Hastings Boys' High School
Newsletter 2024 February Volume 1
Message from the Acting Headmaster
Ko Takitimu te waka
Ko Kahurānaki te maunga
Ko Ngaruroro Mokotuararo ki Rangatira te awa
Ko Ngāti Kahungunu te iwi
Ko Ngā Tamatāne o Heretaunga te kura
Ko te Manu Huia te tohu
Ko te Tohu te mana
Ko te Mana te rangatira
Ko te Rangatira ko Ākina
Ākina! Ākina tukua
As we embark on a new academic year filled with possibilities, and a shared commitment to educational excellence, I extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you. It is an honour to address you as the Acting Headmaster of Hastings Boys' High School.
Our school stands as a leader in education, fostering an environment where the seven Ākina Man values of Communication, Respect, Integrity, Initiative, Empathy, Diligence and Courage form the foundation for all that we do.
Together, we form a community dedicated to the holistic development of our students, equipping them not only with academic tools but also with the values and skills needed to navigate the complexities of the world beyond the classroom.
As we embrace the challenges that lie ahead, let us remember the importance of collaboration, open communication, and a shared vision. Our success as a community and school hinges on the active involvement of parents, teachers, staff, and, most importantly, our students. Our collective efforts will shape an educational experience that goes beyond textbooks, examinations and the sporting arena aiming to instill a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.
I look forward to forging strong connections with all of you, fostering a sense of unity, and working together to create an environment where every student can thrive. Let us make this academic year a memorable and transformative one for our school, our students and our community.
Q A Crawford B.Ed., T.T.C., Dip.Tchg.
Acting Headmaster
We Welcome our New Staff
We would like to welcome the following new staff to Hastings Boys' High School:
Mrs Leanne Cotter-Arlidge - Business Studies
Mr Liam Hall - Social Studies
Mr James James - Mathematics/Social Studies
Mr Dillon King - Māori
Mr John Mauvan - Technology
Miss Lorena McGookin - Business Studies
Mr Sam Murphy - English
Ms Jessie O'Connor - English
Mrs Nicole Oertel - Mathematics
Mr Chris Pollock - Mathematics
Mr Reece Tuala-Fata - Social Studies
Mr Kevin Becker - Teacher Aide
Mr Zac Burke - Football Academy/Coach
Mrs Amy Campbell - Senior Finance Officer (Oct 2023)
Mr Danny Drepaul - Cricket Coach
Mr Richard Kupa - Teacher Aide
Mr Peleti Oli - Attendance Officer
Mrs AnneMarie Winters - Finance/Administration Support
Congratulations to our Prefect Leaders for 2024
Congratulations to our Prefects for 2024. These students were announced as our student leaders in an assembly on Friday 9 February. Photo to follow later.
Mike Brown (Cultural Captain)
Jonah Cooper
Dennis Feliuai
Beau Heibner
Atlas Hepi-Tilton
Isaac Isaako
Matehaere Kururangi
Marcus Leach (Academic Captain)
Joseph Lilo-Iosefo
Cameron McKay
Manwinder Nagra
Dylan Nel
Isireli Qaranivalu
Brayden Reeve (Deputy Head Boy)
Teina Robin
Callan Robson
Carter Smith (Sports Captain)
Bowen Steffert (Community Captain)
Membrenz Tahu
Elijah Talalupe
Max Thornton
Logan Timmins
Osiris White Munro (Head Boy)
Te-Karakia Winitana
Rowing News
On the 27-29th of January five students from our school competed in the North Island Club Rowing Championships. They rowed a full Hastings Boys' High School boat under the Hawke's Bay Rowing Club name, with Zac Fitness as Coxswain, and Josh Massingham, Reuben Pope, Riley Russell and Koby Houlton rowing. It is their first year rowing so are novice rowers.
The rowers compete in the eight, quad, four, doubles and singles during the regattas. They row over a distances of 1km, 1.5km and 2km depending on events. They can row between 8 to 12km on a race day.
They placed 1st in their heat by a nail-biting 0.3 seconds with the fastest qualifying time of the A final for the men's novice coxed four. They went on to place 3rd in the A final in a hard-fought race against skilled crews.
