On the 22^th of June, Year 13  Rotorua Boys High School student, Shaquille Stone, will line up at the opening ceremony of the 2011, Touch World  Cup tournament, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is the youngest member of the New Zealand Touch Black team. Once the games start, Shaquille will commit one hundred percent, just like he has with the many hours of training he did to get there. Shaquille will not hold back with the haka either. He aims to give it the same passion and energy, to represent a team he believes are the ‘ All Blacks ‘ of touch rugby.

When he found out that he had made the team he was very happy, ‘ this was a goal I had set for this year besides, it will be awesome to play alongside my brother, Maurice.’

His journey has not been easy. A typical training Tuesday begins at six o’clock in the morning with a four kilometre run. Later, at school he faces the academic rigour of Level 3 study. Included in his timetable is a double period with the Rotorua Boys High School Sports Academy. His class runs to the lakeside where they complete calisthenic drills, then run back to the school gym for a strength training session. After school he pulls on his boots for 1st XV training. The last session of the day is carried out at a local primary school close to his house. Here he hammers out interval training drills before heading home. The last drill of the day is homework and his mum is his coach. He has to do an hour every night, ‘ She helps me and says if I do well with Level 3 NCEA, it will pay off next year - I will have lots of choices ‘

Balancing the work load is not easy.  He uses visualisation techniques that his father taught him, to whip up the motivation and commitment the schedule requires. He pictures himself at the end of all of the training with a gold medal, ‘ so all the hard work will have been worth it.’

Leadership plays a big part of Shaquille’s school life. He is a prefect and his role as the Captain of the New Zealand U19 Touch Team provided him with a valuable platform to work from. He has learnt that the skills picked up on the field are just as useful on the asphalt playgrounds of Rotorua Boys High School. ‘ I have to present myself well, and stay focussed and the biggie, commit to something one hundred percent - do not do things half pie.’

From his first touch of the ball he will know if everything has paid off.

	Callum Taylor, centre front of image

 Rotorua Boys’ High School Year 11 student, Callum Taylor has achieved some great results over the 2010-2011 athletics season.

At the National Secondary School Athletics Championships in December 2010 Callum was placed 6th in the long jump and 8th in the triple jump.  This was a fine effort considering that the age group was U16, so he can compete in this same age group next year.  He also competed at the North Island Colgate games in Hastings in January, gaining a silver medal in long jump. At the South Island Colgate games in Dunedin in January, he gained a silver medal in long jump and a bronze medal in high jump.

On the 5th February 2011, Callum won the Waikato/BOP athletics triple jump championships in the 14 Boys grade.

Callum is the school’s Intermediate Athletics champion for 2011, and won the junior Cross Country in 2010.  At the Mid Island Athletic Championships in March this year, Callum came second in the triple jump and 3^rd in the long jump.

	Year 12 student Wharehuia Manley wearing the shirt he designed.

When the idea of a school, T shirt fundraiser for Christchurch earthquake victims was raised in the Rotorua Boys High School staffroom, little did Year 12 Rotorua Boys High School student, Wharehuia Manley, realise that he would be involved.  Before the earthquake had wreaked its havoc on the Christchurch landscape, Wharehua had been sitting in his Maori carving class, busily designing a piece for an assignment. When the fundraiser idea came up and a logo was needed, his design was nominated by the Head of Department Art. ‘ He loved it and reckoned it was ‘wicked’, ‘Wharehuia said.

With the earthquake now a focus, Wharehuia made changes to the original, adding new ideas and designs to reflect the pain, loss and support that he felt was important. Wharehuia says that the design is of the school feather, ‘ because that is us and we are sending our love to them in the shape of a feather’.  He incorporated nga hau e wha (the four winds), to recognise his school community who came from all corners, nationally and internationally, who were sending their support.

The design has a manaia with half of it shaded and the other half un-shaded. This was to reflect those who had not survived and those who had.  At the top of the design there are rips to reflect the cracks in the earth.

