School House News

By Matthew Markham | Posted: Sunday September 20, 2020

It is late September and we are just about to finish our first full term of the year!

The term has been a busy one with lots of events that were meant to take place in terms one and two crammed into this term. For the hostel it has been great to have a full term of sport, something which looked unlikely when we were in lock down. Sport is so important to the hostel; it keeps the boys busy and gives them a sense of purpose and belonging. It really is one of the corner stones for School House.

The 1stXV capped off a successful season last Saturday winning the Otago 1stXV competition beating Kings High School in the final. While it was disappointing that the boys couldn’t go along to watch, we had a good time at the hostel watching it on TV. The hostel shouted the boys some pizza and soft drinks and there was a real party atmosphere in the hostel after the game. Well done to all those 1stXV hostel boys that played in the final.

In keeping with the rugby theme, I am pleased to announce that next year on the 18th September the hostel will play Christchurch Boys Hostel in a rugby match, School House vs Adams House. The game will be played at Christchurch Boys and both hostels will pick their strongest sides. We are playing it late September so that all the normal school rugby will be finished. This promises to be a real highlight of the year and the boys are very excited. It is intended that the game become an annual fixture and School House will be the host in 2022. We will be putting on a couple of supporter’s buses and all hostel boys and parents are welcome to travel up to Christchurch on these buses. I will circulate more details next year but please pencil this into your diaries.

The skip trip on the weekend went very well. Good weather and plenty of snow made for a great days skiing. After a long day on the mountain there were some very tired boys come Sunday which meant a quiet trip home in the vans. A big thank you to staff members Claudia Wollaston and Karl Morris for coming along with the boys.

The hostel is in full examination mood this week and I have been impressed with the amount of study the boys have been doing. Lets hope that this is reflected in the boys marks!

Tonight, is the first of the end of year hostel house dinners. Campbell is first up and have opted to go ten pin bowling and have a BBQ dinner. The other three houses will have their dinners next term. The houses choose their activity and what they are having for dinner. It is up to the house leaders to make all the arrangements. The Campbell house leaders have been very proactive and have done a good job organised the event.

We have a big term of Mitchell Cup events to finish the term. Cultural night is on 26th October at 4pm. This is the Monday of Labour weekend and all parents are invited. The performance will take place in the school auditorium. We also have the touch and swimming competitions in the first couple of weeks next term. With all houses in with a shot of winning the Mitchell Cup competition should be fierce!

One of the big events for the hostel is on this Friday; the Hostel vs Day Boys league match. Training is underway as we look to win back the trophy form the day school. The game kicks off at 2:10pm and we look forward to seeing a big turnout of hostel supporters.

I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday and I look forward to seeing everyone next term. 

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