Investigation Outcome

During the latter part of 2023, we asked Barrister Janna McGuigan to conduct an independent external investigation into all aspects of the employment of former tutor Connor Matthews (now known as Taurapa) who was employed in 2018 and who left in 2020.

A summary of Ms McGuigan’s findings and recommendations can be found here. The investigation identified a number of issues with the implementation of our policies and procedures that existed at the time, not least that we should have stood Taurapa down from his role whilst we undertook our own investigation into his conduct rather than relying on the investigation undertaken by the Teaching Council of New Zealand that ultimately found him guilty of serious misconduct.

We have been working with Child Matters for the last three years and we asked them to review all our current child safety policies and procedures at the same time as the investigation. Child Matters confirmed that our child safety policies and procedures reflect best practice.

Should you wish to discuss this further, please contact our Board Chair, Hugh Lindo, boardchair@christscollege.com or 027 711 7171.

New routine for Thursday 15 February

Due to professional development for all teaching and non-teaching staff on Thursday 15 February, there is a new routine for the day. Please click here.

Bus services

Please check the updated timetables for 2024 school bus services here.

Out and about with the boarders

Welcome to the Year 9 families and those families of new boys from Years 10–13 to boarding. It is wonderful to have all the boys back for the new year and to see the Year 9 boys settling in so well. As the Waitangi Day holiday has come to an end, we have finished our orientation activities for the first part of the year.

It is great to gather as a boarding community and allow the new boys to get to know the staff and the senior students as we ‘hang out’ together and have a bit of fun.

On Friday night, all three Houses headed to Jellie Park, where the boys enjoyed the hydroslides and diving boards. The timing was fortuitous as our community pretty much had the place to itself. The Dining Hall staff ensured that the boys’ dinner was poolside, which was appreciated by everyone.

On Saturday, the boys headed to various sports before gathering together in the evening, with the Years 9–11 students playing multisport and sampling pizza and the senior students enjoying pizza and a movie.

On Sunday, the Year 9s headed out coasteering, completing activities at the Diamond Harbour Domain and Purau Bay. The Year 10s navigated the high-ropes course at Kimihia at The Groynes while the Years 11–13 students spent the afternoon at Aqualand.

On Waitangi Day, the Year 9s travelled to Hanmer Springs for a day in the pools and on the hydroslides, as well as playing mini golf and having fish and chips for lunch.

Thank you to Scott Franklin, our boarding programme co-ordinator, for organising the days. A big shout out to the boarding staff who put in some long hours to make it all work for the boys. Thanks to the senior boys who provided great leadership for the younger students.

Share in the excitement below.

Hazlett Tutoring Centre

The Hazlett Tutoring Centre is again offering tutoring services to Christ’s College boarders in 2024. An independent company, the Hazlett Tutoring Centre offers private, one-on-one, in-House and online tutoring, with students able to choose from one-hour or one-and-a-half-hour sessions. These can cover one subject or several subjects, with tutors assigned based on the individual student’s needs.

To enrol your child with the Hazlett Tutoring Centre or to learn more about the programme, please contact National Manager Victoria Morrison on 027 457 4305 or email contact@hazletttutoringcentre.co.nz.

What's for dinner?

View the Dining Hall menu produced by the talented team at Spotless.

Sharing a sense of belonging

It has been delightful to see the settled start to the school year. Once again our boys have shown their willingness to get stuck into their learning and it has been heartening to see the focus in classrooms as I walk around the campus.

For our Year 9s, their start has been slightly varied from previous years. We have reflected on how to welcome our youngest learners into the College community in a way that sets them up for the best success possible. From that was born the programme ‘Te Whakatakoto te tūāpapa: Laying the foundation’. Boys follow their normal timetables for most of the day but have breakout sessions in House groups to learn more about the aspects of College that make this a rich and unique environment. The workshops include Spiritual Essence with the Chaplain, the Rev’d Canon Cameron Pickering, Wellbeing Education with Caroline Black, and Biculturalism with Keri Campbell. We have further topics about character, co-curricular, student supports, IT in the classroom, and academics.

By taking the time to teach our boys about these things, we aim to give them a stronger foundation from which to jump into all College has to offer over their next five years. However, even more important is the desire to ensure they are properly welcomed into our community and establish the base that will build their sense of belonging.

This programme runs over the first four weeks of school and concludes with the final formality of their welcome, our mihi whakatau on 22 February. At this time, we will also welcome our new students in other years as they, too, become part of the Christ’s College whakapapa. We welcome the attendance of whānau at this special occasion. If you have not registered to attend, please click here.

