From the Headmaster
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Issue 63, 18 February 2014 From the Headmaster Assembly Notes Click here for Assembly notes The year is now well underway, and the weather has enabled a brisk start to the athletics preliminaries. ‘Big Monday’ yesterday completed the annual swimming competitions, as well as an afternoon of athletics run with an intensity and pace that Coast to Coast only outstanding organisation can achieve. The track technology is equal in function to any top level international event, the processing of results, Over the weekend College had six instant and faultless, and the staff expertise impressive. What more could students compete in the annual Coast to you want? You actually want the boys to get themselves organised, and Coast event. Both teams were entered in be in the right place at the right time, in the right kit. I congratulated the two day, three man team race. them this morning - the College at its efficient best. Each team had a member complete the Our examination results are now complete and this morning at cycle legs, running section and kayak leg, assembly I was able to distribute a large number of Gold Badges, and which ran between Kumara Beach on the ties. Inexplicably, an error was made in computation of one tie for a West Coast and Sumner Beach on the East Year 13 recipient. What happened next is worthy of comment. One of Coast. The team of Ben Henderson (run), the recipients (not the overlooked scholar) quickly came to tell us of the Jonathon Calder (bike) and Angus Ashcroft mistake, and when I caught up with the intended recipient, he graciously (kayak) was placed first in a time of 14 confirmed this without any umbrage visible. I will acknowledge both for hours 39 minutes 37 seconds. The second their courtesy and magnanimity when we correct the error next week. team of College students completed the race in 15 hours 1 minute 52 seconds and Our examination results at Level 1 and 2 this year were outstanding, they were Sam Doyle (run), Michael Allison but we are somewhat disappointed at Level 3 and Scholarship, with 20 (kayak) and Nico Cronshaw (bike). awards. We congratulate the three top in subject Scholarship winners (Drama and Music at STAC) and Geography at CGHS, and the further Outstanding Scholars, another at CGHS and one at Shirley Boys’. The new Year 13 have been an academically strong group throughout the school, and we are very confident for this year. Notable in this year’s results were the biology department topping the Scholarship merit table, and Scholarships in Calculus won by Luke Gellen in Year 11, and in Statistics and Modelling by Christopher Brown in Year 10. Our top performer was Jack English, whose four scholarships reflected his ability and commitment. The full list appears elsewhere in this newsletter. Two important other matters. The mornings are, alarmingly, already getting darker (causing me to have to run more slowly to see where I From left: Jonathon Calder , Ben Henderson and am going in the park each morning - my explanation, and I am sticking Angus Ashcroft. to it) and the evenings shorter. We have relaxed our expectation that>> boys will always wear their blazers when cycling to school in hot weather (though we do expect them to remain tidy, shirts in etc). We would like to see all boys wearing hi-vis clothing, particularly Uniform Issues going towards Autumn. It is hard to legislate that they must - we have no control over what they chose to do when they As you are aware, we are very keen are out of sight, but I suggest parents join us in a drive to for our boys to wear their uniform encourage them. We are aware that hi-vis is hardly an original neatly and with pride. However, at fashion statement in Christchurch at present, and at the best of the moment there are boys who times might not appeal to the boys’ dress sense, but it makes seem unable to keep their socks up a difference. when wearing the summer uniform because the socks have lost their elasticity over time or because the Lastly, elsewhere is an invitation to the first Parents’ Association owner has outgrown them. meeting of the year. A great opportunity to make new friends, and get (not onerously) involved with supporting the school Day parents can assist us by ensuring - to say nothing of a chance to savour the extraordinary that their sons have at least three opulence of the Headmaster’s baronial mansion. I look forward pairs of socks which have not lost their elasticity. In addition, to seeing any who can make it. all boys should wear garters to keep their socks up. Adjustable garters are available from our clothing shop. Simon Leese, Headmaster If your son comes home muttering about