Weigh up your course options for next year

Term 3 continues where Term 2 left off, with internal assessments for the senior boys and Prep courses and Diploma bids for the Years 10–11 students. While we have only just started back at College, it is time to start thinking about courses for next year. As a school, our timetable is built around the choices that students make. We start with their selections and build from that point.

With that in mind, we have two important evenings coming up for parents and students. Both are designed to help with the options selection process. 

On Thursday 8 August, we have the NCEA subject selection information evening for current Years 11–12 students. It will include a brief review of NCEA requirements. However, it is largely focused on boys having the opportunity to speak with representatives from each department. We will also have representatives from the three local tertiary institutions available to answer questions. It is a great opportunity to touch base with the tertiary providers about the NCEA courses that boys may need while also being able to speak to the teachers of those courses.

On Monday 19 August, we have our Diploma subject selection evening for current Years 9–10 students. It will introduce and explain the choices, including the requirements for those entering the second year of the Diploma. Representatives from every department will be present so that everyone can ask questions about different courses or pathways.

Prior to each evening, the NCEA Course Booklet, Year 10 Course Booklet, and Year 11 Course Booklet will be made available on the school website and communicated via email so that parents and boys can view and read about the course choices. 

If you have not yet registered for the information evenings, please do so below:

• NCEA Options Evening for parents and boys of Years 11–12
• Diploma Options Evening for parents and boys of Years 9–10

We look forward to seeing all the parents and students to discuss curriculum choices in the next couple of weeks. Both events will be held in the Assembly Hall.

Boarders scale up the fun

Our boarders have started Term 3 with an action-packed session at Clip 'n Climb as they aim to scale new heights at College.

Reading to win for the House

The start of Term 3 has marked the final week of House Reading for 2024 and it has been wonderful to celebrate all our competition winners in Assembly.

It has been an impressive showcase of the contribution of students to a House competition, with each top points scorer coming from Years 9–11.

Congratulations to the top scorers for each House, who all have won a book voucher and a custom-made bookmark in their House colours.

Condell’s – Nitin Keswani
Corfe – Cohen Wildermoth
Flower’s – Guy Boissard
Harper – Paddy Newton
Jacobs – Hugo Bush
Julius – Michael Rankin
Richards – Hugo Silva
Rolleston – Charlie de Costobadie
School – Leo Acland
Somes – Hugh Carran

This year also marks the first time – since the start of the competition in 2022 – that a day House has finished on top. The overall top scorers for the House Reading competition are:

1st – Somes
2nd – Flower’s
3rd – Rolleston

The incredible reading completed by some students, especially in Flower’s and Somes, illustrates that boys can be motivated by competition and knowing that they are doing their best for their House. Role-modelling and active encouragement from the leadership in the winning Houses also have been key to their success.

Below from left: Paddy Newton (Harper), Michael Rankin (Julius), Hugo Silva (Richards), Nitin Keswani (Condell’s), Hugh Carran (Somes), Guy Boissard (Flower’s), Hugo Bush (Jacobs), Charlie de Costobadie (Rolleston), and Cohen Wildermoth (Corfe). Absent: Leo Acland (School). 

Archbishops’ statement following Royal Commission report

Tēnā koutou katoa.

Peace to you all in the name of God.

Dearly beloved, we begin the term in the shadow of the Abuse in Care – Royal Commission of Inquiry report to Parliament. 

I give thanks for those who have contributed to this report, one of national significance, and shame. The College Warden, The Right Reverend Dr Peter Carrell, and I acknowledge the collective responsibility of all in ministry leadership for the failure of Anglican institutions in the past.

Please read the statement from the Archbishops of our province. Much work in implementing the recommendations is already complete or under way. As the process of implementation and redress continues, please hold all survivors and their whānau in your prayers.

Yours in Christ – E Te Karaiti, tohungia mātou,
The Rev'd Canon Cameron Pickering

New students from around the world

It has been a busy start to Term 3 in the international space, with three new students at College, one returning, and several exchange students joining us for short-term stays.

