ARGYLE HOUSE
Hamilton Boys' High School - Term 2, Edition 2, July 2020
Alexander Nielsen (Year 12), National Piping Solo Champion
Alexander is the Pipe Major of the Hamilton BHS Pipe Band. Alexander was awarded a Hamilton BHS Gold Honours Award badge by the Headmaster, Mrs Hassall, at the senior formal assembly on Wednesday 1st July.
Alexander is a national piping solo champion having won the prestigious bronze medal for piobaireachd at the Hastings Highland Games. Alexander backed this performance and result up with another first-place in the premier solo piping event at the Paeroa Highland Games in February this year, taking out the highest grade piobaireachd event, a competition that had over a dozen competitors. Congratulations Alexander.
End of Term, School Reports & Parent Evenings, Teacher Only Day and the House Competition
The end of the school term concludes this Friday 3rd July at 2.15pm. All families are free to collect their son from 2.15pm through until 5.30pm when the Hostel will close for the term, at both Argyle and Grove. Please ensure you enter a Boardingware leave request for this Friday and enter a return day as well.
The staff and I are all extremely proud of the positive way in which the boys have handled the unique and challenging conditions of returning to the Hostel and school after lockdown. I know the boys were so pleased to see each other and to be in each other's company once again when we re-opened under Alert Level 2. The boys just got on with the changes to our systems that ensured safe physical distancing and hygiene practices. Our boys showed tremendous resilience at a difficult time as they sought to re-establish their learning and study routines in the day school while re-adjusting to Hostel life.
Moving to Alert Level 1 allowed the school to map out a return to sport, club and cultural activities, along with a revised school House Competition. The Matthew Allen Cup Hostel House Competition generated some wonderful Argyle spirit with two evenings of Basketball and General Knowledge events across the year levels.
Prefects and Senior Leaders
I would like to commend our Prefects and Senior Leaders who have worked alongside our young men to support them in their day-to-day lives in and around the Hostel. Our Year 12 Dorm Leaders have shown genuine care and empathy for your son's needs this term and they have been one of the main reasons the Hostel is so settled. Our Year 13 Prefects and Senior Leaders, led by Head Prefect, Harry Russ and Deputy Head Prefects, Lachie Roose and Aaron Couper, under the guidance of Senior Master, Matua Mita Graham have driven the Matthew Allen Cup events that the boys love to participate in. Cole Northcott's Sutherland House holds a slender two-point lead over Angus Valler's Bennett House.
Harry Russ and his team of Prefects and Senior Leaders at Grove initiated having dinner on a Wednesday evening with the Year 9s, as a way for the Year 13s living at Grove to interact more with our young boarders. This has been well received by our Year 9s.
House Competition
Unfortunately, Argyle finished 6th in the House General Knowledge Quiz held this week and were placed 4th overall in House Basketball, thanks to our Junior team who went through their 5-game round-robin competition with only one loss during the 5 lunch hours. This has dropped us back to 2nd place on the overall House standings after 6 events, 5 points behind the leaders Wilson House and 5 points ahead of Taylor House. We have Chess, Indoor Football, Indoor Rowing, Tug-O-War, Haka, Service and Singing to look forward to in Term 3. The boys need to be practising their chess skills and strategies over the holiday break as this is our first event next term!
Food Committee
This committee made up of two Years 9 - 13 students, Matron, Mrs Cecelia Lake, Head Chef, Mrs Kim Furcy and myself, had our end-of-term meeting this week. The boys came up with constructive feedback that Kim will use to modify menus for the new term. As a result of this discussion, all boys were sent a survey yesterday to complete on Google Classroom. The survey asks each boy to record what they want to keep and what they want to change for breakfast, morning tea, lunch (packed and in the dining room), afternoon tea, dinner and supper. A big thanks to Master, Mr Hayden Marrow, for setting up and administering this survey. It needs to be completed this week.
