July Newsletter

Farewell from the Rector

Pride is often seen as a negative, but a sense of pride, belonging and self-assurance is very important in a young man. It’s clear that over my tenure at Southland Boys’ High School - through the brotherhood we share and the achievements we celebrate - that pride in and of the school has become an integral part of who we are. We have, and always will have, young men who represent themselves, their school, the region and the country with pride, and that pride is shared – not only by myself, but the whole community. 
 
So it is with enormous pride that I look back on my time at Southland Boys’ High School - as brief as it is in the history of the school - and hope that this legacy continues throughout the long and prosperous future that Southland Boys’ High School has ahead of it. 
 
I thank the boys, the staff, and the whole community for their support, and wish everyone well. 

Simon Coe 
Rector

International Boys’ Schools Conference

The IBSC annual conference was held from July 1 - 4 at Harrow School, in London. Joining over 600 delegates and focusing on tradition, leadership and innovation, this year's conference was a stimulating insight into boys' education through inspiring keynote speakers, 125 workshops, and the chance to network with other boys' school across the world. Being immersed in the history of Harrow School, which was founded in 1572, showcased how tradition done right can form bonds within communities through positive rituals, nostalgia, and shared experiences. 

Thank you to the school board for recognising the value in this conference and sending three staff members - Julia Shannon, Nikki Boyce, and Ray Laurenson. We congratulate Julia who embarked on her research project into the tracing of whakapapa to create belonging in boys' education, and Ray who presented a workshop on shifting learning barriers within the classroom.

Open Day 2024 – 8 August

We look forward to welcoming you to Southland Boys' High School on Thursday 8 August 2024 for our Open Day. The school is open from 4 – 7pm, and our lovely students will take you on a guided tour, showing you the things they love best about their school. 

There will be a welcome message at 4pm, 5pm, and 6pm. Coldstream Hostel is open for those interested in boarding, and tours of the school can also be made by appointment between 12 – 23 August 2024.

Remembering Ian Baldwin

It is with sadness that we inform our school community of the passing of Ian Baldwin, the former Rector of Southland Boys' High School. Ian passed away after an illness on Saturday, 13 July 2024. Ian was the Rector of Southland Boys' High School from 2000 - 2017, and began teaching at the school in 1974. As a teacher and a Rector, Ian Baldwin had a significant impact at the school, and we will forever be thankful. We send our best wishes and thoughts to Ian’s family at this difficult time.

Regional Culinary Champions

Alex Winslade and Kaden Skeggs have won the regional round of the National Secondary School Culinary Challenge! They made an entrée where parsnip was the hero of the dish. They worked hard perfecting their dish, making a creamy parsnip ravioli with chardonnay beurre blanc, basil oil and parsnip crisps. 

They will be travelling to Auckland in August to compete in the national grand final, making four portions of the entrée and four portions of a main for this competition. We wish them all the best in their culinary journey!

Emerging Talent - Southland Creative Arts

Levi Te Amo and Oshadha Perera, who graduated in 2023, have been nominated for the Southern Outlook Emerging Talent award in the Southland Creative Arts Awards 2024. Awarded to an individual under 25, the Southern Outlook Emerging Talent Award is given to a young person who displays great talent and skill in their field and who is working towards a future in the arts.

Levi has just finished taking part in Mamma Mia, and this year has starred in We Will Rock You, and SpongeBob the Musical. Oshadha is a published, national and international award winning poet. 

Disc Golf Triumph

Conner Rance and Grayson Hean took part in the 11th Tucker Beach Rush Disc Golf Tournament in Queenstown recently, competing in the MJ18 (U18) division.   After a tight battle, Conner came out on top, winning the MJ18 division by five shots. This win makes Conner a two times divisional champion at this tournament! Grayson finished tied for 3rd after a great second round. Congratulations gentlemen!

Recent News

Gateway Graduates Five students recently graduated from Gateway in Ignition Automotive, and Advanced Carpentry. View More   Regional Culinary Challenge Champions! Alex Winslade and Kaden Skeggs are the Otago/Southland National Secondary School Culinary Challenge winners! View More   National Pipe Band Representatives Visit Canada Peter Devery and Casey Thompson have recently returned from a trip of a lifetime to British Columbia, Canada with The National Youth Pipe Band of New Zealand. View More   Japan - Sanix World Youth Rugby Tournament Following their national championship win in 2023, our First XV travelled to Japan in April 2024 to participate in the Sanix World Youth Rugby Tournament. View More   On Target - Clay Target Champions The Southland Boys' High School team won the Scott Shield at the ILT Postal Shoot Clay Target event on Sunday 21 July, 2024. View More   U17 Squash Champion Thomas Gray is the South Island U17 Squash Champion! View More   Cycling Success Success at the South Island Schools Road Cycling Championships and National Track Series. View More