From the Rector

Dear Parents

Over the last few weeks of Term III, while I was not quite in absentia, it could be said that at the very least I may have been peripatetic, getting the chance to watch some of our school teams during Winter Tournament Week before heading away for a number of Old Boys’ functions.

Tournament Week is always a highlight – to see so many of our young men involved at regional and national competitions is heartening, and some of them achieved well beyond where they perhaps thought they would. The young men represented our school superbly and it was gratifying to receive compliments from members of the public, or from accommodation providers, praising our young men for their conduct and manners. The reputation of the school was enhanced by each of those young men who were proud to represent their school.

After speaking to a number of Old Boys at the functions I recently attended, that pride has not dimmed with the passing of years. In some cases, it has even increased, and it was great to be able to spend time with such a range of our alumni, from the 1950s through to the 2020s. The very fact that they were at the functions showed how interested they were to hear about what is happening now at their old school. While there was such a range in ages at each of the functions, there was an instant connection between them as Old Boys.

In his book Belonging, Owen Eastwood talks about the importance of whakapapa to teams and organisations. Every pupil, past and present, of our school are part of that whakapapa. It was a privilege at these functions, as it always is, to hear what our Old Boys are doing now, and to hear about their journey since leaving PNBHS, and to see their genuine interest in what today’s boys are doing. When I spoke in assembly about the functions, I made the point that many who were in the hall that day would go on to work abroad and might one day be at one of these gatherings as an Old Boy and reestablish that connection to home.

The support and interest in the Old Boys community for the pavilion and turf project was also encouraging and we look forward to developing that project in partnership with our extended PNBHS community.

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There are but a few short weeks to go before the seniors depart on study leave for their NCEA external examinations. The recent school examinations will have given our Year 11, 12, and 13 pupils the chance for a dry run, if you like, and many will have got a good indication of their progress: some will have discovered they are off the pace, some will know they are on track. It is my suspicion that there are more in the former rather than the latter category.

 

I encouraged the seniors at a recent assembly to make the most of their time left. While some may have realised they are behind the eight-ball, there is time. There is time to prepare for the examinations; there is time to focus and knuckle down. But it will take a concerted effort for some of our young men – motivation has to be intrinsic, and they might have to make sacrifices for the coming weeks that will only be beneficial to them in the long run.

 

While your average teenage boy often can’t look any further ahead than tea time, these holidays provide a good opportunity to plan ahead and set goals for the rest of the year.

Staffing

As with this year, we have very few vacancies for 2025, but these have been advertised and a number of interviews conducted.

Enrolments 2025

We have again received a significant number of enrolments for Year 9 in 2025, and for the second year in a row we have had to conduct a ballot. Unfortunately, close to 80 out of zone applications for enrolment have been unsuccessful and are subsequently on a waiting list. There is also a waiting list for places at College House. Those who were successful in the ballot owe it those who missed out to ensure they make the most of every opportunity they will be afforded at PNBHS.

It has been a busy term, with so many of our young men involved in co-curricular activities on top of their academic workload. Have a well-earned and relaxing break.

 

D M Bovey
Rector