Report Evening
The Years 9 - 13 Report Evening is being held on Thursday 23rd July (Week 1 Term 3) from 3.00 - 7.00pm in Gymnasium 1. You are welcome to have your son attend with you so you can both hear the feedback from your son's teachers. Senior School subject reports will be available to access on the HBHS portal from tomorrow.
Teacher Only Day
A reminder of the scheduled Teacher Only Day on Monday 20th July, so the Hostel will re-open from 5.30pm on this day. All boys are expected to have returned by 7.30pm on Monday evening or 8.00am on Tuesday morning. Please use Boardingware to state your son’s return day and time for the start of the new term.
It is always a challenge over the latter stages of the winter term when the boys are tired, but they have all managed themselves extremely well and deserve a well-earned break. I'm sure you will enjoy some quality time with your son over the holiday period. We look forward to seeing all our boys return safely and refreshed ready for the start of the new school term.
As always, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Kind regards
Murray McKenzie
Head of Boarding
021 516 477
Welcome to our New Boarders:
Caedin Taumata (Year 13), Tokoroa
Max Kennedy (Year 9), Papakura
Corban Denize (Year 9), Pio Pio
Rique Miln (Year 13), Te Puke
Reuben Heal (Year 10), Pukekohe
Assistant Master, Ms Wendy Moffitt, at hostel reception
Matthew Allen Cup Basketball, Wednesday 17th June, Gymnasium 1: Sutherland wins 3 - 2
A big thanks to Hamilton BHS PE teacher and Basketball Coach, Mr Ellis, for giving up his evening to come along and officiate all 5 games.
Matthew Allen Cup General Knowledge, Wednesday 24th June, Prep Room (Juniors) & Dining Room (Seniors): Bennett wins overall 2 - 0
A big thanks must go to Assistant Master, Ms Wendy Moffitt, for setting the quiz questions and to Matua Mita Graham for overseeing the senior leaders running the event, and to Mr Jeremy Quigley for his assistance supervising one area and marking the answers.
Sutherland House now holds a narrow 2-point lead over Bennett House 8 - 6, with 2 more terms of competition to come.
Matthew Allen Cup Chess is the first event of term 3.
Matthew Allen Cup points board after two terms of competition
Effective use of School Diaries by Years 9 - 11 Argyle boarders
At our Tuesday evening house meeting on 9th June, Mr Quigley presented $5 canteen vouchers, $10 canteen vouchers and $20 movie vouchers to those boys that had:
Level 1: used their diary effectively and consistently throughout term 2. ($5 voucher)
Level 2: used their diary effectively and consistently in both terms 1 and 2. ($10 voucher)
Level 3: outstanding use of their diary consistently in both terms 1 and 2. ($20 voucher)
Level 1 ($5 canteen voucher)
Ricci Putohe
Matthew Riley
Jack Paterson
Jahrius Enright
Azazel Pihama-Anderson
Haami Waenga
Henry Seavill
Jack Verry
Angus Reeves
Johno O'Brien
Iotia Teokotai
Taylor Sherlock
Josh Syme
Tana Clapham
Snowden Hemi - Hill
Caylus Brighouse
Leo Scott
Ashan Barr
Jack Broomfield
Level 2 ($10 canteen voucher)
Nikau Dromgool
Daniel Garland
Stefan Newman
Joshua Reihana
Kiwa Rata
Dylan McConnell
Jay Wilson
Jake Rabarts
Hamiora Riki-Pahewa
Harrison Grainger
Blake Irwin
Kane Gibberd
Thomas Verry
Ryan McConnell
George Unsworth
Level 3 ($20 movie voucher)
Mikhale Dave
Preston Brydon
Keaton Reti
Joseph Lorimer
Hamilton BHS Basketball, House Competition Event, Monday 22nd - Friday 26th June. Argyle House 4th Place
House Basketball Official Results - see below
Hamilton BHS General Knowledge, House Competition Event, Monday 29th June (Juniors) & Tuesday 30th June (Seniors). Argyle House 6th Place
Argyle House finished in 6th place after results from the junior and senior competition were combined. Our junior and senior teams finished in 5th place.