A waka and a rugby ball have been included to show the links between Rotorua Boys High School  and the people of Christchurch. ‘ They are good at rowing down there,’ Wharehuia said, ‘ and we do waka ama here.’ He also acknowledged the Cantabrian rugby ability, ‘ they play good football and so do we.’

This has been a worthwhile cause Wharehuia believes,  because it is about people,’  he aha te mea nui o tenei ao, maaku e kii atu, , he tangata, he tangata, he tangata – what is the most important thing in this world, I will tell you, it is people, it is people, it is people-  and we are helping the people. ’

	Shiba students perform the Haka

Each year, Rotorua Boys’ High School is privileged to host 24 boys and 2 staff from Shiba High School in Japan.  This, the 14th year, was no exception.

The students were hosted by a group of wonderful homestay families.  They were treated to many of the highlights of Rotorua, including luging, fishing, horse riding and much more.  The feedback from the Shiba students was nothing but complimentary.  They were all very grateful for the hospitality of their homestay.

The Shiba students were tutored by our Rotorua Boys’ High School students in Action English with Mrs Revell, and were also hosted by the Food and Nutrition, Technology and Maori Departments.  Shiba students experienced some New Zealand hands-on cooking with Mr Ratana, carving with Mr Green, Maori Performing Arts with Mr Panapa and PE with Mr Dalton.  The cricket game that the students got to participate in was a highlight for them all!  

The Hoe Waka venture with Mr Whata and Mr Kaiwai was an experience these boys will long remember, finishing off with a typical Kiwi barby and walk through the Redwoods. The final night of Shiba’s visit was celebrated by the sharing of songs, including a Haka performance by the Shiba boys, thanks to the tuition from Mr Panapa and RBHS students.  The presentation of certificates and gifts concluded the formal part of the night.  The evening finished with a light supper and a ‘memento’ photo session.

The students left RBHS in 2011 with many fond memories and stories to take home and share with their families and fellow students in Japan.  

	RBHS first XV take on Boland Landbou first XV in front of the home crowd

Last Wednesday 6^th April, Rotorua Boys’ High School hosted first, second and third XV school rugby teams from Boland Landbou in South Africa.The 1^st XV teams kicked off at 2pm to a spirited spectator-crowd of school students and visitors, who created a rousing atmosphere for both the home and visiting teams.  Boland opened the scoring with a well-taken penalty, however, Rotorua Boys’ High School soon struck back with some powerful running from the forwards, which resulted in a try from Teimana Harrison in the 10^th minute. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi was next to score for RBHS after some well-constructed play from the back line.  Tahuriorangi scored again just moments later, opening up the Boland defence with his speed and skill.  Boland then came back into the match in typical South African style to lead by 25-24 with only 10 minutes to play.  Buoyed by the vociferous home crowd, RBHS ripped open the Boland defence, and ended the match in crowd-thrilling style, scoring 3 converted tries to win the match 45-28. Standout players of the match for RBHS were Mason Walker scoring 3 tries, and Tahuriorangi Te Toiroa.  Following the first XV match, the RBHS second and third XV teams played off against their Boland Landbou counterparts, with RBHS posting a 22-6 win for the second XV, and a 19-24 loss for the third XV.

Congratulations to our Head Boy, Jordi Webber, who gained third place at the RSA regional speech competition on the 11^th March.

Along with 10 competitors from all over the Bay Of Plenty, Jordi spoke on the topic of ‘New Zealanders at war’.  Jordi’s speech was based on his views on war, and what it means to young men in New Zealand today.

	RBHS golf team with their trophy in Gisborne.

This year’s Super 8 competition was held at the Poverty Bay Golf Club in Gisborne. 

As the defending champions, Rotorua Boys’ High School was up against some strong teams of challengers, all keen to seize the trophy.  Representing the school in the Gross team were William Howard (Captain), William Brown, Jason Kim and Te Kotuku Te Aute, while the Stableford team comprised Luke Robinson, Piki Skerrett, Michael Harris and Tawhirimatea Witoko.

