The Director of Advanced Learning Programmes, Mrs Noeline Ashby, reports on the 2023 year in academia.

Through a wide range of opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom, HBHS’s Advanced Learning Programme (ALP) students are supported to develop their special abilities and to achieve their potential. We started the year by recognising and celebrating the achievement of our senior students in their 2022 NCEA, Cambridge IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and Cambridge AS (Advanced Subsidiary) programmes. Academic Honours were presented to:

• 72 students who earned NCEA Level 1 endorsed with Excellence, or who had high levels of success in the Cambridge IGCSE Examinations.

• 67 students who earned NCEA Level 2 endorsed with Excellence, or who had high levels of success in the Cambridge AS Examinations.

Our young men earned a total of 79 Scholarships in the 2022 New Zealand Scholarship examinations. Of particular note is the five who were successful, entering these examinations as Year 12 students. Alexander Mayo and Jacob Porter both earned an Outstanding Scholar Award for their high results across all the subjects they entered. Special recognition goes to our Dux of 2022, Michael Lin, on winning five Scholarships. Four of his Scholarships were at Outstanding level, including being top in New Zealand in Physics. Michael was one of the ten students nationwide who received a New Zealand Premier Scholar Award. We view our ALP as a five-year programme that culminates in success in these examinations. Approximately three percent of all students studying each subject at NCEA Level 3 are awarded New Zealand Scholarship in the relevant subjects. Sincere thanks go to all the teachers who have supported these students over their time at HBHS.

We are very proud of the performances of our students in Cambridge International Examinations. Amongst the superb results are, Thomas Ter Beek (AS English) and Harry O'Rourke (IGCSE Economics), both winning Top in New Zealand Awards. Alex Liu received Top in New Zealand for AS Level Physics and Best Across Four Cambridge International AS Level subjects.

Earlier in the year we welcomed our Year 9 students and their families with an information evening. The presentation outlined the philosophy of our Advanced Learning Programme and what they could expect over the next five years. Staff and current students were available to answer questions and discuss the pathways in each curriculum area. The evening proved to be highly informative and was extremely well attended.

Year 10 ALP courses are designed to prepare students for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations in Year 11. IGCSE is taken in place of NCEA Level 1 courses in each relevant subject. During August, the two Year 10 ALP classes had an afternoon workshop with Professor Joseph Lane, Dean of Te Huataki Waiora School of Health, University of Waikato. He spoke on the importance of developing soft skills to complement academic skills.

Our senior ALP students have been busy this year, studying for both Cambridge examinations and their NCEA qualifications. More than one hundred of our Year 13 students have been further challenged academically as they prepare to sit their New Zealand Scholarship examinations alongside their NCEA Level 3 examinations.

ALP students have accepted the challenge to enter for Waikato regional, national and international competitions. These competitions provide opportunities for both academic acceleration and enrichment. Thank you to teachers within faculties that encouraged students to enter and supported students to prepare. We congratulate students on their success in the wide range of competitions that were entered.

The Academic Committee (superbly led by Samuel Priest) has been active throughout the year. The willingness of the members of this committee to give back to the school community in their final year was evidenced through the zeal and efficiency with which events were organised and actioned. The committee also coordinated Year 12 Academic Honours students to assist with tutoring other students on a weekly basis. Two very successful inter-school quiz nights, study workshops, and homework help in the library were organised, and support provided to the Multicultural Manaaki Centre. The school thanks all of these young men for the many hours they committed to the various academic service programmes.

To bring the year to a close, the Year 9 ALP Retreat was held at the University of Waikato. The theme for the day was “optimising our abilities” and involved a series of speakers and interactive workshops tailored for our most able academic boys. Year 9 ALP students also took part in “The Afternoon of the Notables.” In this activity, students researched the life and achievements of a notable person in history and presented this person to an audience of parents and peers. Congratulations to the Year 9 students for their enthusiastic participation in these activities.

By Mrs Noeline Ashby

Director of Advanced Learning Programme