From the Rector

There is just something unique about the atmosphere created when the Hall of Memories is full. I would also like to take this moment to wish all our leavers the very best and also to the boy's who are sitting external exams over the coming weeks. We still have 180 students attending school in Years 9 and 10 who have exams in less than 2 weeks time and we will ensure that they receive our complete attention for the rest of this term. Have a great weekend.

"What a wonderful occasion this is!

I would like to dedicate my address to the memory of Blair Vining – a great New Zealander who passed away a month ago.

As Blair said - “Live your best life today”

Ora I to koiora pai rawa atu

I would firstly like to acknowledge all those boys who have not received a prize tonight but have come to support their friends and school – no greater respect can be given. Well done.

The history books will recall 2019 as a ‘watershed moment’ – After 4 years an elected Board of Trustees is back governing the school; and for the first time in that period we had an improved ERO report recognising the progress of the school.

Reflecting on 2019 at Waitaki Boy’s it is clearly evident that much progress has been made.

· Our 2018 NCEA results were the best they have been at Level 2 and 3 for the past 5 years . Our Level 2 pass rate of over 83% was 9% above the national average.

· We are well “on track” to achieve our goal of 30 E endorsements and 60 endorsements overall from this year’s NCEA cohort. The Level 1 results in particular are looking very positive.

· More than 130 boys last term received Top fortnightly notes for effort which is over 30% of the school. When we began this in 2017 this figure was 12%.

· We have growing numbers in both the elite choir and the Kapa Haka group - Two years ago we didn’t have a Kapa Haka group, and now they are being asked to perform in televised events. Seeing them perform with Waitaki Girls for the Alps to Ocean competitors was one of the highlights of my year. More than 100 boys participated in the Big Choir.

· We have the best Pasifika performing group in Otago

· We have record numbers of boys receiving He Ara Tika awards for personifying the school’s values

· We can celebrate sporting success - at last Friday’s Aoraki Sports awards 28 nominees, with 15 overall category winners.

· Our traditional events such as tonight, the ANZAC service and the Scrano cultural competition are still second to none.

· We have so many points of difference that make our school unique. The only working school farm in the South Island . All students experience Agriculture here. With 60 acres of grounds we can offer outdoor spaces (this include playing fields for a number of sports, trap shooting, a swimming pool and a diving pool)of the highest order and can I take this opportunity to say what a magnificent job our groundstaff are doing in presenting our school. At lunchtime you will find boy’s playing handball on asphalt almost anywhere, playing tennis and basketball on the courts, playing Volleyball or Basketball in the gym and cricket, football and touch rugby on the backfield. Not to forget we have access to a stunning school camp only 90 mins away at Lake Middleton and we are seated tonight in the heart of the school, the 92 year old Hall of Memories a school building without equal in the country.

· From the historic Blundell Block to the new Science Block to the Technology teaching spaces, our boys want for nothing when it comes to teaching and learning facilities. When school starts back in 2020 it is planned for there to be an Oval open plan recreational area where the old Science block and prefabs currently exist for boys to enjoy.

· All of this and incredibly we are the smallest boys state school in NZ!

· During Term 3 we farewelled Deputy Rector John Mattisson – As was his style he did not want a fuss made of his departure but it is fitting tonight that we recognise the 11 years of unstinting service that John gave to the school and we wish him all the best for the future. At the end of the year we will farewell Ms Genevieve Einarsen who has taught at WBHS since 2015. We wish Genevieve all the best for her retirement and will miss her pure positivity in the staff room. Mr James Graham returns home to England at the end of the year. James has developed a great deal this year as a beginning teacher and he has also given selflessly of his time outside the classroom. Many students have benefitted from your commitment James. All the very best.

Before concluding I would like to say my thank you’s

· Firstly to the boys, I look out and see so many awesome young men. You are the most important people here and we must never lose sight that the school is all about what is best for you. Just take a moment to reflect on what we are celebrating here this evening. You can come from a school in a small town like Oamaru and achieve incredible things. If you dream big, anything is possible.

· To my staff – In the almost 3 years I have been in this role I cannot speak highly enough of firstly your resilience and secondly of your passion for the school both inside and outside the classroom. Of the 34 full or part time staff we have here 29 are involved in some form of extra-curricular activity. If we include House/Scrano activities then every staff member is involved in supporting the boy’s in some way outside the classroom. In my experience some of the staff here are the best I have ever worked with! In a society where a school’s jurisdiction seems to be ever widening and where teachers are being increasingly asked to play roles that are far beyond classroom teaching and learning your patience and skill is greatly appreciated. In particular I would like to take this opportunity to thank my senior leadership team of Roger van Booma and Aisea Fifita for their hard work and support as the Senior Leadership restructure has taken place. Your positivity has been relentless.

· Thank you also to the new Board for their unstinting support and in particular chairperson Andrea Ludemann. The school is in superb hands with Andrea leading the Board. This time last year the commissioner – Craig Smith, was here and I will always be indebted for his support.

· To the organisations that are so generous in their support of our school, in particular the Fraser Farm, the school Foundation, the Community Association (as Andrea has previously mentioned) and our Old Boys. Thank you for providing so many more opportunities for our boy’s.

· Finally, to the community, thank you for your continuing support of the school in 2019. Numbers at events engaging with the community have continued to grow as has the positive feedback we have received. This feedback is essential in both rebuilding the reputation of our school and planning for the future. By continuing to work together, as we have this year, we will ensure the best outcomes for your sons.

· 2020 promises to be another exciting year in which we will continue to raise the standards. As Frank Milner wrote in 1943 we will remain ‘strong to endure’

· Ora I to koiora pai rawa atu

“Live your best life today”

Floreat Waitakia esto perpetua!"

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