Despite a great opening round from Tauranga’s 14 year old Jin Jeong, Rotorua Boys’ High School Gross team showed their dominance, with all four boys playing great golf and extending their lead to 14 shots by the end of the first day.  Despite the second day of play bringing some tough competition from the Tauranga and Hamiltons Boys’ High number 1 players, the 14 shot lead that Rotorua Boys’ High had amassed, along with some steady play, meant that the RBHS emerged as the winners.  

The RBHS Stableford team dominated from the start to finish, and all played great golf, led by team captain Luke Robinson.

During March, all of the Year 9 students ventured to the Okataina campsite ready for three days of activity and making new friends with students from their own school Houses and with their Year 13 Senior leaders. 

Many of the activities at camp were designed around action and consequence, building relationships and working together. Director of Leadership, Bruce Buckton, says that it is always a pleasure to watch the students at work building their bivouacs, knowing that their efforts will affect the end results and will determine how well they sleep and get through the night.

 “The Year 13 Senior leaders are invaluable to the experience as they nurture and care for the Year 9 students throughout their time at camp. I know that the Year 9 students appreciate the time that the Senior students give to them, and the way in which they treat them with respect and talk to them like mates. The attitude and contribution of the Year 9 students is a direct reflection of the leadership and enthusiasm displayed by the Seniors.”

The SBS invitational is a selection of the top 5 golfers from each province around New Zealand. This year the tournament was played at the Invercargill Golf Club on the 5^th and 6^th of March.

Rotorua Boys’ High School student William Howard was given the call-up to represent the Bay of Plenty as a member of  the 5 man Senior Mens team, and his final scores were 74 81 75 76 306. 

Fellow student in the Rotorua Boys High Golf Academy, William Brown, was also in the hunt at the SBS, playing good consistent golf.  William was representing the Senior Poverty Bay Golf Team.  William is also a member of the NZ Golf Development squad and RBHS 2010 Nett Order of Merit Champion.

	Callum Nicholson with the conducting plymner he made while at Nanocamp.  This polymer bends when an electric current passes through it. If the current is reversed, the plymenr bends in the opposite direction.

Rotorua Boys’ High School student Callum Nicholson was amongst the top scientifically-minded students chosen to attend the Summer Nanocamp held at Massey University in January this year. 

Just 12 students were selected from the 120 applicants to attend the Nanocamp, which is an annual camp funded by the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nano-technology.  Nano-camp is designed to stimulate students’ interest in science by giving potential students the opportunity to experience Nano-technology, a new course offered by Massey, which includes elements of mainly physics and chemistry on a molecular scale.

During the all-expenses paid trip, students worked with top scientists, undertaking hands-on investigations into topics ranging from solar cells to carbon nanotubes.  Students also created OLED’s (which are used for phone screens and being developed for TVs) and used expensive equipment such as optical tweezers. In the evenings, they took time out to enjoy activities such as bowling, volleyball, movies, and a trip to the Amazing Maze ‘n Maize.

Callum says that the highlight of his trip was the amazing people that he met, both lecturers and his fellow attendees.  “They yearn to know more about the world” he says.  “If you want to be better at science, ask questions.  That is what science is”.

	Gym Manager Mr C Hodge assists students with the strength training equipment

Rotorua Boys’ High School has just completed the upgrade and refurbishment of their new state-of-the-art strength training facility. Fit to rival any similar school facility nationwide, this new gymnasium has been designed specifically for sports-specific strength training,

The set-up of newly purchased, high-quality Nautilus Equipment includes a Smith Machine, Cable Crossover, Seated Row, Lat Pull-Down, Squat and power racks, a lifting platform, a range of flat benches and 0-90° benches as well as plenty of dumbbells, core machines and weight plates, which will be of great benefit to the students in RBHS Sports Academy, sports teams and RBHS students.

Although the facility is only for private use by the students in Years 11- 13, the younger students are also set to benefit through lessons in safety and technique within their Physical Education classes.  The facility will also be utilised by the BOP Steamers and the Bay of Plenty Rugby Academy.

