Hastings Boys' High School

Liaison staff from the University of Auckland (UoA) spent an hour with our year 10 Māori students reaffirming the importance of cultural identity through a series of interactive workshops.

Some of the topics covered:

• Importance of early years at secondary school
• Raising the consciousness of the choices being made and the impacts
• Reminding rangatahi of their role as a Kaitiaki
• Exposure to thinking about careers and the importance of subject selection.

A few weeks ago, Lewis Pritchard and I had the opportunity to visit Linton Military Base, just south of Palmerston North. We learnt a lot about what the army entails, where it can take you in life and how it could help with university study. Highlights throughout the day was seeing the equipment the army trains with and what their day-to-day lives are like. I also found the NZDF are extremely motivated to get people into leadership positions in and out of the field. So, this trip was eye-opening for me because it was clear that the army is not just about combat; it's about building a wide range of skills that can be applied both in and out of military service.

Nāku iti noa nei,

Hastings Boys' High School Headboy | Osiris White Munro |

On Saturday 17th August, three HBHS students had the opportunity to visit HMNZS Canterbury docked at the Napier Port. This Navy vessel is a transport ship, capable of carrying 250 people, 4 helicopters and 100 Army vehicles.

Students were able to tour the ship, meet with current serving personnel to experience what sailors do in a ship environment, and to meet other like minded individuals who also had an interest in joining the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Photo attached of Navy Frigate

These exams are very important because the grades achieved are used, if for an unforeseen reason, a student cannot sit their external examination.

Staff from the Pasifika Department and a small group of boys from Tama Ākina visited Mr Dave Waugh, a former, long-serving Art teacher at Hastings Boys' High School. Mr Waugh made an impact on many students while he was a teacher here and also some staff who are here at this time (Mr Foma'i, Mr Oli, Mr Tuala-Fata and Mr Faioso). He was a father figure for Pasifika, providing the opportunity for Pasifika to have a platform to come together and showcase our culture through singing, dancing and playing with fire (fire dance). Mr Waugh would give us long lectures and pull us into line if we were acting up. We wanted to show our continuous gratitude to Mr Waugh by performing, presenting him with gifts and sharing his journey with generations of Tama Ākina to come.

Mr A Faioso

Some members of our Te Rōpū Manu Huia recently attended a meeting at the Hastings District Council Chambers to support the council in retaining Māori Wards.

Friday of last week, our 1st XI Football team won their final against St Johns - 6:2.
Congratulations - top team in HB Secondary Schools

Our 2nd XI lost their game against Napier Boys but definitely gave it their best. Losing 3:1

Our team played in the HB Secondary Schools badminton tournament held at Centennial Centre in Napier.

The team consisted of Lezhi Zhu, Alexander Wilson, Anthony Drinnan, Aken B Guruge, Taylor Guthrie, Kamal Khuttan, Cameron McKay and Gurshaan Mehmi.

Lezhi Zhu and Alexander Wilson were runners-up in the A grade doubles.

The others played really well in their games to advance to the second and third stages.

Congratulations to Year 12 student William Carter who, earlier in the year travelled to Wellington to represent HB in the U18 Basketball Tournament.

Students at Hastings Boys' High School are always willing to help when asked. From left Alfher Epinosa, Farani Su'A and Sioeli Sikaleti. These three students are moving some paper to the new Tier Block from the School Office.

Monday September 2nd, 2024

Dear Parents/Caregivers and school community partners and members,

As you will be aware, the Board has a responsibility to meet the educational and operational needs of the school in a way that aligns with government and school priorities, annual government operational funding and subsequent budgetary constraints. Since the beginning of the year the Board, our acting-Headmaster Mr. Quentin Crawford along with the senior management team and Heads of Departments, have been reviewing a number of teaching, learning, organisational, resourcing, and financial aspects of school operations in order to improve systems and processes and establish best practice going forward.

We have recently updated you about some changes that we are implementing around expanding the subject selection choices for both junior and senior students in the school. All boys’ have now been able to have a free choice of their subjects from which we will construct a timetable. In the past, the timetable has been constructed first, and then boys have only been able to choose from pre-set subject lines. This change will see a shift in 2025 from the 5-period 5-day timetable that has been in place for at least 40-years or more, to a ten-day timetable structure which will allow for greater flexibility to better cater for the well-being and learning needs of our students. It will also mean there will be a study-line class for many students at Year 13 (although some students may choose to do six subjects if they wish to), and this initiative is in line with our efforts to help our boys develop a greater level of their own ‘student agency’, ownership and tracking of their own learning journey.

