Kia ora everyone! Congratulations to all our students who achieved in their NCEA and UE qualifications in 2019.

There were some impressive results and we are looking for continued improvements in academic attainment this year.

The 2020 school year has begun in earnest and students are already well into their academic programmes. I’d like to welcome all the new students and their families to the TBHS community. 2020’s Year 9 cohort of 145 is slightly up on last year, and we are honoured that their parents have entrusted us with their sons’ education and care.

We also have new staff joining us for 2020, and in this difficult time of teacher shortages, we are extremely pleased with our appointments.

• Mr Denis McLay starts his teaching career with us and he will take classes in Social Studies and English. He is originally from Auckland and attended King's College. He has always loved creative writing and he is looking for like minded students to form a creative writing club.

• Fiona Bode will be teaching in English and ESOL. She hails from Wellington and is passionate about fitness - she is a fitness instructor in her spare time. She is looking forward to helping out in Volleyball this year.

• Sam Sugar also starts his teaching career with us and he will be joining our Science Department. Sam is a product of Hamilton Boys’ High School and is seeking opportunities to be involved in Rugby, Hockey and ‘whatever comes along.’

• Karoline Roberts is our new Arts Co-Ordinator. She is very experienced in this role, coming to us from Napier Boys High School. Karoline is a jazz enthusiast and is looking to start a big band in Timaru. She is keen to look for opportunities to improve and develop our already extensive and successful Arts and Culture programmes at TBHS.

• Dianne Colvill is our new Administration Secretary. Dianne is a local, who lives in Geraldine, and her expertise and experience makes her a welcome addition to our administrative staff.

All the new students and staff, including myself, were properly welcomed into the school community during our powhiri in the first week of term. It was a lovely ceremony, which was conducted by Quentin Hix, Kimi Yeferni and Sharon Melrose. It’s a real sign of growth that we have such knowledge of tikanga and te reo Maori in our TBHS whānau.

We have just completed our House Swimming Competition. It is always fiercely contested but it is also a day of real fun and laughter. The boys and staff thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful event. The boys enthusiasm and positivity exemplified the school spirit that makes Timaru Boys’ such a special place. There is a whole calendar of sports, arts and cultural events to come, starting with the Athletics Day on the 17th February. It’s going to be a great year!

I’m very much looking forward to my first year as Rector at TBHS and hope to meet as many of you as possible.