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

The Christ’s College vs Christchurch Boys’ High School rugby game will be held on Tuesday 4 June at the Linwood Rugby Club ground, Linfield Park, with kick-off at 1pm.

Updated routine for the day

• 8.15am – House Assembly
• 8.30–9.10am – Period 1
• 9.15–9.55am – Period 2
• 9.55–10.10am – Break
• 10.10–10.50am – Period 3
• 10.55–11.35am – Period 4
• 11.35am – Lunch
• 12pm – Boys who have elected to attend the match and staff are to assemble in the Assembly Hall in House groups (normal Thursday Assembly seating), to depart by bus to Linfield Park.
• 3.30pm – Students are back at school following the game, ready to complete after-school co-curricular commitments (including training and games)

CCPA House Music Festival

Due to demand in recent years, every family has the option of securing two seats for the 2024 Christ’s College Parents’ Association House Music Festival on Thursday 13 June in the Christchurch Town Hall. However, each family MUST register here by 5pm on Monday 3 June to secure those seats. If there are any spare tickets, priority will be given to Year 13 families. Families can also register to join the waitlist for any extra tickets. All tickets will be emailed to families nearer to the festival date.

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King’s Birthday weekend

A reminder that the King’s Birthday weekend is an exeat weekend. The three boarding Houses will close on Friday 31 May at 3pm and reopen on Monday 3 June at 3pm. The boys need to be back in their Houses by 8pm on Monday.

Combined Boarding Houses Parents' Function

We invite you to join us for the Combined Boarding Houses Parents' Function from 5–6pm in the Christ's College Dining Hall prior to House Music on Thursday 13 June. Please register for the Parents’ Function here.

Boarding Facebook page

We invite members of our boarding community to please subscribe to our Boarding Facebook page. It is a great way to stay in touch with other parents and caregivers, and follow many of our boarders’ activities within each House. 

Out and about

Our boarders have enjoyed an exciting night at Super Rugby, with the Crusaders beating the Blues, and a mystery trip to McLeans Island for a fast-moving game of Paintball.

What's for dinner?

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

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The power of 'standing up'

On Friday 17 May, our College community came together to celebrate Pink Shirt Day. This event, marked by the simple yet powerful act of wearing a pink shirt, is dedicated to promoting kindness, anti-bullying, and standing up for what is right. This date also coincided with the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), underscoring the importance of educating young people about diversity and inclusivity.

The recognition of these two significant days is especially timely in New Zealand. A recent report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlights that New Zealand has the highest rate of bullying among OECD countries. The PISA 2018 survey further reveals that 15% of students in New Zealand report being frequently bullied. The report also underscores the severe impact bullying has on students’ mental health and attendance. These statistics are both challenging and confronting.

On Friday, I was encouraged by the sea of pink at College. From students to teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as members of our wider community, the widespread participation clearly demonstrated the importance of standing up against bullying. I want to make special mention of Richards House and the impact – both visually and symbolically – they had within our school community by their unity in wearing pink. 

Led by Head of House Will Judd and Deputy Head of School Albie Roberts, Richards House visibly demonstrated their pledge to foster kindness and respect within College and our community.

Why ‘standing up’ matters

• Empowerment: Taking a stand against bullying empowers us and those around us. It shows that we all have the strength to make a difference, no matter how small the action may seem.
• Support: Standing up provides crucial support to those who are bullied. Knowing that others care and are willing to intervene can be incredibly reassuring and can significantly reduce the feelings of isolation and helplessness often experienced by victims of bullying.
• Creating change: Acts of standing up help to challenge and change the culture that allows bullying to persist. They promote a message that kindness, respect, and inclusivity are the norms.

How we can stand up

• Speak out: If you witness bullying, speak out. It can be as simple as saying “that's not OK”, or reporting the incident to Stymie, your Housemaster, or a trusted adult.
• Be a friend: Sometimes, the most impactful thing you can do is to be there for someone who is being bullied. Offering support and friendship can make a huge difference in their life.
• Promote awareness: Participate in activities that raise awareness about bullying and its effects. Use social media, school assemblies, and community events to spread the message.

Pink Shirt Day reminds us all that we have the power to stand up and make a positive difference. It is more than just wearing a colour – it represents a commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for everyone. Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying.

Read SchoolTV’s special report on Celebrating IDAHOBIT here.

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Exercising the best steps for a return to play

As we move into winter, more students are becoming unwell and trying to return to school and sport too early following their illness. The responsibility rests with parents in ensuring that your son is well enough to return to school.

On your son’s return, the team coach/manager will assess the individual circumstances and conditions to determine an appropriate, graduated return to physical activity and play. If it is believed your son is not ready to participate, you will be contacted regarding the reasons. Your son's health and wellbeing take priority, so if there are any concerns, caution will be exercised in our decision.

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Food for thought in theology

Tēnā koutou katoa.

Peace to you all in the name of God.

Recently, I invited long-serving Christ’s College Chaplain Bosco Peters back for lunch and a general catch-up. Those who know Bosco – many, given his 23 years of service to College – can appreciate that we spent about three hours together. It was refreshing – if intellectually exhausting – to have Bosco’s clarity of thought, and methodical approach to topics as varied as the state of theological education in our province, to how much you need for retirement in order to enjoy a coffee. 