Argyle House Junior General Knowledge Team - 5th place
Argyle House Senior General Knowledge Team - 5th place
House General Knowledge Official Results - see below
House Competition Results Update after 6 Events - see below
Year 13 Outdoor Education Rafting expedition, Kaituna River, Rotorua, Friday 19th June
NCEA Level 1 Physical Education (11PY), Lawn Bowls
Te Uira Palmer (Year 13) and Max Chow (Year 13): Field Setup responsibility
Here they are learning how to drive the quad bike with Groundsman, Mr Mike Retter.
Their day starts at 6.30am on a Saturday morning.
Year 10 boarders playing Table Tennis Four Square in the Junior Games Room
Live rugby returns to Sky TV
Man Of The Week
Hamiora Riki-Pahewa (Year 10): Week 12 Term 2
Flynn Pierce (Year 10): Week 11 Term 2
Renata Palmer (Year 11): Week 10 Term 2
Max Chow (Year 13), Week 9 Term 2
Man of the Weekend
Lachie Pickett (Year 10), Week 11 Term 2
School Links Emails to Parents/Caregivers from School:
Reminder - Study Smarter Workshop
Emailed to all Parents/Caregivers by the school on Wednesday 24th June
Study Smarter Student Workshop - Monday 6th July
Presenter: Karen Boyes – Study Skills Expert
Venue: Hamilton Boys’ High School Study Centre Time: 9am to 3pm
Dear Parent/Caregiver
Students from the Hamilton area are warmly invited to attend the Study Smarter Workshop on the first Monday of the upcoming school holidays. The presenter, Karen Boyes is described as Australasia’s “Mrs Education.” An expert in effective teaching, learning and living, Karen turns her research into practical and simple-to-use techniques that create success. Her workshops at Hamilton Boys’ have proven to be immensely popular in previous years, with attendees learning some excellent strategies for studying and preparing for examinations.
As the Founder of Spectrum Education, an author, publisher of the Teachers Matter Magazine and an Associate Director of the Institute for the Habits of Mind, Karen is an expert of teaching and learning throughout the world. A dynamic presenter, she inspires teachers and students globally.
Students will learn the powerful strategies that make a difference to their study. Through the use of simple, easy to apply and yet practical ideas, students can boost their own performance and exam results.
Please see attachment for more information and registration details.
Hamilton Boys' High School has attached a .pdf file to this email:
BUSIT Ticketing Changes - 6 July 2020
Emailed to all Parents/Caregivers by the school on Tuesday 16th June
Dear Parent/Caregiver
Please find attached information from BUSIT regarding changes to their card system from Monday, 6 July 2020.
Thank you.
Hamilton Boys' High School has attached a .pdf file to this email:
bee_card_info_f....pdfHBHS Photographs
Emailed to all Parents/Caregivers by the school on Friday 12th June
Dear Parents/Caregivers
Hamilton Boys' High School Summer Sports photographs and Tutor Group photographs (taken in Term One) are available for you to view and order online with PhotoLife Studios.
Your son will be bringing home today, an online slip with your unique 'Shoot Key' detailed on it. This Shoot Key will bring up all photographs that your son is in. It is then an easy process for you to shop online and purchase the photographs you want.
All orders placed before 5 July 2020 will be dispatched back to the school and your son will be able to collect them from the School Shop. Any orders placed after 5 July 2020 will be sent directly to your specified delivery address and will incur a $6.00 postage and packaging charge.
Thank you
Liz Caskey
HBHS Shop
shop@hbhs.school.nz
HBHS Headmaster's Message Thursday, 11 June
Emailed to all Parents/Caregivers by the school on Thursday 11th June
Dear Parents/Caregivers
As we move to Alert Level 1, I am very pleased to be able to take this opportunity to thank you all, for everything you have contributed to our world over the past 12 weeks. It has been a time of uncertainty and anxiety for all, and now, as we begin to hold assemblies, as classes regain the full momentum in teaching and learning, and as we plan the beginning of the Winter sport season, we must continue to feel grateful. With the emotion of gratitude, comes happiness and a greater sense of contentment, even when we face challenges and disappointment in our lives. So it is important to encourage the young men of the school to reflect on all of the many positives we have in our world, thanks to the commitment of so many.
