Hastings Boys' High School

• New Zealand U19 national squad player
• U19 Waikato Open Mixed doubles runner up
• U19 Waikato Open singles runner up
• U19 National Championships Mixed doubles runner up
• U19 National Championships Men's doubles runner up
• World Junior championships 20th for team NZ
  (best result NZ has ever had)

Headmaster's Speech

Kia ora koutou katoa

Obviously, I’ve only been here a few months, so this will be a quick address from me.

I’ve been impressed with the performances of the boys, the professionalism of our

staff who are coaches and managers but also the many parents and caregivers who

freely give up their time to help guide our teams towards success. Not only are you

making sure that your own son has his own footie boots and mouth guard ready for a

game, but everyone else’s son too, so thank you for doing that as well.

Also, thank you to the sponsors who have been able to support our teams financially

this year and hopefully next year too! I think we all know that secondary school sport

– particularly at the premier level – has become almost semi-professional and

requires more than we are provided for by the government to run the school. I know

that you will be acknowledged individually later this evening but thank you once

again for your generosity.

If you attended the information evening last Thursday, you would’ve heard about the

exciting new initiative that will be on offer for juniors from 2025, the Ākina Athlete

Development Programme. We think this will lift those boys who aspire to reach the

highest levels in their chosen code and place them in better a position to realise their

potential.

But you haven’t come here to listen to me, we’re here to celebrate the successes

and efforts of our students. So, I hope you enjoy the evening, and I look forward to

working alongside you in future years to continue the successes that we hear about

tonight.

Wow what a fantastic night and celebration of sporting achievement. Before I started

here, I knew that the young men that attended this kura were extremely talented, but

I must admit I didn’t realise the full range of sports that you boys excel in. As a

school we certainly punch above our weight.

So that ends our evening here tonight. Drive home safely but please also feel free to

stay and chat and congratulate the boys and their whānau.

I hope to see you again at the Senior Prizegiving Friday next week 1st November 10:00am – because we know that great sportsmen are also great academics and can achieve equally well

on the field as well as in the classroom.

Thank you

Hastings Boys' High School have a team of Year 9 boys that will compete at the FIRST Lego League (FLL) Challenge Robotics - HB Regional tournament.

This is the regional competition for all Hawke's Bay Schools that do FLL.
This is the first year we have a team competing in this junior version.

Details are below;

Dates - Judging and Robot games on 2nd November (Saturday, approx. 8am - 4pm)

Venue - Havelock North Intermediate

Team members - Dehan Otto, Oliver Keane, Jack Smith, Kian Cotton, Adrian Herman and Sukhjot Singh.

If they win an award or get voted as a deserving team, they will qualify to compete at the National tournament held in Auckland from 30th Nov - 1st Dec.

We wish you all the best boys.

Mini Report on the Pasifika Studies Experiential Learning Trip to Samoa

Overview

In October, a group of 17 students from Year 9 to Year 13, accompanied by three staff members and four parent helpers, embarked on an enriching experiential learning trip to Samoa as part of the Pasifika Studies class. The primary objective of this journey was to provide students with a first hand understanding of the lifestyle differences between New Zealand and Samoa, fostering a deeper appreciation for their own lives and cultures.

Activities and Experiences

The trip spanned several highlights, offering students a diverse range of experiences:

● Cultural Exploration:

○ Robert Louis Stevenson Museum: Students explored the life and works of

the famed author, gaining insights into Samoan history and culture.

○ To Sua Ocean Trench: The breathtaking natural pool provided a chance for

students to connect with the environment, while swimming in its clear waters

highlighted the beauty of Samoan landscapes.

○ Alofaaga Blow Holes: Witnessing the impressive natural phenomenon

allowed students to appreciate Samoa’s unique geographical features.

● Local Lifestyle:

○ Markets and Beaches: Students immersed themselves in local life by visiting

markets, where they experienced traditional Samoan crafts and cuisine.

Relaxing at the pristine beaches gave them a taste of the island lifestyle.

● Culinary Experiences:

○ Students enjoyed luxurious dinners at the Manumea and Le Vasa Resort,

alongside delightful breakfasts at the Taumeasina Resort. These

experiences offered a taste of the hospitality and culinary traditions of Samoa.

● Cultural Immersion in Manono Island:

○ The students spent four days on Manono Island, where they engaged in

activities such as fishing, visiting local monuments, and experiencing the

traditional way of life. Sleeping in fales (traditional Samoan huts) and

preparing meals using the traditional umu (earth oven) deepened their

cultural understanding and appreciation.