This change in approach will also allow as many students as possible to get into their most preferred five subject choices in Year 11, 12 and 13. Another change has been to remove PE Studies as a compulsory subject at Year 11. Whilst many boys will still opt to choose Year 11 PE, it doesn’t suit all students and thus, this change provides these students with the option of selecting a different subject at Year 11 and a better foundation for them when selecting subjects at Years 12 and 13. Please note though, that Maths remains compulsory up to and including Year 11, and English up to and including Year 12. This is to ensure that all students are able to access courses and assessments to enable them to achieve the pre-requisite credits to achieve NCEA at least at Levels 1 and 2.

There will also be some changes in the delivery of the sport academy classes at Year 9 and 10 (basketball, cricket, rugby were taken up in 2024). All Year 9 and 10 boys will continue to do Physical Education as previously, but the academy classes will be modified as Sports Development classes with a greater focus on aspects such as across code skills, specific sport skills, game strategy, hauora/health, nutrition, resilience, etc. This will give those boys who are our very motivated and talented sports students, the opportunity to develop their own talents further, as well as be exposed to, and be part of wider sports learning in their beginning high school years.

Along with our review of teaching & learning, subject choices offered, junior academies structure, school timetable, communication channels and our school finances and processes, the Board has undertaken a review of our non-teaching and support staff positions as well as our strategic plan and direction. These various senior management and Board led reviews enable the Board to ensure the prudent use and equitable allocation of public resourcing to support the well-being, progress and achievement needs of all students across the school.

Any review process that may lead to change and improvement has the potential to be unsettling but be assured that the Board is committed to upholding the character and traditions of the school, maintaining and enhancing what we already do well, and implementing fiscally responsible and prudent approaches to the spending of public money. And in identifying areas where we can improve, the Board has tasked our new Headmaster Mr Mason Summerfield and our Deputy-Headmaster Mr Quentin Crawford, to lead out those plans accordingly.

We encourage students, parents/caregivers, Old Boys’, and school community members to stay in touch with the school through the school newsletter, website, our HBHS and Prefects FaceBook pages and Instagram page – there’s always a ton of exciting and interesting school happenings, news, and celebrations to read and view.

George Massingham

Board Chair/Presiding Member

During Week 6, 21 potential leaders embarked on a transformative Leadership Camp held in the scenic landscapes of Taupō and Rotorua. This camp was not just about adventure; it was an opportunity for our young men to demonstrate and refine their leadership abilities while deeply engaging with our core Ākina Man values: Communication, Initiative, Courage and Empathy.

The high ropes course in Taupō challenged the boys physically and mentally, pushing them to confront their fears, trust their peers, and communicate effectively under pressure. Each boy had the opportunity to lead, offering support and guidance as their peers navigated the demanding course. This experience was a true test of their initiative and problem-solving skills, as they learned to think on their feet and adapt to changing circumstances.

The adventure continued in Rotorua with a thrilling mountain biking session in the iconic Redwoods.

The boys had to work together, drawing on their empathy and communication skills to ensure that everyone stayed safe and motivated throughout the challenging terrain. The sense of camaraderie that developed during this activity was palpable, as the boys encouraged each other and celebrated their collective achievements.

Throughout the camp, the boys were constantly challenged to step up, lead by example, and embody the Ākina Man values that our school holds dear. Their ability to take initiative, show courage and empathise with their peers, and communicate effectively was not only tested but honed to new levels.

The camp was a success with each participant having a deeper understanding of what it means to be a leader. They showcased their leadership skills but also developed them in ways that will benefit them and the Hastings Boys’ community moving forward.

Mr Hume

Peter was a pupil here from 2009-2013. He was a Prefect, alongside his twin brother Chesser, and Cultural Captain. In his Junior Years he was knocked off his bicycle and lost his leg. Peter is a very impressive and brave young man who contributed in every way while he was here.

Peter is paddling tonight (Friday 6th) and tomorrow night (Saturday 7th) at the Paralympics in France.

Here are the times.

We wish him all the best tonight.

Hastings 4120

Ph: +64 6 873 0365
email: paoffice@hastingsboys.school.nz

http://www.hastingsboys.school.nz