The third term of 2019 is almost over and it is a sobering thought that, at the time of writing, there are only seventeen days of school left for our Year 11-13 students until they break for NCEA Exams.

It has been a pleasure to step in and lead the school through the past term and I have valued the support and contributions of the other members of the Senior Leadership team over the past weeks. A special thank you goes to Jo Pearson who stepped into an Acting Assistant Principal role and enhanced her skills by leading assemblies, organising exam weeks and coordinating events at school on a day-to-day basis.

I look forward to welcoming the Headmaster back next term after his time on sabbatical leave. A sabbatical is a period of leave granted by the Ministry of Education and Boards of Trustees to principals to allow them time to pursue study or other interests. During his term away, Mr Hill has spent time at Harvard University in Boston at their Graduate School of Education and has shadowed many overseas and local leaders in a variety of occupations looking at how they develop culture in their businesses. He has also continued some personal tertiary study.

Looking back on the term I have enjoyed being able to celebrate the successes of our boys in many areas, some of which are described in more detail in other sections of this newsletter or the website:

- The continued success of our cyclists, both locally, nationally and on the international stage (special mention here of Laurence Pithie – a double world junior champion on the track, and Logan Currie who will compete for NZ at the junior road championships next week.)

- The successes of our teams in winter sports and the recent tournament week. I cannot thank enough all the parents, old boys and staff who make this possible in their roles as coaches, managers and supporters.

- The growth and success of all things cultural with our musicians showcasing their skills at Southern Jam, the Pasifika Choir at the recent Voices Festival and many others.

Looking towards the last few days of term we have the Hostel vs Dayboy League game, The Big Night Out, the Staff vs Monitors football ‘world cup’ on the last day of term, the Rowing Club celebration with Mark Inglis on Thursday 19th, the Teacher Only Day on Friday 20th and, certainly not last, an abundance of teaching and learning. We have also welcomed the interim Manager of Adams House, Mr Ross Brown, and have started the appointments process for a full-time replacement for Richard Taylor.

I acknowledge the contributions to the life of the school of the staff who have left during the term and congratulate them on their new roles:

- Richard Taylor - 5 years as HOD Phys Ed and 21 years as Manager of Adams House, cricket and rugby coach for most of those years including stints with the 1st XI and 1st XV. Richard has moved over to Ilam to be Principal of College House, a university hall of residence

- Simon Fairbrother - 5 years teaching Maths and Science, coaching basketball – to a leadership role in Science at Kaiapoi High School

- Danny Porte – 6 years teaching Science, Maths, Food Tech and coaching the 1st XV 2014-2019. Danny has been appointed Director of Sport at Opotiki College.

The NCEA examinations in November will once again be held off-site. Continued demolition and construction work near the Hall in October/November have necessitated us negotiating with the University of Canterbury to host our exams, as happened in 2016. This time we will be based at the Dovedale Avenue campus – the old Teachers College- a more compact site with plenty of spaces better suited to examinations. Our focus on choosing to do this has been to provide a peaceful, easily managed environment so that our students can achieve well. More details will be released over the next few weeks to ensure the boys, and their parents, are thoroughly prepared for this change.

Modern schools are busy, vibrant, exciting places to work in and the boys contribute to this in many ways. I wish our seniors every success in next term’s exams. They will be rewarded for the effort they have put in over the year, and particularly the next few weeks.

He waka eka noa – one canoe that we are all in without exception

Altiora Peto

Steve Fraser