The 2018 Census

The results of the census are worth a lot of reflection. The 2018 census shows the percentage of people of “no religion” in our country has risen to 49 per cent, from 38.5 per cent in the previous census of 2013. In the course of 18 years, we've gone from being a quarter “no religion” to half “no religion”.

Except in countries where religion is forbidden or was relatively recently forbidden, on the world stage we are unique in there being more people who have “no religion” than there are religious.
“No religion” does not mean not believing in God, however. Many people use the phrase “spiritual but not religious”. And many people in our country think that religious people believe in some sort of almighty invisible unprovable sky-fairy – and that is often reinforced by the media and social media.

Our school leads in the response to our unusual New Zealand context, which is so different from other countries. I appreciate the point made by Professor Peter Lineham, an expert on religion in New Zealand, who says, "I'd be in favour of religious studies in schools. Half of New Zealanders are going to be raised with no religion at all, and the other half are going to have a broad variety of religions. All tensions in society are produced when we don't understand our neighbours."
Furthermore, learning about and from world religions not only helps us to understand life in New Zealand, but also helps us make sense of our international context – from Turkey and Syria, to South America and the United States. It is also a framework in which to explore meaning and values in a country in which, as well as being a world leader in “no religion”, we are also a world leader in poor mental health, lack of meaning, and suicidality. We know people of religion and of faith statistically have higher mental health.

Sikhs and Sikhism

In my Year 10 Religious Education classes, we are currently studying our sixth and final world religion: Sikhs and Sikhism.

Sikhs are a minority religion in our country (and in the world), but they are the fastest growing minority religion in New Zealand and could overtake Muslims numerically by the next census. Internationally, those who study world religions often only study the desert, monotheistic religions of the Middle East (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and two originating on the Indian subcontinent (Hinduism, Buddhism). Sikhism, fascinatingly, bridges those two family trees – the Middle Eastern and the Indian.

In the classroom

Year 11 students have received their Religious Education assessment results. There is space for exploring some individual interests, as well as some science and religion reflection as classes. Year 9 has been rounding out the year of studies by bringing together all they have learned into an examination of the creation stories and of science.

Bishop John Osmers

In Chapel on Friday 18 October we handed over $2,000 collected in services to Bishop John Osmers CNZM. Originally from Christchurch, Bishop John has devoted his life to helping people in Southern Africa flourish. Aged 84, he continues his work helping refugees. In 1979, Bishop John lost his right hand and the front of his legs in a blast from a letter bomb from South African security. Meeting Bishop John was an opportunity for our young people to hear from someone really living out the faith, and for them (through the collections) to be part of that ongoing, positive story.

Chapel Prefects 2020

I am delighted to announce Henry Eglinton and Ederick He have accepted the invitation to be Chapel Prefects for 2020. My thanks to all that Chris Lee and Jack Lindo have done this year.

This is a very short term. I look forward to seeing many of you.

Yours in Christ

Bosco Peters
Chaplain

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Commit and prepare

As I, along with a good portion of the rest of the country, sat watching the All Blacks power through their quarter-final against Ireland, the teacher inside me couldn’t help but reflect on the attributes of the team, which could serve as a lesson to all our students.
Never, at any stage in the game, did it appear that the players felt they had “done enough”. Despite clearly having the game in hand, they never let up. They persevered to make sure they could leave the field at the end knowing they had given it their all.

How great would it be for our boys to view their learning and assessment this way? Some boys enter the NCEA examinations knowing they have gained the qualification already. Some even have an endorsement. But is this a reason to give anything less than their best in the exam itself?
Similarly, you can’t watch an All Blacks match and not recognise all the work that has come before the game itself. They are a well-oiled machine, a reflection of a commitment to practice and improvement. And this is at the core of any learning – whether it be on the sports field or the classroom. Every activity planned by our teachers has a learning outcome and they are all part of the culture of development we aim to cultivate amongst our boys. Lastly, the final parallel I would like to draw with the men in black is the role of strategy and planning. They look at the task ahead and create a game plan. For all students at College, Week 4 will be an important one: it is junior assessment week and when NCEA examinations start. Now is the time to look ahead and create the game plan. I would encourage seniors in particular to draw up a study calendar. It is too easy to waste valuable days of study leave when there is no “to do” list holding you to account. I would encourage them to make the most of these next two weeks of classes.