being given a punishment or being forced into long trousers for a while it will probably be owing to his persistent display of ‘floppy sock syndrome’. Rob Donaldson, Deputy Headmaster From the Chaplain Chapel Services We have started the year excellently in Chapel, and it is a the funds raised will go locally to the Champion Centre. This pleasure to welcome so many parents and family members to is a Christchurch organisation, New Zealand's largest and our Sunday services. This also provides an opportunity for you longest-running centre-based programme for infants and to discuss what is reflected on with your son. There is often a young children with significant developmental delays and chance to chat with the Headmaster, me, other staff present disabilities. and other parents and boys. In the mornings refreshments follow the service. In the evening the choir is present, leading Confirmation the more formal style. Some videos of parts of services are I invite you to talk to your son (if he is in Years 12 or 13) about found on the school’s YouTube channel. the opportunity being provided to explore his beliefs in a group with St Margaret’s College students. This will lead up Lent Appeal to a confirmation service next term in the Cathedral. Canon All that we collect in Chapel is given away to a variety of Lawrence Kimberley is running this for the diocese. Students good causes. Starting in Lent, students put extra energy into considering confirmation can come along and see if this is for raising funds for charity. Half will go this year to Samoa with a them. Can they please contact me so I know who is interested. service group of students who will work on All Saints School in Apia, Samoa in July. The money raised will provide materials, Yours in Christ, paint, furniture, and so on for the school. All Saints is a new Anglican primary school there (3 years old). The other half of Bosco Peters, Chaplain In Black & White 2 Calendar Events WEEK 3 W 19 3.00pm Interhouse senior cricket prelims, CCCG Th 20 12.45pm Selected athletic heats 12.45-1.35pm Big Band rehearsals begin, Music School F 21 9.00-11.30am St Michael’s School swimming sports, Pool 1.10pm Selected athletic heats & finals 1.15pm Year 13 General Studies, OBT Sa 22 International athletics meet, Upper Weekend programme available for all boarders Su 23 7th Ordinary Sunday 9.00am Holy Eucharist 10.00am CSS polo tournament, Sefton WEEK 4 M 24 9.15am-3.40pm Year 9 geography field trip, Lyttelton 1.20pm Selected athletic finals Tu 25 9.00am Medbury School Year 8 visit 1.10pm Selected athletic finals W 26 3.00pm Interhouse senior cricket first round, CCCG Th 27 2.00pm Athletic Sports, Upper F 28 9.30am Athletic Sports, Upper House lunches 4.30pm Senior rowing crew attend rowing camp, Twizel 5.30-8.00pm CCOBA Reunions cocktail party, Dining Hall MARCH Sa 1 Weekend programme available for all boarders 1.00pm CCOBA Reunion lunch, Dining Hall Su 2 8th Ordinary Sunday OBHS teams arrive 7.00pm Choral Evensong CCOBA Reunion Service Preacher: The Headmaster WEEK 5 M 3 OBHS summer tournament (home) 6.00pm Senior rowing crew returns Tu 4 9.00am-3.50pm Year 11 biology field trip, Brooklands Lagoon 9.00am-3.50pm Year 10 geography field trip, Selwyn River 1.00-2.00pm University of Auckland liaison visit, Q6 W 5 Ash Wednesday 9.15am The Cathedral Grammar School Year 8 visit 10.20am Ash Wednesday Service, Chapel 3.00pm Interhouse senior cricket semi-finals, CCCG Th 6 8.35am-3.30pm Year 10 biology field trip, Cooper’s Creek 12.45pm Interhouse senior volleyball, Gym 4.00pm Interhouse junior tennis prelims, Hagley Tennis Club In Black & White 3 Careers Events since the last In Black take their sons themselves. We are not allowing boys to travel & White to Dunedin in their own vehicles. All Year 13 boys have had a text message sent to them. I will contact the parents of those • Gap Experience 2015 - Mr Porter boys interested, shortly. has talked to Year 13 about the process involved • Years 12 & 13, Introduction to New University Entrance requirement General Studies and career profile From 2014, students will need all of the following to be sheets awarded University Entrance. The General Studies sessions will again • attain NCEA Level 3 continue for Years 12 & 13 on alternate • achieve 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three subjects from Fridays. We will have speakers from Tertiary providers, motivational the approved list of subjects. speakers, and sessions on leadership. Interviews with Year 13 boys • achieve UE numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 and above will be the priority during Term 1 and they will occur during their from specific achievement standards, or three specific study periods.