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News
‘The world can be a better place if we teach our children good values – to be a blessing and bless others’
Mrs Fleur Petelo, Principal, Wymondley Road School
The spirit of Christmas lies in bringing families together, the giving of gifts and sharing of food as we remember the birth of Christ. This week, the spirit of Christmas was shared in a most heart-felt exchange when 70 massive hampers, and a further 50 large hams were donated by the Boys’ School to Wymondley Road School in Otara.
Over the last seven years, the Boys’ School has forged a special relationship with Wymondley and it’s always a pleasure to visit and be welcomed by ever-smiling Principal, Mrs Fleur Petelo, her staff, delightful students and their families. In recent years, Wymondley boys have joined in the annual Boys’ School ‘Boys v Wild’ Camp, our boys have assisted at their annual runathon, and their students have been invited to attend our musicals.
Each year, with help from Wymondley, a list of suitable items for inclusion in the hampers is drawn up. These include staple food items for a family, along with other items such as school stationery, sports equipment, books and something to add a little festive cheer. This year, each hamper also contained a board game to encourage families to take the time for a little fun together. Each class at the Boys’ School collated enough items for three hampers each, which were lovingly packaged by parent volunteers headed by Mrs Kate Kemble and Jana Bedford. In addition, money raised from this term’s mufti day went towards the purchase of the hams. This ensured that selected families at Wymondley all received something to take home.
The boys nominated to receive the Christian Living Award at prizegiving travelled to Otara to share in a special assembly that was most ably hosted by Year 5 Wymondley student, Charity Aiolupotea, including entertainment by their choir, led by soloist Matua Freedom. In response, our own boys and staff sang, ‘Tu tira mai.’
Mrs Petelo said, ‘The Saint Kentigern boys have been very dear friends of ours for a few years now. I know this to be a school that is strong on service and their boys are taught that leadership is through serving others. I think this is what my heart is drawn to, the way you raise and educate boys. The world can be a better place if we teach our children good values – to be a blessing and bless others.’
Principal Mr Peter Cassie responded saying, ‘We are humbled to be accepted into your community and we will continue to seek opportunities where our students and staff can connect and work together. Visiting and meeting with your students and their families is always a pleasure.’
To show their appreciation, the students from Wymondley Road presented our boys with candy leis. Mrs Petelo explained that giving a lei represents an endless line of love, of aroha, to the person you are giving it to. Boys’ School student, Will Philips, who helped at their recent ‘Runathon’ became the centre of attention! The assembly concluded with their boys challenging ours with a haka. It was hard to believe that their students were only Year 6!
A huge thank you for welcoming us into your school and for the friendship we have forged.
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