By Nick McIvor | Posted: Monday October 31, 2016
Our finales are here. The ‘season of ceremonies’ to applaud and award the boys has started.
Two events have passed and two will follow. In the first week of term we celebrated high achievement in Winter Sport. In the second, we paid tribute to boys who excelled in the Arts in 2016. Next week we honour our most academically able and industrious Seniors, and in early December, we delight in recognising Juniors who have impressed this year. Summer Sport excellence was a focus in the June ceremony. Like a musical finale, each event is a closing part, a conclusion, with a touch of excitement. Each is an instance when we give boys their ‘due’: well-deserved acknowledgement for achieving the best outcomes. Prizegiving is also when we pause teaching and learning briefly to identify and praise students who have earned extra complimenting and kudos. We reflect on and affirm them and what their achievement represents, and how we can grow it in others. Special congratulations go to William Sharp and Brad Cvitanich for winning the Top Junior and Senior Winter Sportsman of the Year Awards respectively, and to Sam Ritchie – Junior Artist of the Year, Oliver Prisk - Senior Artist of the Year, and Ryan Davis for Contribution to Performing Arts. The Dux and Proxime Accessit will be announced next Tuesday night.
The other finale approaching soon is the start of NCEA and NZQA Scholarship examinations. We wish all the boys every success for the papers they sit. Very good finishes in NCEA coursework can now be matched and enhanced in the exam room, with careful preparation. A sizeable group of Senior boys is poised to achieve a Certificate Merit or Excellence Endorsement. This is to reach or exceed previous norms both here and nationwide, once additional opportunities are taken in the next month. It remains incumbent on us as teachers or supporters to do all we can to help the boys to learn to back themselves, and to know how to gain their best results, and with it, readiness for 2017 and beyond.
Last week, renowned Kimbell-based artist, Randall Froude, was quoted in the Timaru Herald as saying: "If the door opens in front of you, you must walk through it or you will never find out what's on the other side."[1] Randall has walked through many ‘doors’ (including those of the international galleries in which he has exhibited) and if we keep encouraging and leading the boys to find the right doors, and to seek what waits behind them, they will do well for themselves and for others, as aspirational young men.
Staying with reaching heights of quite a different sort, we will be launching a stunning fireworks display soon, joined by activities for the family to enjoy. This will be held over at Alpine Stadium for the bonanza on 4 November, from 6.30pm. The PTA has worked tremendously to get ready and it would be great if you can come for some fun.
We hope that you and your son have a progressive and pleasing last term; one that has its fitting finales.
Nick McIvor
Scientia Potestas Est
Mā te Mātauranga te Mana
[1] http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/85533574/kimbell-artist-randall-froude-packs-up