Mr. Hugh Drake joined the Palmerston North Boys’ High School teaching staff on February 1, 1986, as a Social Studies and Geography teacher. His ability as a teacher and leader was recognised immediately and he was appointed to the position of Assistant Third Form Dean in 1987 and Third Form Dean in 1988. Alongside these pastoral roles he also had responsibilities within the Social Sciences department for Social Studies. Mr. Drake’s extensive subject expertise and passion for his teaching saw him earn the position of Head of Social Sciences in September 1995, a position he has maintained since this time. As Head of Social Sciences Mr. Drake has been responsible for leading one of the largest curriculum areas in the school, both in terms of student and staff numbers.

While his overall Social Sciences knowledge is extensive, it is Mr. Drake’s passion for Geography that is particularly noteworthy. He has been responsible for developing teaching and learning programmes, creating departmental resources as well as mentoring a significant number of beginning and experienced teachers during his career. The ‘curriculum’ refresh and change to assessment practices that is currently being worked through by all New Zealand secondary schools will be the fourth time that he has had a key leadership role in significant change. In a testament to Mr. Drake’s passion and professionalism, he has approached this change, at the very twilight of his teaching career, with as much vigour as any other. Indeed, he has taken a proactive leadership role to ensure that Geography teachers throughout the local region are appropriately supported. Mr. Drake has led the Manawatū Geography Teachers Association for many years and in this role has contributed to the teaching of Geography at schools throughout our region.

His expertise has also been recognised at a national level where he has been responsible for writing Scholarship examinations as well as leading external marking panels.

Mr. Drake recognises the importance of fieldwork in bringing the subject to life and helping students to see the bigger picture and relevance of their studies. Consequently, opportunities to undertake practical work in a range of different settings have been key parts of the Geography programme at all year levels. The annual Year 13 Mountain Trip to Mt. Ruapehu developed from the annual Geography field trip into that environment, and thousands of young men have had the opportunity to study the effects of volcanism first-hand under Mr. Drake’s tutelage.

Former Head of History Mr. Dominic King, a long-time friend and colleague of Mr. Drake’s, noted: “Hugh and I took over the Geography and History departments from Ross Brown and Graham Hucker respectively at about the same time in the mid 1990s. For the next 20 years he and I worked together to build up the Social Sciences department. We had a friendly rivalry as to which subject was the more important or significant, but our basic philosophies about the discipline were the same. We both believe that the primary focus on our discipline is to help our young men make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world. This is more important than ever in these times, with looming global climate disaster and the seemingly growing influence and power of extremism in politics.

We both believed that, despite the easy availability of information through digital technology, it was important that our students had a sound general knowledge of the history and geography of our world. To this end, we created subject topics for the Years 9 and 10 Social Studies classes that focused on the students gaining a basic content knowledge of the geography and history of not only Aotearoa New Zealand but also the wider world of which we are a part. These foci served our two disciplines well as numbers taking the subject and the results obtained reflected. He is a gifted educator: is able to show great patience and yet maintain discipline with the learning assistance classes through to challenging the brightest and best Geography students.

On a personal note, Hugh has been a great friend over the years as well as being a good boss. Our annual department BBQ was a great way to start the year and always involved a proper wood fire (aka South African braai!). His involvement in the Year 13 Mountain trip is legendary and during my time as 7th Form Dean I valued his experience and leadership. As a keen and experienced outdoors tramper, his groups on the mountain trip also gained extensive knowledge of the geography of the area!”

Mr. Drake has travelled extensively across the globe and has been able to bring these experiences into the classroom. In the late 1990’s Mr. Drake was the recipient of a Scholarship that enabled him to crew for Mr. Nigel Jolly on a search for giant squid off the coast of the South Island. Although unsuccessful, this was another experience that he was able to incorporate into his teaching. In 2001 Mr. Drake was awarded a Japan Foundation High School Educators Programme Scholarship which enabled him to spend 15 days in Japan, further experiences that he was able to bring into the classroom.

In more recent years Mr. Drake has been part of the Renaissance Tours to Croatia and Italy, where his extensive Geography knowledge and travel experience have enabled him to contribute to a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the young men involved. As with any such overseas tour there is a huge amount of organisational work that is required and a commitment to fundraising and as with all other aspects of his role, Mr. Drake has been very willing to give his time to provide these opportunities for our young men.

Mr. Drake has played a significant role in the Shand Shield competition as well. He served as the Club Master for Gordon Club for 17 years from 1991 – 2008 and after stepping down from this role has remained an enthusiastic supporter of Gordon Club and has been fully involved in the Shand Shield competition. It was very fitting that Gordon Club performed the school haka to Mr. Drake during the recent club haka competition.

Mr. Drake is very aware of the importance of the PNBHS co-curricular programme and the significant impact these opportunities make to the culture and ethos of the school and consequently he has been a keen and fully involved contributor. For many years he held the position of Teacher in Charge of Rugby, a significant role in the school, in which he oversaw all aspects of the organisation of Rugby at PNBHS. He also coached a wide range of Rugby teams from the 3rd XV to the mid-week U55kg competition. Mr. Drake has been involved as a Football, Squash and Tennis team manager and Cake League Cricket coach.

Mr. Drake is also passionate about the outdoors and has been involved with our Outdoor Education programme throughout his time. As well as having a key role in the Year 13 Mountain Trip he has also been involved with the annual Year 10 camp programme throughout his time at PNBHS, in more recent years having taken groups to Lake Waikaremoana for a truly unique experience.

We thank Mr. Drake for his very significant service to Palmerston North Boys’ High School. Thousands of young men have benefited from his expertise and dedication in the classroom and in sporting and outdoor education opportunities outside of the classroom. Mr. Drake is beginning a very well-deserved retirement and is relocating to Taupo. We wish him all the best for this and the opportunity to spend more time with his family as well as continuing to indulge his passion for the outdoors.  

Mr. Drake was farewelled at assembly and, given his long service to Palmerston North Boys’ High School, was invited to address the school.

At the conclusion of Mr. Drake’s address, the school haka was performed to him in recognition of his significant service to PNBHS and our young men.

At our Prizegiving Mr. Drake's service and commitment to the academic life of the school were recognised with the presentation of an Academic Stole.  He was also invited to present a number of special awards.