Embracing a fresh start – a wellbeing perspective on the new school year

As the College gates open to welcome students, staff, and whānau after a well-deserved break, there is a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation in the air. The start of a year brings with it the promise of fresh opportunities, renewed friendships, and the chance to embark on a journey of growth and discovery.

Secondary school can be a whirlwind of academic challenges, co-curricular commitments, and social dynamics. In the midst of this bustling environment, it is crucial to prioritise and nurture our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

First and foremost, consider setting realistic goals. Rather than succumbing to the pressure of a never-ending to-do list, focus on achievable milestones. Break down larger objectives into smaller, more manageable tasks. By doing so, not only do you create stepping stones to success, but you also reduce the stress associated with overwhelming expectations.

Equally important is the cultivation of healthy habits. Establishing a routine that incorporates regular movement, sufficient sleep, balanced nutrition, and time to pause lays the foundation for a resilient mind and body.

Recognising the pivotal role that social connections play in our overall wellbeing, the start of the year becomes an opportune time to fortify existing friendships and foster new ones. Actively reaching out to classmates, engaging in House activities, and cultivating a supportive network contribute significantly to a purposeful and fulfilling school experience, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie within our community..

Do not shy away from seeking help when needed. Whether you require academic support, emotional guidance, advice on future endeavours, or just need help finding your next class, there are resources and individuals within our school ready and willing to offer a helping hand. Recognising the importance of reaching out fosters a culture of support and understanding.

Last, take moments to appreciate the present. Amid the hustle and bustle of school life, it is easy to get caught up in the anticipation of future achievements or dwell on past setbacks. Practising mindfulness and gratitude allows us to savour the beauty of the present, gaining valuable perspective.

By adopting a wellbeing-focused lens, we empower both our students and ourselves to navigate the challenges of school with resilience and grace, appreciating the diverse tapestry of experiences that makes each year unique. Here’s to a year filled with growth, connection, and purpose for our entire College community.

A revered man of peace and aroha

Tēnā koutou katoa.

Peace to you all in the name of God.

We enter 2024 excited to welcome new and returning students to our beautiful campus, aware that our community has continued over the academic break in many varied locations.

Beginning the year in the Assembly Hall for our Chapel service, our theme continues to be the potential for every member of our community to have life in all its fullness. Not necessarily happiness, and, sadly, not always in perfect health, but lives which are full of aroha and empathy for others. These lives are – as St Augustine would have it – those which God glories in most.

One such life of service and sacrifice, which we mourned earlier this year, was that of the Right Rev’d Richard Wallace, Bishop of Te Waipounamu, who died on 6 January aged 79. Pīhopa Richard was a friend of Christ’s College, casting his mana and protection over our community in so many ways. The Thanksgiving Service for his life, tangi, and graveside were attended by many people, including College students and staff.

As the Māori Bishop of the South Island, I am sure there were issues and circumstances which greatly grieved Bishop Richard’s heart, things with which he was uncomfortable and unhappy. Yet, to meet him, and spend time in his presence, you felt his warmth, his generosity, his spirit of peace-making, his fulness. No glib easy fix, but the distance travelled in love, always in love. A man, a father, husband, and shepherd, alive to the need for love in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the world. We would all do well to reflect on such a life as an example.

I ask each member of the Christ’s College community to hold Bishop Richard’s family, the Pīhopatanga o Te Waipounamu, and all who mourn in their thoughts and prayers.

A reminder to all parents, caregivers, and supporters of Christ’s College our first Sunday Evensong is at 7pm on Sunday 11 February.

May God continue to grow in each of us the capacity to love, and may life in all its fullness be yours and those for whom you care.

Yours in Christ,
The Rev'd Canon Cameron Pickering

All around the world with Round Square International

Christ’s College’s Round Square membership gives our students a range of very different opportunities and experiences that nurture character, confidence, and leadership.

During the summer break, several College students have made the most of those opportunities – both in New Zealand and overseas.

Five junior students have been fortunate to attend a conference in New Zealand. Age-appropriate conferences are held both regionally and globally, drawing students from across the Round Square network together to share perspectives, debate issues, support the local community, increase their international understanding, and make new friends.

As Year 11 student JJ Wada explains, it has been a “unique” Round Square journey.

“On 4 December 2023, Charlie de Costobadie, Ericsson Ye, Ollie Trollip, Tate Aikawa, and I travelled to Whanganui to attend the International Junior Round Square Conference at Whanganui Collegiate School. Over the next four days, we would embark on a unique journey, immersing ourselves in the cultural and educational aspects of the numerous activities we participated in. However, the leading characteristics of the conference were not the activities themselves but the connections we gained on the way.

