Argyle House 2022

Argyle House is a place where memories are made, lessons are learned and lifelong bonds and friendships are formed. It is so much more than just the Hostel we live in, it is the brotherhood that exists between all of the boys and the unique transformations that each boy experiences when they start in Argyle as a boy and come out the other side as a young man. For myself and the Year 13 cohort, this is where we find ourselves now and I believe we all owe a huge amount of the young men that we’ve become to the place the majority of us have called home for the last five years.

Starting at Argyle House was a big shock to me. Coming from a school of less than 70 students in the Waitomo Caves, it was hard to imagine 170 boarders all living together. However on a hot day in February, that was what I found myself a part of. I remember my blazer being way too big and getting unpacked in a tiny room in Dorm 4, and looking back now, I had no idea what I was in for. I was nervous but excited and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to come to this Hostel and be a part of the Argyle family. Even though we get told by the day boys that our parents don’t love us and we get booed at House Haka and Singing, being a part of this place is something special and has helped all of us to create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you’re finishing your first year or your fifth year in the Hostel, there really is something for everybody here and I hope you’ve all enjoyed your year this year.

Some fond memories of mine from the Hostel include; our KFC dinner after winning last year's House Competition, playing mud rugby and touch on the fields, saying good morning to Tasi every day, playing cricket, golf, basketball and a variety of other sports in the units and hoping Mr Hay wouldn’t hear us, Dorm leading, never making it past the second round of the pool or table tennis competitions and living at Grove this year. The Hostel is a place I have always enjoyed and I’m definitely going to miss it.

I’d like to thank Sam, Liam, Luke, Jack and Joseph as the Year 13 Prefects for their support of me throughout the year and for all of their contributions throughout the Matthew Allen Cup, at Grove, in the Hostel and for the House Competition this year. I’ve enjoyed working with all of you and you’ve been a great team to be a part of. To all of the Masters, thank you for another great year of Hostel life as we know and love it. I’ve particularly enjoyed the input that our new Masters have had, from Matua West’s "Argyle’s Got Talent" to Mr Katene’s kids giving us high fives at dinner. Mr Teokotai-White, it's been a pleasure to work with you as the Senior Master this year. I’ve enjoyed your style of leadership and feel I’ve learned a lot from you. And of course, Mr McKenzie, the driving force behind this Hostel and someone with an infectious passion for this place. Just like Charlie said at the leavers' dinner on Friday, I couldn’t imagine anyone else running this place. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with you and appreciate the guidance and support you’ve given me. To Matron, our second mum, this Hostel couldn’t run without you. You are such an important person to Argyle and we are all extremely grateful for the work you put in. Our own mums always know we’re in good hands with you looking after us.

Whether next year is your second year in the Hostel, your last year in the Hostel or your first year doing something new, I encourage you to make the most of every opportunity that comes your way. Use the lessons you have learnt in the Hostel to improve yourself and be the best version of yourself that you can be. This is something that being in the Hostel has taught me and I hope each and every one of you have lessons you can take away from your experience in Argyle House.

I’d like to finish up with a Māori proverb which I think perfectly captures what makes this Hostel so special. “He Tangata, He Tangata, He Tangata”, which means “it is the people, it is the people, it is the people”. To me, this perfectly encapsulates Argyle House as it is the people who make this place special, the people who are here to support us, and the people we meet who become our friends and then our brothers. I feel extremely fortunate and grateful to have been a part of Argyle and I’m sure all the other boys sitting out there are too. It's been an awesome year this year and I’ve been very grateful to be the Head Prefect and to get to work with all of the boys. To all of the senior boys, good luck for your NCEA exams and to the junior boys, make the most of the opportunities that become available to you in your last few weeks of school for the year.

Thanks to all our special guests present here this evening, as well as all families and friends of the Hostel. I hope you’ve all enjoyed your evening. Thank you.

Argyle House Prize Giving:  Award Winners

Argyle House Scholarship winner:  Alex Arnold

Matron's Cup for Best All-Round Year 11 Boarder to Jay Wilson

Matthew Allen Memorial Cup for the Inter-House Challenge to Sutherland House, accepted by Head of Sutherland, Sam Potter

William MacErlich Memorial Fixture - Boarders vs Day Boys - 2022 Champions: Day Boys 31-7

Tylee Cup for Best Junior Sportsman to Liam Van Der Heyden

Blythe Cup for Best Senior Sportsman to Josh Syme

Morris Trophy for Outstanding Junior in Visual or Performing Arts to Jack Higgins

Coltellaro Trophy for Outstanding Senior in Visual or Performing Arts to Rupert Nielsen

Margaret Beattie Scholarship for Junior Dux to Alexander Brown

Year 11 Top Academic Prize to Hendrix Roux

Year 12 Top Academic Prize to Joshua Wickers

Headmaster's Cup for Academic Excellence as the Dux of Argyle House to Jack Broomfield

Leigh Cup for Service and Leadership displayed over two consecutive years by a Year 11 and 12 Boarder to Harrison Grainger

Bennett Trophy for Outstanding Service and Contribution to Argyle House to Joseph Lorimer

Cramond Cup for Service to Argyle House to Jack Broomfield

Argyle Cup for Leadership to Thomas Verry