Thursday 7 May – change in routine

With Years 12–13 NCEA parent/teacher/student meetings being held online from 3–7pm on Thursday 7 May, there is a change in routine, with the school day ending at 1.10pm. 

King’s Birthday Exeat Weekend

Boarding houses close at 1pm on Saturday 30 May and reopen at 3pm on Monday 1 June. While it is a teacher-only day on Friday 29 May, all boys must fulfil their sports commitments on Friday and Saturday.

Annual Christ’s College vs Christchurch Boys’ High School rugby game

This year, the annual Christ’s College vs Christchurch Boys’ High School (CBHS) rugby game will be held on Tuesday 2 June at CBHS, with the kick-off at 1pm. There will be a change in routine for the day, with the options for boys being:

• Attend the game 
• Remain at College in supervised study (from 12.20pm)
• Go home at 12pm

I will share this information with the boys at an upcoming Assembly. They will receive a Google form – that they must complete – regarding their options for the day. Please discuss this with your son. Students must fulfil ALL normal after-school co-curricular commitments on Tuesday 2 June, including sports training and games.

Hope reigns despite division

Tēnā koutou katoa.

Christ is risen alleluia. He is risen indeed alleluia.

Dearly beloved, Eastertide – a season spanning 50 days from Easter Sunday through to Pentecost – is, as King Charles said in his recent address to the United States Congress (talk about a tough crowd for a British Monarch), “the great season of Hope”. I am not sure The King is used to being interrupted as frequently with standing ovations when he speaks at home or abroad, but I will give it to the Congressmen and women, they are an enthusiastic crowd who like to stretch their legs regularly during an address. It was hearteningly ‘Hopeful’ to see his remarks so well received across what has become an increasingly divided house.

I bring news from the College Warden and Bishop of Christchurch, The Right Reverend Dr Peter Carrell, that Archdeacon Susan Wallace has been elected as the next Pihopa o Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu, Bishop of The South Island, Tikanga Maori within the Anglican Province of Aotearoa New Zealand, and Polynesia.

The Venerable Susan’s ordination and installation will be held on Saturday 6 June 2026, with the time and venue still to be confirmed. I am ‘Hopeful’ we, as a community, can support Bishop-elect Susan in her ministry across this great island, as her father, Bishop Richard Wallace, helped us during his time as Pihopa.

Earlier in the week – marking May the 4th Be With You Day – we heard from Peter’s testimony to ‘a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you (us), who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time’. As a lectionary reading for this calendar day, I owe someone good language, given the additional line of the first (IV) Star Wars film, A New Hope.

May that Hope abound in our world, homes, and hearts this Easter.

Christ is risen. Alleluia, alleluia.

Cameron

Kiwi Competitions

Kiwi Competitions offers students in Years 9–10 the opportunities to test themselves against their peers around the country in English, Mathematics, and Science. Students can choose to do one paper or all three. To register, boys can visit Schoolbox student notices and complete the form.

In tune with a symphony of school collaborations

Our collaborations with other schools are a high note of the musical year. Our recent Orchestral Extravaganza in the Assembly Hall – also featuring musicians from St Margaret's College and Rangi Ruru Girls' School – delivered an epic repertoire, with 113 performers on the stage.

In Term 1, we were dedicated to preparing the music, including two separate sectional rehearsals for the strings, woodwind, brass, and percussion. Well done to the boys for their commitment, effort, and growth while preparing for the concert.

The performance itself was a testament to the power of collaboration, showing what could be achieved when students had the opportunity to play music that would be unmanageable on their own. This years performance was impressive, as the combined string and full orchestras only had 90 minutes to rehearse together before the concert.

We hope you join us at our next musical evening, when the Christ’s College and St Margaret’s College Combined Orchestra perform on Wednesday 27 May at 7pm in the Assembly Hall. Earlier that day, members of our choir, chamber groups, and soloists will perform at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral at 1pm.

Welcome to our new sponsors

We are delighted to welcome several new sponsors to the Christ’s College sponsorship programme.

Rugby

A warm welcome is extended to Forsyth Barr – one of our new lead rugby sponsors. We officially welcomed Forsyth Barr at the rugby season launch at the end of April and look forward to having Forsyth Barr beside us for the season ahead.

Basketball

We are excited to welcome two new sponsors to our basketball programme. Young Hunter Lawyers joins us as our lead sponsor, while Surfprep has come on board as a Tier 2 sponsor. It’s wonderful to have these organisations supporting this thriving programme.