RBHS students from Years 11 – 13 can purchase a Membership to the newly fitted gymnasium, which will be available for use from 6.30am – 8.30am and from 3.30pm – 5.00pm on school days. However, students wishing to join will have to be prompt! There is a limited membership, with just ½ of the available memberships left.

Rotorua Boys’ High School rowers have had some good results over the summer months. Pictured with their silver medals from the North Island Club Champs held on the 14^th January 2011, from left to right are RBHS students Matthew Cooper, Manaia Oxenham, Kelsey Crew, Keegan Oxenham and Turei Crew.  Keegan Oxenham was also successful in winning the bronze medal in the Mens Coxless Quad Sculls.

	The last leg!. Students arrive back at Rotorua Boys' High School at the completion of Te Wero..

Te Wero is a Boys’ High tradition that challenges the senior students physically, mentally, socially and spiritually through a gruelling two days of running, cycling and paddling. 

Te Wero commences with a 22km run from Rotorua Boys’ High School to the Mount Ngongotaha summit and back, followed by a 30km cycle to the Tarawera Landing.  The students then jump aboard a boat and head to Hot Water Beach for a much anticipated night under the stars. Early on day two, the students paddle Waka back to the Tarawera Landing, where they mount their cycles and ride to the Redwood Forest. From here they dismount and run 15km back to school.

It is the arrival back to school, the anticipated acknowledgement by the remaining student body performing ‘Te Haka O Raukura’ and not wanting to let their mates down that is the overwhelming motivation to complete this two day event. 

Year 13 students were welcomed back to school in 2011 with a Leadership programme run by  the Waiariki Purea Trust.  Activities included a variety of team building challenges both physical and mental.

New staff and students were welcomed at the Powhiri on Friday 4th February.   For our Year 9 students, it has been an anticipated day for some time.  We wish all new staff and students a positive and rewarding year as they become part of our 'family' for 2011.

On August 18^th, the annual Great Debates were held between Rotorua Girls’ and Rotorua Boys’ High School in the RGHS library and the Whare. In front of an enthusiastic crowd of supporting parents, staff and students, teams from Years 9 through to Year 13 debated a range of interesting topics with Rotorua Boys’ High School emerging overall winners to regain the coveted Royal Lakeside Novotel trophy that was first won by a celebrity team of Barry Coleman, the late David Lange and Gary McCormick.

Representing Rotorua Boys’ High, the novice Year 9 team of Eliot Fenton, Gareth Alexander and Stephen Batchelar, successfully debated the moot “that today’s youth are selfish”. The Year 10 students, John Osborne-Curtis, Deep Joshi and Khan Aranga were also successful with their moot ‘that homework is an essential part of learning”.  The Year 11 team could not quite convince the judges “that beauty is more important than brains” but Jonathan Lee, Jared Kelly and Darshan Shrestha did a very good job trying. Ngarangi Haewera, Anthony Cotton and Himesh Gosai, the Year 12 team, thoroughly entertained the audience negating the moot “that commercial mining of mineral resources should be allowed within our national parks”. 

The final debate of the evening was the clash between the seniors of Year 13. Boys’ High was ably represented by the seasoned team of Ethan Fett, Timothy Easthope and Shannon Eldridge who  debated the lengthy moot “that in order to decrease the crime rate, NZ should adopt the “Three Strikes’ criminal system as used in the USA.” It was fitting that in their last debate for their school, these students were again successful.

Rotorua Boys’ High School students scooped up medals and a trophy at the second BOPRA Indoor Rowing Challenge, held on the 8 August 2010 at Bethlehem College.  Kelsey Crew, Turei Crew, Keegan Oxenham, Matthew Cooper and Mania Oxenham competed in the event, with Turei Crew gaining two silver medals in the Boys U17 2000m and Boys U17 1000m, Kantoa Rimon gaining a gold medal in the Boys U15 non-rower 1000m and a silver medal in the Boys U15 non rower 500m, Mania Oxenham a silver medal in the Boys U15 non rower 1000m and Matthew Cooper a bronze medal in the Boys U19 2000m. Kelsey Crew and Turei Crew were part of the team that won the Mixed Team trophy. The boys are pictured below with their medals and trophy.

