Update from the School

Old Boys Newsletter

The end of another disrupted term came as something of a relief for both staff and boys. It was hard getting any real momentum, whether in or out of the classroom, with so many boys and staff away either with Covid or due to isolating. That said, the young men were superb throughout the first term – they were settled and (mostly) focused on getting their work done.

The second term is a busy one with winter sport kicking off, as well as a significant number of cultural activities. With 80 teams across our four main winter codes (basketball, football, hockey, and rugby) there are huge numbers involved, not to mention the 20 table tennis teams, and badminton, canoe polo, clay target shooting, cross country running, cycling, mountain biking, small bore shooting, snow sports, squash, swimming, taekwondo and  triathlon. Many boys are involved in more than one activity, and are involved in cultural activities as well: bands and orchestras, chess, choral singing, debating, drama, kapa haka, musical theatre, Pasifika, Vex robotics…

Special mention must be made of the Premier A water polo team, who for the first time made the top four at the NZSS Championships in the recent school holidays.

The Super Eight competitions are well underway, with the Cultural Festival in the third week of May the first for the term, before the rugby season and various tournaments play out over terms two and three.

It was great to have Alan Cull ,Patron of the OBA, with us for the School ANZAC Service recently. Alan, a sprightly 98, laid the wreath on the Gallipoli Oak as he has done for a number of years. It was a fitting service and followed a re-dedication of the Memorial Gallery which has recently been renovated – a special part of our school.

Thank you for your continued interest and support and I look forward to seeing many of you at functions during the year.

Dave Bovey