Message from the Headmaster
Often we get requests from family of Old Boys who have long left, requesting information. One such recent request was from Jim Tahau's whanau. James was student at Hastings High School (now Hastings Boys' High School) in the 1930s. Jim went on and served with distinction in the Second World War, killed in action on 2 November 1942 at El Alamein, a major military operation involving a large number of New Zealanders including the Māori Battalion. I have a copy of his record from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
Congratulations to La'mour Spooner
La'mour Spooner has been selected to go to the Steven Adams High School Invitational Camp 2021 where the best of the best basketballers from all over the country learn from previous players who have experience with what it's like attending University in the United States and playing Division 1 Basketball. Past and present NBA players will be also attending this camp and will witness first hand what kind of talent New Zealand has to offer.
The Camp programme will include the Following
- Presentations from Current student/Athletes on Scholarships overseas
- Session on NCAA Requirements
- Learn about profiling
- Physical Testing
- On-Court training with some of the top coaches around NZ and the United States.
- A Televised Showcase game
La'mour Spooner is the only one from Hawke's Bay who has been selected which is a great achievement. The camp will run through the second week of the holidays from the 19th - 23th of July at St Pats Silverstream in Upper Hutt in Wellington where he will get to compete against other top athletes in a showcase game at the Walter Nash Stadium in Hutt Valley. The final day of camp will be televised on Sky Sport.
Gateway First Aid Course
The First Aid Course was held in the School Library and --- students took part.
Careers Expo
In May most Year 12 and 13 students attended the Hawke's Bay Careers Expo held at Pettigrew Green Arena. It was a good opportunity to talk to people about vocations available to students when they leave school.
There was a lot of career, study and community information from over 40 providers around New Zealand all together under one roof.
For many, the question “What to do next?” is often difficult to answer. A great way to take an in-depth look at the different options is the annual Career Expo. The Expo particularly targets senior secondary school students.
Super 8 Badminton
Super 8 Badminton
This year’s Super 8 badminton tournament was hosted by New Plymouth Boys’ High school from the 24th to the 25th of June. The HBHS team members consisted of Lezhi Zhu, Revish Karunasinghe, Mohit Sunder, Nopera Tangaroa and Samuel Whaanga. We were all excited to be participating in the competition as it was the first time for some of the boys playing this year. After a long journey we arrived at the Top 10 Holiday Park and had a rest before the games next day. The first game was against Palmerston Boys’ High School. We played a solid game against them losing 5-1. Lezhi having a 3-set match victory against their number one player. Our next match was against Hamilton Boys’ High School, losing 6-0. It was a good experience for us as we faced some of NZ’s top ranked players in their team. The last match for the day was against New Plymouth Boys’ High school where we lost 4-2 with Lezhi and Samuel picking up two wins in their singles. We had a better start on day two as we faced the remaining two teams. First up was Napier Boys’. We lost 5-1 where Lezhi picked up another solid singles win. The last game we faced was against Tauranga Boys’ where again we lost 5-1 and Lezhi picked up the win in singles. Overall, we finished sixth this year. The standout player throughout the tournament was our year 9 Lezhi Zhu. Opposing teams consistently mentioned his great playing ability. All players played exceptionally well and gained a lot of experience from having the opportunity to compete against the top players in New Zealand. It is an exciting prospect that we can continue to build on this placing in next year’s competition.
Revish Karunasinghe, 13FE
Karate - Paradorn Maidens
Paradorn 9Ry, competed in the Waikato Kyokushin tournament in Te Awamutu recently., Paradorn came first for kumite ( fighting) , first for kata and first for team kata. A great effort and achievement.
Swimming - Wairangi Taylor
Junior Business Studies
Cameron McKay, Blair Hastie and Devyn Lloyd planned, promoted and prepared their business after their prototype for hot wedges was not successful. Congrats to the team, who all made over $20 profit from the experience.
Pink Ribbon Morning Tea
Staff vs Prefects Basketball
Samoan Language Week
This year’s theme for Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week 2021 was Poupou le lotoifale. Ola manuia le anofale which means strengthen the posts of your house, for all to thrive.