Rotorua Boys' High School and Rotorua Girls' High School 2010 production of 'The Wedding Singer' is currently showing at Rotorua Boys' High School.  This musical comedy based on the movie starring Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler is proving a hit with audiences. Dont miss our production - door sales are available.

	Left to right: Apanui Poihipi-Tiraha, Mr F Whata, Cassidy Katu

RBHS students Apanui  Poihipi-Tiraha and Cassidy Katu are members of the New Zealand Waka Ama J19 Mens team that won a bronze medal in the J19 Mens W12 500m at the 2010 World Va’a Sprint Championships held recently in New Caledonia.  Cassidy Katu, also a member of the NZ J16 Mens team won a silver medal in the J16 Mens W12 500m and 2 bronze medals in the J16 Mens W6 1000m and J16 W6 500m to complete a record number of 4 medals for any J16 Mens New Zealand team since the World Championships began 13 years ago.

Held in the lovely bay of Anse Vata in Noumea, this year’s competition was tough, with the Rotorua Boys’ High School students having the extra challenge of having to adapt their lake based training to sea conditions.   Mr Whata said that “the learning experiences gained from the World Championships are invaluable for the personal growth and development of all young men who work in the medium of Waka Ama“.   Apanui and Cassidy had been training every day, and have several years of paddling experience behind them.  Their Rotorua Boys’ High School teams have totally dominated the Waka Ama Secondary Schools competitions for the previous 6 years, and young men like Apanui and Cassidy form the foundation of success like the many other local, national and international Waka Ama champions before them who have paddled for RBHS and New Zealand.

	Image supplied by Ann Woolliams

RBHS Gala Dinner -a celebration of success The Rotorua Boys’ High School celebrated ‘Old Boy’ Mr Neville Crichton, with a dinner, named in his honour last Saturday night. All funds raised from the evening and the fun auction will be helping the Rotorua Boys’ High School’s 1st XV Rugby tour to Argentina in
July this year.
The evening was a celebration of excellence. Along with Neville Crichton, special guests included ‘RBHS Old Boys’ Mr Ben Sandford: 2006 & 2010 NZ Winter Olympic Skeleton Team, Mr and Mrs Joe La Grouw; Lockwood NZ, Mr and Mrs Ray Cook: R and B Consultants, Mr Mike Delany; 2009 All Black and Mr Liam Messam; 2009 All Black.

Guests were entertained by Mr Rawiri Waru on the piano, and ‘The Edward Brothers’ , accompanied by ‘The Barry Smith Trio’.

