On behalf of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, and Churches within the worldwide Anglican Communion, Anglican Missions is preparing to launch a Relief appeal in support of victims and families affected by the mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday 15^th March 2019.

Archbishops Philip Richardson and Don Tamihere, joint leaders of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand issued a joint statement:

"We are shocked at the appalling and horrific acts of violence that occurred in Christchurch today.

We feel utterly saddened for those who have lost their lives, and for their families and loved ones who mourn them. Indeed we mourn with them as fellow citizens and members of the same human whānau, and we condemn the despicable and cowardly acts of violence that took their lives.

The freedom of worship and religious life is an absolute right to all in this land. We choose to stand with our Muslim brothers and sisters and support their continued and inalienable right to live and worship here in peace.

All of us who live here in Aotearoa New Zealand must stand in solidarity in the face of such evil – and we call upon Anglicans throughout Aotearoa New Zealand to uphold all those affected in prayer, and to respond to this act by rejecting the rhetoric of hatred and religious intolerance, and to show compassion and kindness to all our neighbours who wish to live here in peace.”

We have been shielded in Aotearoa New Zealand from so much of the religious hatred and bigotry that stalks the world. But yesterday that innocence and immunity was shattered.

Anglican Missions joins with Christians across the globe in condemning this terrorist act. Please join us in praying  for God’s comfort for the families, friends, and communities who lost loved ones; for wisdom for our national and local leaders as they respond; for peace and calm and for no further incidents or retaliations; for the police, emergency responders, chaplains and health professionals at the hospitals dealing with survivors; for wisdom and sensitivity towards our Muslim brothers and sisters; and for church communities as they respond - especially in Christchurch. 

Anglican Missions is in discussions with church and community leaders, and will launch an appeal more formally with more definitive information early next week. 

See: https://angmissions.org.nz/news/relief-appeal-in-support-of-mosque-victims

In the meantime, donations can be sent to Anglican Missions in support of the Relief Appeal, or online to https://angmissions.org.nz/donate

Rev Canon Robert Kereopa

CEO Anglican Missions.

• Roll check (in Houses) is at 8.25am at Porritt Stadium. Ask your parents or caregivers to deliver you to Porritt Stadium, Crosby Road  (bus pupils see below). If you bike to school, then go directly to Porritt.
• Boarders meet at the gym at 8.00am to catch the bus to Porritt Stadium. You will be transported back to school at the end of the day.
• The first event (3000m) starts at 8.30am. Everyone is then expected to complete the House fun walk as a warm-up. This is not a championship event. Times and records will not be kept and House points do not count for this event. If you are a competitive race walker, please let Mr Cornaga know if you are interested in competing at Zone or Waikato Championships.
• You must wear correct PE uniform. House singlets may be worn. Items of mufti are not permitted. Do not wear face paint, flowers, balloons, tinsel, or feather items of clothing. This is a Hamilton City Council rule. Please check the weather forecast. You may need extra clothing.
• You are strongly advised to wear shoes - especially for the longer track events e.g. 200m,400m. If you do not wear shoes, expect blisters. Please be prepared. The nurse at first aid would prefer not to be treating blisters when you could have taken preventative action.
• Track events have precedence over field events. That means, report to your field event and register your name, then go immediately to your track event and take part, then return to your field event. If you are a serious competitor make sure you are in the first 2-4 heats which will be timed.
• Field events: If you want to compete then you must be ready to compete at the event start time on the programme. You have a maximum of three jumps or throws (except for high jump). You get a point for your House by exceeding the House Point Standard. If you are happy with that you can finish there. If you are a serious competitor, a Measuring Standard will be even further. Everyone who exceeds the Measuring Standard will have their jump or throw measured for the Championship.
• You may not leave until the grounds are tidy and you have been dismissed. This will be between 3.00 - 3.15pm, after your roll check. After the sports day, staff will supervise students waiting to be collected by parents or family members at the entrance to Porritt Stadium on Crosby Road. Please organise to be picked up by 3.30pm at the latest.
• Be prepared for a hot sunny day. Bring sunblock, hats, sunglasses, drink bottles with iced water, and snack food. Make sure you keep fluids up as you are going to be active.  Stay in the shade when not competing.
• Programmes will be given out on the day, posted in your form class and on the sports noticeboard. A link to the programme is posted above
• Parents/caregivers/whaanau are most welcome to join us at Porritt Stadium.
• The Student Council and Mission Council are running a sausage sizzle and will be also be selling ice creams, drinks and snack foods  - so bring some coins.