From the Deputy Rector

The 2024 school year has started and so has our work to achieve our school vision Hai Whakapakari i Ngā Tamatāne Kia Purapura Tuawhiti | To Develop Educated Men of Outstanding Character. Our school values - Tū Māia | Courage – Ngākau Mahaki | Humility – Te mahi tahi | Industry – Tū Rangatira | Integrity – Tū Whakahī | Pride – Tū Whakaaute | Respect - are an integral part of this vision. Young men who have a sound moral compass and whose decision-making is guided by values and a deep understanding of right and wrong are the type of young men our community and society need for the future.

Kia mate ururoa, kei mate wheke ǀ Fight like a shark, don't give in like an octopus

Dr. Hinemoa Elder explains "When a shark is caught on a fishing line it thrashes around furiously. Often the line breaks and it swims away. When an octopus is caught on a line it goes limp. Our ancestors were people of great principle, who believed in sticking to your values and fighting for what is right." What better use of Tū Māia | Courage than this?

Humans are wired to seek predictability and comfort; we like routine and consistency. Consequently, change creates anxiety. For many young men, the changes that accompany the start of a new school year create some level of anxiety. Moving to a new school, being in new classes, meeting new peers and different teachers, new expectations or increased levels of academic requirements as one progresses through school are all examples of changes that may create a level of apprehension and anxiety. How we discuss these challenges with young men will influence their response; whether they recognise that the challenges in front of them represent an opportunity for growth and development or whether they look to avoid them in the hope that they will go away. Young men's ability to act with Tū Māia | Courage is influenced by the examples around them.

The importance of Tū Māia | Courage is not a new idea, indeed the Stoic philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome believed it was essential for leading a good life. They defined courage as the ability to face danger and endure pain with calmness and without fear. Courage, in their view, was not just a matter of physical bravery, but also of moral courage, which involved doing the right thing in the face of adversity. The Stoics believed that everyone has the capacity for courage and that it can be developed through practice and discipline. By cultivating moral courage, individuals could act in ways that align with their values and principles, and live a life that was true to themselves.

One reason the Stoics believed courage was important is that it enabled individuals to face challenges and difficulties with resilience and fortitude. Life is full of challenges and obstacles, and it is through facing these challenges that we develop strength and resilience. The Stoics believed that by cultivating courage, individuals could face adversity with equanimity and maintain their sense of inner calm and stability even in the most difficult of circumstances.

The Stoics emphasised that courage was important for living a happy and fulfilled life. They believed happiness and fulfillment come from living a life of meaning and purpose, and from cultivating a sense of inner peace and contentment. By cultivating courage, individuals could live a life that was meaningful and purposeful, even in the face of challenge and adversity.

Growth of any kind requires a leap; we need to let go of what is comfortable and familiar to us and be willing to make ourselves uncomfortable by embracing the unfamiliar. As humans, we are not really wired to do this. We have evolved to avoid danger and situations which make us anxious and uncomfortable. Yet, to learn, improve, develop and reach our potential we need to put aside this reflex and show the courage to live with this anxiety.

Do one thing each day that scares you, something that puts you out of your comfort zone, something that stretches the bounds of what is comfortable for you. Doing so might be as simple as signing up for a new sport, joining a choir, donating blood, volunteering to present an assembly book review or giving a speech in class. Through making deliberate choices to step outside of our comfort zone we begin to make courage a habit.

Regular Attendance at School is Essential if Young Men are to Achieve Their Potential

School attendance has become something of a political football in recent years.  While this is perhaps not helpful, that school attendance is coming under scrutiny is timely as much of the attendance data shared by the Ministry of Education makes for concerning reading.

In term one of 2023, 76.8% of Palmerston North Boys' High School students were considered by the Ministry of Education to be regularly attending school - they were present 90% of the time. In term two the figure for regular attendance fell to 64.3%, and by term three the figure for regular attendance had fallen to just 54.7%.  This is cause for significant concern. These are considerable declines in attendance that will have negatively affected young men's progress and achievement.

While 90% might sound like a good target, the reality is a little different. As a school, we believe that even 90% attendance is a low target as this is the equivalent of being absent from school one day every fortnight, a much higher level of absence than would be tolerated in the workplace.

"School attendance is the most crucial prerequisite for quality education - students cannot learn if they are not at school." (New Zealand Ministry of Education Attendance Report 2019)

A 2019 Ministry of Education report examining the relationship between attendance and achievement at school identified that when attendance is below 95% there is a reduction in levels of achievement. While 95% sounds high, it still means missing half a day of school per fortnight. The New Zealand Ministry of Education uses 90% or higher as its cut-off point for measuring regular attendance. This means that there are students whose level of attendance is harming their academic achievement, yet they are considered regular attendees at school. Interestingly, in some other countries, 90% attendance at school would be the level that triggers concern, rather than having them considered as regular attendees.

Students who attend school 100% of the time achieve, on average, 13 to 15 more credits in NCEA than do students who attend 90% of the time. The 2019 report identified that “students attending 95 percent of days in Year 10 later get an average of 75 credits at Level 3”, easily enough to gain the qualification. Conversely, of “Year 10s who attend 85 percent of the time, only about half go on to achieve NCEA Level 3.” (Click here for further information)

We appreciate that there can be a range of reasons that prevent young men from attending school.  However, young men must be regularly at school.  Please Make School the Priority for your son.  If you require support to help get your son to school please contact our Year Level Deans of Guidance staff so that we can work with you.