Reflections

Each evening, the boys participated in reflection sessions, allowing them to process their

experiences. A common theme emerged from their reflections: gratitude. Many expressed a

newfound appreciation for their lives in New Zealand, recognizing the comforts and

opportunities they often take for granted. The trip provided a humbling experience,

encouraging students to cherish their backgrounds while also broadening their perspectives

on life.

Acknowledgments

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the boys throughout this journey.

A special mention goes to Mr. Quentin Crawford and the Board of Trustees for facilitating this transformative first overseas trip for our students. The memories and lessons learned during this trip will

undoubtedly resonate with them for years to come.

At the start of this week, my Year 11 Geography class took a half-day trip to Waimarama Beach, visiting its three main sections, the Northern, Domain, and Southern areas. Each section highlighted different potential problems that Waimarama faces and will continue to face in the future. At the southern end of the beach, a popular spot for boat launches, we saw hard engineering in action, a sea wall protecting multi-million dollar beachfront homes from lateral erosion. We also observed the processes of erosion and longshore drift at work. Moving to the Domain area, the most popular section of the beach during summer, we encountered soft engineering. Vegetation had been planted in the dunes to help stabilize and protect them. These dunes act as a natural barrier to coastal erosion. Finally, in the northern part of the beach, a popular area for surf-cast fishing, we once again observed soft engineering with dunes in place to combat the ongoing threat of coastal erosion. Overall, our class found this trip insightful, as it allowed us to witness real-life examples of coastal problems in action and gave us an understanding of what might come up in our end-of-year exam.
Mr G. Barclay

HOD Social Studies

Final Stage Report of the Future Leadership Programme

The final stage of the leadership programme took place over two days, focusing on

enhancing key skills such as public speaking, effective communication, and critical thinking.

The activities provided an opportunity for the future prefects to demonstrate personal growth

and teamwork, incorporating the core values of an Ākina Man—Communication, Courage,

Empathy, and Initiative.

Day One: Public Speaking and Effective Communication

The programme commenced with a session on public speaking and communication. Each

participant was tasked with delivering a three-minute speech to an audience. The speeches

were well-received, reflecting the boys; confidence and preparedness.

The event concluded with a shared kai, promoting fellowship among the group. This informal

setting allowed the boys to bond and reflect on their experiences so far, reinforcing a sense

of unity within the cohort.

Day Two: Te Mata Peak and Physical Challenge

On the second day, the group travelled to Te Mata Peak, where they performed the school

haka. This was a symbolic moment, fostering pride and affirming their connection to the

school’s identity.

Following the haka, the boys engaged in a physical challenge designed to develop resilience

and teamwork. Divided into teams of four, they carried a log from Havelock North to Hastings

Boys' High School. This demanding exercise aimed to push them beyond their comfort

zones, cultivating composure under pressure and requiring collaborative problem-solving to

achieve their goal.

Throughout the challenge, the boys embodied the Ākina Man Values:

 Communication – Ensuring clear instructions and maintaining focus within their

teams.

 Courage – Persisting through physical fatigue and discomfort.

 Empathy – Supporting teammates and recognizing when to adjust their pace or offer

encouragement.

 Initiative – Demonstrating leadership by proactively solving problems as they arose.

The final stage of the leadership programme was a resounding success, with participants

exhibiting the qualities needed to take on future leadership roles within the school. Both the

public speaking event and the physical challenge provided meaningful growth opportunities.

The shared experiences have strengthened the boys bonds and prepared them to lead with

confidence, embodying the Ākina Man Values in their journey ahead.

These activities mark the culmination of the leadership programme, leaving the boys

equipped with essential skills and ready to embrace the responsibilities that come with

leadership.

This week, the Government announced changes to Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches Programme.

Our lunches will continue to be made by our in-school team and will meet the same nutrition standards as our current lunches.

There will be a change to the funding we receive for these meals. From Term 1 next year, we will receive $4 per learner, per meal.
We may need to make some changes to the lunches

we currently provide in order to meet that budget, but we are confident we can do so.

There are no changes for our ākonga with complex special dietary requirements. Their

meals will continue and will be funded at the current settings.

Le Boys! Two have completed their Masters at the The University of Waikato and two more to go! Keep an eye or both of them out for some special announcements coming soon!

All Old Boys, Old Girls, staff past and present - you're invited to an informal get-together at Hastings Rugby and Sports Clubhouse 12 Otene Road, Waipatu 4172, Elwood Road Function Centre, On Friday 25th October from 5:30pm

Hastings 4120

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

http://www.hastingsboys.school.nz