“St Peter’s on the whole is the definition of family.” -Jack Thorpe Y12 St Peter’s School, Cambridge CHRONICLE 2015 St Peter’s School, Cambridge CHRONICLE C HRONI C LE 2015 The school crest was chosen by Broadhurst and Beaufort. Beaufort, a clergyman, suggested the idea of the St Peter’s key to heaven and hell. Broadhurst came up with the suggestion of an owl, symbolic of Minerva the Goddess of Wisdom. It seemed quite logical for the owl to hold the keys in its beak and this image would be emblazoned on a red shield. St Matthew’s Gospel is the inspiration for the school’s motto, Structa Saxo, meaning ‘Founded on a Rock’. ‘Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ BODY, MIND, SPIRIT 2015 C HRONI C LE Principal’s Report 2 Chairman’s Report 4 Chaplain’s Report 5 Head Girl’s Report 6 Head Boy’s Report 7 2015 Staff Movements and Parents’ Association Report 8 Seven Year Club 9 Reminiscence 10 Senior Prizegiving Awards 14 Junior Prizegiving Awards 16 Awards 18 Timeline Term 1 25 Timeline Term 2 39 Timeline Term 3 55 Timeline Term 4 73 Student Writing 80 Boarding House Reports 83 Academic Staff Photo 92 Prefects Photo 93 House Photos 94 Cultural Photos 112 Sports Photos 121 Staff List 133 School Roll 137 Editor: Jan Franicevic Graphic Designer: Kath MacLeod Design Assistant: Josh Wedlake Researcher: Val Millington Proofreader: Nikki Crutchley Printed by Fuji Xerox PRINCIPAL’S REPORT From the Principal Steve Robb 2015 has been another remarkable year in our school’s history. In our 79th year, we can look back with pride on the many achievements by students at the highest level. 2015 also marks the conclusion of the 20 years of the “Robb Era”, and this has been celebrated with style by the school community. The transition to the new, sixth principal, Mr Dale Burden, began Three prizes at Smokefree during the year. The process will see Mr Burden arrive in January Rockquest with all into national 2016 well equipped to lead the school forward in the “Burden Era”. final consideration. Solomon I am delighted with the appointment and know that Mr Burden will Crook taking third place in that be a magnificent leader for St Peter’s. final. The roll lifted to 1,080 from the beginning of 2015 and held at that Successes in NZIC analytical chemistry, engineering, number throughout the year. This was a significant achievement mathematics, Japanese, chamber music, choir, regional music, against a volatile economic and dairy scene. New Zealand Youth Art Poster Awards, New Zealand Chemistry Olympiad, Science Fair, Autumn Showcase, Scholars Awards, Our school goals for 2015 focussed on the founder’s vision of Biology Olympiad and Lit Quiz. developing each person in body, mind and spirit. Strategic goals set by the Trust Board were followed up with goals which were Our six sporting academies continue to prosper, with rowing reported on three times during the year to the Trust Board. second in New Zealand Secondary Schools again, Top Sculling School and Top Co-ed School, and with 100 rowers in the Term themes included aspects of our St Peter’s Learner Profile programme; golf winning Waikato Secondary Schools and also — caring, thinking, communicating, courageous. The staff’s the New Zealand Secondary Schools Champions for the second professional development saw continuing work on the Years 7 time; equestrian winning numerous titles including the series to 10 curriculum coordination and concluding that project across of Show Hunter competitions; tennis silver in New Zealand the school, focus on eLearning, our learning culture and valuable Secondary Schools Girls Final; swimming top placings through to faculty-based development. New Zealand events; cycling winning numerous medals thorough With the universities lifting the bar higher on qualification for to world level and growing the programmes in track, road, University Entrance, our 84.1% [NCEA] pass rate was in sharp mountain bike and BMX. Ally Wollaston won two New Zealand contrast to the local high school’s 50% pass rate. Our NCEA and Secondary Schools gold medals and our Senior Girls Time Trial IB combined rate was 86.5%. team won New Zealand Secondary Schools gold. Twenty-two New Zealand Scholarships were gained, as in 2013. In addition, our basketball girls won the Amie Russell Memorial The IB Diploma pass rate was 97% and CIE (Cambridge) exams Cup, the New Zealand Secondary Schools 3 x 3 Basketball 99.1%. In IB two students received Governor General’s awards competition and the New Zealand Secondary Schools Premier for achieving 40 plus (out of 45). Jessica Sutton was our highest title. The girls’ 1st XI football won their Waikato Premier League achiever with 43. We also awarded 88 Scholars Ties, 55 Silver title for the eighth year in a row and again won silver at New Owls and a record 24 Founder’s Scholarship Medals. Zealand Secondary Schools finals. The boys’ 1st XI