A message from the Rector

By Andrew King | Posted: Thursday May 5, 2022

It has been a busy first week at the start of a very important term for our boys.

Starting the term with a whole school assembly was a positive sign we are returning to normality little by little. As a school leader we can sometimes underestimate the importance of these times together. Celebrating the successes of our students in front of their peers is a crucial element of our culture.

A new tradition was started this week with over 128 junior students receiving a respect values badge. It is important that our school values are something the boys understand and try to live by. The criteria for these awards were designed by a group of Year 10 students along side Mrs Kelly. If boys receive the badges for respect, courage, perseverance and excellence by the end of Year 10 they will receive the honour badge at the junior prize giving at the end of the year.

On the theme of respect, I would like to acknowledge the 40 boys that attended the Dunedin ANZAC service during the holidays and the sizeable number who attended services in other parts of the region. You represented your school and whānau exceptionally well.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the boys for the mature approach they have taken to the continued use of masks at school. This has recently been supported by Dr Michael Butchard, Medical Officer of Health.

“When you leave your home, wearing a well-fitting mask when indoors is still one of the very best ways to protect yourself, your whānau, and those around you from Covid-19. The Southern DHB region currently has one of the highest rates of Covid-19 in New Zealand, higher than all of the North Island DHBs and the larger South Island DHBs, so please still keep up your mask wearing.”

We continue to try to work with you all to keep our community safe. Bring on week 2.