I am sure the All Blacks are listening to their coaches as they prep for their next step. Our boys shouldn’t underestimate what advice they can gain at this time either.

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Term 4 started on a positive note with the annual Boarding Awards Dinner, held Thursday 17 October. It was a great opportunity to celebrate boarding achievements and successes this year.

Guest speaker was Old Boy Toby Pizey, who was at College from 2002­–2006, resident in School House. After leaving College he completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biology at the University of Canterbury, before changing tack after the earthquakes and completing a Master of Engineering. He now works for a nationwide construction company managing projects across both the North and South Islands. Toby gave an authentic and personal talk about his life since College, including his memories of College and the life lessons and skills he gained from boarding; his journey since leaving College and how where he is now may not be where he thought he would be; and his personal comparison of the boarding experience as a student and ten years later as a House Tutor.

A number of Boarding Awards were presented during the evening, as follows:

Head of Boarding Awards
Awarded to boys who, in the eyes of their Housemasters, have stood out either throughout the year or in a specific activity during the year.
Flower’s House – Will Greenslade
Richards House – Ben Westley
School House – Thomas Graham

Most Active Boarders in the Boarding Programme
Flower’s House – Jackson Flint
Richards House ­– Michael Lee
School House – Matthew O’Connor

Most Promising Year 11 Agricultural Student
School House – Louie Bethell

Rutherford Cups
Awarded to one boy in each Boarding House who has made a difference this year, based on citizenship and service in their House.
Flower’s House – Tom Davidson
Richards House – Shun Miyake
School House – Lachie Harper

Finally, I would like to congratulate the following boarders who have been named as College Prefects for 2020
Head of Boarding – Sam Averill (Sc)
Head of Flower’s House – Jarrad Hill
Head of Richards House – George Simpson
Head of School House – Guy Chaffey

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Upcoming careers dates

23 Oct	UC Careers with a Humanities Degree
30 Oct	Ara, closing date for NZ Certificate in Animal Management & Animal Technology
31 Oct	Ara, closing date for Bachelor of Social Work
8 Dec	Applications close for most university programmes
12–17 Jan	Hands-On at Otago
27 Jan–14 Feb	University of Otago Summer School – JumpStart Physics

Preparing for the workforce
College’s guide for writing a curriculum vitae and cover letter, and preparing for interviews can be found online at https://online.flippingbook.co...

Student jobs guide
MoneyHub has published a comprehensive directory of student jobs for summer 2019–2020, with over 50 well-known employers listed and links to their application requirements. For more information, go to https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/stu...

Interview tips
MoneyHub has published essential tips and suggestions for job interview success. Go to https://www.moneyhub.co.gnz/co...

UC – Humanities Careers Evening
UC invites Year 12 and 13 students to attend its upcoming Humanities Careers Evening to learn about opportunities open to people with a degree in humanities (arts). They will learn more about the wide range of degree options in the humanities, and guest speakers will discuss their own career pathways and what they value about the humanities. The event will take place in Undercroft 101, Puaka–James Hight Building, Ilam campus, on Wednesday 23 October, from 5–7pm.
For more information and to register, go to https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/e...

The transition to tertiary study
There are various online resources available to support students transitioning to tertiary education. Things to consider include

• deciding what you want to do – https://www.careers.govt.nz/
• learning about the cost of study and finding out about the assistance available – https://www.studylink.govt.nz/
• checking if you can go fees-free – https://www.feesfree.govt.nz/
• signing up for a RealMe verified identity –https://www.realme.govt.nz/

The RealMe homepage features a video explaining the two different RealMe options to prove your identity.

