A Message from the Rector

By Richard Hall | Posted: Wednesday June 11, 2025

The good news is boys still play in puddles, even when they are in Year 12.

A horrible week of weather has everyone feeling a little down, however it is these times we have the opportunity to be resilient. Yesterday I watched ten Year 12 boys playing football outside on our turf, in the grey misty rain. One, the goalie, was even diving around in the puddles in his blazer! "Sorry Sir, but it is way more important to not let a shot go in, than to be warm and dry." 

Brilliant - maybe not for his blazer.

And it is this brilliance that we celebrate in large and small ways every day, these one off things that keep me coming to school every day, is that joy, that carefree youthful energy that boys have. No doubt, they don't often think of the consequences, but in the main their joy is still childish. Keeping them as children, I think, is important. 

For a parent, or a school teacher/rector to 'treat' a boy as a child is not demeaning. Self autonomy and freedom, in my opinion are not just legislative lines in an Act, they are earned by behaviours, and most importantly accepting responsibility. Yes, we want them to grow up, to grow up well and to be lead by people who care, and they certainly get that here, but my simple point is let's not let them lose the joy of being a child too soon. Why? Because being a child while you are still at school is a good thing. What's the rush? The bills, taxes and other responsibilities are still there, crouching, waiting for them - so why hurry. 

Being a child is not an insult. It was children, acting responsibly and thinking of others who raised over $21,000 for Shave for a Cure, the Cancer Charity last week. It was children who helped move the car of a person stuck in the mud before school today and it is children who represented us so well, in a losing effort in Invercargill. Sometimes it is the children who teach us how to have fun, splash in puddles, dive in the mud and in this case win the FA Cup of lunchtime football.

Fingers crossed for better weather next week.