..
· ;';>
~
ADMINISTRATION tradition and his enthusiasm for its culture help to ensure the Hostel runs smoothly
maintenance matters in other areas. Trevor Woodward and his team of workers do a
and successfully. Hostel boys continue to perform well in both academic and sporting areas. Geoff has been supported by a strong
grand job looking after the school's grounds and property on a day to day basis.
team of Hostel Masters who live on site with their families and by an exceptional group of prefects and Hamish Alabaster, the Head
Finance The Finance Committee is chaired by Kerry Mitchell and supported by our Executive Officer Michael Graham. The committee is critical to the continued sound financial management of the school and this year has again done a great job. Funding for schools is always a battle with the operational grants supplied by government barely enough to provide the basic education services. This means the school relies on additional funds raised from the community including student's families, Old Boys and community organisations. The Board is grateful for the financial support we have received from yo u all.
Boarder.
Property The most significant matter in the Property portfolio in 2008 has been the final completion of the New Block. The school was privileged to have the Prime Minister officially open the New Block in June. The building took over 4 years from conception through design and approval to completion. The cost was some $5.5 million funded $4.5 million from the Ministry of Education and $1 million from the school's own reserves . The New Block has 6 maths classrooms, 4 specialist teaching rooms, new offices for the Headmaster, his deputy and assistants
PTA During 2008 Neil Armitage retired as President
and the administration staff, together with
of the PTA. He has been replaced by joint
a new staffroom. The project also included
Presidents Tony Lendrum and Lenise Young. The PTA provides a valuable communication
redevelopment of the ground and first floors of the Alexander Block with the previous administration offices and staffroom being converted into classrooms and science labs. The New Block gives additional presence to the school from Coronation Avenue. It provides a new formal entry to the school and administration area with better offstreet parking for visitors . This was always a weakness with the previous main entrance into the Alexander Block. The redevelopment has also provided a new quadrangle for boys which we believe will become a focal point for the school. The school property is large and requires constant care to keep it in good order. The Property Committee is one of the busiest committees of the Board. The Chairman of the Property Committee is Andrew Fraser. His experience as a civil and construction engineer has been invaluable in helping the school manage the construction of the New Block and deal with a large variety of
channel between the school and parents with its meetings featuring interesting and informative speakers. The PTA has also been excellent at raising funds and providing assistance for property projects aro und the school. The Board encourages all parents to get involved in their son's education by coming to PTA meetings and participating beyond that.
Policy The Policy committee works quietly behind the scenes and is chaired very capably by Susan Hughes. Our thanks go to the Policy Committee for their work which is generally unnoticed. Whanau Waiora Chris Taylor is again chairing Whanau Waiora during his second term on the Board. Chris has a real passion for advancing the interests of Maori boys at the school. He is assisted by other parents, staff members
?
and Kaumatua in providing programmes to improve the educational outcomes for these boys. A focus in recent times has been to improve literacy levels for the Maori boys. Whanau Waiora has had success in this area but it continues to be a challenging matter with constant attention required as new boys enter the school.
Young Men of NPBHS The role of the school is not just to educate our boys but to make them men of character who can make a valuable contribution to our society. This means that when they leave school they will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and values that are required for the career they choose. A critical part of this process is leadership. Strong leadership provides direction, security and pride for all the boys at the school. During 2008 the school has been extremely well served by Head Boy Hamish Fleming and his team of prefects. We congratulate them all for their leadership and hard work during 2008. Historically boys from NPBHS have achieved strong academic results. While much credit for these results is given to our teaching
STAFF NOTES - 2008
the Technology department. He has a keen
Hatched, matched and dispatched
interest in rugby and athletics, but we have been waiting for the Kava welcome (and are still waiting ..... )
The start of 2008 saw the "hatching" of a number of new staff to New Plymouth Boys' High School, as well as some yo ung teachers to keep the stables full for the future. However Boys' High School was not the place to be in 2008 if you wanted the status quo. Our karma rubbed off on the Rt. Hon Helen Clark ..... ..... .... . and on a large
• Mr George Poole came to New Plymouth Boys' from Northhamptonshire in the UK. He literally turned up on our doorstep, after the school had unsuccessfully searched the country for a qualified chemistry teacher. One weekend over the holidays, George knocked on the Headmaster's window to enquire about any possible vacancies!
number of staff. In January the Headmaster wrote in the newsletter "One of the characteristics of NPBHS is that we have a stable staff and therefore do not need to employ many new staff each year". Maybe he should have written "One of the characteristics of NPBHS is that we have a stable of staff and therefore they are likely to bolt. .. ... Of those who joined the staff this year these remain for 2009: • Mr Falaola Wainiqolo, formally the HOD of Technology at Suva Grammar joined
• Mrs Linda Dickson, an exceptional teacher of Biology with great experiences in Deaning and Teacher Support, decided to save on fuel costs and to join us after teaching at Waitara High. Although she and her family farm in that area, her sons attend NPBHS and are keen sportsmen. Linda offers great academic strength to the Biology Department.
• Tineka Twigley, a very talented languages teacher, joined us to support the Languages Department as a specialist part-time teacher of Spanish. Well-liked and respected by the students, Tineka quickly enhanced the department and the learning of languages.
• Mr Justin Bigwood returned to fill a position left vacant by the departure of Victoria Kerr. He last taught here in 2002
New Plymouth Boys' High has always had
before leaving for the drier climate of the South Island's West Coast.
a staff that get "matched" - some even get married. Blair Corlett married Teresa on the 28th of March. We now wait to read the hatched column in 2009!
staff, the boys themselves also need to be recognized for the hard work and
We also "match" staff with experiences that challenge and reward them for years of great service:
commitment they put in during the school year. They lead busy lives balancing study with sporting, cultural and other school activities. A large number of our sports teams and musicians have achieved high national
• Mr Alan Elgar and his wife Brenda spent
honours during 2008. We congratulate you all.
the September holidays in Chile as part of the combined BHS and GHS exchange to our sister school, San Nicolas de Myra. Many
For the school leavers, you have been a part of the school for up to 5 years and
staff were concerned how the cowboy lover (no Brokeback Mountain jokes permitted) would cope in the land of the BIG steak. But Alan and Brenda thrived in the culture
have added to its culture and tradition. The values you have learned here will serve you
•and had life changing experiences (if not a
well for the rest of your lives. The Board of Trustees wishes you all every success in your chosen career.
change in dress sense - though Alan was not allowed to buy spurs). • Mrs Mary Porteous accompanied the World Schools group to Italy in Term 4. It's
Jamie Sutherland Chairman NPBHS Board of Trustees November 2008
hard to understand, in the land of Ferrari, how Mary managed to enjoy herself by
THE TARANAKIAN 10
ADMINISTRATION
THE TARANAKIAN This page has been kindly sponsored by Kingsway Menswear
11