By Nick McIvor | Posted: Tuesday August 30, 2016
A new term brings new arrivals.
We warmly welcome Ms. Melanie O’Connor to our English Department from The New Zealand Graduate School of Education; she has settled into meeting the needs of the boys to replace Ms. Susie Matheson who has moved to Freyberg College. Ms. O’Connor is joined by 13 eager International students, who we are delighted to add to the student body, from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, France, and Germany; each, in their own way, bringing the world to TBHS. Extending our German presence are Johannes Runge and Thore Barthel who begin their GAP year in Thomas House and the wider school. They will give valued support to both boys and staff. After a busy season of cricket in the South of England, 2016 Mark Parker Memorial Scholarship recipient, Mark Otley, returns to Year 13 from Blighty. His experience was enriched all the more by staying at the renowned Winchester College in Hampshire. Returning to Year 11 from overseas, but from quite a different sojourn, is Bryn Houghton, who completed a 3 week exchange to Eniwa, Japan – Timaru’s sister city. It is fantastic to have all of these fine young people here for Term 3.
Timaru Boys’ High School is currently working to join a new Community of Learning (CoL) that is emerging in Timaru. It will place the school in a new network that links Early Childhood, Primary, and Secondary Education schools and teachers in the region; a network to produce and share cross-sector staff, knowledge, and best practice, to improve learning for more youngsters. The CoL will grow over the next few years, as inter-school and inter-staff bonds grow.
Term 3 Senior exams have finished. We impressed on all the boys the goal of passing with grades that rightfully match their best individual ability. In a broader sense, the boys were also encouraged from Week 1, to find and develop their B.E.S.T. (Best Expression of their Spirit and Talents) to build strengths from their personal passions; from the things that put ‘fire in their bellies’.
The three-way Junior Conferencing conducted last week, was again well-attended and well-received. It gave parents and boys awareness of where opportunities lie for the second half year, with an overview that can be unpacked further by parents who wish to delve deeper, with the benefit of a little more time with selected staff.
I finish by mentioning a new addition to our Assemblies. Staff and boys are starting to give the school reviews of their favourite reads. So far, Mr Archibald has shared an exciting true survival story, Mr Poulter has explained the amazing art and science of beekeeping, and Year 11 student, James Watt, has described an insightful book on Andre Agassi’s Tennis. All Kiwi boys (and men) can be avid and accomplished readers if they read about what they enjoy, and enjoy what they read.
Nick McIvor
Scientia Potestas Est
Mā te Mātauranga te Mana
