I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to thank a few key people who have helped lead and support me along the way to the Rector’s office. The first was a man with a big personality. He was the first person to congratulate me, to tell me I was good enough and to push me to greater things. Ian Baldwin, now that I am sitting in your office, I promise to live up to your legacy. To Simon Coe, the school’s most recent Rector - thank you for everything you taught me, for saying yes and getting us to where we are now. To the staff of this amazing school, many of whom I have known and worked with for the last 20 years, thank you for your support, guidance and friendship.
The boys. You are easily my favourite thing about this place. Every year new people enter, and experienced people depart, but you are all important and you always make the job worth doing. From my very first interaction with a student in 2005 (thank you Hunter Wagener), to the detailed chats that I have with Mr Lafoga each interval about whether I am going to mow the lawns this weekend, Southland Boys' High School is a school full of fun and togetherness, because of the boys.
So, what can the Invercargill community expect from me? I will work hard for your boys, that is a promise. Other than that, I only have three key jobs; support great people to do great things, send your sons home each day happy, safe and a little bit more knowledgeable than when they left home, and add dad jokes to situations that need them.
And one more promise - this will be the last newsletter about me, from here on, I will be where I belong, leading from the middle.
Mehemea ka moemoeá ahau. Ko ahau anake. Mehemea ka moemoeá tátou. Ka taea e tatou.
Ray Laurenson
Rector
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Farewell Mr Coe At Southland Boys' High School we have only held 12 farewells over our 143 year history. On 2 August 2024, we paid respect both to the man we were farewelling, and the historic moment we found ourselves in.
Mr Coe - from the staff, students, and community of Southland Boys' High School - thank you for everything. For the service you have given to the school, and the mana that this school now carries thanks to your leadership and vision. We wish you all the very best in your new role as Headmaster of Napier Boys' High School.
Mr Coe was presented with a Tewhatewha, commissioned by the staff of Southland Boys' High School, and carved by master craftsman Steve Solomon, to acknowledge the service that Mr Coe has given the school, community, students, and staff of Southland Boys' High School as Rector from 2017 - 2024.
Kia Kaha Mr Coe. New Year 8 AmbassadorsCongratulations to Sam Lankow, Keaton Munro, Connor Rance and Ryan Hill who were named Year 8 Ambassadors this term.
These boys have been recognised by teachers and peers for their achievements and positive contributions to our junior school. They have stood out as they consistently follow the Southland Boys' High School values, and are great role models. | |  |
EPro8 Engineering KitsAfter huge success with the EPro8 Engineering Competition earlier in the year, the School Board generously purchased six of the engineering kits for the school.
Year 7 and 8 teachers will be incorporating this STEAM learning into the classroom as an accessible way to expose our boys to the possibilities of creative engineering and problem solving. | |  |
 SchoolTV Wellbeing ResourceSchoolTV is a wellbeing resource available through our school website, aimed at supporting parents and caregivers in dealing with the modern-day challenges faced by young people.
Parenting is a learning journey and SchoolTV supports families by providing credible information, from trusted sources, with practical strategies to help alleviate some of the challenges being faced by young people today.
Watch video interviews with leading wellbeing specialists, and browse a library of resources. Each topic is accompanied by factsheets, podcasts, books, articles, apps and other videos. This award-winning resource helps families navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people.
Take a look below:  James McLeay Through to World FinalsAn outstanding effort from James McLeay who has qualified for the final of the 1500m at the World Athletics U20 Championship in Peru.
James was in heat two of the 1500m, and drew the outside lane (far left in the photo below). He worked hard to lead in the initial stages, and as the race developed, stayed in touch with the leading group. With 400m to go he was boxed in, and as they approached the home straight James had to push out, costing him a few metres. However, he powered home with a time of 3.45.12, putting him in the top 5 and through to the final on Sunday morning (NZ time) at 11.10am.
Watch James live here on Sunday morning:
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