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An update from John Blaikie

By Alice Scott | Posted: Wednesday February 11, 2026

OBHS Foundation

A message from John Blaikie,

OBHS Foundation Chairman

Hi everyone!

There’s plenty happening within the OBHS Foundation this year, and it’s exciting to see real momentum building across our projects and events.

School House Upgrades

We are working toward a start date for the long-awaited upgrades in School House, which is now looking likely to begin at the end of this term starting in the junior bathrooms.

We are incredibly fortunate to have Locky Chisholm project managing this work. Locky has already dedicated many hours behind the scenes with the architect and securing a builder, ensuring the project can be delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner. We’re very grateful for his expertise and commitment.

Future Oaks Fundraising Campaign

Many of you will have heard about our Future Oaks fundraising campaign for the School House redevelopment. Donors will have their family name displayed on an Oak Leaf as part of a large Oak Tree feature inside School House which will be seen by future families for many years to come.

To date, we have raised nearly $100,000 through this initiative - a tremendous effort from our community. We continue to hear that this is a meaningful and worthwhile project that many are proud to support.

On Tuesday next week, Foundation members and I will be doing a ‘telethon’ where we will be making phone calls to our database looking to secure the final Oak Leaves so we can close out the campaign and move forward confidently with the redevelopment work.

If you’ve been meaning to register for an Oak Leaf, now is the time - before we give you a call! Register for your Oak Leaf here

Upcoming Events

13 to 14 March – Wānaka A&P Show

OBHS is back at the Wānaka Show this year. Come and see us at Site A15.

On the Friday evening of the show, the Foundation will again host an informal OBHS gathering at the home of Grant and Tessa McLachlan on Golf Course Road. This is a relaxed social evening open to anyone in our OBHS community - past, present and future families.

For catering purposes, please complete the RSVP form here

1 May – CrestClean Golf Day

Our annual golf day is booked for 1 May, 4pm at Belleknowes Golf Course.

A few regulars have indicated they may have “prior commitments” - some reportedly involving ducks and a maimai - but we’re confident we can still field a strong crowd of loyal OBHS golfers ... and non-golfers! The day is a lot of fun and a great way to connect with a group of like-minded OBHS supporters.

Please register your interest here.


29 May - Christchurch OBHS social gathering 

King’s Birthday Weekend

We are planning a Christchurch gathering for our OBHS community to coincide with the South Island Boys’ Schools Rugby Competition. Our 1st XV boys will be in Christchurch playing:

  • 30 May – vs Marlborough Boys’

  • 1 June – vs St Thomas of Canterbury

We look forward to bringing our Christchurch-based families, Old Boys and supporters together for an evening over this weekend. If you are keen to join us at this event, please register your attendance here. More Information about location and time will be sent to you closer to the time. 

12 June – Auckland OBHS social gathering 

We will again be hosting a function at The Boat Shed in Auckland. This was a great gathering last year and we are keen to do it again. Please register your interest to attend here.


Become a Foundation member

If you aren’t already, we would love you to subscribe as a member of our Foundation. It’s a way to stay connected to this great school and all that it is about. The Foundation is not just about Old Boys; we welcome anyone who wants to be part of our fantastic OBHS community.  Become a member via our website here.