Kia ora koutou,

The end of the school term concludes this Friday 30th September at 2.15pm. You are free to collect your son from 2.15pm through until 5.30pm when the Hostel will close for the term, at both Argyle and Grove. There will be no evening meal on Friday.

Re-opening of Argyle and Grove for Term 4:

Argyle and Grove will re-open on Sunday 16th October from 5.30pm. We would expect all boys to have returned by 7.30pm on Sunday evening, to ensure a settled start leading into their first day of school on Monday 17th October.

A reminder to please use Orah to state your son’s return day and time for the start of the new term. This is also a safety issue, particularly those seniors who are returning in their private vehicle. Thank you.

FORMAL OCCASIONS:

Argyle Leavers’ Dinner: Friday 28th October

Head Prefect, Thomas Verry, and Deputy Head Prefects, Jack Broomfield and Joseph Lorimer, are busy preparing for the Argyle Leavers’ Dinner, to be held in the Argyle Dining Room. An invitation is being emailed out to all Year 13 families this week.

This formal dinner commences at 5.30pm in the Junior TV Lounge with nibbles and refreshments, with everyone seated and the formalities commencing in the Dining Room from 6.00pm. Head Prefect, Thomas Verry, will be our Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

Argyle Prize Giving: Sunday 30th October

This is a reminder that we have our own Hostel Prize Giving, on Sunday 30th October in the HBHS Hall. All boys are required to attend this compulsory formal occasion in their number 1s and are to have returned to Argyle House no later than 5.30pm. Please ensure your transport arrangements on this weekend allow for your son to return by 5.30pm. I thank you in anticipation of your support.

The Argyle Prizegiving is a very special evening where we celebrate as a parent, boarder and staff group the many successes and achievements of 2022, for what has been another excellent year within Argyle House. Please feel free to bring as many family members as you wish, as there will be no shortage of seats in the School Hall.

Argyle Prizegiving Timeline:

5.00pm: Parents/Caregivers meeting (Hostel prep Room). The Headmaster, Mrs Hassall, Chairman of the Hostel Committee and myself will be in attendance to run proceedings at this meeting. We welcome all Parents/Caregivers to attend.

5.20 - 6.15pm: Dinner in the Argyle Dining Room for all families, boys, staff and guests.

6.25pm: Everyone to be seated in the HBHS Hall.

6.30pm: Argyle Prizegiving begins

8.00pm: Prizegiving concludes, Supper in the rear of the Hall.

Hamilton Boys’ High School Senior Prize Giving: Tuesday 1st November

All Years 11 - 13 students are required to attend school up to and including the HBHS Senior Prizegiving, commencing 10.00am, Tuesday 1st November, in Gymnasium 1. Please do not request leave for your son to depart prior to 12.00pm Tuesday, as the leave will be declined out of respect for the Headmaster, HBHS staff and all senior students walking across the stage to accept a prize or to graduate, in the case of all Year 13 students. It is the most significant formal occasion in the school calendar and all senior students are expected to attend. It will conclude at approximately 12.00pm.

Senior Exams and Study Leave: Wednesday 2nd November

NCEA exams commence on Monday 7th November and conclude on Friday 2nd December. Study leave for our senior students will commence immediately after the Hamilton Boys’ High School Senior Prize Giving on Tuesday 1st November.

A staff-supervised study programme commencing on Wednesday 2nd November in the Hostel Prep Room will be in place to ensure your son can study effectively over the 4-week period of NCEA exams should your son decide to remain at the Grove or Argyle during this time. Boys residing at Grove will have the option to study in their room at Grove or in the hostel prep room. Mr Moorby and Mr Martin will be completing sweeps of the Grove throughout the study hours scheduled.

All seniors have the option to take leave to study at home during this time so they will need to carefully think through what will best suit them so we can accurately plan and inform the catering management of those seniors that will be in and out for all meals over this period.

Boys that have finished their NCEA exams and have organised team sports trainings to attend e.g. Rowing, Sevens, Touch, may remain on-site leading up to when the Hostel closes for the year on Friday 9th December at 2.30pm.

New Boarders’ Orientation Day: Friday 11th November

The New Boarders' Orientation Day is scheduled for Friday 11th November, the same day as the Year 8 testing for all those coming in to HBHS in 2023.

Part of this day will require Hostel families enrolled for 2023 to come across to Argyle House to finalise all arrangements i.e. issuing of laundry numbers, labelling, Argyle Manual, security/keys, as well as many administrative matters e.g. fees payment methods.

Junior Exams: Week 4

Junior exams, for Years 9 and 10, commence on Tuesday 8th November and conclude on Friday 11th November.

Grove Final Day: Friday 25th November

As stated in the Grove Contract, Grove will close for the year on Friday 25th November, at which time any Year 13 students remaining will be accommodated over at Argyle House from 5.00pm on that evening. All rooms are being checked off at 9.00am Monday 28th November by Grove Master, Mr Moorby, and Grove Management.

Grove applications 2023:

Applications close on Wednesday 19th October. Applications are available now from the main reception desk at Argyle House. All Year 12 boarders will be required to apply if they are to be considered for a place in 2023. The 27 successful applicants will be announced on Tuesday 1st November.

Years 12 and 13 Prefect and Senior Leader 2023 Interviews: Thursday 20th October

Applications for 2023 closed on Wednesday 28th September. Mr Teokotai-White (Senior Master) and I will be interviewing all seniors that applied for a Year 12 Prefect position or a Year 13 Prefect/Senior Leader role for 2023, on Monday 20th October, during the school day.

We are pleased with the number and quality of applicants and will have great pleasure in appointing some high calibre students to our leadership positions in 2023.

Intentions for 2023 and New Placements:

Thanks to all families for completing your intentions. There are still 8 families considering their son’s placement for 2023. With Years 10-13 2023 applications having now closed, we have received 27 applications with 17 in Year 10. If you can let Katrina McLaughlin know by Monday 17th October (Week 1 Term 4) by emailing kmclaughlin@hbhs.school.nz this will allow us to set interview times and make some decisions for those families eager for their son to enter Argyle House. Thank you for your support.

Set Leaves Term 4:

Set Leave 1: The Hostel closes at 5.30pm on Friday 21st October and re-opens after Labour Weekend on Monday 24th October from 5.30pm.

Set Leave 2: The Hostel closes at 5.30pm on Friday 18th November and re-opens on Sunday 20th November from 5.30pm.

Enjoy the holiday break with your son. As always, please feel free to contact me should you have any queries.

Ngā mihi

Murray McKenzie

Head of Boarding

021 516 477

Sonninghill Hostel Social