Message from the Headmaster – November 2022
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We often refer to Term 4 as the examination term, not only because the year concludes with the important and well-known senior school external assessments associated with Cambridge and NZQA, but also because of the final internal examinations for Form 3-5 students.
The School’s Mission refers to “providing young men with a rigorous academic education” and that our young men will “pursue excellence in acquiring knowledge and skills…”
The rigour in your son’s education relates to the disciplinary knowledge that he has been taught by our specialist teachers this year. All young men deserve an equitable opportunity to acquire new knowledge and demonstrate it through regular assessment which includes the final examinations they are sitting or about to sit.
We know that academic growth at all levels of the School (the acquisition of knowledge) is supported by a strong work ethic that includes effective study, a preparedness to make the sacrifices to do so and willingness to ask questions and take advice. This type of self-disciplined approach supports the development of a growth mindset in young men. It is that mindset and the ability to apply it that will help them experience success in these final weeks of the year and in the future.
As a parent or teacher, it is often difficult to explain the value of hard work and sacrifice to young men. It is primarily through practice and experience that students come to understand there is a direct correlation between the quantity and quality of their study and their results. I raise this with you as now is the time for young men to undertake self-disciplined and regular study. Likewise, now is the time to call upon the resilience they have developed in these recent pandemic affected years, so they earn the feeling of academic success as 2022 draws to a close.
We remain adamant that one of our primary roles is to help young men earn the best academic qualification possible. Understanding how to learn and having the self-discipline to learn will help realise this.
We also recognise that most young men want much more than a qualification from their time with us. The School’s Mission also reflects this – “to encourage the development of the whole person…”
This year, we have had the privilege of watching many young men grow and develop into being well-rounded contributors, through their commitment to sport, the performing arts, and/or community service groups. Those who have been involved with extracurricular activities this year are to be commended for participating, competing, forging new friendships and building positive working relationships with masters and their fellow students.
We have a busy few weeks of the year left, to complete examinations, and conclude Term 4 extracurricular activities, before we join together for Prizegiving where we will celebrate student achievement, resilience and personal growth.
Per Angusta Ad Augusta
Tim O’Connor
Headmaster