ARGYLE HOUSE
Hamilton Boys' High School - Term 4, Edition 1, October 2021
Runners-up: William MacErlich Memorial Trophy
The Hostel 1st XV Rugby team were defeated by the Day Boys 1st XV 27-17 on Thursday 30th September. This was the final game on rugby field number 1 for the majority of these players. The spirit in which the game was played and the high level of skill on display, despite the wet conditions, was a fitting tribute to William MacErlich, a Year 12 boarder who passed away suddenly in 2005 after a brief illness.
This photo was taken at the conclusion of the game after Ian MacErlich (centre of photo), William's father, had presented the William MacErlich trophy to Sean Ralph, captain of the Day Boys team.
Thanks to Grove Master, Mr Logan Asplin, who along with hosting Ian and his wider family for the day, spoke of William's memory prior to kickoff, having played in the same team as William when a student himself, at Hamilton Boys' High School.
Thanks also to Mr Andrew Hay (Argyle Master) and Mr Cameron Moorby (Grove Assistant Master), for coaching and managing the Hostel XV, and to teachers Mr Stefan West and Mr John Steel for coaching and managing the Day Boys XV.
Congratulations to the Day Boys 1st XV on their victory.
Returning at AL2, Prefects & Senior Leader applications, Grove applications, William MacErlich Trophy & Term 4 formal occasions
Kia ora koutou
I’m sure your son is looking forward to returning to Argyle House and Grove once the Waikato returns to Alert Level 2, allowing Hamilton Boys’ High School to re-open for term 4. Meeting his friends again, getting involved in organised sport and his co-curricular programme, and more importantly, receiving face-to-face teaching at this important time of his academic year, will be a welcome change for your son, particularly those boys from within the Auckland region, who are soon to return, with conditions.
The purpose of this email is to communicate to you the steps leading up to the re-opening of the hostel and school. I would like to make it clear that this is all hypothetical, as there are still many unknowns leading up to the government announcement on Monday 18th October. However, it will provide you with a picture as to how we intend to re-open. I have discussed and confirmed this process with hostel staff and the Headmaster.
STUDENTS WITHIN AUCKLAND NOW ABLE TO RETURN TO SCHOOL HOSTELS, WITH CONDITIONS
Firstly, I would like to report on the wonderful, and long overdue, news the Headmaster and I received last night from the Ministry of Education, informing us that our students residing within the Auckland region at Alert Level 3 are able to return to the hostel and school, with conditions, when the Waikato moves to AL2.
The conditions are:
Students must carry evidence of a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to travelling.
Family or caregivers that accompany their son will also be subject to the testing regime, so must also carry evidence of a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to travelling.
Need to carry a letter from Argyle House management to show your reason for travel is returning your son to the hostel. See the copy attached below.
Once returned, boarders will not be able to return home while Auckland remains at a higher alert level. I am awaiting a response from the Ministry to give clarification around whether our ‘Argyle House Safety Management Plan at Alert Level 2’ applies to those students who have returned from Auckland that intend to request weekend leave. Currently, our plan states: “weekend leave and overnight leave at AL2 will be to their home, parent/caregiver, their homestay (during lockdown) or the home of a family or extended family member that was part of their extended bubble during AL3”.
The Ministry have stated they intend this change to be effective from midnight on Friday 15th October, "the latest we expect the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Level Requirements) Order to be live and on the Covid-19 website."
We will be advised if there is any change to this.
RE-OPENING AT AL2 SCENARIOS
Scenario 1:
If the Government announces on Monday 18th October, in their daily report back, that the Waikato region is moving to Alert Level 2 at midnight on Monday 18th, the hostel will re-open from 7.00am on Tuesday 19th October. After the boys arrive and unpack, there will be a rolling, continental breakfast from 7.30 - 8.00am, as many will have left home very early that morning. The boys will go to school for a normal day under AL2 restrictions, with a takeaway lunch from the dining room at 12.30pm. We will follow all AL2 procedures and protocols as we have used successfully in the past.
