Hastings Boys' High School
Newsletter June 2021, Volume 5
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.
PTO for more from the Headmaster
Jim Tahau of D Company who embarked with the Main Body. Jim was killed in action on 2 November 1942 at El Alamein. His name is memorialised on the Alamein Memorial in Egypt'
Mr R G Sturch, B.Ed., Dip.Tchg., M.Ed.Admin.(Hons).,
Headmaster
Year 13 History to Waiouru
On Thursday 27th of May the year 13 History class was taken on a research trip to the Waiouru War Museum and the Kippenberger Library . This was so we could gather further resources and gain greater knowledge of selected battles which have great significance to us as New Zealanders.
Once at the Museum we were given a tour by the knowledgeable curator Daniel. He gave us detailed information about our selected battles as well as ensuring that he got rid of any myths we may have heard. He discussed the battles of Gallipoli, Crete, Monte Cassino and El Alamein. Daniel’s expertise was greatly beneficial for our internals. The Kippenberger library had an astonishing amount of books available for us. This was an invaluable resource for us to use in our research assessment. The first day ended with a tour around the site of the 1953 Tangiwai train disaster. On Day two we started with an excellent, healthy breakfast and then moved onto an informative weapons display, directed at our areas of study.
A highlight of the trip was the tour of the retired military vehicles shown to us by a veteran who was part of a bomb disposal team. He showed us how vehicles used in war have evolved over time. It was a great opportunity to see the cramped conditions inside a New Zealand World War II tank.
Overall a fun and interesting school trip that will be very valuable for our New Zealand history knowledge and our internal assessments. Thanks to Mr Hill.
Thomas Garbes 13Fe
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.
Calendar Dates
JULY
Monday 26 Term 3 Begins
Wednesday 28 Year 8 Boys' Day Out
Thursday 29 House Quiz, University of Otago Open Day
Friday 30 Massey University Open Day
Saturday 31 Rugby vs Tauranga away
AUGUST
Sunday 1 Super 8 Basketball, Cook Island Language Week
Monday 2 Super 8 Hockey
Wednesday 4 Massey University Taster Day, Year 11-13 Parent Teacher Interviews (Book online), University of Auckland Information Evening (Napier War Memorial 6:30pm)
Thursday 5 Auckland University Course Planning
Saturday 7 Rugby vs Hamilton away
Monday 9 OPEN NIGHT
Wednesday 11 Gateway Health and Safety Course
Thursday 12 Teacher Only Day
Friday 13 Programme Incubator
Saturday 14 Super 8 Rugby Final
Monday 16 HB Science Quiz, AUT Course Planning
Tuesday 17 Massey University Engineering Presentation, Waikato University Information Evening (Napier War Memorial 5:30pm)
Thursday 19 1st Hockey vs PNBHS @ home
Friday 20 Old Boys’ Dinner (no door sales), Victoria University of Wellington Open day,
Massey University Taster Days (Auckland)
Saturday 21 School Ball, Hurricanes Schools Qualifier
House Quiz
Thanks to the prefects for organising this event.
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.
Thereafer
Monday/Thursday
8 - 9 am
Old Boys chosen for CD Cricket
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
Interhouse Tug-o-War
The proper equipment was installed down the aisle of the hall and thanks must go to Hawke's Bay Tug o War for officiating and running the event. The highlight of the event seemed to be the two staff teams that challenged the Prefects. One staff team won while the Prefects won the second.
This is run in year groups and the winning house was Heretaunga.
Rockquest
Science - Electronics
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.
Tree Planting at Te Mata Peak
Parent Teacher Interview bookings are now online!
We have teamed up with "School Interviews" to bring you an online booking system for Parent Teacher Interviews. Keep your eye on our School App for information and how to book.
The next set of interviews are for Years 11, 12 and 13 and are on Wednesday 4 August between 5 and 7pm. Bookings will open on Thursday 29 July and you will be given a link. The link will be sent via the School App and emailed out.