Otago Boys' High School is in great heart. The year has started with a purpose, the energy and enthusiasm of our school has been a highlight of this, the first week.

With over 200 new enrollments this year, we have had to be well organised. My thanks go to all of our staff, but particularly the Deans and Senior Management who have worked tirelessly over the preceding two weeks to have all of the structures in place.

An increased school roll means new staff have also been apppointed; Mr Sharp in Science, Mr Te Ngahue in Te Reo Maori, Ms Bowman in Mathematics, Ms Tonya Justice in ESOL, Mr Gledhill in Accounting, Mr Alderton in Health & Physical Education and Mr Bonnier in ICT. We look forward to their contribution and willingness to enhance the learning of young men.

As a school we have a significant role in the community, as a boys' school we have an even bigger role in shaping the character and values of our community. I have stressed this year the importance of choice to our young men. Rather than drifting, I see the importance of channeled energy and vitality as crucial to their improvement. This year they will be channeled, challenged to focus that energy through appropriate, well considered choice. The academic coaching with senior students today has been an example of that.

A second strand for the week has been leadership. Our traditional Year 13 breakfast highlighted the opportunities that this whole year group has. Personal leadership and service to others have always been the traits of positive young men and I look forward to what this Year 13 group provide.As you head into the long weekend, enjoy the last days of summer and know that your son's school is committed to shaping his present and his future. We are in the business of young men and personnally there is no other place I would rather be.