Senior Leader Student Reports for 2018

HEAD BOY

The end of the year is fast approaching, soon our class of 2018 will claim the title of Old Boys. Despite this, we know that we are forever a part of The Brotherhood, and we can always return to this magnificent place where we have created lifelong friendships and memories. Whangarei Boys’ High School has a strong culture of pride, not only for the school but for each and every member of The Brotherhood. I have no doubt that this year’s class of ‘18 will take the lessons and experiences learnt within these gates and use them as the tool to make their mark on the world. As prospective Old Boys, we will always be proud of The Brotherhood that we rose from and the people that helped us get here.

Personally, this year has been amazing, but any head boy is just a face of the school’s prefect team, a team that has worked faultlessly. My right hand man, Stoby, continues to amaze me with his attitude and hard work ethic. Campbell always amazed me with his willingness to accept any challenge in front of him. Marshall, Jayden, Ben, Mika and Finn worked tirelessly without complaint, and all did an awesome job of running their respective whanau. With you boys and the rest of our amazing Prefects that worked hard and set such a positive example, our school has continued to flourish throughout 2018.

Whangarei Boys’ High School has developed into a school of the very highest caliber; this is a true testament to the Principal, Mrs Gilbert-Smith, the senior management team and the passion and enthusiasm of the teaching staff. Thank you to Mrs Gilbert-Smith for the opportunity to represent the school that is my pride and joy, and I hope I have done this pivotal role justice in a way that we can all be proud of. Dr Elliot, I have been lucky to be under your guidance both in the classroom and out of it, thank you for your tireless efforts, we all really appreciate it. Mr Gilbert and Mr Morrison, if you were ever angry or stressed out it never showed, always a smiling face behind the door there for support and guidance when needed, thank you. Mr Manuel, starting in term three must not have been easy but you are settling in well, your presence has already had a positive impact on our school, thank you. Finally, Mrs Thornton and Ms Hill, the role of year 13 Dean is one that should not be underestimated, but you have simply made it look effortless. You are both Dean’s that we all as prefects, senior leaders and year 13’s alike want to work hard for, I hope we have made as much of an impact on you as you have had on us.

On a more personal level, throughout my five years at Whangarei Boys’ High School, there have been two teachers that have had such an immeasurable impact on me that they without doubt, deserve a mention. These two are Mr Haynes my whanau teacher, and Mr Harris my adventure racing coach. Mr Haynes, I have had the pleasure of your company every morning in whanau class for three years, you have helped me see the world in a different way and encouraged me in my every pursuit. Mr Harris, you have not only committed valuable time to me as adventure racing coach, but more importantly acted as my mentor, imparting your own leadership skills and knowledge, which have helped shape me into the person I am today. Mr Haynes and Mr Harris, thank you both, for your encouragement, enthusiasm and commitment toward me, as without you two I wouldn’t have been able to be the person I wanted to be.

If the page allowed the space, I could begin to describe the achievements of our school in 2019, but simply there is not enough paper! In sporting, cultural and academic fields, Boys’ High has continued to flourish as the dominant force in Northland, New Zealand, and the world. A highlight for me however has been seeing my peers gain national titles, and if the winning itself wasn’t enough, what really made me proud to be the head boy was the way they conducted themselves, in getting to where they are, particularly the grace and sportsmanship shown in both victory and defeat. Well done, boys, I look forward to seeing familiar faces in successful light in years to come.

I have no doubt that next year’s head boy will excel, I say this with confidence knowing the boys to choose from are of the highest quality. Good luck with your role, work extremely hard and wear our blazer with pride. Don’t forget to have fun and enjoy your year as head boy, I certainly have!

Once again, thank you to everyone who has played a part in the successes of 2018. To everyone returning, keep up the excellent work. Make 2019 the best year yet and remember ‘Operari Magis’!

Heath Mitchell

Head Boy 2018

HEAD BOARDER CARRUTH

As my final year at not only Whangarei Boys’ High School, but also Carruth House comes to an end I continuously look back at my past 5 years very proud and happy of what we have achieved, but also sad that my time here has come to an end.  This house has definitely been a highlight of my life, being a nonstop source of entertainment, excitement but also gives a sense of culture and belief.  Through both the good and the bad, Carruth has been the major point in turning me into the fine young man I am today.  It is sad knowing that now once I leave, I will not be returning.  Through the good and the bad times here, it has built me into the man I am today, making me proud to say I am, and always will be, a mighty Carruthian.

