A message from the Rector

By Richard Hall | Posted: Thursday July 27, 2023

On Thursday, 3 August we will be 160 years old.

Over the course of those years, I do not have to tell you there have been many highs and a few lows, but the school on this hill has remained a constant in the fine education of young men. There are many things that we can be proud of.

A 160th is a significant milestone, and it has been something that has been part of our thoughts for some time. We are progressing with some of the projects we have, such as the repair and refreshment of the Campbell memorial in the Southern Cemetery (The Rev Thomas Campbell and his family, the first Rector of OBHS, drowned after 1 day). However, our focus next week will be on the arts.

It is a sad fact that the arts have not had as much attention to date as I would have liked. But what I am pleased to say is that there is a resurgence, in facilities, in attitude, and most importantly in the opportunities and experiences we can offer. It is not so well known that Colin McCahon is an old boy, or that we have had numerous solo and group artists shine nationally, the most recent being TJ Zimba. So, bringing the arts into focus has been a theme this year. We have increased the opportunities for boys, hired tutors to build confidence, and later this term we will host an arts week showcasing for our community the current students work.

For our birthday I am pleased to announce we will be unveiling an original artwork by Sam Foley. Sam was commissioned earlier this year to paint a portion of the school. He is a well-known and well-respected Dunedin artist and I have been delighted to get to know him and to be introduced to his work. It is not only the students, but also the Rector who needs his horizons broadened from time to time.

Sam's work will be unveiled at our special assembly on Thursday, for the whole school to see. He will also spend an hour with our senior arts students.

Excitingly, Dunedin mural artists Guy Howard-Smith and Aroha Novak will begin work with our students on a design for a mural in our school. Based on the theme of yesterday, today and tomorrow, we are aiming to get student input into this project, to design a mural that will help us to recognise who we have been, who we are and who we will be. I want our students to see art as a gateway to the exciting opportunities that they will have here. I want them to connect to the piece and I want them to feel connected to their school.

The arts must be on an equal footing with other areas of the school, (I am thinking of Brian Turner here, sportsman, poet and old boy) and we have a few other ideas percolating in the background.

Enjoy the football today and this weekend, go the Football Ferns!