This newsletter will land in your Inbox while the school is immersed in this year’s Summer Tournament Week. More than 100 College boys will be variously engaged in sport across the country. It is a week that they and their coaches look forward to and a unique part of the New Zealand school sports scene, made possible by the size of the country and the cultural belief that sport is good for young people.
We certainly believe this, represented by our compulsory sports programme and the variety of opportunities available to our boys.
Our rich and diverse programme is only enabled because of the investment of staff and external coaches, who bring their expertise and management skills, enthusiasm, and energy to the boys’ experience. Many hours are spent on the sideline encouraging and developing the skills and abilities of our boys and ensuring that they play ‘the game’ as it is intended, with sportsmanship at the forefront.
It is apt that I take the opportunity to remind those around children’s sport of their responsibilities regarding the boys who participate, and the coaches, officials, and adults who guide them. Occasionally, around College, and in other environments, we hear of inappropriate behaviour from the sidelines that negatively impacts on staff and students. Behaviour that is unacceptable somehow occurs because of the intensity that people feel in the moment – something we should all be focused on controlling as an element of adult self-regulation. You can find here the College Code of Conduct for co-curricular activities, which is particularly relevant for sport. At a time when we all appreciate the need for young people to be out and about playing sport as much as possible, the care and support of those who enable that to occur should be in the forefront of our minds as parents and supporters.
Mobile Phone Policy
Thank you to the parents, students, and staff who have provided their thoughts and opinions regarding the school’s reconsideration of its Mobile Phone Policy. As expected, there was a variety of feedback, which, on balance, appreciated the value that this technology had brought, while acknowledging the truth of the negative impact of inappropriate use.
We must remember that the mobile phone should be a tool, not a tyrant, and that schools are where appropriate use can be both caught and taught. Given that mobile phones are provided by parents for young people, the phone becomes a part of the parenting school interface. Logically, this means that parents will not contact their son(s) on their mobile phone during the school day. If it is an urgent matter, parents are to contact the school office. With this in mind, the next iteration of our Mobile Phone Policy has been created. This policy can be found here and will have a soft launch until the end of Term 1. Next term, the more punitive response guiding confiscation – as outlined in the policy – will be implemented. Simply put, the policy has applied our ‘out of sight, out of mind’ philosophy, including morning break and lunch, addressing the most significant concerns expressed through the feedback.
CCOBA changes
Andrew ‘Blue’ Henderson has been named Christ’s College Old Boys’ Association President (CCOBA), taking over the reins from Angus Dysart-Paul. Having worked in the rural industry and been a detective with the New Zealand Police, Blue now oversees a facilities service business. Tim Daley, a Senior Associate with Anthony Harper Lawyers, steps up as the new Vice-President, and Jared Chin continues as the CCOBA committee treasurer. Meanwhile, Mortlock McCormack law clerk and part-time music tutor Angus Mossman and Carrfields Financial Services General Manager Andrew Brown have joined the CCOBA committee. A special thank you to Angus Dysart-Paul for his work in leading the CCOBA over the past two years, and his seven-year commitment to the committee. We appreciate all he has done to support College.
New CCPA President
Jane Elworthy has been named President of the Christ’s College Parents’ Association (CCPA), taking over from Megan Lamberg. The association provides opportunities for all parents to support and get involved with the school community. It also supports several main events on the College calendar, including the Pink Lunch and the House Music Festival. Thank you to Megan for her association leadership and commitment, which have been exceptional.
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Social Sciences Europe Tour
Sam Stevenson
Head of Department – History
Social Sciences: Europe Trip – September–October 2025
In September and October 2025, we plan to take senior Social Sciences students on an educational tour to Europe. Students will have an opportunity to challenge their perceptions and viewpoints as they travel from the Bavarian capital of Munich and work their way south and east, via Greece, to the final destination – Istanbul in Turkey.
Our overarching reason for the tour is to follow in the footsteps – and honour – the many Christ’s College Old Boys who fought in World War I and World War II and, tragically, did not return home. We will endeavour to visit many of the Commonwealth War Graves where Old Boys now rest as we honour their service in light of the Christ’s College 175th anniversary in 2025. Building on this opportunity, we aim to challenge students’ perceptions, understanding, and viewpoints regarding various historical events, while recognising geographic elements. We will also examine the social, geographical, and historical environments of these areas in relation to specific case studies frequently used in the Social Sciences curriculum.
This trip will provide a valuable practical experience, related to the students’ curriculum learning, and deepen their understanding of the significance of both global and national history. The widening of horizons, and exposure to different cultures and identities are valuable well beyond NCEA, and the depth of this experience simply cannot be taught from a textbook. It is a rare opportunity to deepen and extend student learning in the Social Sciences, while also providing an eye-opening experience for our ākonga.
Please join us at an information evening on Monday 13 May at 7.30pm in the Chapman Room. For more information, contact HOD – History Sam Stevenson.
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