football won the Waikato Premier title for the second time. The 1st XV beat In addition, the innovation of an academic bar for students who Wanganui Collegiate in the Sky TV 1st XV featured match 13–10. gained 90+ average across their best five subjects saw 16 bars at NCEA Level 1, 10 bars at second award (NCEA or IB) and nine Tours abroad have seen junior (prep) students and students of bars at third awards (NCEA or IB). Japanese visit Japan; the rowers, food tech, boys’ football and junior netball in Australia; athletics and lacrosse in the USA. Highlights this year have included – School exchanges have seen students across the globe including ‘The Wedding Singer’ – a very popular, energetic, high performing Hawaii, Utah, South Africa, United Kingdom and Australia. cast and crew at this year’s school production. Stage Challenge The Business and Entrepreneurial Centre has involved students – a brilliant display by 100 students on the theme of surveillance. across the school in speaker breakfasts, Business Boot Camp, Academic Success 2015 NCEA L1 Pass 98% Excellence/Merit 71% NCEA L2 Pass 99% Excellence/Merit 60% NCEA L3 Pass 90% Excellence/Merit 50% IB Diploma 97% IGCSE 99% 2 PRINCIPAL’SNAMEATTOP REPORT 2 3 1 quiz competitions, Foundation Entrepreneurial Awards, the EnQ Young Lions programme, visits to Wellington, Tatua, businesses, 1 Mr Robb leads Hanna House at Athletics Day Memorandum of Understandings in place or developing with 2 The 7 Year Club Dinner Waikato University, Massey University, Wintec and Lincoln. 3 Swimming Sports Owl Farm, our Demonstration Farm Joint Venture with Lincoln University has lifted production and set in motion the improvement in profitability and sustainability which will serve our school I again thank our staff for their huge commitment to our curricular and community well into the future. Owl Farm’s Demonstration and co-curricular programmes. Staff are the key to continuing Manager, former Head Boy Doug Dibley, has led the project with to drive change and to enable the very best of opportunities for talent and passion. Doug has worked closely with our faculty our students to shine. Coupled with the great work by our other leaders on curriculum opportunities related to agribusiness and coaches, managers, tutors, parents and supporters, we have an these will benefit all students into the future. enviable reputation in New Zealand as a “Can Do” school. We Our amazing staff are all stars and three of them have been are a team to be able to achieve this. recognised nationally. Mrs Leanne Walker with an Independent Our school prefects were superbly led and coped well with the Schools of New Zealand Award for her outstanding leadership many demands on their time as they addressed the needs of and service to students and to basketball; Mrs Sara Loughnane their portfolios. House prefects again proved their worth in day who has been nominated for a National Excellence in Teaching and boarding houses. My particular thanks to Head Boy Liam Award, for her outstanding teaching and service to students; and McKenzie, Head Girl Jessie Speedy, Deputies Shehnaz Hussain Miss Sarah Hay was the winner in the Kudos Science Educator and Elliott Harris. What a pleasure they were to work with. Awards. I sincerely thank the senior leadership teams, academic and The many ways in which students have been involved in caring support, for their significant contribution in leading and managing for others has really impressed. Through the International the school. Our regular seminars together have been stimulating Baccalaureate CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) programme, and rewarding as we plan our way forward. Oliphant House lads raised $5,000.00 plus for Nepal, Envirogroup work, Arbor Day planting, Flag Day, Junior Block architectural I thank the Trust Board for their vision, energy and drive. To awards, Grandparents Day, Mr Speedy’s regular Citizenship Chairman Mr David Heald, Deputy Chairman Mr John Erkkila, Awards and Spirit Week. your advice, encouragement and support have been invaluable to me. The Y13 Leavers Ball, Y12 Ball, Y11 Social and junior socials all proved most successful, safe, enjoyable occasions and we Thank you all for your support and many kindnesses to our family. acknowledge the outstanding work of staff and senior students in 2016 promises to be another exciting year full of promise and leading these. opportunities, as we welcome the school’s sixth Head. On the staffing front, we have welcomed our new chaplain the May you each enjoy a Merry Christmas and a prosperous Reverend Doctor Deborah Wilson. As we approach the end of New Year. this year, apart from my departure, we also thank and farewell some long serving staff members, Mrs Beverley Shearer leaves the Matron’s role at Riddet House after 19 ½ years’ service and Frank Keoghan, Farm Manager, of 14 years.