Aeronautical Engineering
The Placement Test is a mandatory prerequisite for enrolment in the New Zealand Certificate in Aeronautical Engineering (pre-employment skills, Level 3). Placement tests will be held at the Air New Zealand Aviation Institute in Christchurch on Tuesday 29 and Thursday 31 October, and Friday 1 November and Monday 4 November. To register, go to https://www.airnzlearning.co.nz/placement-test

The Woodhouse Scholars Programme
The Woodhouse Scholars Programme provides up to five Woodhouse study grants of $1,000 each to secondary school students from South Canterbury who intend to undertake a course in biological science at any of the three South Island universities (University of Otago, University of Canterbury, Lincoln University). Preference will be given to those who have achieved merit grades or better in NCEA. Each entrant must submit an 800 word essay on the topic: “What I would hope to achieve for South Canterbury as a result of studying bio-science”. For more information, go to http://woodhousescholar.org.nz/

University halls of residence
By now, students should have received news about their university accommodation for 2020. Some will be excited and happy, while others may be worried or upset about the offer. I would encourage students not to make hasty decisions, but give it a few days before they decide how they want to proceed. Even if the accommodation offered was not one of their first choices, it will become their home next year and they are highly likely to have a great time.

StudyLink – You can’t miss it
The annual call to action campaign encouraging students to apply for their 2020 student finance is now underway – with students being asked to apply before Monday 16 December. Students don't need to have their NCEA results or to have locked down all their study plans, as their application can be updated. By applying early, there will be enough time for all the steps in the application process to be completed before their course starts. Check out the campaign video on Facebook.
For more information, go to https://www.studylink.govt.nz/about-studylink/news/2019/you-cant-miss-it.html.

HERA Whanake Scholarship
To further the aims of the Heavy Engineering Research Association (HERA) and to strengthen and extend industry capacity, HERA offers the Whanake Scholarship, targeted to a Māori student in their first year of a four-year Bachelor of Engineering degree. The scholarship comprises an annual scholarship award of $5,000 and paid summer internship (with HERA) over four years.
For more information, email info@maorieducation.org.nz or go to https://www.hera.org.nz/hera-whanake-scholarship/

Practical skills for life
The Ministry of Education has recently published a range of resources and advice for school leavers.
For more information, go to https://school-leavers-toolkit.education.govt.nz/

MAINZ Open Night
The MAINZ Christchurch Open Night will be held at the Audio Engineering campus, 191 High Street, Wednesday 23 October, 7–9pm. Staff and students will be on hand to answer questions, and there will also be a live band recording in the main studio. Enrolments are now open for 2020 programmes, including Audio Engineering, Live Sound & Event Production, and DJ & Electronic Music Production. For more information, contact Gretchen McKinley on 027 262 6760.

University of Auckland – Fast Track offers
The University of Auckland has recently sent out the first of its Fast Track offers. Fast Track offers are made to high achieving domestic and international school leavers who plan to commence their studies at the University of Auckland in Semester 1, 2020. Applicants who accept their Fast Track offer can enrol from Friday 1 November 2019, rather than having to wait until January. This gives them the advantage of selecting their courses early and increases the likelihood of getting into courses that have a limited number of available places. A Fast Track offer is conditional on the student meeting the required University Entrance standard, rank score and any other entry requirements for their chosen programme(s), and is based on their final results in January 2020.

UC – Biomedical Engineering
The new Biomedical Engineering minor is designed to be taken as part of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering. Biomedical Engineering is the design of products that enhance the quality of life, athletic performance, and rehabilitation for people throughout their lives. Students take on real world, hands-on biomedical design projects in the healthcare sector, access global work experience opportunities, and explore career pathways in healthcare applications, medical device design, and sports or occupational biomechanics.
For more information, go to https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/engineering/schools/mechanical/research/biomed/

University study – having a Plan B
As boys leave College, they are usually confident the study or career decisions they have made are correct. In some cases, however, they may decide to change direction, during or at the end of their first year of tertiary study. For example, we recommend students who enrol in the Health Sciences First Year have an alternative plan in place in case they do not get into their preferred degree programme. I heard recently that at a university where around 900 students had enrolled for a Bachelor of Engineering, within the first two weeks 200 had moved to a different course. There are many different options available, which lead in all sorts of interesting directions – and deciding to make a change is perfectly understandable and acceptable.

