Special Character Placings:

Singing and Fijian Hymn 

• 1st - McClintock  and 1st Fijian Hymn
• 2nd - Rice and last Fijian Hymn
• 3rd - Joyce and 2nd Fijian Hymn
• 4th - Marlow and 3rd Fiujian Hymn

Haka and Kaia

Kaia 

• 1st - Rice
• 2nd - Marlow
• 3rd - Joyce
• 4th - McClintock

• Haka
  

• 1st - Marlow
• 2nd - Rice 
• 3rd - McClintock 
• 4th - Joyce 

SWIMMING SPORTS

• 1st - Marlow 697 pts
• 2nd - Joyce 673 pts
• 3rd - Rice 647 pts
• 4th - McClintock 426 pts

ATHLETICS DAY

• Rice – 955
• Joyce – 847
• Mcclintock – 791
• Marlow - 634

Coming off another rough year the McClintock boys and I were looking to build upon what had been slowing forming over a few quiet years. We came into the year with enthusiastic juniors and year 13s that wanted to taste victory once again as they had in 2017 and 2018. Unfortunately, we didn’t achieve our big goal, however, that didn’t stop the house showing manawa and undergoing an immense year that demonstrated what it was to be a McClintock man. Like every good story, I am going to take you back from start.

Our first house event on the calendar was swimming sports. Due to it being very early into the year, the year 13s and I were really “thrown into the deep end” when it came to our responsibilities. It was an amazing day that allowed those new students to immerse themselves into the STC brotherhood. The chants were sung with passion and could be heard echoing over the entire suburb of Halswell. We managed to get a peak at those coming through the ranks and their incredible talents. We unfortunately ended up being on the bottom of the pile however it was still an enjoyable day for all involved. I was so proud of the house and their efforts.

Next up was athletics day. After dealing with the hurdle that was swimming sports, we were ready to hit the ground running. This event was also relatively early in the year, so it was another chance to establish connections with our new brothers who had just joined the school. It once again was a testament to the spirit of the school and everything it embodied. Nga Puna Wai was the perfect spectacle. It showed the incredible facilities that are school have available to us and how blessed we are to attend STC. Chants this time were altered and well-rehearsed as they had time to settle in. Once again, our boys blasted out our chants with pride with many losing their voices in the process. It then came to the events. People scurrying to the multitude of events from discus to 100m sprints to shotput and so on. The McClintock boys did everyone proud as they did their best in every event, showing an immense amount of manawa. Once again pride filled my heart as I looked upon the house. We ended up running out of Nga Puna Wau with a podium 3rd place.

Then it came to the big event, the crème de la crème, the competition that had been hyped up for the whole year. The fabled Special Character Week. This week has been a classic for a long time and has aged very well with every year topping the last. The week was always the perfect embodiment of what it is to be a St Thomas man and the values we strive to promote. Going into the week I could sense the eagerness within the school. Within McClintock you could feel the calm before storm, a certain eeriness as they troops learnt the songs and haka. Before the showdown on Friday, the house showed charity to those who are less fortunate by donating pieces of clothing to St Vincent de Paul who do great things within the community. As a group McClintock donated 300 pieces of clothing. On the same day, every mentor class came up with a stall idea and participated in the school market. The McClintock mentor classes came up with great idea and helped spread joy to others within the school.

Friday. The day of all days. THE. FINAL. BIG. SHOWDOWN. The day with the most illustrious timetable including Mass, Singing and Haka competition. In the morning, as a school we celebrated Mass with Fr Michael Therese Scheerger. We practiced our faith that is developed at St Thomas of Canterbury College. The follow from that was the first of the battles for the day. SINGING. Our performance including the Tongan Hymn, ‘Amusia ‘a ia, a mashup and a spur of the moment Noqu Masu. The boy’s performance was one for the ages. Every single person gave it all they had, and it showed within the results as we came through with a clean sweep of the singing competition. The boys went into lunch with 2 1st places in both the impromptu and prepared performances. I will never forget the moment Biggsie announce the winners. Every young man in green lifted out of their chairs and celebrated. Going into lunch the boys were elated. HAKA. The last house centred event of the year. This was the end of special character week for us year 13s. The boys showed incredible heart as they left it all on the stage, all their mana and all their passion disperse on the stage. The competition was the best I had ever seen, and we were unfortunate to place 3rd, but a podium none the less. I could not have asked more from the McClintock Crew throughout the week. Their cooperation and intent were deeply appreciated.

2021 was an incredible year filled with many highs. I am so thankful to have been at the Helm of McClintock. I am immensely proud of the house and everyone in it. I’d like to thank the year 13s that surrounded and helped me throughout the year as we embarked on various events. I hope your last year as a McClintock man was a good experience. To the mentor teachers who got stuck in and helped coordinate the house practices and events, I am greatly in debt to you. To those who got involved throughout the events and year, your efforts did not go unnoticed, without you the year would have been lackluster. To those coming to the helm next year I wish you luck in your adventure in 2022.

From ... The Green Machine that runs your house.