A Message From The Rector

By Richard Hall | Posted: Thursday July 26, 2018

I hope you enjoyed time as a family over the holidays and that you enjoyed in the second week in particular, some of the excellent weather.

I want to publicly commend our students and staff who were involved with three overseas trips during the holidays. Whether they were in Canberra, Cambodia or Europe the staff and students were afforded life affirming experiences. I know from speaking with students that they thoroughly appreciated the time staff took away from their own families to make this happen. I continue to be humbled by the time our staff put into the boys.

Mike King spoke to a large group of parents and all Year 9 and 10 students this week. He returned to our school after the very successful message he delivered to our seniors in term 1. I would recommend that you open up a conversation with your son regarding what was said, and while it may usually be a series of grunts; I hope this time he was enthused enough by the talk to give you better than that.

Overall, the boys have returned in good heart and I believe there is a positive energy about the grounds. Our results against Waitaki Boys' High School were pleasing and I was happy with the students attitude towards the fixture.

I have unfortunately been made aware of some parent sideline behaviour that has been less than ideal. I want to stress that this is in the minority - it in no way reflects the whole parent community, but it does spoil the games for the boys and for the other spectators.

You cannot see a story about sport now, particularly rugby union and rugby league where referee mistakes are not highlighted. Referees make mistakes, so do players, coaches and parents. I hope that this weekend we all take the opportunity to realise that what our boys play is not professional sport. At our school it is imperative that we all adhere to a high standard of sideline behaviour.

Enjoy your weekend.