This got me thinking, for students, staff, and the wider College whānau, how much of a change to our spiritual dimension does the change of Chaplain make? In many respects, the previous and incumbent are vastly different in experience of life, approach to witnessing the Good News of Christ, and general demeanour. 

What I am convinced of is the Anglican expression of ‘faith seeking understanding’ has not, nor will stand or fall on, the personality of an individual. Anglicanism, born out of a context which sought to navigate extremes – the modern equivalent might be binary positions – in theological expression and worship, has, at its core, a common liturgy (work of the people). Elizabeth I having coined the phrase “I will not make windows into men’s souls”. What mattered most in the Elizabethan Settlement was that what we did, we did together. Cranmer’s Prayer Book was to unite people who thought about the transcendent in variegated ways – in a common act of worship which bound loose ends together.

Today, as noted, binary positions – and our tendency to lurch from extreme to extreme – give Anglicanism an opportunity to once more speak into a moderate, tolerant, liberal space, where what we practice together in search of truth is as important as any doctrinal claim. Indeed, it could be argued ‘being together on the way’ is the great doctrinal truth.

I trust therefore, for all the obvious change in Chaplaincy at College, there is, at our core, a continuity with a broad understanding of human truth searching, grounded in authorised liturgy and Christ’s command to love, which prevents the hobby horses of any individual derailing our aspiration of unity within diversity.

Yours in Christ,
The Rev'd Canon Cameron Pickering

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Call for host families and caregivers

We are looking for families from our College community to host our international students during the school holidays. This is a wonderful opportunity for your son and family members to welcome a student from another country into your home and potentially establish strong international connections while learning more about a different culture. For our international boys, it is an excellent opportunity to immerse themselves in a Kiwi family's lifestyle at home – be it on a farm, by the beach, or in the city.

We are also seeking interest from College families who wish to be local caregivers. You would be a boy’s regular – and ongoing – support person, willing to offer occasional weekends at your home, provide transport so that he can get a haircut or visit the dentist, and to have the student stay if a boarding House needs to close for a period.

If you are interested in supporting our international students in either of these ways, please contact Sarah Davidson at sarah.davidson@christscollege.com for further information.

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CHRIST'S COLLEGE & CCOBA EVENTS

Wednesday 29 May, 1.10pm	Wednesday at One – College students' music performance
Wednesday 29 May, 7pm	Combined Concert with St Margaret's College
Thursday 30 May, 6–8pm	Thailand Community Visit Register now.
Monday 3 June, 3–4pm	Diploma Q&A for boarding parents, Chapman Room Register now.
Wednesday 5 June, 6–8pm	Greytown Community Visit Register now.
Thursday 6 June, 6–8pm	Wellington Community Visit Register now.
Thursday 13 June, 5–6pm	Combined Boarding Houses Parents' Function Register now.
Thursday 13 June, 6.30–8.30pm	Christ's College Parents' Association House Music Festival
Monday 17 June, 6–8pm	Gisborne Community Visit Register now.
Thursday 20 June, 6–8pm	Tauranga Community Visit Register now.
Wednesday 26 June, 7–8.30am	Business Banter with co-owner, McDonald Textiles, Ben Ensor Register now.
Wednesday 26 June, 6.30pm	Better Boys | Better Men – Parent Education Evening with Andrew Reiner, Christchurch Boys' High School No booking required.
Saturday 29 June, 3–5pm	London Community Visit Register now.
Friday 5 July, 6–9pm	Christ's College Parents' Association Midwinter Drinks Book now.
14–16 February 2025	175 Years Celebratory Weekend & CCOBA Reunion Book now.

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Upcoming careers dates

30 May	Career Convos – aviation
6 June	UC Year 12 Discovery Day (optional, need to register)
7 June	University of Melbourne liaison visit, 8.15am
8–9 June	Smedley Station and Cadet Training Farm Open Days
14 June	Massey University, Creative Arts Experience
18 June	Defence Force at College, 1pm
18 June	Victoria University of Wellington Information Evening, 5.30–8pm, Christchurch Town Hall
19 June	University of Otago Information Evening, 6.30pm, Addington Events Centre
21 June	University of Otago DARE Day (medical careers), Christchurch Hospital
25 June	University of Auckland Open Evening, 6–9pm, online
4 July	Career Convos – sport management/coaching
4 July	University of Auckland Information Evening, Novotel
1 August	Career Convos
23 August	Victoria University of Wellington Open Day
24 August	University of Auckland Open Day
24 August	AUT Open Day

Christ's College CareerWise

The Christs's College careers website, CareerWise is a rich source of information about all things related to career information. You can subscribe here.

University of Melbourne liaison visit

Student recruitment manager Fiona Kelleher from the University of Melbourne will be at College on Friday 7 June at 8am to answer questions about Australian universities admissions, ATAR scores, university accommodation, and scholarships. Boys can also confirm the subjects that Australian universities require as prerequisites from NCEA Level 3 courses.