Before departing their home countries, Year 11 students Fanhao Shen (China) and Oscar Kobayashi (Japan), and Year 12 student Dewey Wang (China) undertook two online Zoom sessions, introducing the boys to New Zealand, Christchurch, and Christ's College. This was complemented by our Orientation on arrival, with half a day at school followed by a classic Kiwi-style pie and Rollickin' Gelato at Riverside Market before the trio headed to the Christchurch Adventure Park for an afternoon of ziplining.

We also were excited to welcome back Charlie Syme (Year 10, USA). Also joining us from the States – although only for two weeks – are George Ma and Lyon Playfair (bottom left) from Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. George and Lyon are on an exchange visit with Frank O'Gara and Euan McVicar, respectively.

Meanwhile, Theo Kalda (bottom right), from Gymnasium Am Moltkeplatz in Germany, is at College for the term, playing hockey for the 1st X1. Finally, Souichiro Inoue will enjoy two weeks in Year 11 as his prize for winning the H.I.H Prince Takamado Trophy All Japan Inter-Middle School English Oratorical Contest. His flights – part of his prize – have been sponsored by Air New Zealand.

New Zealand Artists @ Christ's College exhibition

Work by award-winning Old Boy Oli Aikawa – a second-year architecture student at Victoria University of Wellington – features at the New Zealand Artists @ Christ's College exhibition from 13–15 September in the College Auditorium.

While at Christ’s College, Oli discovered “an environment that allowed me to be at my creative best”. Today, he is committed to ‘giving back’ to the school community, welcoming an opportunity to be involved in the Christ's College USA 2025 basketball tour fundraiser art exhibition.

“Since College, I haven’t stopped making art and have continued to find my voice through visual language. College gave me a strong foundation to be a leader in the community. I have taken this mindset and infused it into my art. I think as an artist I have the duty to be a communicator and provocateur of the tough ideas that need to be addressed, even if it feels awkward or difficult. I want to use art to make a positive change in the world.”

More than 40 established New Zealand artists will feature in the exhibition, with 25% of each sale going towards the basketball tour. Exhibition entry for children under 18 is free. The opening night includes a complimentary drink and canapés.

Friday 13 September, 7–10pm (opening night)
Saturday 14 September, 10am–5pm
Sunday 15 September, 10am–4pm

Secure your exhibition tickets here.

CHRIST'S COLLEGE & CCOBA EVENTS

Upcoming careers dates

Christ's College CareerWise

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

School subject selection – Term 3 

Boys choosing their subjects this term – for 2025 – can check out these preparation links to aid their decisions regarding university and polytechnic study:

• Lincoln University – Best Prep
• Victoria University of Wellington – Best Prep
• University of Otago – Best Prep
• Ara – Best Prep
• University of Auckland – Best Prep
• University of Canterbury – Best Prep

School subject and career opportunities

Careers NZ has created posters featuring career opportunities so that students can learn more about career options based on the subjects they enjoy.

CCRF – Term 3

The New Zealand Common Confidential Reference Form (CCRF) is an online university accommodation reference form. Students can register for accommodation at several universities on one form. Their Housemasters will complete the school section. Applications for halls of residence open on 1 August and close about 27 September. Most boys have already applied. 

University of Melbourne

A reminder that all students hoping to attend the University of Melbourne need to take Level 3 English, and for those wanting to study either Biomedicine, or Science or Commerce, they must take Mathematics Calculus at Level 3. The university does not accept other English-rich subjects from Level 3.

University of Auckland – upcoming events and key dates 

• 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

Victoria University of Wellington scholarships

Applications for the Victoria University of Wellington school-leaver scholarships opened in June, with seven scholarships available. Full details are available here.

University of Canterbury scholarships 2025

If students plan to enrol in the first year of an undergraduate degree at UC in 2025, they can apply for one or more of the Incoming First-Year Scholarships. However, they need to apply for a myUC account first.

University of Otago scholarships 2025

Before applying for a University of Otago scholarship for 2025, students must set up an eVision account.

Lincoln University Scholarships

Before applying for a Lincoln University scholarship for 2025, students must set up a myLinc account.

AUT (Auckland University of Technology) Scholarships

Click here for further information on scholarships.

Money matters

MoneyHub has created a comprehensive guide for students, designed to provide essential tools and knowledge for building a healthy relationship with money.

