Principal's Foreword

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This week’s foreword is a transcript of Dr. Columbus’ speech at the Junior Prizegiving:

Kia ora e te whānau. Nau mai haere mai. 

John McGlashan’s vision for a Presbyterian boys’ school was that each boy grows to be a well-educated man of character who uses his influence for the good of others. McGlashan’s vision was realised in 1918, when our school was founded. As we gather together over one hundred years later, little has changed in that regard. Days like today are important moments for us, as we pause, reflect, celebrate, and look forward. This morning, we focus on the achievements of our junior and middle school students - the engine that powers our school’s forward trajectory.

We recently obtained a copy of the original prospectus that was published before the college’s opening on 12 February 1918. In reference to the ‘lower school’, parents were ’strongly urged to enrol their boys as young as possible, as much more satisfactory results can be eventually obtained when we are able to secure continuity in their education from its earliest stages.’ We see this borne out today as we celebrate the achievements of our students in years 7 to 10. Here, we trace a direct line to the senior school prizegiving a few weeks ago. The successes celebrated then have their foundation in the learning, endeavour, and culture fostered in the junior and middle school years. This is based on effort, commitment, persistence, resilience, patience, sacrifice, and support, which have been there from the first hint of our college’s existence.

John McGlashan arrived in Port Chalmers from Scotland in 1853. He had a lifelong interest in education and dreamed of establishing a boys’ college on church values in the fledgling Otago colony. McGlashan faced resistance from other board members on the Otago Education Board, which he was elected to in 1856. They opposed bringing together education and church, and McGlashan’s belief that every parish should have a college delivering a ‘sound and liberal education’. Sadly, John McGlashan did not see his vision brought to life, dying from injuries sustained after falling from his horse in 1864. His vision inspired others, notably the Reverend Alexander Whyte, a Presbyterian Church Minister, who was a driving influence in the establishment of Presbyterian church schools across New Zealand, including Columba College in 1915. John McGlashan College followed in 1918, made possible by the gift of the McGlashan homestead and lands to the church by two of his daughters.

This story speaks to effort and persistence over time, slowly but surely, building block by building block, working towards a goal or vision. This has guided our outlook since 1918, and is how we achieve personal excellence. I often go back to the Ivan Cleary (Penrith Panthers coach) quote I shared at the assemblies I ran for each year group on my first day. It speaks to effort and the communal celebration of working hard:

‘There is a line at our club that we refer to: ‘Not everything counts, but everything matters.’ That means that even if you’re only playing a trial match, or a game late in the season that won’t affect where you finish on the ladder, it still matters. Every video session matters. Every training session matters. Everything you do matters. Things that the average fan doesn’t see, or that may not show up on the stats sheet, but that your teammates and coaches appreciate - those are the things we celebrate the most.

This resonates with us. Our school culture celebrates effort. We don’t pull anyone down because they work hard or put their hand up to take on challenges. We’re inspired and challenged to meet that energy and courage. That is the culture I want us to strengthen at John McGlashan. Tell your mate, ‘well done’, if he gets a good result in his English test. Tell your mate, ‘well done on your courage’, if he decides to give debating a go. Tell your mate, ‘well done’ if he puts his hand up to give the last word at a junior assembly, or volunteers for a leadership group. We applaud this because that’s how we do things at our school; we look for the stretch and challenge, we work hard to realise our potential, and we can expect our peers to celebrate us for that.

We gather today, as the school did in the dining hall on the afternoon of Friday, 12 December 1925, for the annual ‘break-up ceremony’. The MP William Downie Stewart gave the special address. He reminded the boys who did not receive a prize not to be discouraged. The ‘true idea in education’, he remarked, was the ‘production of good citizens’. He shared his hopes that the boys of McGlashan would take ‘every advantage of the opportunities they had.’ The sentiments take the tone of the period, but echo here today as we recognise endeavour and personal excellence, and at the centre of that, good character.

I congratulate all of our prizewinners and those receiving recognition today. We are proud of you. Success is a personal thing. Excellence, in whatever sphere or guise, pertains to realising your potential and being the best version of yourself. We aim for all of you to be in a position to take whatever pathway you are interested in when you leave here. You do this by challenging yourself, entering all spaces with curiosity, taking opportunities, and giving your best and unrelenting effort to everything you do. Also, be kind to one another. Think about how you can support and uplift other people, in and out of our community. The foundations you lay in the junior and middle school years will underpin your successes in the senior years. 

The end of the year presents an opportunity for honest reflection. Our special Presbyterian character values honesty, simplicity, and respect. Think back. Look back. Were you always at your best this year? Did you give everything your best effort? If not, what will you change next year to make sure you do?

This is also a time to practise gratitude. Seek out your teachers and thank them. Extend that to your parents and whānau. Mā te pā te tamaiti e whakatipu. It takes a village to raise a child. 

Staff, thank you. We appreciate all that you do, and could not work towards realising John McGlashan’s vision without your committed support to our young people.

On a personal note, thank you for the term; students, staff, parents and whānau. I have been humbled by the welcome into this special community. It has been a privilege walking alongside you the past few weeks, and I’m excited about the possibilities of next year. I said this at the conclusion of the pōrhiri at the start of the term. Let’s enjoy this moment, but tomorrow we get back to work. To that end, let’s enjoy today. Enjoy the summer. Rest, revive, and enjoy time with whānau. But we’ll look forward to getting back to work in January and a new year in which we work to realise our potential. 

Kā mihi nui. Meri kirihimete.