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Nick McIvor
 
Photo by Supplied

Introduction from our new Rector

Nick McIvor —

I am really looking forward to joining you all at King’s in the new term.

It’s a huge privilege to have been appointed the next Rector of this fine school, and to be given the opportunity to develop the many strengths and points of difference that the school and its community proudly possess. For me, it will be continuing my work in Boys’ Education to get young men ready, willing and able to grasp their future with confidence, capability, and the personal values of good men in the making.

I’ve had 24 years in Secondary Education with 16 of them concentrated on Boys’ Education at Auckland Grammar School, Derby Grammar School in the UK, and most recently, as Rector of Timaru Boys’ High School. In my view, New Zealand will always need good men who will take responsibility as men of conscience and character. We, as a school, have a vital part to play in this calling as specialists in understanding and responding to the particular needs of young men.

To excel each day, our boys need high expectations, structure, focus, discipline, active and varied learning, good pastoral support, and a strong academic and co-curricular programme. These are already key elements of a King’s education, and as such, are testimony to the impressive work done by Dan Reddiex and the hard-working staff and army of volunteers and advocates supporting the school. These elements have also been enhanced by the influence of respected former Headmaster of Wellington College, Roger Moses, who has been at the helm in Term 2 to give generously of his time and expertise. I thank Roger for all that he’s done this term for King’s.

When we get it right, so our boys can get it right, each of them finds friendship, belonging, excellence, and a feeling of connection with the school and his mates and teachers. This can last a lifetime. Our young men have the capacity to do so many admirable things. Our role is to help them to find, understand, develop, and express what is worthy.

In coming down from South Canterbury I’m keen to get to know Dunedin better, be closer to family in Invercargill (and the Highlanders) and to explore some of the places in South Otago I enjoyed as a youngster with my grandparents who lived in Milton (especially rediscovering the best fishing spots in the region!).

Even a casual glance through this website or King’s social media shows just how lively and focused on high achievement, participation and inclusion King’s High School is. I’m eager to tune into the full nature of King’s as a seat of learning and as a community, and will commit to working for the boys, staff, parents and community.

At King’s all our boys must be challenged and supported to find personal excellence in learning. I believe they can, through the quality of education we provide, discover strengths within, to achieve a successful and fulfilling life.

There are exciting times ahead as we embrace our next phase of outstanding achievement at King’s High School. See you there!