From the Associate Rector |
Reflecting on 2023
As midnight approached on the 31st of December 2022, I was completely unaware that I was about to enter one of the most brilliantly exhausting years I have ever had as a teacher. Now reflecting on the year, I can safely say that I have seen this school at its best. The boys of Southland Boys’ High School came together to prove that absolutely nothing is impossible and, when given half a chance, we can perform with (and often rise above) the crowd. Let me unpack the year for you and you will see what I mean.
2023 - the year when:
The race for Dux of the school would come down to absolute academic perfection.
As I write this, there are multiple students vying to do the impossible. It seems that to be Dux of this school a student will have to complete every assessed piece of work throughout the year at Excellence level. Therefore, this group of students are pushing the academic bar at this school so high that clearing it will take a monumental effort. At prizegiving on the 7th of December, we will see who manages the impossible, and clears the unclearable bar.
Fynn Mitchell made an artform out of refusing to get lost.
This amazing young man has risen to the top level of international competition as an Adventure Racer. He and his teammates compete in global events that see competitors racing over days to complete courses through the most deserted wilderness. His fitness, intellect and determination have enabled him to compete in the World Championships (not age group, open International World Championships).
Magnus Jamieson proved he is world class on two wheels.
Magnus competed at the World U18 Championships in Columbia. During this event he was able to pit himself against the world’s best riders. It is truly awe inspiring to think that this young man has risen to the top of the world in a sport that nearly every person on the planet takes part in. Think to yourself - how old were you when you learned to ride a bike? So, if nearly everyone can ride a bike, making it to the world champs is a superhuman achievement.
Alex Crosbie put four wheels under him and rose to national prominence. Alex Crosbie is a quiet unassuming Year 12 student. However, behind the wheel of his Formula Ford racing car he is a demon - so much so that he is the current National Formula Ford Champion.
All Blacks and National Champions.
Way down South, at the bottom of the planet, a group of boys and their dedicated coaching staff did the unthinkable. They took Invercargill, the boys of Southland Boys’ High School and each other, on a roller coaster ride that culminated in a National Title. Led stoically by Captain Gregor Rutledge, the SBHS 1st XV made an artform out of refusing to lose. Time and time again the team gritted out determined 1-point victories. And then, courtesy of a 40-meter dropped goal, the team that wouldn’t lose, won.
To the victors go the spoils. Kiseki Fifita found himself in a Black Jersey, JJ Fisher became a New Zealand Barbarian and Amaziah Mitchell and Hoani Nikora-Wilson became New Zealand Māori representatives.
What about the school as a group?
The Year 9 Certificate has been the catalyst to greatness.
One of the most fundamental aspects of teaching boys is to understand that boys like targets and love competition. So, if you can add these two elements together, you are very likely to increase the level of output from the student body. With this in mind, we added the Year 9 Certificate this year and set a series of academic targets for our boys to strive for. One of those targets was 90 Excellence level Grade Point Units out of a maximum of 144. When we set this target, we believed it was going to be completely unreachable. We have been proven wrong! To all the boys that have scaled the Year 9 Certificate to its peak, you have my congratulations.
A 5-point House Competition.
Throughout the year the boys have been competing for the glory of controlling the House Shield and lifting the House Cup. The year of events began with Athletics and ended in a 4-hour rowing marathon. Ultimately the top three houses were split by the smallest of margins and the ultimate victors, Coldstream House, managed to hold on to a 5-point buffer.
A huge amount of effort leading to an influx of financial support for Flood ravaged areas of New Zealand.
Following the disastrous impact of Cyclone Gabrielle in the North Island, the Prefect group put in motion a series of fundraisers aiming at raising funds to support those most in need. Their collective efforts and the wonderful support of our community resulted in a donation of $4,801.00.
Kia kaha Southland Boys’ High School.
Ray Laurenson
Associate Rector |
 Uniform Shop - Now Live! |
Our online uniform shop is now live, despite a few teething issues! And our two try on nights were a success, with large numbers of students coming through to try on the uniform for their correct size.
We have changed suppliers to Kukri, and have a few new items. The juniors will now wear a polo shirt and can choose between short or long sleeves. The current junior blue shirt is still correct uniform and can be worn. We also have a new reversible house PE top, with house colours on one side, and the PE top on the other. The current PE top is still correct uniform and can be worn.
The uniform orders will be delivered to Southland Boys' High School after 30 November, and we will contact everyone who has placed an order to arrange collection.
All orders placed before 30 November will receive 10% off with code SBHS2024.
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 Youthmark Awards 2023 |
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2023 Youthmark Young Achiever Awards! The achievements of Nick Brown, Ruairidh MacCallum, Oshadha Perera, Gregor Rutledge, Matthew Smith, and Fraser Wilson were celebrated on Wednesday 25 October at the Ascot Park Hotel.
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 Secondary School Sports Awards |
On Monday 30 October Kiseki Fifita (right) was crowned the Southland Secondary School Senior Sports Person of the Year for 2023!
To add to the triumph, the Southland Boys' High School First XV was named the Southland Secondary School Team of the Year! Captain Gregor Rutledge, and Vice-Captain Rico Muliaina collected the award on behalf of the team.
Old Boy Sam Riley was also honoured by Southland Boys' High School for his contribution to sport.
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 World Adventure Racing Champions |
Congratulations to Fynn Mitchell, Year 13, and his team FEAR Youth, who finished in 9th place at the World Adventure Racing Championships!
As quoted by the AR World Series website, 'the team range in age from 18 to 20 and have only been competing in long races for the past 18 months. This was their first international race, and for such a young team to finish an 840km World Championship course and to compete with, and beat, many of the world’s best teams is totally unprecedented. The FEAR Youth team have announced themselves on the AR world stage!'
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 Year 13 Graduation - 2023 |
On Thursday 26 October, the class of 2023 graduated from Southland Boys' High School.
Each young man crossed the stage one last time to shake the hand of Mr Coe, before a series of special awards were handed out. The boys then headed into the rafters to leave a permanent mark on the school, before leaving across the crest laid into the tiles of the school - signifying their journey from boyhood to adulthood.
The evening was a true celebration of the achievements and successes of a group of extraordinary young men. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.
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Guidance - Routines and Assessment
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Kaaren Wilkes
School Counsellor
It is that time of the year when our senior students are embarking on a significant part of their education. They have been working towards their NCEA examinations for most of this year. Some of our students will be well prepared while others will be feeling some anxiety and stress. Anxiety and stress, in moderation, can be a good thing, it can make us consider all our options: what we need to do right now.
On the below link are some suggestions to help prepare yourself over the next few weeks:
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Recent News
Year 13 Graduation - Class of 2023
The graduating class of 2023! | |  |
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Youthmark Recipients 2023
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2023 Youthmark Young Achiever Awards: Nick Brown, Ruairidh MacCallum, Oshadha Perera, Gregor Rutledge, Matthew Smith, and Fraser Wilson. | |  |
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Secondary School Sports Awards
Success at the 2023 Southland Secondary School Sports Awards | |  |
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Power Chess Nationals
A silver placing at the Power Chess National Online Tournament! | |  |
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Robotics Club
Celebrating five years of Robotics at Southland Boys' High School | |  |
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