By Nick McIvor | Posted: Wednesday September 20, 2017
In Assembly recently, five International students shared stories from their home life and home countries, and talked about their New Zealand ambitions, to a captivated audience.
The photos of the boys’ home schools and home cities, each in stark contrast to ours, made big impressions. We currently have boys from eleven countries learning in our school. Through each of them the world comes to us and our young people. Our boys can form lasting friendships in return. While the TBHS identity is gradually globalising, our Maori identity remains vital and will be celebrated from 11 – 17 September in Maori Language Week.
In teaching and learning, staff were trained on Friday 25 August in new ways to help boys access and move through advancing levels of understanding. This can be done using a model called SOLO (Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes) – as presented to staff by internationally acclaimed, Pam Hook. We look forward to using SOLO across the curriculum over the next few years to increasingly give boys better knowledge of where they are placed in learning levels, and what they need to do specifically, to take the next step up - including in NCEA.
Waitaki Day went very well last week with an 11-5 win on results to Timaru Boys’ down in Oamaru. The Waitaki Assembly to launch the Day was all the more special thanks to our guest speaker Don Hutton, son of William (or Snowy) Hutton who famously sang ‘Drake’s Drum’ for the first time way back in 1913, to usher in a new era of rugby success against Waitaki. Don not only encouraged the boys for their games but was kind enough to gift valuable memorabilia from his family collection.
Winter sport is all but over and the Winter Sport Prizegiving is coming up. One team does deserve special mention: the First XV. This team has had an incomparable season when considered with other First XVs that played in the Crusader Competition over the last 16 years. Capably led by Cullen Grace and effectively coached and administered by Gavin Miller, Mark Cvitanich, Eddie Grace, Regan Joyce, Chris Leonard (Bubble) and Rod Sparrow, the team has continually broken new ground. To finish as finalist against Christchurch Boys’ from the 15 teams was an outstanding achievement. The long hours of hard work were rewarded. Those who made this possible, from the players and coaches up front, to the long chain of parents and supporters backing them, can be satisfied with 2017; a truly extraordinary season.
Thank you to Keri Whytock and the supporting staff and Ball Committee for providing a very good Ball for Year 12 and 13 last Friday. The vast majority of boys and their partners were impeccable in their approach to it, and respecting of the expectations communicated in preparation, and requested for the night.
This week we farewell Gary Ivamy as he takes up a new position at Fonterra. Gary, as many of you will know, is our Director of Sport, Dean, Head Housemaster of Thomas House, and Staff Representative to the Board. He was a Careers and Transition teacher previously too. Gary has coached Football, Volleyball, Rowing and Cricket, and been in numerous steering groups connected to sport. He has been generous in his help for boys, families, staff, and community organisations whenever needed. We know Gary will do a great job at Fonterra and wish him well.
Prefect selection for 2018 will be managed differently. We are going to be naming the 2018 prefects and prefect leaders before seniors leave in 2017, rather than early next year. This will enable our student leaders to begin to adapt to their new roles over the summer break, and for student leadership to be in place for the first day of the new school year.
A reminder to finish for now. If wanting to meet one of our staff, please contact them to arrange a meeting before coming into school. They are normally teaching and unavailable immediately, and during Interval and lunchtime frequently take boys for various co-curricular activities. If looking to meet with a staff member, please make an appointment and give them a sense of what it is you wish to discuss, so that they can gather information that may assist, prior to meeting you.
Nick McIvor
Scientia Potestas Est
Mā te Mātauranga te Mana
