I am delighted to welcome you all to 2019 and the King’s adventure that you and your son(s) will embark upon this year. Having spent the last couple of weeks in preparation mode it has been great to reconnect with our young men and feel the surge of vibrancy and energy that has accompanied their return.

On Tuesday we welcomed, with excitement, another impressive Year 9 group. They are the 84th intake of Year 9 students who can claim King’s as their secondary school home. 

The apprehension and nervousness that is often associated with the first day has largely dissipated and been replaced by smiles and increasing levels of comfort, as they settle into their new environment for the next five years. 

I was delighted by the number of family members and friends who attended our new student powhiri. I personally extend a sincere welcome to the parents and families of all our first time students. For some of you the school is familiar, while for others it will be a new experience and one that I trust will be enjoyable and memorable for the right reasons. For all of you, and your sons, I hope that this will be a year filled with success and celebration.

The combined school roll currently just exceeds 1000 students. We continue to enjoy the benefits of scale (including the high calibre teaching staff and diversity of subject choices), while not compromising or diminishing the circle of care that ERO appraised so generously. 

Our NCEA results for 2018 were once again outstanding. I will outline many of these successes in future editions of King's Week. We have consistently been one of the best performing schools in the country over the last six years. We are awaiting the scholarship results with anticipation and these will also be communicated when they are confirmed.

I am delighted to be able to add another group of outstanding staff to our impressive team. We welcome Mr Gibson (English), Ms Walter (Spanish), Ms Swaney (Science), Mr Sefton (Commerce), Mr Harington (Music), Mr Gregg (Teacher Assistant), Ms Hyndman (from week 8 in the Social Sciences), Ms Harbott and Ms Crossman (Year 11 Maori curriculum support and tutor respectively). We also welcome back to the staff after a brief hiatus, Mr Bell. Ms Vercoe joins us for the start of the year after providing her expertise at various times over the past few years.

At the end of last year three staff tendered their resignations, Mr James Westgate (on promotion to an HOD position on the Kapiti Coast), Mr Ferry (retirement) and Mr Jury (pursuing a career in professional sport management/coaching). We thank them for their collective service and wish them well in their new ventures.

The new year also brings with it a new student leadership team. I am certain that Nathan Hastie (Head Boy) and Deputy Head Boys, Izaak Parata and Solomon Filipo will do a stellar job leading the student body. The first group of Prefects were named at yesterday’s assembly. They are to be congratulated on their appointment and will be profiled in subsequent editions.

A tremendous year lies in wait. While I will only be privileged to maintain the leader's mantel for the first term, I know the young men will acquit themselves completely in their pursuit of personal excellence. The honour that is extended to me is not lost on me. It is an absolute pleasure to share my days and a slice of my life with your young men.

Dan Reddiex
Rector