Scenario 2 (likely scenario, based on September 2021 announcement):
However, when the government announced our move from AL3 to AL2 on Tuesday evening 7th September, schools did not re-open until Thursday 9th September. Assuming this is likely to occur again, then Argyle House and Grove will re-open at 3.00pm on Tuesday 19th October. Like last time, we will expect all boys to have returned to Argyle House and Grove by 7.30pm on Tuesday evening, or, by 8.00am Wednesday morning 20th October, ready to attend school from 8.30am. An evening meal will be provided from 5.30 - 6.00pm for all boys who have returned on Tuesday evening. The 3.00pm opening time is to allow hostel staff to meet their school commitments on Tuesday, and it will also ease travel pressures on those families that live some distance from Hamilton.
Whatever happens at Monday’s announcement, we need to be ready to receive our boys from Tuesday 19th October, at the earliest.
I will continue to keep you updated.
Term 4 Events
The boys and staff are looking forward to Term 4, with many exciting events, both formal and informal, scheduled to take place. I will update you should AL2 conditions impact on the format of our two main formal occasions, particularly around parent attendance.
The Argyle Leavers' Dinner takes place on Friday 29th October and the Argyle Prizegiving is on Sunday 31st October, which is a compulsory evening which all boarders are required to attend.
Set Leave
Labour Weekend is scheduled to occur over the first weekend back this term. The hostel will close from 5.30pm on Friday 22nd October and re-open on Monday 25th October from 5.30pm.
Enjoy the remainder of the school holiday period with your son. We look forward to all our boys returning. I'm sure they will return refreshed, well-groomed and ready to see out the final term at Argyle House and Hamilton Boys' High School.
Please feel free to contact me at any time should you have a concern or want to discuss any matters relating to boarding life.
Ngā mihi,
Murray McKenzie
Head of Boarding
021 516 477
Letter attached for families to present to border authorities when passing through, or from Auckland, when returning your son to the hostel
William MacErlich Trophy, Thursday 30 September - Day Boys 1st XV vs Boarders 1st XV Rugby Game
Mr Cam Moorby (Hostel Co-Coach), Leo Scott, Mr Logan Asplin (Grove Master), Carlos Miln, Raharuhi Palmer, Liam Anderson, Kieran Draper, Iotia Teokotai, Renata Palmer, Rangiwai Lunjevich, Haimz Leef, Otama Roberts, Mac Russ, Mr Andrew Hay (Hostel Co-Coach).
Middle row kneeling: Hoani Ham, George Unsworth, Liam Parrott, Diasuke Shirai, Oli Mathis, Caylus Brighouse, Ihaia Te Wara.
Front row seated: Levi Cressy-Baggott, George Reeves (Captain), Henry Palmer.
On Thursday 30th September, the annual William MacErlich Memorial rugby match was played on the Number 1 field between the Hostel and the Day boys. The match is an annual fixture to honour the memory of William MacErlich who tragically passed away after a brief illness in 2005.
William was a Year 12 boarder at Argyle House. While at Hamilton BHS William was a member of the 3rd XV Rugby Team (as it was known then) and was an excellent goal-kicker. He was also a wicket-keeper/batsman for our 1st XI Cricket Team.
Old Boys’ and teachers have described William MacErlich as a bright, energetic and talented young lad. It was an honour for both teams to play for William and his family, who had travelled from Palmerston North and Te Puke to be present at the game. William’s father, Ian, presented the trophy to the winning team at the end of the game.
The game was very close with the lead changing numerous times. There were some great skills displayed by both teams who were playing their first game together in wet conditions. The Day Boys were too strong in the end, winning 27-17. Ian MacErlich presented the trophy to the Day Boys captain, Sean Ralph, at the conclusion of the game. The hostel still hold the overall lead with 4 wins from 7 games since the William MacErlich Memorial Trophy changed to a Day Boys vs Boarders fixture in 2015.
I would like to thank the players who gave their hearts to this game and also the coaches and teachers. We have a lot to learn from William’s life. So talented, full of life and energetic yet unknown to him an illness was to cut his dreams short. This is a lesson for all of us, to live life to the fullest, be happy and enjoy life while you can.
We look forward to next year’s match and hope that the tradition will carry on throughout the years to come, in memory of the late William MacErlich.
George Reeves
Hostel 1st XV Captain
Argyle Year 13 Leavers' Dinner: Friday 29th October
Head Prefect, Thomas Hayward and Deputy Head Prefects, Ethan Barton and Sam Boros are busy preparing for the Argyle Leavers’ Dinner on Friday 29th October here in the Argyle Dining Room, commencing 6.00pm, with pre-dinner refreshments from 5.30pm.