Trades and apprenticeships

For students wanting to learn a trade or explore apprenticeships, check out MoneyHub’s apprenticeship guide. 

Bachelor of Radiation Therapy – changes to entry requirements

The changes to entry requirements include:

• Removal of the requirement to take an English-rich subject in NCEA Level 3
• A reduction in the NCEA Level 3 credits required in Maths (Mathematics, Statistics or Calculus) and Physics or Biology from 16 to 14 credits

Aviation Evening – 6 August, 7–9pm, St Andrew’s College 

The Aviation Evening will be supported by Airways New Zealand, the International Aviation Academy of NZ, Christchurch Helicopters, the Air New Zealand Learning Institute, the New Zealand Air Force, the Association of Women in Aviation, and the Christchurch Engine Centre.

Air New Zealand – pilot careers

Air New Zealand and its preferred training organisations will host a Pilot Career Evening for students and parents in Christchurch on Wednesday 28 August 2024. Click here to secure your seat.

Old Boy All Blacks

Many Old Boys from Christ’s College have been named in the national rugby team, including two recent selections.

On 24 June at 5.45pm, the 2024 All Blacks squad was announced – a team to beat England. Around the country, families, schools, and rugby clubs tuned in to hear if their son, Old Boy or player had been named. 

Christ’s College Old Boy Damian McKenzie (14028) was named after eight consecutive years and Sam Darry (14680) was included in the squad. Sam has since earned his first cap, coming off the bench against Fiji in San Diego on 20 July. To date, 24 known Christ’s College Old Boys have played for the All Blacks.  

It is interesting to find out about these young men and their path to pulling on the black jersey. The College archives provide some evidence and a glimpse into their developing sporting prowess being noticed and nurtured during their College years. The 1895 College Register states: “It is the duty of the Selection committee to pick out carefully all the most promising players, and keep them up to their work.”ⁱ

In 1884 – 140 years ago – the first team to represent New Zealand was formed for a tour to New South Wales. This tour proved very successful, with New Zealand unbeaten in eight matches.ⁱⁱ Three Christ’s College Old Boys, brothers William (362) and Edward Millton (467), and George Helmore (665) were named in the squad.^{iii / iv}

The College Register, throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, indicates a strong interest in, and uptake of the game. In 1902, for example, more than three-quarters of Upper School boys played rugby. ^v

Two members of the 1st XV, who later became All Blacks, Frank Fryer (1744) and Harold Murray (2094),^vi are in the 1904 College photos.

The 1904 Register recorded, “...Of the individual players it is difficult to pick out any deserving of much more praise than others, but perhaps Fryer and ‘Toby’ Murray have done the lion’s share amongst the backs and the forwards, respectively”.

Fast forward to 2012, in the second of three years in the 1st XV, now current All Black Damian McKenzie was described by the Register as “one of the best five-eighths in the country”.^vii

There have been many updates while this article was being written. As mentioned, Old Boy Sam Darry has now made his debut for the All Blacks. While at College, he was the 2018 Senior Sportsman of the Year and captain of the 1st XV in his final year.

The 2018 Register recorded: “He was composed under pressure and a true example to the team through the quality of his preparation and work rate. Best performing lock in the UC Championship.”^viii

One would naturally speculate that a fair part of these players’ development and skills were honed at College. It is also interesting to note that some of the Old Boys who have gone on to play for New Zealand in rugby were not selected for the 1st XV. Some had played just a few games. 

The Christ's College All Blacks

Information compiled from the Christ's College Register, the School List, and the All Blacks official website.

*played for Māori All Blacks also

ⁱ Christ’s College Register, 1895 pg 32.
ⁱⁱ https://www.experienceallblacks.com/insider-information/introduction-to-rugby/
ⁱⁱⁱ Teal, F.J, 2024, The Register, In Black & White, No. 237
^iv Hamilton, D College! 1996, pg. 115
^v Christ’s College Register, 1902 pg. 174
^vi Christ’s College Register, 1904, pg 401
^vii Christ’s College Register, 2012 pg. 176
^viii Christ’s College Register, 2018 pg. 266
^ix Christ’s College Register, 2018 pg. 266
^x Gabrielsson, A. Forsyth Barr Stadium ahead of All Black clash against England, 06/07/2024, Private Collection