The busyness that typifies the life of students and staff at King’s and makes this secondary school experience such a rich, diverse and rewarding one, is now well and truly in motion.   

In the last seven days we have enjoyed the House Day (with excursions to a range of beaches), the school Athletics day (with a superb atmosphere and some stellar individual performances) and the Good Man Evening (with over 300 students, parents and other significant males in attendance). Add to this the commencement of Year 9 camps this week and the hundreds of boys who have signed up for summer sports, itinerant music lessons and other co-curricular activities, and you start to get a sense of a little of what is on offer at King’s.

Of course our primary focus is students achieving to their potential scholastically. The wheels of industry are gaining momentum in this domain with internal standards for our senior students beginning in earnest and homework requirements and classroom expectations being established in the junior school. You cannot help but be excited about what lies ahead in 2017.

Before our attention is absorbed completely with the year ahead, there is one more poignant moment of reflection. Having celebrated the success of our Scholarship students last week it is equally important to cast the net a little wider and recognise the achievements of our entire senior school in 2016. The NCEA results were once again outstanding. Pass rates in Level 1, 2 and 3 of 92.2%, 96.9% and 82.3% respectively with a UE rate of 65.4%, all exceeded national averages and were approximately 10% above the national boys’ averages. The Certificate endorsements were again spectacular with 85 boys across the year levels gaining Excellence endorsements and a further 147 gaining Merit endorsement. Our Maori and Pasifika results were once again outstanding, eclipsing national averages by massive margins.

I am delighted with the success our boys are experiencing. Their successes reflect their efforts and the expertise and energy of the teaching staff. Their successes also open doors of opportunity for them in life beyond school. It has been a great start to what promises to be another great year in the King’s community. I am loving it.

Dan Reddiex

Rector