Invitations for this formal dinner have been emailed out to all Year 13 families on Friday 17th September, allowing each Year 13 student to invite up to four members of their immediate family to attend. Please remember to RSVP by Wednesday 20th October, by emailing or phoning Mrs McLaughlin at kmclaughlin@hbhs.school.nz or 07-8530437, with your confirmed numbers. Thanks to our Top 3 Year 13 Prefects, Thomas Hayward, Ethan Barton and Sam Boros for designing the invitation.
I will update you around any implications that arise around running this event under Alert Level 2 conditions.
Argyle Prizegiving: Sunday 31st October
All boys are required to attend this compulsory formal occasion in their number 1s, where we celebrate as a parent, boarder and staff group the many successes and achievements of 2021 for what has been another excellent year within Argyle House, despite the two Covid interruptions.
Please feel free to bring as many family members as you wish, as there will be no shortage of seats in the hall.
The Prizegiving will be preceded by a Parents’ meeting upstairs in the hostel prep room at 5.00pm run by Hostel Committee representatives, followed by a buffet dinner for all families, staff and boys in the dining room from 5.30pm.
I will update you around any implications that arise around running this event under Alert Level 2 conditions.
New Boarders' Orientation Day: Thursday 18th November
The New Boarders' Orientation Day is now scheduled for Thursday 18th November, the same day as the Year 8 testing, for all those students coming in to Hamilton BHS in 2022.
Part of this day will require hostel families enrolled for 2022 to come across to Argyle House to finalise all arrangements i.e. issuing of laundry numbers, labelling, Argyle Manual, security/keys, as well as many administrative matters e.g. fees payment methods.
Prefect & Senior Leader 2022 Applications & Interviews
Applications for the fourteen Years 12 & 13 Senior Leader and Prefect positions will close on Friday 22nd October.
Please find attached the application form for your son to download should he wish to complete his application during the holiday period.
In Year 13, there are 6 positions to apply for:
1. Head Prefect
2 & 3. Deputy Head Prefect
4. Head of Grove
5. Head of Bennett House
6. Head of Sutherland House
In Year 12, there are 8 Prefect positions to apply for.
Formal interviews will take place in week 2 term 4 with Matua Graham (Senior Master), Mr Teokotai-White (Senior Master 2022) and Mr McKenzie (Head of Boarding).
Grove applications 2022
Grove House offers selected Year 13 students a transitional-type living arrangement in their final year of secondary school boarding. It endeavours to foster independence and an increased sense of self-responsibility, whilst maintaining a strong focus on academic and co-curricular achievement.
Selecting students who are a ‘good fit’ for an independent environment is critical to the success of Grove House. Not only must it be in the best interest of the individual student, but most importantly we must ensure those who are offered a place have a sound track record of self-reliance, excellent behaviour, honest communication, and willingness to interact positively with others.
Application Process
There are 27 places available in 2022 with 36 Year 13 students returning.
To be considered for a 2022 place, Year 12 students must submit the application no later than Friday 22nd October - this is a change (Week 1 Term 4). This can be handed in to hostel reception or scanned and emailed to kmclaughlin@hbhs.school.nz
The boys can collect a hard copy of the application form from the Argyle House reception desk or they can download a copy attached below.
Mr Moorby (Grove Master 2022), Mr McKenzie and Mr Teokotai-White (Senior Master 2022) will review all applications early in Week 2 and conduct short interviews where required.
Please note that any Year 12s that resided at Grove in 2021 must re-apply for a 2022 place.
Selections will be made following consultation with Mrs Hassall. All applicants and families will be notified in writing.
Parent Consent
It is essential parents give consent for their son to be housed at Grove House and that they understand the rules, routines and consequences associated.
Important Term 4 Hamilton BHS Dates
2021 Argyle Manual, 2021 Grove Manual & 2021
I have attached these 2 documents below. Click to view and/or download and print.
Our two Argyle House Parent Representatives for you to contact about any hostel matters
Mrs Diana O'Brien (Bombay)
Feel free to contact me by email eric.diana.obrien@xtra.co.nz
Mob. 027 277 1685
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