Four of the Hastings Boys' High School students also claimed a silver medal in the 8’s. This is the first time in 12 years a Hawke’s Bay men novice 8 crew has reached the podium at the North Island champs.
The boys now focus on the National Club Rowing Champs and National school events in the coming months for a chance to represent the school with pride.
Joshua Massingham, 11Cl
Recent Regatta results:
Jury Cup Regatta in Whanganui:
Novice coxed four 1st in A final
Novice coxed quad 3rd in A final
Karapiro Christmas Regatta:
Novice coxed four 1st in heat
North Island Rowing Champs:
Novice coxed four 1st in heat,
3rd in A final
Congratulations to our Robotics Team
Congratulations to our Robotics Team that finished 4th overall in the recently concluded FIRST Tech Challenge National Competition. After five closely fought rounds of competition, the team reached the semifinals which is a massive achievement considering this is only their second year of participation in robotics.
The team also won the FIRST Tech Challenge Design Award which is presented to teams that best incorporate industrial design elements into their solution which make the robot durable, efficiently designed, effectively address the game challenge and distinguishes itself from others by its aesthetic and functional design.
We have also been selected by FIRST NZ as one of the two schools (the other being Woodford House) who will send a combined team of 5 students to the FIRST Global Challenge held overseas in 2024 (destination TBC). It is in recognition of the commitment and progress we have made over the 2 years we have been involved in FTC robotics.
Well done to our team members - Angus Logan (captain), Lincoln Mackie, Dion Wilson, Bhupinderpreet Singh and Ryan Wright.
Global Youth Sevens
Old Boy Taufa Kaufononga has participated in the Global Youth Sevens as a player in December 2023.
International student, Agashi Matsue also joined our pre-tournament camp.
Congratulations Old Boy Koji Hardgrave-Abe
We are thrilled to congratulate Koji Hardgrave-Abe on becoming the newest International cricketer from Central Districts after his T20 International debut for the senior Japanese men's team.
Koji Hardgrave-Abe made his international debut against Thailand recently, becoming the 103rd player to represent the Japan Men’s Team.
Well done Dion Wilson - National Chess Tournament
At the beginning of January, Dion Wilson attended the 131st New Zealand Chess Congress in Palmerston North–the largest chess tournament in New Zealand. He competed in the New Zealand Junior Championship, an under 20 tournament in which seven games were played in the morning, one per day. At the same time, he played in the Major Open, the B grade of the New Zealand Championship. Nine games were played in the afternoon over nine days. Dion performed well scoring 5/7 points in the Junior Championship which placed him 2nd in the under 16 category, and 4th equal with 2 others overall. In the Major Open he scored 7.5/9 and smashed it with an outright win, the first Hawke's Bay player to win the trophy in 42 Years.
Congratulations Dion!
Leadership Day
On Monday the 5th of February, Mr Hume took 24 Year 13 students (potential Prefects for 2024) to Taupō for a fun day, but also to demonstrate their leadership skills amongst their peers.
They went on the high ropes, rope swing, and rock drop. Teachers marked them on their skill sets.
This course in Taupō was an exhilarating and challenging experience for all the boys involved. Throughout the activities each participant demonstrated a high level of commitment and resilience, embodying the core values of the Ākina Man. These values, including communication, courage, diligence, Initiative, and integrity, were evident in the way the boys approached the various obstacles and supported each other throughout the course. Despite facing physical and mental challenges, they pushed themselves to overcome their fears and achieve their goals. Their collective effort and determination not only strengthened their individual skills, but also fostered a sense of camaraderie and unity among the group. Overall, the this course served as a platform for leadership, personal growth, character development, and the reinforcement of the Ākina Man Values within the boys.
Building Academy
This year has started off with a hiss and a roar for our 17 new Building Academy cadets. Starting off with two 82sq metre, 2-bedroom houses, which will be finished (hopefully) in Term 4 for social housing in Hastings. These students complete the whole house together, right down from the sub floor to the finished product. We will be featuring the progress made in the Building Academy in every newsletter.