From the Headmaster Term 2 Is Underway, and a Very Full Break Is Behind Us
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ISSUE 30 – 1 MAY 2012 FROM THE HEADMASTER Term 2 is underway, and a very full break is behind us. The for completion at the end of the campus has seen some significant changes, with another year. Other work during the break period of intense activity. The former mathematics block has included the painting of the has been removed and the temporary ‘subdivision’ of ten Selwyn Block, bringing the finishing buildings has been created on the vacant sites to enable the touches to that renovation also. The full renovation and upgrading of the Open Air Block. We are temporary cathedral project is at last taking advantage of the window of opportunity created by the making headway, and there is hope planning phase of the new buildings to finish the Open Air it will be completed by Christmas. Block by the end of the year. The ambitious target of 100% When the cathedral community of the new earthquake code is a daunting one for an existing leaves us, they will be missed but we will regain some facilities heritage building whilst retaining its character, but such and open up other options. comprehensive engineering work has created the opportunity to re-equip and refurbish at the same time. The temporary Excitement is growing as our production of Jesus Christ classroom complex is ahead of schedule, looking very orderly, Superstar approaches. I have been to see some of the process; and will serve us well. It is an enormous effort for just three there is no doubt this is going to be a truly memorable and terms, but to have our Open Air Block (which at any time may remarkable achievement, the product of expertise, talent and contain up to one third of the school) upgraded and ready to commitment. Please don’t miss it; our major productions tend serve the next fifty years will be a terrific outcome. to be talked about for years afterwards – you will want to have seen it. Also during the holidays, our hockey 1st XI had The Harper/Julius project continues to mislead with relatively a pre-season tour of Auckland schools, our 1st XV travelled to little to see externally, but internally the strengthening steel Dunedin, and our cricketers to Singapore, Paris and England is being installed, and most masonry repairs are completed. returning today. I received a glowing report of their visit to The external stonework needs to be supported by the new Winchester College in England from their Director of Cricket. internal works, so we will soon be seeing more rapid progress. He could not speak more highly of the sportsmanship and This building has presented significant challenges, but will be cricket ability of our teams, and also commented they had another exemplar of sensitive conservation and restoration never had a tour so well supported by parents. They too when completed – and very strong. It is still on schedule made a great impression on the hosts! My sincere thanks to colleagues who have provided all these opportunities, and also to those who have been at College helping with all the relocations. This has certainly been a very full three weeks. The production needs additional backstage REID EDMOND space for the next few weeks, so once again the College boardroom has been pressed into service as a classroom. We are enjoying our game of ‘facilities chequers’ moving around the place – just as long as it doesn’t become more like the wonderful game of ‘go’ where the unwary fail to see traps ahead and end up being left with nowhere to go! Last term saw the first interim progress grades in their new format, and the revised progress reports. I would welcome any feedback on how useful they were, and of course any recommendations for further developments. Full reports are prepared at the end of this term. Our winter sports are underway, and this term promises to be another extremely busy one. One highlight will be our annual rugby match against CBHS, and I take this early opportunity to confirm that once again it will be an alcohol free event. We will be publicising the arrangement widely Reid Edmond (Corfe Year 9) recently but please pass the information on to any who are planning to attend. competed at the New Zealand Open Karate There will no doubt be some ill-considered discontent amongst a few senior Championship here in Christchurch. He attendees, but all recognise how this event has been transformed in the won Silver in Kata (a sequence of karate last three years. moves) and a Bronze in Kumite (fighting). He also earned a silver in team fighting. We have made a few minor changes to In Black & White. We are no longer including assembly notes from the issue day. (Had we done so this Reid, pictured above in red, has represented time you would have been able to read about Piers Dover’s bagpiping in New Zealand for karate in younger assembly today, which was outstanding). The notes from each week (not age groups. the alternate weeks as provided in In Black & White) are