Arts Week 2015 — Miniature figurine painting

Rector's message - May 2017

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We've been evaluated by the Education Review Office (ERO) as having ‘a positive and inclusive culture’ with values ‘well known by the students and actively taught and promoted’; where the curriculum ‘contributes strongly to what the school wants for boys, in line with its mission statement’; where boys ‘achieve well in NCEA’. And ‘boys who need additional support with aspects of their learning are very well provided for’, and those ‘with advanced capabilities value the increased opportunities they have to extend and enrich their learning’[1].

As a staff, student body, board, and community, we are pleased to have received this affirmation from ERO after rigorous scrutiny in Term 1. ERO came to verify how effectively the school’s curriculum promotes student learning, engagement, progress and achievement.

Our ERO report also identified the priority we continue to place on ‘promoting success for Maori as Maori’ and ‘educational success’ for Pacific Island students, and on looking after our International Students. Thomas House was appraised as ‘a significant, positive feature of the school’s culture’. And in terms of the school’s identity, our ‘focus on involvement’ was seen as helping boys ‘to develop their sense of belonging.’

Overall, ERO assessed Timaru Boys’ as having ‘responded well to recommendations in the 2013 ERO report’, and as being ‘well - placed to sustain and improve its performance’. I wish to thank all of the staff, students, parents, trustees, volunteers, and wider community supporters who got alongside the boys so well in 2014 – 2017 to support, challenge, and foster them to become better learners, achievers, and people. This report represents the many efforts made, day in - day out, to do what’s best for the boys in the best ways. The report has also given us good direction as to the next steps we can take to develop over the next 3 years – enhancing the very good trajectory on which we currently sit. While this report is pleasing, it’s a ‘snapshot’ of the school that takes account of its past and present; the future is where exciting new opportunities await us.

To read a full copy of the 2017 Timaru Boys’ High School ERO report, go to: http://www.ero.govt.nz/review-reports/timaru-boys-high-school-20-04-2017/

One dimension of learning at Timaru Boys’ that has facets mentioned above, is excellence in the arts. On or off the lesson timetable, on or off site, in the capable hands of our arts staff or other specialists well away from North Street, we have boys flourishing in the visual and performing arts. For these boys, and others less accustomed to the arts, the biennial TBHS Arts Week is coming up in two weeks. During this time, boys can choose to explore new arts, to discover the extraordinary in themselves, as they try the extraordinary throughout the week. Scheduled activities will be available as varied as: working, sculpting or adorning wood, stone, flax, or fabric; honing circus, sound mixing, calligraphy, photography, or green screen skills; or trying guitar, hip hop, or magic trick performance for the first time. There is a group trip planned for a day sampling the North Otago arts scene too.

Please encourage your son to sign on. He could gain things from participation both unexpected and uplifting. At the very least, he might be able to provide new conversation for the dinner table at home, or maybe even one or two good new pieces to artistically embellish the house!

Nick McIvor
Scientia Potestas Est
Mā te Mātauranga te Mana


[1] Timaru Boys’ High School Confirmed Education Review Office Report, New Zealand Education Review Office, April 2017, http://www.ero.govt.nz/review-reports/timaru-boys-high-school-20-04-2017/