“Over four short days, friendships were created with other students from Canada to China that, with the current state of our world, can be maintained with a tap and a swipe of a screen. All in all, the Round Square Conference was an unforgettable experience, one that all of us would absolutely recommend.”

Meanwhile, Year 12 student Benson Geng-Wang has enjoyed an international exchange. He shares his Hong Kong adventure here. Exchanges connect students through the opportunity to study at another Round Square school, helping to develop their self-confidence, interpersonal skills, and international understanding through travelling to another country alone, staying with a family or in a school boarding house, and studying in a different environment.

Finally, Year 12 student Aaron Kwak has poured his talents into a service project in Thailand. Service projects give Round Square students – and accompanying adults – the opportunity to partner with a community in need to work on infrastructure to improve the daily lives of that community. The group lives among the community and participates in a range of cultural experiences and adventure activities alongside the project. As well as growing their global citizenship, students also see the power of engaging with a local community and the difference they can make. Their communication and leadership skills are developed and being a large multicultural group, participants make new friends from across the world. Look out for Aaron’s story in the next issue of In Black & White.

Anything Goes programme advertisements

Christ’s College and Rangi Ruru Girls’ School are pooling their theatrical talents to present this year’s senior production of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes.

If you wish to support the production and purchase an advertisement to appear in the show programme, we are offering the following rates:

• Full page $1000
• Half page $500
• Quarter page $250

Your advertisement will feature colour artwork of your business, and promote greater business exposure while providing extensive connections to our College community.

Please contact Senior Development Manager Shelley Keach on 027 8070539 or email skeach@christscollege.com for more information.

Welcome to new families

Happy New Year from the Health Centre as we welcome our new families to College, as well as those returning for another school year. We would also like to thank you for the impressive response in providing your sons’ 2024 medical information.

Please continue to update the Health Centre if anything changes with your son’s medical information during the year. You can do so via the Parent Portal.

We also want to remind you that anyone aged 13–25 and staying in close-living situations is eligible for a free meningococcal B vaccine until 28 February 2024. Close living includes boarding schools, hostels, and halls of residence. If your son is a boarder at College and has not been immunised for meningococcal disease, we recommend that your son see his GP while this remains free.

If your son is a boarder at College, we encourage you to enrol him at The Christchurch Doctors in Hereford Street.

CHRIST'S COLLEGE & CCOBA EVENTS

Term 1 tertiary liaison visits for Year 13 students

Whether you have decided where you plan to study in 2025 or are still unsure, it is important to come and hear what these tertiary providers have to offer and ask any questions that may help you to make your decision.

29 February – 8.15–9.15am University of Canterbury*
5 March – 11am–12pm University of Auckland*
7 March – 8.15–9.15am Lincoln University*
14 March – 8.15–9.15am Victoria University of Wellington*
9 April – 1–2pm University of Otago*

*College venues to be confirmed

Deciding on your career pathway

Deciding on the most suitable career path can often be challenging. With so many options, yet little experience of actually working in your industry of interest, it is no wonder so many look for career guidance in one form or another to help them find their true calling.

Seek has compiled a career guide with some helpful tips to steer you on the right track.

Identify your passions

The first important step is to identify your passions and where your strengths lie. Pursuing a career in an area that you know nothing about or have very little interest in will likely lead you on a path to boredom and frustration.

Often, the most successful professionals are the ones who are as happy being at work as they are relaxing during the weekends. They thrive in their workplace because they are doing what they love each day. Make this your aim for the future, first and foremost.

Be realistic

As well as knowing what you enjoy doing, consider the following when deciding on your career path:

• The demand for the role. Will there be many jobs that you can apply for?
• The future income you wish to earn. Will it be enough for your lifestyle?
• The environment. Does sitting in front of a computer from 9am to 5pm sound appealing, or would working outdoors be more suited to your personality?
• The potential for career progression. If career growth is important to you, think about where your role of choice can lead to in the years ahead.
• Consider the level of challenge you hope to set for yourself, the potential for work/life balance, flexibility of hours and location, and how important working in a team versus alone is to you.

Christ's College CareerWise

The Christ’s College careers website, CareerWise, is a rich source of information about all things related to career information. Check it out and sign up for weekly alerts by subscribing here.

Parents as passengers on their teen’s career journey

Understand the career process so that you can successfully guide your teenager through the exploration process.

