Figure 1.--Sports are the single most popular activity at most New Zealand boys' schools, but there is also a very strong interest in music a boys' secondary schools.
|
Figure 1.--Sports are the single most popular activity at most New Zealand boys' schools, but there is also a very strong interest in music a boys' secondary schools. |
The headmaster or principal at New Zealand schools, especially the secondary schools, provide annual or term reports on developments at their schools. These reports contain interesting information, not only about the specific school, but about New Zealand school trends in general.
The headmaster at this school recounts the academic successes of the students and athletic teams and explains that they have many more applications for new students than they can accomodate. This term 3 report also deals with upcoming examinations. He also mentions reunion groups, which he classifies by when the boy began school, in contrast to American schools which are always by graduation year.
Term three is well under way with senior students preparing for school examinations at the end of the month and winter sports exchanges coming to an end. For the past sixteen weeks I have been overseas, mainly in Europe and the United Kingdom, meeting parents of some of our overseas students, visiting schools (some of which were hosting our students on GAP Scholarships), and attending a World Principals’ Conference as part of a strong
representation of New Zealand Secondary School Principals. I am particularly grateful to the Board of Trustees for making this possible. It has provided an opportunity to look objectively at what is happening in education in other parts of the world, to make comparisons with what we are doing at our school and in New Zealand and to translate this experience to benefit the boys of the school and their education.
The school has again had a large number of applications for places in Year 9 for 2000, with over 450 applications at the official closing date of 30 July and late
applications still arriving daily. The school has 245 places in Year 9. As required under the Enrolment Scheme priority will be given to students living in-zone
(including the Hostel). Such is the number of applicants that we can no longer provide an absolute guarantee that there will be places for brothers or that sons will
follow fathers. Certainly the task of selecting students from the large numbers applying is extremely difficult and many deserving boys will miss out on their school of
first choice.
It is appropriate here to note the success of ex-students who proceed from school to university study. Last year 175 university
degrees were awarded to ex-students of our school. This would indicate that 72% of the Year 9 students could be expected to proceed through Christchurch Boys‘
High School, continue their education through university and earn a degree qualification. This figure of 72% compares very favourably with the national average of
25.7% of secondary school students proceeding on to University and securing a qualification.
The Studies Guide will soon be issued to all students in Years 10, 11 and 12. The purpose of the Guide is to inform parents and students of the subjects available in
the curriculum for the coming year (2000) and to assist in making subject choices, career direction and goal setting. Parents should take this opportunity to discuss
such matters with their son. Further assistance is available from the Careers Adviser, Guidance Counsellor and Deans. Appointments can be made through the
school office.
The approval for the rebuilding of Adams House has been granted by the Christchurch City Council, however this decision has been appealed and a new hearing is
scheduled before the Environmental Court. This is scheduled for September.
Our annual rugby fixture with Christ’s College was a huge success from all viewpoints. The various reunion groups which make this day a focus for their celebrations
were very well supported, in particular the 1939 and 1949 new entrants and the 1949 and 1974 First Fifteen rugby teams. Celebrations took many forms, however
the key element was the genuine and enduring friendship for each other and the fondness of their memories of their time at Christchurch Boys‘ High School. The
Assembly on the morning of the match was a big part of the day and the school played a significant role in welcoming our visitors and putting on show our students at
their best. The greatest accolades of the day, however, must go to Peter Chaplin and his team for a convincing victory. Congratulations also to the coaches Richard
Taylor and Phil Robson and manager David Bone for their efforts in producing a team to represent the school with such distinction.
The Sports and Cultural Exchanges with our traditional rivals Otago Boys‘ High School and Waitaki Boys‘ High School have also produced some fine results with
Christchurch Boys‘ High School teams having almost a clean sweep across all codes and activities.
Some of the recent successes of our students which are worthy of noting include: Cameron Maclean and Scott Berry who were members of the New Zealand Junior
Rowing Eight which was sixth in the final of the World Championships in Bulgaria; Karl Samson who was the winner of the Men’s singles at the Marlborough Open
Table Tennis Championships, in addition to winning four other titles and finishing runner-up in four others; Richard Harris has been selected by the Christchurch
Drama Centre to compete in the 1999 International Drama Festival to be held in France in November.
