Big changes coming to School House ...
By Alice Scott | Posted: Monday June 9, 2025
– and a name that means so much ...
We’re proud to share that the soon-to-be refurbished dining hall at School House will be named the Des Smith Dining Hall – a well-deserved recognition of a man who has given so much to Otago Boys’ High School over the years.
While little has been shared about the upgrade of the hostel so far, there are some exciting developments underway and plans are progressing well. Thanks to fundraising by the OBHS Foundation, and a committed Board, more than half of the project’s budget is already in the bank and we will soon launch a major fundraising campaign to finally bring this vision to life. Naming the Dining Hall in honour of Des feels particularly fitting as we look to the future – a future he has helped shape so significantly.
Des’ connection to OBHS stretches back to 1968, when he first joined the staff. Over the next three decades, he became a much-loved teacher, coach and Deputy Rector – someone boys looked up to, respected, and learned from well beyond the classroom. Since retiring from teaching in 1995, Des has continued to give back in remarkable ways, particularly through his involvement with the OBHS Foundation. Thanks in large part to his work behind the scenes – organising, connecting, and fundraising – the Foundation has now raised more than $1 million for building projects and student opportunities.
Unsurprisingly, Des was humble in his response to the announcement.
“It’s only just starting to sink in now,” he said. “It was a bit overwhelming, to be honest – the school means so much to me.”
The school’s hostel holds a particularly special place in Des’s heart. During his three years as Hostel Manager, Des and his wife Raylene raised their young family onsite – a time filled with great memories.
“We’d often eat dinner with the boys to help bring a bit of family atmosphere into the dining room – something they missed being away from home,” he recalled. “Even when Raylene was pregnant with Michael, she’d come up for the occasional meal. And in 1979, there was Michael in his walker, cruising around the dining room in amongst 120 boys. It was pretty special.”
Des’s involvement with the school has always gone well beyond the day-to-day. From coaching rugby, cricket and tennis to being Chairman of the 150th Anniversary celebrations, Des has been a steady and positive force behind the scenes. One of his most lasting contributions has been the creation of the Student Support Fund in 2018 – a fund that has now raised around $130,000 to help boys who might otherwise miss out on all that OBHS has to offer.
“We’ve helped boys from the country attend the hostel, and supported others with things like camp fees, field trips, and extracurriculars,” says Des. “For some of them, it’s changed the whole trajectory of their lives.”
Rector Richard Hall says the naming of the dining hall is a meaningful way to recognise decades of service.
“Des is hugely respected by everyone – staff, students, Old Boys and parents. His commitment has been tireless and completely selfless. While he’s not an Old Boy himself, his passion for the school and for what it offers young men is incredible. Whether it’s fundraising for facilities, scholarships or student support, Des has been at the heart of it all. We’re very, very lucky to have him.”
The Des Smith Dining Hall will stand as a tribute to a man who has shaped the lives of countless boys – not just through words, but through action, generosity and heart. Thank you, Des. Your legacy is woven into the fabric of this school, and it will live on in every meal, every gathering, and every young life shaped around those tables.
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