Five years is a long time, but it only feels like yesterday that 12 year old Leon made the jump from Kaikohe, to the wide world of opportunities that is Whangarei Boys’ High School and into Carruth House.  It only seems like yesterday that I was unpacking my gear for the first time into a little cubical that I was going to call home for months to come.  This was the start to a journey of many adventures where I would eventually make lifelong friends I would call my brothers.

This year, in particular, has been a tough year, juggling the pressure of schooling along with keeping up with sports and a social life, all while leading a house of around 60 odd boys, has been a task.  But one that at the same time, has been very rewarding and fulfilling, achieving things I would have never thought I would have in my lifetime.  I feel that Carruth has only gotten stronger coming through to the end of the year, with the brilliant help of the House Masters and also the Prefects of 2018.

I believe one of the biggest reasons Carruth has stood its ground through challenges faced is due to our Director of Boarding and the amazing team of staff we have here at Carruth House.  The team is lead by our Director, Mr Ian Rowe who has been here for a number of years now, bringing a great deal of enthusiasm, experience, and wisdom to this position.  I can honestly say that with Mr Rowe in charge of the house, Carruth has become a much safer, stronger hostel and will only continue to grow in strength as the years come.  But with Mr Rowe’s heavy workload, not only being Headmaster of Carruth Hostel, but he is also a part-time teacher at the school and President of the Rotary Lions Club of Whangarei, It is important to have a strong well-rounded group of staff to help run the hostel. Mr Ian Rowe does a fantastic job of managing this team.

Our Senior House Master, an ex-Carruthian, Campbell Gene Norman upholds the tradition of Carruth House.  Mr Norman, who brings his inside knowledge of Carruth to the role, has used that knowledge to be the master he is today, and would have liked to have had back in his time, a heartful and influential master, but also one to keep the traditions and formalities Carruth has had for the last 81 years.  Housemaster Mr Carlos Tikena, an extremely likeable and friendly master, has gained respect from every single boy here, and no doubt loves working here at Carruth, as it shows in everything he does.

Other members of the team are the lovely Miss Tania, who keeps the traditions within the hostel alive, and helps out wherever she can, whether it be through Carruth or through the School at the Canteen, and the only two housemasters to have been here since my Yr9, Matua Ted and Mr Nand.  The boys love having you supervising every weekend, bringing your own sense of humour and style to Carruth. You two are here every weekend ensuring Carruth is safely secured and boys aren’t up to no good.  Carruth would not be the same without any of you here, and you are all the reason why we boys love coming to Carruth House.

Carruth owes a special thank you to our very own Angel, our Matron, Mrs Kiri Hauraki.  Ever since my very first day here, weekday mornings always start with your voice. Along with this, you are busy all day with basically being the mum to the 60 odd boys here at Carruth.

Also a big thank you to the domestic staff here at Carruth House, the lovely ladies who cook and clean, Mrs Sue and Mrs Evanka.  They provide both delicious and nutritious food for us every day, keeping us full and healthy.  Mrs Maurice you legend! Powering through all our washing while also cleaning up the dorms while we’re at school is a task that only you could do.  I cannot thank you all enough for the work you have done for making Carruth the clean and healthy environment that it is today.

The Inter-Whānau competition at school this year has been more of a challenge than ever, with all the other whānau (except Bledisloe!) upping their game and pulling ahead of Carruth.  Our dominant streak has slipped this year.  The Carruth whānau lead by Jayden Maugham, even though they have had a rough year, did not drop their heads, with strong performances all through the year.  Next year will not be the same as I believe that next leadership group for Carruth will be even better and stronger, and with enough numbers behind them will bring a win back to Carruth.

Finally, I would like to give a big thank you to all the Prefects of 2018, Cory Thomas, Gabriel Freed, Milton Leef, Nathan Edwards and Taylor Gordon.  Although not everyone has made it until the end, Carruth owes you all a special thanks for everything you have done here since the day you all started.  You have all been an incredible team of prefects, and have been supportive to all throughout the year and I am proud to call this group of both prefects and Yr13s my brothers.  I believe the prefects have had the biggest influence on the boys here at Carruth, and to the next group of Yr13s, I wish you luck!  Always be a step above the year before and never settle.  To my year, good luck for the rest of your lives,  and I’m sure we’ll all see each other again in the near future.

To those of you returning, I also wish you luck on your endeavors both in life and here at Carruth, Go hard keep and build on the traditions and spirit here at Carruth, and keep our brotherhood alive and strong.  Represent Carruth well, make the most of your opportunities and show everyone what it means to be a Carruthian.

Leon Harris

Head Boarder