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Levelling the Quad and Upper

In 1869 the Games Committee and Board must have had enough of the unlevelled state of Upper (known as “the paddock”) and the Quadrangle. The minutes of their meetings over three months show they took action.

To begin with the Quadrangle.

The Quadrangle in 1867. The faint outline of a cricket pitch can be seen in the foreground. CCPAL51/7 CLJ Merton Album

In the Board Minutes of 25 May 1869 the Bursar indicated the sum of £47.0.0 was available for levelling and laying the ground down in grass. So a committee was formed, consisting of the Warden, the Headmaster, Mr Cotterill, Mr Hamilton, Mr Harman and the Bursar, “to consider in what way this object can best be carried out”.[1]

They called for tenders.[2]

Eight tenders were submitted, with prices ranging from £42.10.0 to £92.14.0. The lowest tender from Messrs Dell & Wood was accepted, but only if they agreed to an alteration in the original plan – that is, “that the gravelled road in front of the Library and School Room [Big School] be widened so that its eastern line shall be in a line with the western buttresses of the Chapel”.[3]

The minutes do not indicate whether Messrs Dell & Wood agreed to the changes, however, the £45 tender of Messrs Partidge and Walsh was available if the proposed alteration failed.

When the paddock was discussed in the Games Committee it was Thomas De Renzy Condell (123) as staff representative and Thomas Chapman (198) who were appointed a sub-committee on 14 June, “to see Mr Pavit [sic] about getting the ground in the paddock levelled and also to ascertain the cost”.[4] The decision was ratified on 15 June and it was agreed, “that a piece of the paddock would be levelled for a football ground. Also that a subscription list would be opened to defray the expense of levelling it; and that the remainder should be payed (sic) by borrowing money”.[5]

Mr Pavitt advertised for tenders for levelling the cricket ground, but it is clear he was referring to the paddock.[6]

A further advertisement indicated the tender of Messrs Laycock & Co had been accepted.[7]

Mr Condell reported to the Games Committee on 26 July that, “the piece of ground in the paddock had been levelled and sewn with grass seed”.[8]

But that was not the end of the matter. In 1873 the gorse needed to be cut[9] and in 1874 the Games Committee, “decided that no horse should be allowed loose in the paddock under a penalty of 5 shillings”.[10]

It wasn’t until 1877 that the paddock became Upper as it is known today. The captain of football, Herbert Brown, and the whole College, with spades, shovels and wheelbarrows, levelled the ground and planted a row of willow stakes to stop the footballs from going into the river.[11]

Upper in 1878

L–R: Tin Classrooms, Big School with Fives Court, College Office and Synod Hall visible across the Quad, the Chapel, Condell’s (now Selwyn) under construction, the 1876 Gymnasium.

[1] Minutes of the Christ’s College Board of Governors 25 May 1869
[2] The Press 12 July 1869
[3] Minutes of the Christ’s College Board of Governors 12 July 1869
[4] Games Committee Minutes, Christ’s College Archives, 14 June 1869
[5] Games Committee Minutes, Christ’s College Archives, 15 June 1869
[6]The Press 21 June 1869. In 1859 cricket became a recognised sport and the cricket ground was in the SW corner of Hagley Park, not at College. College moved to the current cricket ground in 1887.
[7] The Press 25 June 1869
[8] Games Committee Minutes, Christ’s College Archives, 26 July 1869
[9] Games Committee Minutes, Christ’s College Archives, 4 March 1873
[10] Games Committee Minutes, Christ’s College Archives, 20 March 1874
[11] The School List 1850–1950 p660

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