The gates and classrooms are open, the staff are primed and ready to go, the boys are back in the fold, and we’re really looking forward to 2023.

There is much to do but so much to gain. High quality education for our boys is calling and we’re up for it!

An early arrival this year was the traditional release of NCEA results. Of these we’re most satisfied. Looking at the national data for all students around New Zealand, there was a marked downturn in Certificate Achievement, UE, and Excellence Endorsement. It was a tough year. We, however, went the other direction. 

Our boys' achievement lifted in 2022 NCEA  – and this from very good 2021 starting points. King’s, like others, was ‘stressed tested’ by the pandemic and its disruption but not only maintained its performance, it overwhelmingly added to it. The school was tested and not found wanting. The most sizeable gains were in UE and NCEA Level 3 Excellence – and this from young men who bore the brunt of interruption over their three years in NCEA. Their 2022 performance is then all the more remarkable. 

Congratulations to all the students, staff and families involved. You rose to the challenge. We eagerly await the 2022 NZQA Scholarship results now.

Six new staff are welcomed to King’s in Term 1: Joshua Bird (Mathematics), Eamon Maze (Technology), Josh Pendreigh (Technology), Kara Tarapi (Guidance), Paul Tupai (English), and Sofie Welvaert (Drama). They all bring a wealth of experience and huge commitment to meet the needs of our boys, as we challenge and support them towards personal excellence.

We also welcome all the boys and families new to our school; brought into our midst with the mihi whakatau on Tuesday as they crossed the threshold to become Kingsmen. It’s great to have a new generation arriving and one with such talent to burn.

At the first full assembly yesterday, the boys were urged to get their ‘education flywheels’ turning from Week 1. To build momentum and get their breakthroughs. Every one of them has the potential to excel and to grow as a good man in the making at King’s in 2023. 

Join us in getting alongside your son to grasp, embrace, and enjoy, the best of King’s education.

Ngā mihi nui,

Nick McIvor

Rector