By Nick McIvor | Posted: Thursday October 15, 2015
It was a delight to interview Year 8 day boys and their families last week, in preparation for entry to the school next year. Some fantastic young men are on the way and already adopting our school culture enthusiastically.
Anticipation of Year 9 activities, such as: Inter-House competition, camps at John Scott Lodge, or working with Year 13 Peer Support Leaders, certainly generated a buzz; as did the promise of new friendship and fraternity. Friendships forged at school can be for life; something quite evident at a recent Mid-Canterbury Old Boys’ function I was fortunate to attend. Here, bonds of friendship and school affinity, established from first enrolment, were still strong many years on. At the interviews, Year 8 boys were assured about their induction and parents were able to begin (or extend) home-school dialogue and attachment to Timaru Boys’. There was also good discussion around subject preferences and future ‘paths’ and ‘destinations’. Boys shared stories about their personal hobbies and endeavours, triumphs and tribulations, and where they saw themselves contributing to the wider life of the school. It was also rewarding from the staff point of view, to not only initiate new connections but to get a sense of how the school is perceived and valued in return.
Each new intake brings its own character and dynamics. The new 2016 cohort will no doubt have qualities that soon characterise it and that evolve through the next five years.
On Sunday 20 September, we were represented well at the Air Force Remembrance Day at St Mary’s Church by prefects Jacob McKay and James Goldingham. This Service was to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, a critical turning point in the War. It was also where seven Old Boys served in the desperate fight over Britain and the Channel.
Our term is close to conclusion. It has featured multiple successes in academics, the arts and sport, of which we are proud. Thank you to all the teaching and support staff, and parent and student volunteers, working in various capacities, who backed the boys over the last 10 weeks. Congratulations to boys who distinguished themselves by going above and beyond the norms or for simply doing their bit for others and the school this term, in good faith and with no fuss.
As we approach Term 4, a key question for students is: ‘What are you doing with what you have?’ With course completion and the arrival of NCEA examinations edging closer, a second question is: ‘What are you doing to add to what you’ve got?’
I finish by offering my encouragement to Year 13 to make the most of the last term in the school as Timaru Boys’ careers come to an end; aim to leave on the best footing you can.
Nick McIvor
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