From the Deputy Rector

Kia ora, Tēnā koutou katoa, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Tālofa lava kia orana, Mālō e lelei, Mālō nī, Ni sa bula vinaka, Tālofa,

Term two began with one of the most important events of the school calendar, our annual Anzac Service.  The Anzac Service provides an opportunity for us to come together as a school to remember the sacrifices made by those who have come before us, especially the 203 Old Boys of Palmerston North Boys' High School who lost their lives in World War One, World War Two and the Falklands Conflict.  Far from glorifying war, our Anzac Service provides a poignant opportunity to reflect on the significant cost paid by generations of young New Zealanders and their whānau and to show our Tū Whakaaute | Respect.

Tū Whakaaute | Respect is the foundation upon which our school community is built, fostering an environment where all individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.  In respecting others we show consideration and empathy.

Daily we see Tū Whakaaute | Respect in the relationships that develop and in the many interactions between young men and between staff and young men. Treating each other with respect is a cornerstone of civil society. Treating others in ways that we would be happy to be treated - our behaviour towards others and the manner in which we speak to each other - is a simple but important step towards creating an environment of care and consideration, an environment in which each of us can thrive.

With the winter sports season upon us, we have also spoken regularly about the importance of respecting officials, opposition players and our teammates. Annually it becomes more difficult for sporting codes to get enough volunteers to fill positions as referees and umpires, a reflection of the abuse to which they are frequently exposed. Sports, and indeed all co-curricular activities, should be enjoyable for all involved. This can only happen if we treat each other with Tū Whakaaute | Respect.

Tū Whakaaute | Respect is a multifaceted virtue that encompasses many aspects of our daily interactions. It goes beyond merely being polite or courteous; it is about recognising the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of their background, beliefs, or abilities. By fostering a culture of Tū Whakaaute | Respect we aim to nurture a harmonious and inclusive environment where everyone can learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully.

Tū Whakaaute | Respect manifests itself in numerous ways in the school lives of our young men such as:

Classroom Dynamics: In our classrooms, respect is exemplified through students valuing each other's opinions and ideas; actively listening to their peers, engaging in constructive discussions, and appreciating diverse perspectives. When we listen to others, we show that we value their thoughts, ideas, and opinions. Listening can also help us to understand different perspectives and to develop empathy and understanding for others.

Cultural Appreciation: Recognition of our rich cultural diversity. The young men of Palmerston North Boys’ High School come from countries and cultures spread across the globe and bring with them a diversity of languages and customs. Recognising and valuing this diversity fosters unity and understanding among peers.

Relationships: Respect is crucial in building positive and productive relationships between students and teachers. Our young men demonstrate respect by actively participating in class and attentively listening to their teachers and peers.

Community Engagement: Many of our young men actively engage in service activities, demonstrating their respect for the wider community. Through these acts of kindness, students learn the value of empathy, compassion, and the importance of giving back.

These examples highlight the importance of Tū Whakaaute | Respect in shaping the character and values of our young men. By embracing Tū Whakaaute | Respect as a core value they learn invaluable life skills. They develop the ability to communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and navigate diverse perspectives, preparing them to succeed in an interconnected global society and diverse workplaces.

As parents/guardians you play a crucial role in reinforcing the value of Tū Whakaaute | Respect at home. I encourage you to have conversations with your son about the significance of Tū Whakaaute | Respect and reinforce the positive behaviours in his daily life that embody this important value.  What whānau rituals do you have that encourage Tū Whakaaute | Respect?

Attendance is the Foundation of Academic Achievement

Recently we celebrated the 293 young men who had 100% attendance with a morning tea shout.  These young men are to be congratulated for their efforts.  During term one 73% of our students were considered to have attended school regularly i.e. they were at school at least 90% of the time.  This equates to just over 1,300 out of our role of approximately 1,800 students.  While this sounds like a large number it is considerably down from the 86% of students who regularly attended during term one in 2016.  Unfortunately, since this time there has been a steady decline in regular school attendance, a pattern that accelerated in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

School attendance determines the likelihood of gaining qualifications and school qualifications make a significant difference in the likelihood of employment, income levels, health, wellbeing and even life expectancy.  School attendance is important - very important.

A recent Radio New Zealand article titled 'The scariest driver of school non-attendance: more parents who just don’t care' stated that "far from existing in a vacuum, New Zealand's falling school attendance rates are part of a global trend."  The most concerning aspect of this article is the growing number of parents who do not see school as important.  The reasons for this may be complex and varied.  However, the bottom line is that school is important and attendance is important.  This is a message that needs to be reinforced and understood at all levels throughout society.  The failure to do so will result in increasing social challenges tied to low levels of education and the associated socio-economic issues.

Thank you to those parents who have made clear to their sons that their education is important and who have worked to ensure they attend school on every day that they are well enough to do so.