Do boys do better in single-sex schools? The answer is a resounding yes when you consider the findings from a longitudinal study presented at the International Boys Schools Coalition conference I attended over the school holiday period.

This study looked at the highest qualification for boys upon leaving school. It found that the male attainment rate was between 8.0 and 18.8 percentage points higher across all achievement levels for single-sex schools than for coeducational schools from 2017 to 2021, with this being most prominent at the higher levels. Here at St Bede’s, the outcomes for our students are higher still as we consistently outperform national averages across all areas, as the graph below highlights.

The conference also provided us with insights into trends, research and best practice in boys’ education globally. It was reassuring to see that our current strategy, along with our ongoing changes to our learning pathways and pastoral care of boys, is on point in terms of providing the best possible holistic education for your young men.

In July, we celebrate the Māori New Year with the Matariki long weekend having just been. The reappearance of the Matariki star cluster in the sky above Aotearoa marks the Māori New Year; it’s a fitting time to reflect upon our nation’s shared identity and tikanga Māori, as well as an opportunity to celebrate new beginnings with our families, school and the wider community, as well as plan for the year ahead.

Therefore, it was timely at our opening assembly that our staff and student leaders took the opportunity to highlight the importance of community, what it means to be in a Marist School, and how as a collective we can ensure all students in our school feel safe and that they belong.

Much of our focus for Mana Tāne this term will continue on this theme as we continue in our pursuit of developing young men of outstanding character with strong minds and gentle hearts.

Thank you to all our parents and whānau who took the time to come in for senior conference day. I trust you found the conversations useful, and they provided you and your sons with a sense of hope and optimism for the opportunities that lie ahead.

A last reminder that day school enrolments for next year close on 31 July.

Ngā mihi nui kia koutou katoa

J McDowall

Tumuaki I Rector