McIndoe House congratulates it’s scholars and thanks it’s leaders.

Well McIndoe boys, we gave it a good go but despite the disappointment of coming a close second for the House Shield, we had a lot to celebrate this week at Senior Prize Giving! A “sea of red” was noticeable amongst the top awards with both Dux and Proxime Accessit to Dux both going to McIndoe boys.

Abdul Obaidullah, who was awarded Dux of Otago Boys’ High School 2022 accredits his success to “the backing he received from his peers; the unparalleled knowledge that his teachers bring towards his learning and the unconditional support and care from his parents". This humble and gifted young man is someone who has shown a quiet determination ever since it was my pleasure to teach him in Year 9 French. He has constantly strived to improve himself, truly displaying the school values of Respect, Courage, Perseverance and Excellence whilst constantly bringing Honour to himself, his whanau, and the school. He surely has a rosy future ahead of him!

Abdul’s form classmate from MC5, Dan Hayman took the title of Proxime Accessit. He too is reflective of the role that others have played in his journey, stating, “Proxime Accessit, like Dux, is the result of years of hard work, dedication and support. For me, this journey hasn't always been easy and straightforward, but thanks to the support and knowledge from the people with whom I surround myself; teachers, peers and of course family, I have ended 13 years of schooling in the best possible way. Thank you to everyone who has helped me on this journey".

Both of these boys supported each other throughout their time at school, illustrating that the brotherhood does indeed play an important part in the progress of our young men. Dan Hayman was, incidentally also the recipient of the Golden Phoenix award this year. This is an award that is exclusive to McIndoe House and is awarded to the boy who collects the most Phoenix Awards in the year. These are awarded for good service to the school or for honouring the house through academic, sporting or cultural achievements.

To crown it all, Head Boy for 2023, is one of the most deserving Mc Indoe boys, Simi Puni. I know him for the kindness that he displays towards others and his ability to carry his peers along with him. He is an emotionally intelligent young man who will certainly lead Otago Boys’ High School incredibly well. His humility and focus will surely inspire the brotherhood to come together in a common purpose.

The Stuart Stevenson Good Character Award was given to Akelisi Tioti. This award goes to the Year 13 student who has been found by his peers to demonstrate the attributes of a good man. This is a great way for the school to acknowledge the importance of character and integrity and Akelisi certainly displayed both as a member of the McIndoe House leadership team.

With quiet humility and grit, James Gardner made an outstanding contribution to cycling during his time at Otago Boys’ making him a stand out for the 2022 Best Individual Sporting Performance. James has excelled in various disciplines of cycling this year. At the South Island Secondary School championships, he was 2nd in both the Omnium and the Time Trial and 4th in the road race. He was 5th in the U19 Criterium at the National Championships and 5th at the National Secondary School Mountain Bike Cross Country. James also won the Southland Cycling “Fight for Yellow” tour general classification and was a finalist for Sport Otago’s Emerging Talent award. He is the current Under 19 NZ Road Racing champion. In July, in Chicago he competed in the Intelligentsia Multistage Pro Men’s race as a member of the NZ Cycle Project-MitoQ Team. He is, as one pundit described him, “a bloody good cyclist”. James also strived for academic excellence gaining an Otago University Performance Excellence Scholarship.

Other McIndoe men who achieved great things are numerous. However, never one to shy away from a McIndoe boy taking the limelight, I am more than happy to list their achievements here:

NZ Sporting Reps:

Henry Kirk - Represented New Zealand in Italy for rowing and gained a Lincoln University Rowing Scholarship

Jackson Hughan - Captain of NZ U16 touch team

Scholarships:

Daniel Gilbert - School House Top Scholar

Max Cunninghame - Otago University Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship and Stephen Guest Scholarship recognising his contribution to School MUSIC and going to study LAW

Luke Dykstra - Otago University New Frontiers Excellence Scholarship

Ronan Melville - Otago University Performance Excellence Scholarship

Willis McNaughton - Otago University Māori Entrance Scholarship

Ollie Nicholson - Prime Minister’s Vocational Excellence Award

Sofa Letane Fesolai - Otago University Pacific Peoples Entrance Scholarship

One of the things we pride ourselves on in McIndoe House is having a great leadership team. The following boys did a great job in these roles - thank you boys.

Service Leaders - Ronan Melville and Sam Gavin

Cultural Leaders - Akelisi Tioti and Sofa Letane Fesolai

Chant Meisters - Lewis Harper and Danny Gilbert

Last but not least, it falls to me to thank our fantastic House Captain for 2022, Robbie McCaw. With wide street appeal, Robbie was able to galvanise the McIndoe boys to give of their best this year. He was ably assisted by his Deputy, Harry Devereux. This partnership was inspirational to watch and I am quite sure is the reason that we received so many applications for leadership positions in the house for 2023. Mr McCrone and I interviewed a number of young McIndoe men this week, and they will soon be advised of the important roles they will fulfil in 2023. We look forward to another great year in McIndoe House. As the boys say “Red Army!”