ROTORUA BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL AN HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION Kevin J. Lyall School Historian 1 Published by Rotorua Boys’ High School P.O. Box 10148 Rotorua 3046 New Zealand Telephone: +64 7 348 6169 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.rbhs.school.nz First published 1994 Second edition 1995 Third edition 2009 Fourth edition (first digital-only edition) 2018 Fifth edition (second digital-only edition) 2019 Sixth edition (third digital-only edition) 2020 Seventh edition (fourth digital-only edition) 2021 Eighth edition (fifth digital-only edition) 2022 Copyright © Kevin J. Lyall 2022 All rights reserved This publication is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act 1994, no part may be reproduced by any process without the permission in writing of both the copyright owner and the above Publisher. Kevin J. Lyall has asserted his right under the Copyright Act 1994 to be identified as the author of this work. 2 CONTENTS Foreword…………………………………………….…………….……………5 School Names…………………………………………………………………...6 The New Zealand Flag………………………………………………………......7 The School Shield……………………………………………………………..8-9 School Mottos………………………………………………………………….10 Vision Statement, Principles and Values………….…..................................11-12 The Three Plumes – “Raukura”.…………………………………………….....13 The 1881 Endowment……………………...………………………………..…14 History of the School……………...…………...………………….………..15-20 Principals……………………………………...……………………………21-26 A Block………………………………………...…………………….……..27-29 The Entrance Hall………………………………...………………….……..30-31 School Buildings…………………………………..…………………...…..32-38 School Traditions The Head Prefect and Prefects…………………………………………..…39-40 The Houses……………………………………………………………..…..41-46 Annual Athletic and Swimming Sports………………………………..…........47 ANZAC Assembly………………………………….………………..…….…..48 The School Magazine – Raukura Rotorua……………………………….....…49 The Rugby First XV….…………………………………………………….50-52 Prize Giving…………………………………………………………….……...53 School Productions……………………………………………………........54-56 School Colours Awards and Honours…………………...………….….…...….57 Te Ropu Raukura…………………………………………………….………...58 The Year Nine Pōwhiri…………………………………………….…………..59 School Camps…………………………………………………….……………60 Celebration of Success and the Scholar’s Blazer…….………….……………..61 School Memorials War Memorial Hall……………….……………………….………………..62-63 The Roll of Honour..…………………………………………………………...64 Ryder Memorial Gates………………………………………….……………...65 W. Steele Memorial Tree………….……………………………….…………..66 Mitchell Memorials………………………………………………………...67-68 G.M. Hocking Memorial Tree…………………………………………….…...69 The Harwood Library……….…………………………………………………70 3 W.H. Evans Memorials……………………………………………….……71-72 T. O’Regan Memorial Tree……………………………………………….…...73 P.W. Hoyle Memorial Tree……………………………………………….…...74 Special Features The Trees….……………………………………………………..…………75-77 Raukura Sculpture……………………………………………..…..…….…….78 Te Hokinga Sculpture…………………………………………………...……..79 Nesbitt Grandfather Clock…...……………………………………………...…80 Memorial Assemblies……………………………………………………….....81 The Year Frames, Rotorua Young Achievers, Hall of Fame and School Museum............82-84 School Song………………………………………………………...……….....85 School Haka……………………………………………………………...…….86 School Waiata…………………………………………………………..……...87 School Ties……………………………………………………….…………....88 School Medallions……………………………………………….……….……89 Cadet Battalion Honours Board and Trophy Cabinet………..…………...........90 The New Zealand Cadets Ladies’ Challenge Cup……………………………..91 Prominent Staff……………………………………………………………..92-93 The Bullmore Commemoration………………………………………………..94 Te Waharoa “The Gateway”…………………………………………………...95 Ngā Paea a Kahukura – the Terraces………………………………………………96 Tane Raukura…………………………………………………….……….……97 4 FOREWORD Welcome to this eighth edition of my Rotorua Boys’ High School: An Historical Introduction. I wrote the first edition of this publication twenty-eight years ago, and it has been regularly updated since then as Rotorua Boys’ High School continues to evolve. This publication is intended to provide readers with an introduction to the history, traditions and all of the special features that make Rotorua Boys’ High School, as the direct successor of Rotorua’s first high school established in 1914, unique amongst the five secondary schools of Rotorua. I hope that you will enjoy looking through the pages ahead and will learn some interesting things about the School. It is a place where our boys really do “walk the corridors of history” every day. Ad Astra Per Aspera Whaia Te Iti Kahurangi Kevin J. Lyall, SCHOOL HISTORIAN. 