on the College website, which we hope all visit regularly. During term time, news items are added on most days, giving a fair impression of the range and quality of the school’s activity. I also encourage you to visit our Facebook page, most MARTY MCKENZIE easily accessed from the front page of the website. Martin McKenzie has The term has started in beautiful Autumn weather, despite gloomy forecasts been selected for the – long may it continue. It is getting cooler though, and darker, but once 2012 New Zealand again I offer encouragement for the boys to get to school independently. under-20 squad. If cycling, good lights and high-visibility clothing are important. Over Marty, who is a Flower’s the break, the Avenue outside College has been resurfaced, the Armagh House Old Boy, is Street crossing renovated, and things are a little more orderly, but still the currently contracted utmost care is needed on all our crossings. The Chaplain reported to me to the Southland this morning seeing three cars drive straight through the red light outside Rugby Union. He the school during the holidays. I am constantly reminding the boys to be will travel with the vigilant, and they respond very well. squad of 28 to South Africa next month for House cross country on Monday in Hagley Park is another of our traditional the IRB Junior World whole school events, and well worth dropping in to if you have any time in Championship to help defend the title won the afternoon. by the New Zealand team in 2011. We welcome Mr Mark Abbott as a tutor in Flower’s House, and Mr Warren Lidstone to his new role as Deputy Housemaster in the same house. Mr Matt Thatcher, our other stalwart Flower’s tutor, is teaching PE in addition JULIUS HERZHOFF this term, and we welcome Mrs Pip Miller to mathematics. Julius Herzhoff (Jacobs Year 13) competed at Finally, I am looking forward to hosting our next Parents’ Association the under-17 National meeting at my home on Monday 7 May at 7.00pm. These are very informal, fencing championships open meetings over drinks and nibbles, at which the many ways our parents which were held in support the life of the school are discussed and arrangements made. If Dunedin over the you would like to come along, for catering numbers only, please email my holidays. He won the secretary [email protected]. We will pass your contact on to foil and claimed silver the Chairman, Kerry Mannis. in epee, losing by one point 13-12. Simon Leese, Headmaster IN BLACK AND WHITE 2 Week 1 W 2 7.30pm Confirmation preparation group Th 3 9.00am-6.00pm Years 10 & 11 MegaJR online video conference for selected students, IT 12.45pm Interhouse junior volleyball, Gym 12.45pm Interhouse senior hockey prelims, Upper 6.00-9.00pm CSS interschool intermediate debating F 4 1.15pm Year 12 General Studies, CPIT liaison visit, OBT 6.45pm Induction of new choristers & Baptism Service, Chapel Sa 5 Weekend programme available for all boarders Saturday activities begin Noon 1st XV v Nayland College (home) Su 6 5th Sunday of Easter 7.00pm Evening Worship for Easter. Preacher: The Chaplain Week 2 M 7 9.00am-3.00pm Years 10 & 11 GATE conference for selected students, CBHS 9.15-10.05am ‘Ensemble Impact’ play for Year 11, 12 & 13 drama students, OBT 4.00pm School cross-country races, North Hagley Park Tu 8 9.00am-3.40pm Year 13 Biology In-House field day 1.15pm Interhouse senior volleyball, Gym 1.15pm Interhouse junior hockey prelims, Upper 4.30-6.00pm Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award introductory session, OBT 6.00-9.45pm ‘JCSS’ technical rehearsal Act 1, Assembly Hall W 9 6.00-9.45pm ‘JCSS’ technical rehearsal Act 2, Assembly Hall 7.30pm Confirmation preparation group Th 10 8.30-11.00am University of Auckland liaison visit 8.30am-9.45pm ‘JCSS’ rehearsal, all cast and crew, Assembly Hall 12.30pm CSS road race 12.45pm Interhouse junior debating first round 6.00-9.00pm CSS interschool senior debating F 11 CSS basketball begins 1.15pm Year 13 General Studies, Victoria University liaison visit, OBT 1.15pm Interhouse junior volleyball, Gym 4.00-5.00pm Chapel choir rehearsal 5.30-10.00pm ‘JCSS’ dress rehearsal Act 1, Assembly Hall Sa 12 Weekend programme available for all boarders SISS squash tournament, Christchurch Noon 1st XV v Waimea College (home) 5.30-10.00pm ‘JCSS’ dress rehearsal Act 2, Assembly Hall Su 13 6th Sunday of Easter 9.00am Holy Eucharist 11.30am-3.30pm ‘JCSS’ full dress rehearsal, Assembly Hall 5.30-10.00pm ‘JCSS’ full dress rehearsal, Assembly Hall Week 3 M 14 9.15-11.00am Year 12 Careers Expo, CBS Arena 7.30pm ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ opening night, Assembly Hall Tu 15 Year 12 Work Choice Day 9.00am-4.30pm Year 10 Geography field trip, Selwyn River 11.05am-12.50pm Year 13 PE triathlon NCEA assessment 1.15pm Interhouse senior volleyball, Gym 1.15pm Interhouse junior hockey first round, Upper 7.30pm ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ performance, Assembly Hall IN BLACK AND WHITE 3 find out what performing arts training is all about.