We are working through the ongoing changes to our school calendar, as we strive to commit to rescheduling and maintaining as many activities as possible, while recognising the importance of maintaining a settled, "focussed on learning" Term Three. An updated, live calendar is available to you on https://www.hbhs.school.nz/school/school-calendar/ so that you can remain aware of any changes we have made.
We remain committed to best practice in hygiene, and we will continue to send home any student who appears unwell. Although we are blessed to be back to a normal routine, we remain vigilant, and our expectations on our students remain high. Part of our sense of gratitude as a school, is for the wonderful young men we work with, every day, and for their willingness to support us in realising our goal to remain safe and well.
After three and a half weeks back, the school is settled and engaged, and both staff and students are very positive about the remainder of the term, and of the year. I hope that the return to normal for you, and your families, has also been as smooth and happy.
I look forward to sharing the opportunity to enjoy watching sport, on the sidelines, in the gymnasium, and at the turf, through the weeks ahead. And to take time to listen to some wonderful performances by our young men, in music, drama and debating.
This morning, I realised a dream, when I opened, with our Director of Culture, Mr Dent, a parcel containing our first, custom made in school colours, kilt. Our Pipe Band will now be the smartest in the country, as well as the best. And, as we opened this precious package, I once again reflected on the joy of the world of HBHS, where so much is given, by so many. And that is something for which we must all feel grateful!
My very best wishes for the remainder of the term; enjoy the beauty of these amazing, perfect Winter days, and enjoy our ability to share them, together.
Arohanui
Susan Hassall
Headmaster
NCEA Update
Dear Parents/Caregivers
The Ministry of Education has recently made a few changes that will affect the structure of NCEA in 2020 due to COVID 19. To this end, NZQA has released the following statement to help understand these changes.
To help address this and support students, the following changes are being made to NCEA and University Entrance (UE) requirements for this year:
- Students working towards an NCEA can gain additional credits, based on the number of credits they achieve during the 2020 school year. These additional credits will be known as Learning Recognition credits. For every 5 credits a student achieves towards their NCEA either through internal or external assessment, they are entitled to an additional 1 credit. Students at NCEA Level 1 are eligible for up to a maximum of 10 additional credits while those at Levels 2 and 3 are eligible for up to a maximum of 8 additional credits.
- Students will be awarded a certificate endorsement if they achieve 46 credits at Merit or Excellence level, rather than the usual 50. Students achieving 12 credits at Merit or Excellence level in a course – rather than 14 – will be awarded a course endorsement.
- Current UE requirements have been reduced from 14 to 12 credits in three UE-approved subjects. Students still need to attain NCEA Level 3 and meet literacy and numeracy requirements to be awarded University Entrance.
- External NCEA examinations and NZ Scholarship examinations will now take place from 16 November 2020 to 9 December 2020. This will provide extra time for teaching, learning and assessment in Term 4.
- The submission date for subjects which require students to submit a portfolio (for example, Design and Visual Communications) has been extended to 12 November 2020, to give students more time to complete their portfolios.
These changes have been designed to encourage students to continue working towards their NCEA and to ensure that the NCEA attained by this school year is just as valid as those earned in previous years.
Ngā mihi
Phil Basel
pbasel@hbhs.school.nz
Our two Argyle House Parent Representatives for you to contact about any hostel matters
Mrs Shay-Lee Wylie (Te Kuiti)
Feel free to contact me by email grizwiles@xtra.co.nz
Hamilton Boys' High School, Years 9-13 Boarding Hostel
Email: argyle@hbhs.school.nz
Website: www.hbhs.school.nz
Location: 34 Argyle Street, Hamilton East 3216, Hamilton, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 8530437