From the Rector

Dear Parents,

 

The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.

                                                                                                            Diogenes

 

Even in the 4th century BC, Diogenes recognised how important education is. Most would agree with that – it is, after all, difficult to argue with. It is difficult to imagine a parent who would not encourage their children to appreciate just how important an education is.

There has been much attention given to the state of education in New Zealand. NCEA changes, again, have given rise to any number of issues, not the least of which is the frustration teachers have felt at the constant tinkering with the curriculum and the resultant shilly-shallying. The policy analysts of the world, the vast majority of whom have not been anywhere near a classroom for decades and who have no idea how a school actually works, make changes with little to no idea of the consequences of their decisions. The people who decided it would be a good idea to have a nine-week second term next year are a case in point – the effect that decision has had on schools, co-curricular programmes in particular, has been significant.

As I write this, our senior students are sitting their NCEA examinations. Many will have worked hard and will be thoroughly prepared for their exams. A number will not have done enough. In both cases, the results will be deserved. Having checked the senior reports in recent times it was most gratifying to see the number of young men who have worked with a clear goal and focus towards gaining the academic qualifications they need, and we are all aware that competition for places in tertiary institutions and in the workforce has certainly intensified in recent times.

Those school reports also provide a glimpse into the character of a young man. Many have worked exceptionally well. There are many who have worked well only to earn occasional ‘passes’. There are some who have worked only in fits and starts, and then there are those who have let themselves down by not making much of an effort at all. They have wasted their time and ours, and, unless there is an improvement henceforth, they will continue to achieve below their potential. If that is the case, they should go somewhere else. Employers want young men who are reliable, who will work hard and not expect a $100k salary and company car from day one, and who will show some pride in what they are doing.

Dr Jarrod Gilbert, a sociologist at the University of Canterbury, is concerned that universities, and education in general in New Zealand, have set the bar so low that even with a modicum of enthusiasm and commitment, young people should be able to get ahead. As I talked about in my prizegiving address, Dr Gilbert says, “There is one trick to life and it’s this: do what’s in front of you as well as you possibly can. If you do that, then doors of opportunity will open. It’s that simple.”

A good message for our young men sitting their examinations at the moment.

Apropos of prizegiving, it was fantastic to be able to recognise the achievements of so many of our young men at the recent Senior School Prizegiving. One teacher remarked to me that it had restored his faith in what we do. While that was possibly hyperbole, it is hard not to be impressed by the range and scale of the successes of our young men. Every young man who came across the stage earned his award, and in some instances the difference between first and second was minimal. In the case of one of the top awards, it was so close that the top four candidates could only be split by the barest of margins. Congratulations to all those who won an award and well done also to those who worked hard throughout the year and in doing so achieved to their potential.

Sports Hub Project 

Thank you to everyone in our community who has supported the Sports Hub project to date. Since its launch in September the project has generated much interest and, when it is completed, will make a significant difference for generations of young men. We do however need continuing support to progress the project. Find out more about how you can get involved.

Staffing 2025

Appointments for next year have been made in the Science, Social Sciences, and Technology departments.

Enrolments 2025

Applications for enrolment at Year 9 for 2025 were again very high, and as a result we have had to hold a ballot for places for the second year running. We have had to reduce our numbers and have accepted 390 enrolments compared to 427 last year. More than 80 young men have missed out on a place at PNBHS, and at the recent Year 9 Orientation Evening, I told those who have got in on the ballot that they owe it to those young men who have missed out to make the most of their opportunity next year.

We continue to receive enrolment applications for other year levels, most of which are now full for 2025 as well.

 

School Fees and Donations

The first newsletter of the year back in February contained a section on the importance of school donations and fees.

The donations are, by definition, optional, and the Ministry talks about the right to a free education. That is lovely in theory, and it would be achievable if schools were funded well enough to be able to do that. But the reality is schools are not funded well enough, and so rely on donations and fees to enable them to continue offering opportunities for their pupils.

At PNBHS, school donations help fund the learning support programme, teacher aides, a significant number of teachers over and above the MOE funded staffing allocation, the accelerate programme, co-curricular programmes, additional pastoral staff, and additional courses, especially at the senior level. Without your support these vital aspects of our school simply would not happen.

Thank you to those parents who have paid their donations for 2024. We appreciate your support.

 

D M Bovey

Rector