University of Auckland – upcoming events and key dates 

• Mānawa Mai Information Evening – Tuesday 25 June (online)
• Christchurch Information Evening – Thursday 4 July, Novotel, Cathedral Square
• Mānawa Mai Open Day – Saturday 24 August 
• Apply to study – applications open  
• Scholarships – applications open at the end of May and close at the end of August (scholarship regulations available online) 
• Accommodation – applications open in August, with offers made at the start of October

UC Year 12 Discovery Day

This is a good opportunity for students to experience a day at UC. It is a voluntary event, and boys had to register by Friday 24 May. They must make their own way to the university.

Victoria University of Wellington scholarships

Applications for the Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington school-leaver scholarships open in June. Seven scholarships are available:

• Tangiwai Scholarship – celebrating excellence
• Totoweka Scholarship – focused on equity
• Raukaraka Scholarship – for leadership outside and inside the classroom
• Kahotea Scholarship – for outstanding achievement
• Pakohe Scholarship – for sustainability
• Kahurangi Scholarship – for exceptional Māori students
• Mana Pasifika Scholarship – for exceptional Pasifika Students

Full details are available here.

Massey University, Wellington – creative arts experience

Register here for a one-day workshop where students can delve into facets of creative expression at the Massey University in Wellington on Friday 14 June.

Leaving School guide

Check out the guide for study and career options for Years 12–13 students.

Smedley Station and Cadet Training Farm Open Days, Hawke’s Bay

Smedley Station and Cadet Training Farm provides agricultural and farm training in Hawke’s Bay. Cadets, who aim to establish a rural sector career, receive practical instruction and training in farm operations. To find out more, click here.

University of Auckland Information Student Evening

The University of Auckland Information Evening will be held on 4 July, 6–8pm, at the Novotel Hotel in Cathedral Square. Please register here.

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Balfour Prize for Divinity

Every now and again something arrives in the Archives that has never been seen before. In this instance, it was a bookplate for the Balfour Prize for Divinity, given to Eric Arnold Rowe (2397) in 1913.ⁱ

Eric arrived at College in 1908 as an Entrance Scholar and left in 1913 as a Prefect and Academic Head of School. In 1913, he was awarded the prize with a book called Foundations of Christian Belief in Terms of Christian Thought.

This is not the only Balfour Prize in the Archives collection. Walter Lawrence Scott (1536) was awarded Historical Lectures on the Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ in 1897, Norman Murray Bell (1929) was awarded The History of the Christian Church in two volumes in 1904, while Martin Moutray Warren (5717) was awarded In the Steps of St Paul in 1951.ⁱⁱ

The origin of the Balfour Prize for Divinity is not clear. The Board Minutes of May 1880ⁱⁱⁱ and the letters of Bishop Harper to his son, Henry William Harper,^iv indicate that HW Harper had obtained 50 pounds from Arthur J Balfour MP for Hertford “to be devoted [to] some good purpose in Christchurch and left the appropriation of it to him”.^v Yet, there is no obvious connection between the two. They did not overlap at Eton, while Harper went to Oxford and Balfour to Cambridge.

It is clear from Bishop Harper’s letters that there had been some discussion about the fund with HW Harper prior to the acceptance by the Board. They contain the first mention of the Balfour Medal “about the size of a florin” that was later to be created by Petersen and Co.^vi Examination in the Greek Testaments was mentioned “or some book setting forth the Church’s interpretation of it”. However, Bishop Harper adds that it would be awarded to a “boy who shall have passed the best examination in Divinity viz in the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles in Greek or some portion of them and the Book of Common Prayer or some portion of it”,^vii despite this information not being specifically mentioned in the Board Minutes.

There is no Balfour Medal in the Archives, and no indication of what it looked like or whether it ever physically eventuated. Henry Bromley Maling (602) may have been the first recipient.^viii

By 1894, there is no mention of a medal, rather a Board resolution that the Balfour Prize fund is to be used for providing Divinity Prizes throughout the school.^ix Today it is known as the Balfour Prize for Religious Education and is presented to a boy in Year 13.

ⁱ This book was gifted to the Christ’s College Archives collection by Christine Kokay in May 2024 and also included books awarded to his brother, Harold Vincent Rowe (2220)
ⁱⁱ Scott was knighted for services to India, Warren was ordained an Anglican priest and Bell was imprisoned as a conscientious objector. https://voicesagainstwar.nz/exhibits/show/conscription--and-those-who-ob/norman-bell--scholar-and-peace
ⁱⁱⁱ Christ’s College Board Minutes 17 May 1880 
^ivBishop Harper’s outward correspondence 19 February 1880[BHOLB10p492] and 18 May 1880[BHOLB10pp6-4-605], Christchurch Anglican Diocesan Archives 
^vIn 2022, the National Library of Scotland purchased the Balfour Papers. However, a search of their catalogue does not produce any present link to Harper or the medal. Arrangement and description of the papers may still be ongoing. 
^viChrist’s College Board Minutes 18 August 1880
^viiBHOLB10pp604-5
^viiiHB Maling was ordained in 1888 and served in various parishes in England.
^ixChrist’s College Board Minutes 20 June 1894.

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