PNBHS NEWS

Pinnacle Presentation

 
Picture of Ella Mitchell
Pinnacle Presentation
by Ella Mitchell - Wednesday, 16 August 2017, 3:27 PM
 

Pinnacle Presentation


A big thank you to Mr Tom McVerry, McVerry Crawford Motors and Hyundai New Zealand for providing the opportunity for 40 of our young men to attend a presentation from former All Black coach, Sir Graham Henry, and former Silver Fern, Bernice Mene.

Sir Graham spoke extensively about the important role honest self-analysis plays if we are to be the best that we can be in an area of endeavour.  To reinforce this, he explained the All Blacks focus on process.  This focus involves breaking any task or goal down into smaller parts and then working to master each of these components.  In a rugby environment this equates to an emphasis on developing basic skills, rather than just concentrating on developing and executing the game plan.  Athletes who focus on process worry only about the things that they control and are single-minded in their preparation.  The opposite of this is a focus on performance – when results become all-consuming and the fear of failure can inhibit performance.

While Sir Graham used sporting analogies, the message about the importance of focusing on process can be applied equally to academic or cultural performance or the tasks that we have to complete at work on a daily basis.  Another key message he had was about the link between mental and physical health.  In describing this he talked about the early morning gym sessions the All Blacks coaching and management staff undertake while the team is together to help ensure that they are ‘on top of their game’ in the other aspects of their roles with the All Blacks.  

The link between physical and mental health is an important message for our young men.  Sir John Kirwan also spoke of this in his presentation to the school last year.  Being physically active – especially if it involves being outdoors – and having a healthy diet are simple but effective tools for helping to minimise the effects of stress, something young men need to be cognisant of with impending school and NCEA examinations.  In summing up the evening, Bernice Mene shared a story reinforcing the importance of strong family connections and the strong influence that positive relationships with adults can have on the development of young people.  Young men who have such relationships are also more resilient and are often better placed to respond to the challenging situations that inevitably arise in their lives.

Thank you again to Mr Tom McVerry, McVerry Crawford Motors and Hyundai New Zealand for the opportunity for our young men to attend this presentation.  Bernice Mene is the Coordinator of the Pinnacle Programme, a development programme to help young people aged 15-18 achieve their dreams.  For more information, or to apply, please see www.pinnacleprogramme.co.nz