Thomas Hayward, Head Prefect of the (mighty™) champion House for 2021, Argyle House, looks back at his time in the boarding facility of HBHS.

Today we close another chapter of the never-ending book of the Argyle family and it is family that is the spine of this book. We are the class of Argyle House for 2021 where the Year 13s are leaving and a new group of Year 9s are coming in to take our place. It is this revolving cycle that makes this Hostel family never ending. Even though some of us may be physically leaving Argyle, the memories that we have all made as Masters, parents, and men are not bound by these four walls. The foundations of family and brotherhood that we have all created at Argyle House will be with us forever.

This year has been unique like every other, but, our year has yet again had twists brought about by COVID-19. Even with this speedbump in our final few weeks, it has not slowed us down. In light of this challenge we have made it our own where in adversity our bond as a Hostel has grown from more than just friendship but family. In this time period we have all strived for excellence in a challenging period which says a lot about us as young men.

We have all had this time in our lives where our memories have grown year on year. From finally beating St Paul's in both tug o' war and swimming, winning athletics, pool rugby, begging Tasi for two pieces of morning tea and most of all winning the House Competition this year but more importantly for the Year 13s winning it in our first and last year. These memories that we have all created will stay with us. But with our memories there has been one group that has sacrificed a lot for us to flourish in this environment. From us here to our parents, thank you.

To the day students, what they believe sets us apart from the school is that Argyle House is a collection of students whose parents send their kids away simply for breathing space. This in some cases may be true but Argyle House is a gateway to success, achievement, personal development, and most of all to experience the real world for what it is. If there is more to take away from the Argyle family is that being associated with Argyle House revolves around attaining academic success, building self-confidence and leadership skills and most of all gaining community and cultural understanding that we will now take with us. When listing what we have learned and experienced in this Hostel, it seems like so much, but actually it is the process built into the Hostel where our unique experiences come as second nature which shows a lot about why Argyle is an amazing place but more importantly a privileged place to attend.

We were all drawn to HBHS for its success in academics, sports, culture, service and leadership. By attending Argyle House our achievements in these fields have been exacerbated from simply being able to live with people that have different fields of expertise and constantly being able to play against each other to strive to be better. In light of all this the one thing that I am sure all of you will also take away from being involved is the sense of belonging that has been created. This Hostel is made up of people not only from the Waikato, but all around New Zealand and also the world. Even though we are located in such different areas of New Zealand and the globe we all have the sense that we all belong in our own right in this Hostel and again why this Hostel is so special to all of us.

What we have gained this year from irreplaceable memories and achieving our lofty goals has not been the result of luck. It has been the result of the sheer amount of work and service that our Hostel Masters have put in. This service has made the best come out of all of us, whether it is on the sportsground, in the gym, academically with prep or simply the snippets of advice that may come in handy later in life.

Personally I would like to thank all the Masters for all the advice you have given me, from Mr Marrow's handy last minute Physics tips, Mr Kilgour's money investment advice and opportunities and Mr Hay's political questions. Thank you for all of your individual mana and guidance, it has been priceless.

Matua Graham, thank you for all your support that has helped me grow as a leader. Your guidance has made me become an all-round better person from mentoring me to strive for excellence, so thank you.

Mrs Hassall, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a leader in the day school. Being Deputy Head Boy has been a privilege and a massive learning curve. With your help it has allowed me to become a better leader and person both at school but also at the Hostel. I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

Finally, Mr McKenzie, you are the beating heart of this Hostel where your drive and passion is infectious. You have been the person that I have looked up to the most in this Hostel and been a great example for me from a leadership perspective to strive to be. There are not enough words to explain how thankful I am.

On behalf of all the men here I am sure we all share a massive thank you to the Masters, Matrons and Mr McKenzie for making the Hostel so successful and a place where we all feel so welcome but also a place for us all to strive in. Finally, we would also like to thank Mrs Hassall for the support that you give to Argyle House.

We turn the final page of the 2021 chapter, however, this year will continue to shine out as one of the most successful years of this Hostel. As we all open a new chapter in our lives for 2022 we will forever know that this Hostel has truly taught us that a wise man carves his own fortune. Barack Obama said it best with “we did not come to here to fear the future, we came here to shape it”.

Ngā mihi  

ARGYLE HOUSE PRIZE GIVING 2021

Matthew Allen Memorial Cup Inter House Challenge

Winner: Sutherland House, accepted by Head of Sutherland, Keran Van Staden

Blythe Cup for Best Senior Sportsman:  Tahlor Cahill

Coltellaro Trophy for Senior Visual and Performing Arts:  Rupert Nielsen

Top in Year 11 for Academic Excellence to Joshua Wickers

Top in Year 12 for Academic Excellence to Jack Broomfield

Top in Year 13 and Winner of the Headmaster’s Cup for Academic Excellence:  Thomas Hayward, Dux of Argyle House 2021

Leadership and Service Awards:

Matron’s Cup for Best All-Round Year 11 Boarder to Johno O'Brien

Leigh Cup for Service and Leadership displayed over consecutive years by a Year 11 and 12 Boarder to Jack Broomfield

Bennett Trophy for Outstanding Service and Contribution to Argyle House to Thomas Hayward

Cramond Cup for Service to Argyle House to Ethan Barton

Argyle Cup for Hostel Leadership to Thomas Hayward