Rector's message - May

This was supported by Year 9-13 students who did a great job in helping to prepare the Field of Remembrance at Caroline Bay, and Jesse Drake (Deputy Head Prefect) who spoke well at the ANZAC Day Civic Service. Year 10 Food Technology students also baked then presented ANZAC biscuits to veterans at the RSA. The work of our Social Science Department in placing Old Boy biography cards around the school, and 189 individually named crosses outside the Memorial Library, was evocative; as was the Art Department’s poppy arrangement near our flagpole. Each of these activities showed tenderness, humility and respect for the fallen.

 Gallipoli is considered our national ‘creation story’. It has assumed a special place in our collective consciousness, as a juncture in our history when we came of age, with the mould for future independence cast in the furnace of combat in Turkey. Gallipoli had a profound influence at Timaru Boys’ High School. The increasing number of letters of condolence prepared and casualties discussed in 1915 Board minutes, for instance, reveal a deep impact on the school and its community. They also show a determination to look after boys and families still in the school even more, with minimal disruption to education and wellbeing, despite the uncertainty and loss of War. Gallipoli must have tested the strength and faith of staff, students and families terribly, and made the need to pull together vital. In this year’s ANZAC Service we were privileged to have Allan Hunter as guest of honour. Allan attended the school from 1936-40. He shared his recollection of the Normandy Landings’ planning and execution, while serving in the Channel with the Royal Navy on DDay. Allan described his part in the New Zealand delegation at the 2014 Normandy Commemoration in France – one attended by the Royal family and world leaders. Perhaps what resonated most with the boys was Allan’s account of being a student in the Memorial Library in 1939 with friends, while being told by a staff member present, that the blank eastern wall would soon have a new Roll of Honour erected with their names on it - much like the one already on the opposite wall for 1914-18. Sadly, another 134 Old Boys of Allan’s generation would be placed on the eastern wall as prophesied. 

This term has brought the addition of Term Two NCEA exams. They precede those scheduled for Term Three. The boys were encouraged to make the most of them. These exams will be a valuable source of new knowledge about how well they are each placing in their external assessment at the moment, as we approach the mid-point of teaching and learning time for the year. They will also give each boy a good chance to develop his exam preparation and writing technique under full exam conditions, for one or two NCEA standards in each subject. The sooner they build confidence and competence in each of these standards, the more control they will exert over them as the year progresses. 

We are pleased to welcome Miss Janelle King and Dr Jill Harland to our staff to teach English and History/Social Studies respectively. It is great to have them on board. 

We farewell Roger van Booma, our Teacher in Charge of History who has been appointed to the position of Deputy Rector at Waitaki Boys’ High School. Although sad to lose Mr van Booma, we wish him well and look forward to seeing him on “the other side of the fence” at our regular school exchanges! 

Winter sports are now fully underway. First XI Hockey can take pride in winning the South Island Secondary Schools ANZAC Tournament. Our golfers have won the Aoraki Golf Championship; two excellent outcomes. Rugby enjoyed a superb Club Day at the Alpine Stadium last weekend, including a comprehensive win for our First XV in the Crusader Competition. 

Our Arts students are also anticipating the combined Timaru Boys’– Timaru Girls’ Production of High School Musical enthusiastically. It runs from May 19-22 and will be the culmination of months of hard work for them and their supporters. It is a ‘must see’. Tickets can be purchased through the office. See you there.

Nick McIvor 

Rector