Privilege, responsibility and service

05 Jun 2019

Two Old Boys who place service and community at the heart of everything they do were presented with Senior Honours Ties at assembly on Tuesday 4 June.

Introduced by the Vice President of the CCOBA Richard Polson, recipients Bishop Peter Carrell and Sam Johnson both exemplify the ideal College graduate – and their acceptance speeches were typically humble, gracious and thoughtful.

Peter Carrell has dedicated his life to the Anglican church, family and community. Prior to becoming the 9th Anglican Bishop of Christchurch, he was well-known in the diocese as a preacher and teacher, focused on theological education and ministry training of clergy and laity for church ministry.

While Peter could not remember having to stand on stage in front of the whole school when he was at College, he said it was a, “Great privilege to be able to stand here today.

“To be educated at College is a privilege, an extraordinary privilege, opening up education in the brightest and widest sense of the word ... but with privilege comes responsibility. My challenge to you is to think about how you are most able to be responsible in contributing back to society.”

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes Sam Johnson mobilised the Student Volunteer Army, inspiring thousands of young people to help out in the community. Since then he has developed other non-profit and business ventures, including co-founding the Ministry of Awesome.

Sam, currently recovering from a severe concussion, had two thoughts to share. The first, “Look after your head. You only get one and concussion is horrendous.”

And the second, equally as serious, “Be of service. The one value I’ve lived my life by is to be of service. Be of service to others, call out bad behaviour, help someone, be motivated, see what needs to be done. Be of service to something other than yourself, because a sense of service can make a huge difference to the world of which you are a part.”

Senior Honours Ties 2Senior Honours Ties 1