In light of the doom and gloom permeating Aotearoa in 2022, NZACT (The New Zealand Association of Classics Teachers) decreed that their annual ‘Classics Week’ be extended – in the manner of Roma herself – to a full month, to allow plebs and patricians alike to partake in the festivities – and, by Jove! Did Columba College ever come to the party in NZACT’S first ever month-long celebration of all things ancient.

With a cornucopia of activities on offer, ranging from meme-making to colouring-in as well as daily wordles, Columba students dove headlong into proceedings, putting Icarus to shame as they strove for kleos and timé, ensuring that their exploits echo throughout eternity.

Not only was our school library decked out as if for Lupercalia, bringing to mind the sumptuous decoration of a Pompeiian bathhouse, but co-curricular learning also abounded, with Year 10 Drama enacting Aristophanes’ classic comedy ‘The Frogs’, while Mr. Doran’s Year 9 Economics class investigated ‘Strange Taxes Throughout History,’ such as Emperor Augustus’ ‘Family Tax’, and Vespasian’s tax on urine.

As the week drew to a close, there was a titanic tussle in the library, where a number of teams jostled for Classics Quiz supremacy, rendering the Circus Maximus a mere afterthought. Congratulations to the Year 13 team of Veni Vedi Yeeti (Lily Ferro, Isabel Gallagher, Maggie Huang and Samantha Mills), who saw off all-comers to emerge victorious. Special mention must go to Toby Wafer (Year 13, JMC), who competed all on his lonesome under the moniker ‘Alexander The Over-Compensating’ to claim second place! And, as if by divine intervention, the month was topped off by the presentation of a Lego Colosseum – graciously donated by an anonymous benefactor – to the Year 13s, as a legacy gift and just reward for their piety.

A hearty Bene Factum to the following students, winners of the respective Classics Month activities:

Classical Colouring-In – Emily Wellstead (Year 12)

Classics Wordle – Sophie Greenaway (12Wf), Holly Weatherall (Year 7), 13 Cm

Who Is This? – Emily Roy (Year 9)

Amazonian Attire – Maia Hayden (Year 4)

Classics Quiz – 1st: Veni Vidi Yeeti; 2nd: Alexander The Over-Compensating; 3rd: Go Big or go Homer

Classics goes ‘Pop’ – Songwriting: Lily Ferro and Skyla Murray, ‘The 12 Days of Sulking’ (2nd Place Nationwide)

Classics Meme Making – Jasper Davis (Year 13)