From the Rector

In the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty. – Bob Marley, Rat Race.

The junior prizegiving was a positive note upon which to finish another busy year at PNBHS. It was encouraging to see the number of young men cross the stage and be recognised for their achievements in the academic, cultural or sporting side of the school. Along with the first in class award winners, those young men who were recognised as the most improved in their form class showed that with hard work and dedication, they can overcome challenges and achieve at a higher level than they perhaps even thought they could.

Those who won awards for achievement in cultural or sporting activities have clearly taken advantage of the opportunities that our school can offer. But while there are so many of our young men who are involved in the wider life of the school, award winners or not, it was interesting and not a little dispiriting to see when reading junior reports just how many are not involved in the co-curricular or extra-curricular life of the school. There is an abundance of opportunities at our school, to paraphrase Mr Marley, and our boys should be involved in something. It is good for them.

There is often a correlation between young men with poor attendance and poor behaviour, and a lack of involvement in sport or cultural activities. The evidence is anecdotal, admittedly, but so often we find young men who are in trouble for their behaviour are not involved in the wider life of the school. Some prefer to sit at home playing video games or behaving anti-socially online or up town. Some are too cool for school and don’t want to try.

So well done to the significant number of our young men who had many different entries in the co-curricular section of their report. It is beneficial for young men to be busy; as I’ve said to many parents, a young man is usually happy when he has something to do and something to eat. And, as the saying goes, the devil finds work for idle hands.

The Year 10 camps also gave our young men opportunities: the opportunity to get into the outdoors and see places they might not otherwise have had the chance to see. Some of the groups went to remote places, and those camps who tramped over ranges, or canoed down rivers, would have put young men out of their comfort zone. Good. That’s how we learn and grow. The weather may not have been kind at times, but that is all part of the outdoor experience.

One staff member made the comment that he felt a number of the young men on their camp were ‘entitled’. They sat round and waited for others to clean up after them. They did not offer to help with chores. They did not thank the staff for giving up their time for a week to give them the opportunity to go on camp. They expected things to be done for them. Now, we know many teenagers are allergic to domestic tasks. Those of us who live with teenagers are asked “Why do I have to do everything?” when all we want them to do is something.

Jack White sang, “There are children today who were lied to, told the world is rightfully theirs. They can have what they want, whenever they want, they take like Caesar and nobody cares…I guess nobody on Earth is entitled, not mothers, not children, not kings. Not one single person on God’s golden shore is entitled to one single thing”. So, my challenge to our young men over the holiday break is to be the opposite – instead of feeling entitled, show some humility. Help around the house. Offer to do the dishes. Offer to make breakfast. Don’t sit on your backside while others in the house, usually mums, are working hard for your benefit. Be humble and think about others.

But enough pontificating. I am sure everyone is looking forward to a good break. To all our young men and their whanau, to the whole Palmerston North Boys’ High School community, may you have an enjoyable and relaxing break, and a great festive season.

D M Bovey

Rector