The Register

Over the holidays, I have been reading Knowledge Is a Blessing on Your Mind, the collected writings of the anthropologist/historian and environmentalist Dame Anne Salmond. One of the questions it triggered (and there were many) related to the authenticity and accuracy of resources, be they written or oral.

In that the Christ’s College Register is this year celebrating 140 years since its inception, it is appropriate to ask this question of it as a resource, especially as it so often is the basis of many In Black & White articles. Other sources have come and gone, some have stayed longer than others, but this one has endured.

Originally planned as a Sports Register, its object is clearly stated in that first issue of May 1884:

“We intend to chronicle the deeds of all Christ’s College Boys who distinguish themselves in Athletics, Football, Cricket or any other of those accomplishments in which any Knight or Senator might well wish his son to be proficient.”

It goes on to write:

“We trust then that the Sports Register will be doubly acceptable to ‘Old Boys’, who will be able to fight their battles again in its pages…"

There were two issues in 1884 (May and September) and, bearing in mind the increased number of sports played today and the wide range of cultural activities that are available, there is much that is familiar. There are accounts of the Athletic Sports, the cricket season, and football (rugby) matches, both external and internal. However, were they accurate in their recording?

The swimming races took place at Cass Bay.

• The original record only provided one initial. However, many people are known by their second name, so it was a simple matter of checking the 1850–1950 list to discover that J Cocks was PJ Cocks and to add additional initials to many of the names.
• It is easy to misspell Johnstone/Johnston/Johnson, so a check discovered that Johnston was the correct spelling for (1138).
• E Richardson turned out to be TGA Richardson (1074).
• E Sanders did not appear as Saunders or Sanderson but finally was tracked down to WH Sanders (1090).

Authenticity, in a sense, accepts accuracy as a given, but it also takes account of the context. What could be more authentic than the description of Newton Park as a “bleak field” in the first recorded game against Wellington College in the September issue? Although the Register provides a detailed account of the game and the score, 0–0, it is the comment “in fact there is little to describe” that creates the authenticity.

The report of the Cadet Corps includes those involved, including appointments and resignations. The information on the Christ’s College Rifles names those who were involved in its foundation in 1882, and in the September issue there is an account of the “Dramatic Entertainment” that they put on in the Oddfellows Hall in aid of funds for an orderly room. Unexpectedly it was not an all-male cast for Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer as Miss M Loughnan, Mrs Scott, and Misses M and N Reeves played Mrs Hardcastle, Miss Hardcastle, Miss Nevill and a maid, respectively.

Accounts of Old Boys’ achievements were, for many years, an adjunct to the Register but are now published in The Quadrangle. In 1884, their success in the Canterbury Athletic Sports is recorded and at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. These universities also appear in examination success lists, as does the University of New Zealand. Much is made of the selection of William Varnham Millton (362), Edward Bowler Millton (467), and George Henry Noble Helmore (665) to be members of the New Zealand XV that toured New South Wales and won all eight games.

In a role that has partially been taken over by College, there are some longer articles.

WV Millton (362) writes on “Hints on Football Rugby Union Rules”. Given his captaincy of the 1884 touring team, it is not surprising that his comments for each position are accurately based, but it is his comments, e.g. “Above all things, keep your temper” and “Always bear in mind that you are playing a game”, that add authenticity to those comments.

Edward Athelstan Worthy (staff) and William Pember Reeves (289) at the supper held in the College Library of the time, following the game against Dunedin High School (College 11–Dunedin High School 2), both proposed toasts. Worthy waxed eloquently about other English and Scottish encounters in history, while Reeves compared the past and the present College players. These were not an account of the game, which also appears, but “full reports of the two speeches which seemed to ‘take’ most with the company”.

So how have subsequent Registers dealt with the question of accuracy and authenticity? In that I have dipped into many of them over the years, it can be said that, overall, they are accurate. That accuracy has depended not only on the skills of the original contributor, but also on editing, transcribing, and printing, so sometimes that accuracy must be chased.

Authenticity is another matter altogether, and I pause. In the beginning, the Register, although published, was essentially in-house. From time to time, the fact that it had been published reached the newspapers, and copies were sent, as is still required today, to the National Library so that it was retained in perpetuity. Old Boys really treasured it, judging by the numbers that are offered to the archives.

Has the advent of online access and more deliberate curation of the material changed things? The answer must be both “yes and no”. The photographs, both formal and informal, continue to capture authentic moments in time. In the past, no-one would have thought twice about the toast proposed by Mortimer Davie (231) at the Old Boys’ Dinner in Christchurch to “The health of his natural enemies from childhood, the Masters of Christ’s College”. Now, it would be edited.