Senior production

We are also delighted to welcome Ember Technology as a sponsor of this year’s joint senior production with St Margaret’s College, Les Misérables. Ember Technology’s support of our performing arts community is greatly appreciated.

Being of service at Tūhaitara Coastal Park 

Aligning strongly with the Christ’s College virtue of ‘stewardship’, our Years 10–11 students have been committed to the rehabilitation of Tūhaitara Coastal Park near Woodend for several years.

Covering 700 hectares from the Waimakariri River mouth to Waikuku Beach, Tūhaitara Coastal Park is home to natural features of national importance, including endangered wildlife.

Our regular school holiday visits provide an important opportunity for our students to nurture and protect our fragile environment while also fulfilling their Community and Service and Sustainable Future sections of the Christ’s College Diploma. Those willing to commit to several days at the park can achieve Silver and Gold levels in both sections.

Students can volunteer during the next school holidays, with opportunities to help out at the park available from 6–8 July and 13–15 July, or during the following school break from 21–23 September, 28–30 September, and 6–8 October.

Working with Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust, our students have been busy during the recent school holidays, volunteering their time and effort – under the guidance of rangers – to maintain and improve park tracks, clear vegetation, and protect native flora and fauna from pests. 

Their work also complements the volunteer hours put in by students for the Eco-Action Nursery, nurturing seedlings and planting natives in the city’s red zone.

Parents and members of the College community are also welcome to help out when volunteer spaces are available. If you, your family, or anyone you know wants to support work at the park, please email enquiries@tuhaitarapark.org.nz.

An educated approach to European connections

Welcome to our new international students, James Hooper, who is in Year 11, from Sedbergh School in England, and Leonard Fusch, who is in Year 12, from Germany. Both have joined the School House community and are already immersed in College life.

Their arrival coincides with my recent trip to London where I took part in the StudyTravel Alphe Fair. With more than 250 agents, 220 schools, 40 service providers, and eight associations, including New Zealands SIEBA, the fair provided a structured and high-quality environment for in-person networking and partnership building with mainly European education agents. I was also fortunate to meet the representative from Saint-Denis International School in France, a French language exchange partner of College. 

Following the fair, and along with our sister school, St Margaret's College, I travelled around Germany, connecting with existing and potential agents, and meeting families of current and future students. Everywhere we went, there was a great deal of interest in our schools and a New Zealand education, and we hope to build on this positive connection.

Reading vs the world (if the world is in a screen)

Sometimes it feels like the world is plotting against us, and when it comes to reading, that feeling may be justified. Reading rates across all ages have plummeted in the past 20 years as screens have started to steal our time and attention.

However, it is not at all hopeless. More young people want to ‘go analogue’ and experience life in an intentional way. Let us support that desire, and help our boys develop their abilities to focus on one thing, intentionally, and for more than a few minutes.

House Reading can be a helpful tool for you to leverage as a parent. It is a reason for your son to read not just for himself, but for the house, too. The competition covers Term 2 and the winter holidays. When students finish a book, they tell library staff about it and earn house points. The bigger the book, the more points. 

You may like to join in. Listen to an audiobook in the car, or make hot chocolates for an evening of reading as a family, individually or together. Our boys may say they are too old to listen to a book being read, but our English teachers believe differently. Our boys love sitting and listening as someone reads aloud, even when they have to take a turn as a reader.

From treasured blazer to keepsake cushion

Have you got a College blazer at home that is simply beyond repair? If you do, we would love to take it off your hands. We can turn your son’s old blazer into a College cushion keepsake or use it to create cushions featuring our distinctive black and white stripes to sell in support of a range of school fund-raising events.

If you want a personal keepsake, we can make a special cushion. A personalised cushion costs $55 when using your son’s old blazer for material, plus $2.50 per item when adding any extra memento, such as sports badges, Honours Ties, or gold/silver buttons. All are made by our talented seamstress, Philippa Dye. Please drop off unwanted blazers at the Uniform Shop or call in to pick up a cushion. You can also email uniformshop@christscollege.com to request a personal keepsake cushion. 

UPCOMING CAREERS DATES

Christ’s College CareerWise

The Christ’s College careers website, CareerWise, is a rich source of careers information. Parents and students can subscribe to our careers platform to stay up to date with the options and opportunities open to the boys. These may cover career-related events, news, and jobs. For most events, there are links to register. Our Years 11–13 boys and their parents are encouraged to subscribe to CareerWise.