5 SCHOOL NAMES The School has been known as Rotorua Boys’ High School since 1959. This is in fact the fifth name that it has had since 1914. Secondary education in Rotorua first began 108 years ago. This was when a Secondary Department was, in 1914, added to the Rotorua Public School – the first State school to be established in Rotorua in 1886 – and it officially became the Rotorua District High School. This was the School’s original name from 1914 until the end of 1926. In 1927, the Secondary Department of the Rotorua District High School was given full high school status and re-established as the Rotorua High School. It had this title until the end of 1958. The Rotorua High School was also known by one other name from 1927 until 1953, Rotorua High and Grammar School. This title appeared on the School’s letterhead and stationery, was the name inscribed on the oldest of the sports cups and trophies, and it was also the original sub-title of the school magazine Raukura Rotorua – The Magazine of the Rotorua High and Grammar School. The word ‘Grammar’ was dropped from the name of the School in 1953. Also in 1927, an entirely new school was established. The Rotorua Junior High School was opened for intermediate-aged pupils in Years 7 and 8. However, it was only a short-lived school. It was merged with the Rotorua High School at the end of 1933 and became its Intermediate Department from 1934 until 1956. In 1957, the intermediate pupils of the Rotorua High School formed the new Rotorua Intermediate School in 1957, and, at the end of 1958, the Rotorua High School was divided into separate Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools and closed at the end of that year. In 1959, Rotorua Boys’ High School opened on the site of the former Rotorua High school. 6 THE NEW ZEALAND FLAG The New Zealand Flag is flown every day from the flagpole above the main entrance of A Block. Our nation’s flag, which has been flown daily at the School since 1989, is flown for a number reasons. It signifies that the School is open for business and, more importantly, it is the most important symbol of our nation and of the people of New Zealand. The flag’s blue background is symbolic of the blue seas and sky surrounding us. The four stars of the Southern Cross emphasize the country’s location in the Southern Hemisphere. The Union Flag, which is also known as the “Union Jack”, in the top right-hand corner of the flag acknowledges New Zealand’s British heritage as a colony and then dominion of the British Empire. The flying of the New Zealand Flag at Rotorua Boys’ High School shows patriotism, pride in our country, and for the School. It is a symbol of who we are as New Zealanders, and of our place in the world as a proud and independent sovereign nation. 7 THE SCHOOL SHIELD Designed 1915 Modified 1927 A very real symbol of our school is the School Shield. This is present on our uniform, letterhead and stationery, vehicles and buildings. It is the visual representation of our school, and most who live in Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty recognize it as the key image that has been associated with our school for well over a century. Our School Shield, however, is not only a visual symbol, it also reflects very clearly a set of values, beliefs and relationships which we as a school stand for. Our School Shield represents much to do with the philosophy of the School, and our commitment to the young men of the city since 1914. Our School Shield represents our desire to aim high and reach for the stars. It is compatible with our vision “To become the outstanding Boys’ High School in New Zealand.” The School Shield, as it appears today, was fully developed by 1927. That was the year that the Māori Head, known as “Tane Raukura”, atop the central shield and the Motto Scroll beneath it, were the final features to be added. The central shield with its four symbols and the Motto Scroll were coloured in 1927. The colours for Tane Raukura, however, were not finally determined until 2018. There are six key elements to our School Shield as follows: The Open Book – This refers to learning and education. The White Rose of York – This is a traditional heraldic symbol and demonstrates the historical relationship of our school to Great Britain. The Lion – Again this is a traditional heraldic symbol particularly common to Grammar Schools, demonstrating the relationship of the School to British traditions. Furthermore, the Lion stands for strength, courage, honour, and the determination to never to give up, and to overcome adversity. 8 The Crown – This demonstrates the relationship of the School to the Sovereign and the Crown. The Crown is also a symbol of authority and leadership. It is about setting in place, a pathway for success in life and working towards realizing one’s ambitions with determination and enthusiasm. The Māori Head, Tane Raukura – This symbolizes the relationship of the School with Ngati Whakaue, and acknowledges the 1880