egalitarian social mores through illustrating the importance of giving every child a fair go.”

The MSc in Comparative Social Policy and the MPP at Oxford offer courses which align with Karan’s interests.

“Many of humanity’s pressing challenges stem from an erosion in the quality of our public institutions. I intend to play a part in reversing this threat at home and abroad through leading evidence-based policy reform that strengthens institutions’ ability to serve the public good.”

Dame Cindy congratulated the winners saying, "Isaac Heron, Karan Kalsi, and Frances Wrights' academic achievements and service to their communities have already made a deep impact on the lives of many people. I have no doubt these three extraordinary young New Zealanders will continue to make significant contributions as future leaders of our country.”