Week 3 Hostel Update
By OBHS Hostel | Posted: Tuesday July 29, 2025
It has been another busy week at School House.
Burgess Family
Congratulations to Old Boy Alan Burgess — father of Brett and Carl, and grandfather of Leo and Eddie.
Alan has recently been named Patron of the Otago Boys' Foundation, following a lifetime of loyalty, service, and sleeves-rolled-up support.
Mr Burgess was a boarder back in 1954, with his two sons and five grandsons all following the tradition. Alan said he felt like he had never really left! True to form, Mr Burgess played down the recognition: “I don’t think I’ve been better than any other bugger that’s gone through,” he said.
Man of the Week - Plawan Nilsakorn
Plawan is a calm, happy, and kind boy to have around the hostel. He quietly takes care of his day-to-day routine and never rocks the boat. We enjoy your positive, cheerful vibes, Plawan!
Alex Glover
We are proud of Alex, who competed in the annual Song Fest, held at the Castle Theatre on the Otago University campus. Alex placed third. He is a national champion at Highland dancing, but he was a crowd favourite with his singing too.
Senior Exams
10–19 September
The timetable is now available.
We continue to encourage the boys to make the most of their prep time, with the weeks disappearing quickly and exams fast approaching. There are staff available at the hostel who are more than happy to help. All the boys need to do is ask John, Susan, Leah, Atu, or any of the House Masters on duty.
Injuries and Recovery
We have had a significant number of injuries this season, with concussions occurring weekly. It would be fair to say that boys are not always forthcoming about their concussions, as they are eager to play rugby the following week.
We are very concerned about the detrimental effects of repeated brain knocks on boys' health — not only now, but in the future. These injuries can lead to continual headaches, concentration issues, and short-term memory loss.
To any parents who may feel uncertain about the long-term impact of repeated head injuries, we strongly recommend watching the documentary on Carl Hayman.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, August 3 – Hostel Movie Day
Monday, October 28 – Skippers' Feast (Year 13 students and parents)
Tuesday, October 29 – Senior Prizegiving
