From The Rector

Dear Parents 

Recent coverage about the parlous state of New Zealand society, and in particular youth crime rates, has dominated the media. Yet while there is a number of young people who have been active in criminal activities and anti-social behaviour, it is also worth celebrating those young people who continue to achieve success on a number of levels, and it is important to recognise those who do the right thing, those who are positive and who have values and a good moral compass. 

Just why there has been an upsurge in such behaviour is a mystery. Some blame poverty; indeed, research the world over shows that where there are high levels of socio-economic deprivation the crime rates will be higher. But it is more about poverty of character, particularly those who commit crimes and record the footage in a vacuous attempt to gain popularity or notoriety on social media. People of good character do not act like this. People of good character do the right thing. Perhaps it is because there appears to be few or no consequences for their actions. But that should not matter, because this behaviour should not happen in the first place. Perhaps it is time for the return of the Task Force. 

However, it is not all doom and gloom. So many of our young men are involved in a wide range of activities and represent themselves, their school and their whanau in a positive manner. In assemblies and in other ways we are able to recognise and celebrate the achievements and the efforts of our young men in so many different areas, and we as a school are proud of all of our young men who continue to do the right thing. 

Well done to all of those boys who have thrown themselves into one or more activities this term – the winter sports season is well underway now and the cultural groups are also very busy. It is great to see the sheer numbers of young men involved – participation rates are up this year, which certainly goes against the current trend of declining rates of participation amongst teens. It is encouraging, also, to see the number of supporters each week cheering the boys on. 

Thank you to all those who attended the recent Parent/Teacher Interviews held at school and online. It certainly was encouraging to see the level of interest although, somewhat surprisingly, Year 9 numbers were down on previous years. 

For many years, researchers have found that one of the key factors in determining a child’s academic achievement is parental interest and involvement. The research shows that regardless of socioeconomic status, student background or the type of school a student attends, students whose parents stay involved have better attendance and behaviour, achieve better academic grades, demonstrate better social skills and adapt better to school. 

The research identifies three key parent behaviours that are the most accurate predictors of student achievement: 

1. Creating a home environment that encourages learning; 

2. Communicating high, yet reasonable, expectations for achievement; and

 3. Staying involved and interested in a child’s education at school. 

As young men go through high school and seek to become more independent, it is important that you continue to show an interest in what your son is doing at school while not crossing the line into ‘curling parent’ or ‘snowplough parent’ territory. Have conversations with your son about school – when you can, of course: teenaged boys are notoriously unwilling to engage in in-depth conversation with their parents.

 But, as Celia Lashlie pointed out, “Boys…often won’t verbalise too much. But you can find many other cues in their monosyllabic answers. Beneath the grunts there is a rich tapestry of feelings and experience and longing for connection”. Boys will come out the other side and will communicate with you again. Encourage them to do so but for a couple of years, usually around Years 10 and 11, you might not get much out of them.

Winter Sport 

There are a significant number of young men playing winter sports codes and we have worked fervently to get a staff member as a coach or manager. As you can appreciate, this is a major undertaking for the school and I sincerely thank those staff and senior students who have given so freely of their time to maintain an essential part of our school life. I also thank parents and volunteers who are assisting with teams as this allows your sons to have the best coaching we have available. We have been most fortunate to attract passionate people with the boys’ best interests at heart. 

It has been interesting to hear from coaches of responses to the selection or non-selection of boys in various teams. These decisions are made objectively, and not everyone will agree. That is the nature of team selection. Selection for a number of our teams is very competitive, perhaps even more so than some age-group rep sides, where factors other than ability can be influential. A number of our young men will be disappointed, as will parents on their behalf, which is natural; but the reactions of some have been disappointing. Determination and resilience are called for in these instances as is the putting aside of partisan selectorial beliefs that one’s son is the best player on the park. 

Please remember that full and correct sporting uniform needs to be worn for all fixtures. We do not allow young men to have skins or similar clothing visible underneath their sports uniform. We have also reminded young men that it is our expectation that their socks are pulled up on the sports field and that the uniform is being worn correctly and with pride. We appreciate your support as standards are set in all aspects of school life. A further reminder that if a young man is away from school the day prior or day of a sporting fixture, he is ineligible to play. 

Inter-School Fixtures and Field Trips 

Before an inter-school fixture or field trip departs it is expected that any costs associated with the trip are paid in full to the Finance Office. Young men who have not paid will not have permission to go on the trip, as is the case with the completion of appropriate documentation such as permission slips. Again, we appreciate your support in being up to date with all school fees. 

Young men in 1st sporting teams and those in our top performing arts groups are expected to attend both home and away fixtures in full formal uniform (No 1s). It is expected that all members have their own formal uniform, including blazer. This allows the school’s hire blazers to be utilised by those who do not regularly wear the formal uniform. Senior blazers can be ordered by seeing Mrs Alderdice in the Uniform Outlet.

For those young men wishing to hire blazers for ‘one off’ occasions a refundable deposit and associated fee is charged. Mrs Dearlove in The Speirs Centre can provide more information about this service. 

D M Bovey 

RECTOR