Recent CareerWise articles include:
Coleridge Downs Farm Cadetship Open Day
Massey University – Creative Arts Experience Day
Massey University – Communication Experience Day
Admission pathways & entry schemes at University of Sydney – webinair
How data affects real-world decisions
Careers with Foodstuffs
Leaving School magazine

Careers Expo – Wolfbrook Arena, Thursday 7 May–Friday 8 May

Year 12 students will attend the Careers Expo on Thursday 7 May, leaving College at 8.30am and returning at 10.30am. The Careers Expo is also open on Thursday from 5–7pm, and Friday, from 9am–2pm.    

UC Discovery Day for Year 12 students

On Thursday 4 June, Year 12 boys may wish to attend the UC Discovery Day. When boys register, they will have to select six sessions (lectures) they want to attend. Boys need to make their own travel arrangements. Some of the sessions are already full.

Secondary school exchanges – Your Education 

Learn more about school exchanges.

Victoria University of Wellington

Victoria University of Wellington will hold an Information Evening at the Christchurch Town Hall on Thursday 14 May, from 6–7.30pm. Students can register here.

Victoria University of Wellington – school leavers scholarships

Applications for school leavers scholarships open on Monday 1 June. It is recommended that students complete their applications before the Open Day on 21 August to comfortably meet the Tuesday 1 September deadline.

Scholarships

• Tangiwai Scholarship, which celebrates academic excellence, worth $7,000
• Totoweka Scholarship, focused on equitable access to education, for students who come from socio-economically disadvantaged or refugee backgrounds, identify as rainbow, or who have a disability, worth $7,000
• Raukaraka Scholarship, for leadership outside and inside the classroom, worth $7,000
• Kahotea Scholarship, for outstanding achievement, worth up to $37,000 over three years
• Pakohe Scholarship, for sustainability, valued at $7,000
• Kahurangi Scholarship, for Māori students, valued at $7,000, and up to $32,000
• Mana Pasifika Scholarship, for Pasifika students, valued at $7,000, and up to $32,000
• Mātātoa Sport Scholarship, to foster excellence in sport, open to any athletes from all sporting and academic disciplines, valued at $7,000

Business and Law Information Evening – Tuesday 12 May

Held in the Gough Family Theatre at St Andrew’s College from 7–9pm, on Tuesday 12 May, the Business and Law Information Evening is designed for Years 12–13 students (and their parents), who are considering a future in business, commerce or law. It will explore the range of post-school pathways, with professionals and recent graduates providing practical insights into study options,  first‑year university expectations,  and real‑world career options. Register here to attend.

We Were Just Children – premiere

Featuring Christ’s College student Raphe Dacre, the premiere of We Were Just Children will be held in Christchurch on Tuesday 19 May at 6.30pm. A compelling new documentary capturing intimate portraits of Holocaust survivors who have rebuilt their lives in New Zealand, We Were Just Children connects the past with the present as those who have survived the Holocaust horrors share precious memories with their teenage interviewers. Survivor Bob Narev, 91, will join his young interviewers – including Raphe – at the premiere, offering a rare opportunity to hear from someone who has seen the worst in people and strives to share the lessons of his past. Be among the first to see We Were Just Children by registering here.

CHRIST'S COLLEGE & CCOBA EVENTS

Lest we forget – search for Old Boys photos

Knowing the names of those Old Boys who lost their lives in World War I and World War II is important, but seeing their faces can bridge a gap between the past and today. It connects communities across the years, reminding us that these were sons, brothers, friends, teammates, and classmates who laughed and planned futures. 

The mission to find a portrait of each of these 321 Old Boys has been daunting, but mostly successful. However, some have been elusive. At present, a montage features on screens in the Christ’s College Museum and The Miles Warren Building so that students can put faces to names and reflect on each Old Boy’s sacrifice. You can see the slideshow here.

We want to find those last missing portraits in time for the next Anzac, Armistice, and VE Day commemorations. 

The above photos show the varying quality, with the top three from our digital archives project, and the bottom three from the Auckland Libraries Newspaper Collection and the Christ’s College Register.

If you, or any of your relatives, have the images missing from our slideshow or better photos of the ones on display, please email archivist Anne Gabrielsson at anne.gabrielsson@christscollege.com. 

We have already searched various sources , including the College archives sports and house photos, the Register, To Battle, 1939–1945: Old Boys of Christ’s College who lost their lives in the Second World War by JD Macfarlane, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Canterbury Museum, DigitalNZ, South Canterbury Museum, the Hocken Collections, Lincoln University, and the Onward Project.

We would also appreciate images of all those surviving or fallen Old Boys who served in other conflicts. 

Our missing Old Boys photos include: