A Message from the Rector

By Richard Hall | Posted: Thursday November 19, 2020

Introduced last year, 'Above the Hoops' is the unofficial behaviour code in the school.

It is the language we and the boys use to manage positive behaviours. It is the language we use to hold each other to account.

I chose the hoops, because they are a well known symbol in our school, every boy, sportsman or not represents and wears the hoops through his PE uniform.

But this is not related to sports, this is about leading good men.

Interestingly it seems to have a hold in the school, traction is important as is consistency of message. And we often show our culture, what we are really like, by our actions and our language.

At this time of the year we really bore into this idea with our juniors, we have the opportunity to make it a ground up, not top down model.

We know when we have it right, when the boys use the language to hold themselves, but most importantly each other to account.

I ask that you take the time this weekend, to ask your boy just what 'above the hoops' means to him. Don't let him be dismissive; it is actually a chance for you to reinforce the values of the whanau as well as the school.

It takes a village to raise a child, and a boys' village to raise a boy.