By Nick McIvor | Posted: Wednesday February 28, 2018
Welcome to 2018 at TBHS. We’ve made a good start. The boys have settled back in well. New learning is in progress. The school is alive again with the energy and optimism our young men bring. Co-curricular activity is mounting. And the call has gone out to commit, find new strengths, excel, and to ‘stand up and stand out’ this year.
The new Year 9s are showing positive attitudes and learning habits; taking opportunities to connect to the school and each other, with new peer support leaders assisting. The Powhiri and broader Year 9 induction has encouraged new boys. Our heartfelt thanks go to Te Wera King again for his support of both manuhiri (visitors) and the TBHS tangata whenua. Looking at how Year 9s are handling themselves around the school, they are a very promising group, and one likely to continue to impress. We also thank parents who have joined us in Year 9 integration, including new BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) development as a special focus.
The House Competition is on the rise. The striking effort boys' made at the swimming sports, in and out of the pool, reflected a hearty effort (and rare swimming victory for Dawson on the day!) While we were thrilled to see no fewer than seven school records broken, a truly remarkable feat, praise should also go the way of all boys who swam for their houses in preliminaries the week before, despite many feeling much less confident in the water.
Regarding student leadership, the Student Council, Prefect team, and Thomas House student leaders have all given the year early impetus and purpose. We hope to relaunch the Environmental Group soon too. Student ‘voice’ with related student action will be part of 2018.
Our school roll remains strong, school spirit is high, we are fully staffed and financially sound, property improvements continue, our teaching practices are developing further, and the overriding goal of lifting each boy effectively remains all - pervasive. Our recently released 2017 NCEA results met and in places exceeded national and decile benchmarks across the board. We were delighted for Hamish Dunbar, Ben Aicken, and Louis Low; each awarded a NZQA Scholarship for passing New Zealand’s most demanding examinations in Agricultural Science, English and Biology respectively. These three scholars and 99 boys who achieved a Merit or Excellence Endorsement on their NCEA certificate, were celebrated at a special assembly last week. Let’s do what we can at home and school to support Year 12s and 13s to keep or advance on their 2017 Endorsement in 2018, and for a new set of NCEA scholars to be Endorsed this year. Successful higher study, strong workplace entry, and personal excellence far beyond school, is fostered by Endorsement.
It’s good to be back for another year. Join us in making it a great one for the boys.
Nick McIvor
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