February Newsletter

From the Rector

Kia ora whanau and welcome to 2025. It has been a whirlwind start to the year as our new students settle in, and our returning students get used to new classrooms, new teachers and, in some cases, new uniforms.

Every new year brings with it a new set of student leaders. These leaders will take the helm and drive the school through the year to ensure that it is a true reflection of the boys within it. At prizegiving last year, I was able to present the Head Boy’s blazer to Tom Smith and the Deputy Head Boy’s blazers to Joshua Reynolds and Josh Cairns. This formidable trio has put together their leadership team and begun to set goals for the year. 

Head Boarder Coldstream Hostel – Cooper Mitchell 
Head of Coldstream House – Jimmy Taylor
Head of Deaker House – Lincoln Te Tai
Head of Grant House – Leuma Niue 
Head of Pearce House – Jack Claridge
Head of Uttley House and Southland Boys' High School's Cultural Leader – Elliot Cunningham 

Prefect Team
Michael Crean
Zephyr Jackson
Hayden Millar
Carter Milne
Ajay Smith

As is tradition at Southland Boys' High School, our school year truly starts with Athletics Day. This is our signature event and is a day that truly reflects the kotahitanga of the Southland Boys' High School brotherhood. It is always wonderful to see the boys marching out in their house colours and taking part in the events throughout the day, but the reason this event is special always occurs on the 400 meter track. It is here that my faith in the human spirit is always reinforced. For many people the concept of running 400 meters is a daunting one, and every year the pain of the last couple of hundred meters is firmly etched on many faces, however, as the task begins to prove too great and giving up is the only foreseeable option, a sea of senior students arrives, as if from nowhere, and runs alongside those that are struggling and then raucously celebrate as they cross the line. There is no condescension in this - it is genuine, real and wonderful. This is where our year starts and where our brotherhood is cemented. It is why it is easily my favourite day of the year. 

And now, with that behind us, let us get down to the vital tasks of teaching and learning. Let us embrace the adventure that 2025 has in store for us all and let us seek personal growth wherever it may be. 

Kia kaha Southland Boys’ High School.
You guys rock. 
 
Ray Laurenson
Rector

Student Leadership Team for 2025

Our student leadership team is led by Head Boy Tom Smith, and Deputies Joshua Reynolds and Josh Cairns. The leadership team consists of Prefects, Boys to Men mentors, Year 8 Ambassadors, and Class Representatives. 

For the full list of young leaders for 2025, please follow the link below:

Pōwhiri 2025

On Thursday 30 January, we started the year with a Pōwhiri, welcoming all new staff and students to Southland Boys' High School for 2025.

During the Pōwhiri, our Head Boy Tom Smith was presented with the school flag. Tom then raised the first flag of 2025, accompanied by Deputies Josh Reynolds and Josh Cairns. 

The photo features our Cultural Leader and Uttley House Captain for 2025, Elliot Cunningham. 

Pearce House for the Win!

Congratulations to Pearce house and their captain Jack Claridge for a well deserved victory at our sports day yesterday! It was a fantastic day, full of colour and passion. 

A full album of photos will be available on Monday.

Heritage Month at SBHS Museum

As part of Southland Heritage Month, we invite you to visit our museum.

Developed over decades by local author and historian Lynley Dear, the museum is open to the public Saturday 8 and Sunday 23 March, from 10am - 3pm. 

Highlights include the original architectural plans of the iconic Pearce Building, stories of distinguished alumni, and a moving Wall of Remembrance honouring Old Boys who fell in World Wars I and II. The museum showcases a treasure trove of anecdotes, artefacts, and memorabilia, celebrating the school's enduring legacy in Southland’s history and its bright future.

For more information or group bookings contact Tabita Sales on 03 211 3003.

Ideas Welcomed by the PTA

What would make the outdoor space better for our students?

Next week the PTA will be launching their first fundraiser of the year - look for an email in your inbox on Monday! They will be putting the money towards further developing the outdoor environment for our students and would like your ideas about what the money could go towards.

Please email [email protected] with your thoughts. 

Call for Trade Exhibitors

Join us as an exhibitor at our third Trades Career Expo!

We hold a biennial trades expo at school and are looking for practical, hands-on jobs and trades for our boys to see up close. The more the students can build, participate in or drive during the day the better! We invite your business to join us and take the opportunity to promote your industry to our students.

The date of the expo is Friday 4 April, 8:45am – 2.50pm and we’ll be holding it in the school gym and quad. If you are interested in becoming an exhibitor, please email Shelley Davis [email protected] by Friday 7 March, 2025.

NZ Softball U15 Selection

Congratulations to Zavier Te Amo, Year 10, on his selection for the New Zealand U15 Development Squad for softball! Zavier was the only Southland player selected to trial for the U15 NZ D-Sox and will travel to Palmerston North for a training camp in April.

Otago/Southland Waterskiing Competition 

Carter Woolsey, Jack Woolsey, Fynn Raines, Max Heaps, Liam Johnston and Leo Brook represented the school at the recent Otago Southland Secondary Schools Waterskiing Competition - with some outstanding results and personal bests!

Read on for more, including a report from Fynn Raines:

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