Welcome back to Term 2. I have to admit to making a ‘sluggish’ start after flying back from Bangkok and only arriving on the first Monday. My first visit to South East Asia was an amazing experience – the contrasts of prosperity and poverty which can be seen within metres of each other were confronting as was the heat and the traffic.

One taxi ride of nearly an hour and a half took us a mere 6 kilometres – fortunately it cost less than $10 and the other option was to walk and be covered in perspiration within 5 minutes! (at least this taxi driver didn’t fall asleep behind the wheel!!). You certainly appreciate returning home to beautiful blue skies, cooler weather and parking spaces. However, in saying that the hospitality that we were greeted with was incredible – the Thai people are amongst the friendliest I have ever met and hopefully some of the relationships that were built will see us host many more Thai students in the future. I have to make a special mention to Puvarit and Tossaporn the father and mother of our current Thai students Peme and Sua respectively. I know you will both read this newsletter and I promise that your hospitality and friendship will be reciprocated when you come over later in the year. Khop kun

As always last Tuesday’s Anzac service was a memorable occasion. Staff read excerpts of the Waitakian’s from 100 years ago and it was amazing to hear of the plans then for a Hall of Memories. See below

“The Old Boys’ associations’ intention is to erect a large assembly hall on the school grounds, thus completing the quadrangle, it should face east, the stained glass windows flooding the hall with the light of the rising sun. Upon the walls will be inscribed complete lists of the Waitakians who served the Empire, of honours won in battle, and of those who sealed their loyalty with their lives.

The Hall of Memories will be a shrine to Waitaki's past and a lasting inspiration to those who have yet to mould her future. The noble architecture would show pride and hallowed respect for the deeds which prompted its existence.

The cost of the Assembly Hall is estimated at 10,000 pounds. 4,000 pounds has been collected - 1,000 pounds by the Board of Governors and 1,000 pounds by the staff and boys of the school.

A glorious heritage is ours, a message of unselfishness and sacrifice and we can learn from these lessons.”

It took only four years to raise this money and the foundation stone for the Hall was laid down in 1923 with the Hall opened by the then Prince of Wales in 1927.

At Monday’s assembly this week we congratulated 104 young men who achieved “top” fortnightly notes in Term 1. This compares very favourably with the 55 from 2017 and the 73 from 2018 at the same stage of the year. It is extremely encouraging that a growing percentage of our young men are working hard in class. This week I have begun interviewing potential Year 11 Excellence endorsement candidates. It is always a highlight of my day to work with these motivated academic students. Without giving too much away I would confidentally say we will have a good number of these students achieve their goal this year.

Over the holiday break more sporting success was achieved by some of our boy’s. In Mountain biking Taz Selfe (Year 12) continued his strong season with a 1st place in the Junior Lake Hawea “Epic”. In squash Connor Bolitho played at the International level, placing 15th in the Oceania Champs and Stuart Beattie continues to excel in his chosen sport of Western Horse riding making the NZ Youth Team. Well done Stuart.

The winter sports season has now begun and good luck to all who represent Waitaki over the coming months. Boys - remember that if you commit to playing in a team then fulfil that commitment through both good and bad as there will be both during the course of a season! Thank you to all those in the community who are supporting our boy’s and providing them with so many rich opportunities and experiences. This commitment and support was certainly in evidence during the King’s interschool on Wednesday (see below for results) which augurs well for plenty of positivity during the months ahead.

Before I go, I must again mention our Kapa Haka group who last Sunday were given the honour of performing with Girl’s High in Invercargill for the Georgina Salter Memorial Trophy match. Their performance was televised live and to think two years ago we did not even have a Kapa Haka group. Kia kaha.

Finally - with the elections for our first Board of Trustees in four years a little over a month away, a reminder to any interested parties that the next Governance meeting will be on May 27th at 6.00pm and you are all welcome to attend.

Have a great weekend

Ma whero ma ponga ka oti

Floreat Waitakia

Darryl Paterson