By Nick McIvor | Posted: Thursday April 13, 2017
The seasons are shifting as the shadows get longer, and we finish Term 1 with productive starts across the curriculum, and winter’s activities now beckoning the boys.
We farewell Louis Russell as he heads back to the UK. Louis joined us for Term 1 to help in the
hostel and Outdoor Education, while here on his ‘gap’ year, after finishing at
Winchester College in Hampshire. Since
arriving, Louis has done a superb job in support of the boys and staff, and he
will be missed. Also from our Winchester
connection, Shaun Rooney departs soon
for his season playing cricket for Winchester as 2017 recipient of the Mark
Parker Memorial Scholarship. No doubt
Shaun will find his time in this prestigious public school and its community
enriching, and be looking to score some good innings, batting his way around
the South East of England.
Since our previous Newsletter, boys competing in Swimming and Rowing have excelled at the national level. In Swimming, Riley Taylor and Jack Sands were impressive in Wellington. Riley swam in a challenging nine events to make six finals. He won three silver medals: one in the 1500m freestyle, where he also took 44 seconds off his personal best, one in the 400m freestyle, and one in the 200m freestyle; a magnificent effort all - round. Riley’s times for two of his events were fast enough to earn New Zealand Swimming Development Squad selection. Jack also produced high quality performances. He swam in eight events and made four finals, with a silver medal in the 400m individual medley being his most pleasing result. At the Maadi Cup on Lake Karapiro, our Rowers achieved their best season since 2014 with two Bronze medal finishes. Following a dedicated and determined season of preparation and competition, it was wonderful for the staff, coaches, parents, and team, to all enjoy the bronze won by Liam Parker and Harry Bampton in the Under 18 Novice Double, and bronze won by James Davidson and Jack Clayton in the Under 16 Double Sculls. In a fiercely challenging week, these performances, like those of our swimmers, put our boys in the company of New Zealand’s finest. Our school community is immensely proud of them all, and the other boys who did their best alongside them on or in the water.
As is our custom, this term has finished with an Anzac focus. At Assembly on 12 April we were treated to a special gifting from Ruth May and Sarah Entwistle, the daughters of recently deceased Stewart Entwistle. Ruth and Sarah presented a copy of Stewart’s moving book: ‘We Will Remember Them’: Rolls of Honour. Stewart was a respected contributor to our archives over the last decade as a talented historian, and loyal Old Boy. In this Assembly, Year 12 Connor Rabbidge, also shared a captivating account from his research into the life of Benjamin Hinds Howell, who attended the school from 1912 – 15. Howell survived the carnage of Passchendaele in 1917 – New Zealand’s worst military experience in The Great War. Howell’s story is a remarkable one; especially his survival after mistaken entry into German trenches during the struggle. It was all the more special to have Benjamin’s son, George, present at the Assembly to represent his father and family. The Howell’s trace their TBHS origin back to 1887 when Benjamin’s father, William, was a founding Board member 1887 – 1912; known affectionately as ‘father of the school’. And we were fortunate to have Noel Davies as guest speaker at our traditional Anzac Service the next day. Noel spoke with the perspective of an ex-serviceman, and as one who recalled the strength of feeling generated by the Service, as experienced by him and his friends, while attending long ago.
On a final note, thank you to all the PTA parents, Old Boys’ Association members, staff and boys, who made our Open Day on 19 March such a successful showcasing of the school’s character and curriculum.
A busy term has passed and we continue to encourage the boys to give of their best to all learning and achievement, and to come back for Term 2 ready to take the initiative for further progress, with our support.
Nick McIvor
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