Mr Clayton Mc Millan, a former member of the BOP STEAMERS and Director of Leadership at RBHS added to the evening’s
entertainment, interviewing Liam Messam and Mike Delany, who were happy to ‘play the game’ and get into the spirit of the evening. They talked about their lives, their successes and their inspirations.
When asked by Mc Millan; “Who was your most influential coach?” Messam responded immediately; “ well,… I’ve been coached by John Mitchell, Gordon Tietjens and Graham Henry, but I’d have to say- Chris Grinter. He was tough, but gave structure to school rugby. “He made for some hard days”. Mike Delany was quick to agree.
Ben Sandford interviewed Neville Crichton about his path through life; his yachting passions, and his business ventures. Crichton is one of the world's most successful yachtsmen of all time, with more than 200 line honours wins to his credit, including classics such as the Rolex Sydney to Hobart, the TransPac and the Rolex Fastnet Race. His Yacht “Alfa Romeo II has been first to finish in her last 146 races.
In addition to his achievements in yachting, Mr Crichton has built up Australasia's largest independent car distributor, responsible for Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Citroën, Ferrari and Maserati in Australia and New Zealand, as well as bringing the first Chinese brand, Great Wall Motors, to Australia and New Zealand. Additionally he has been the driving force directly and indirectly behind the growth of the New Zealand boat building industry and has enabled it to forge a worldwide reputation. He has done all of this despite major life threatening health issues which he has defeated and from which he has drawn inspiration.
Mr Crichton is proudly loyal to his beloved country of birth. “I have always raced for New Zealand and my boat is registered in New Zealand”. He told his audience “ I began my career selling second hand cars “ but progressed to “a 0.5 billion dollar turnover last year“ in sales, in Australia, in luxury car brands; Alfa Romeo,…Ferrari, Fiat, Citroën and Maserati.
It did not happen overnight” he added noting the hard work involved in his success .
Although maxi sailing is one of the most expensive sports in the world, Crichton is helped financially by his group of sponsors who
make it possible. Neville Crichton was nominated for the ‘ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year’ Award in 2003. He lost to Russell
Coutts and said, “at least I lost to the yachtsman I consider the best in the world.”
Mr Steve Pinder, Regional Manager of Westpac thanked Neville Crichton and pleaded for him to “please tell my wife that a Maserati is a family car”
An auction added to the excitement, and the five model Ferraris gifted for the occasion by Neville Crichton were coveted by all of the ‘boys’ in the room. A five day holiday in Aitutaki supplied by the Henry family was snapped up, and likewise the ‘long weekend in a Maserati’ donated by Neville Crichton. An accommodation package at Hamurana Lodge in Rotorua was donated by Mr Fred Novell, and a Hilton Hotel Taupo weekend by the Hilton Group and Waiariki Golf Course.
Lastly, but by no means least came the dinner. The seven course gourmet’s delight included a taste of Autumn; the ‘Forest Mushroom Soup’ with crème fraise, truffle oil and chervil preceded the delicate ‘Thai Prawn Cakes’ with Asian Salad , Rocket Pesto and a balsamic reduction. The ‘Pan Seared Duck’ was served with vanilla kumara mash, beetroot jam and a sweet sherry glaze.
The chef, Mr Brendan Davis previously of ‘Pepper’s on the Point’ Lodge and now RBHS’s chef spécial, refreshed the palates with a
lime sorbet before serving a ‘Beef Eye Fillet’ with fondant potatoes, wilted shanghai, garlic confit, crispy leeks and a béarnaise sauce to 150 appreciative guests . The dessert completed the dinner; a ‘ Vanilla Panna Cotta’ with strawberry jelly, poached rhubarb and dark chocolate truffles - to die for! Thank goodness the cheese board brought me back to earth.
The RBHS Argentina Tour Squad served the guests, performing their task superbly under the watchful eye of their ‘hospitality tutor and Maitre d’ for the event, Mrs Fiona Withers.
At the end of a wonderful evening, those in attendance gave their  compliments to the chef. I envy the RBHS Hostel students who must be ‘champing at the bit’ all day, waiting for their dinner.
By Ann Woolliams

Rotorua Boys’ High School’s Head Boy, Aperahama Hurihanganui, has won the National Grand Final of the secondary schools Race Unity Speech Awards, held in Auckland on April 10th.

This year’s finalists were drawn from Year 11-13 students from 14 regional competitions held throughout New Zealand earlier this year. The students were asked to speak on the importance of cultural diversity and practical ways of improving Aotearoa New Zealand’s race relations. Twenty seven students competed in the final, with 6 making the Grand Final.
Aperahama was the only boy to make the Grand Final this year.

Choosing to speak in the language of Te Reo Maori, Aperahama spoke of how the different personalities within his own family unit were appreciated and celebrated in a way that created love and unity. He then used this model to propose that if New Zealand could learn to appreciate its wide diversity of culture in the same way as his family did, then this could
lead to greater racial unity.

Joris de Bres, the Race Relations Commissioner said that the standard of the finalists was excellent and that their speeches were an inspiration. This year’s winners will be invited to speak at appropriate events.

	Patu Whata speaks at the Celebration of Success Evening

On Tuesday 27^th April,  Rotorua Boys’ High School held its first Celebration of Success evening for 2010.  Forty six students were recognised with achievements ranging through the academic, sporting and cultural spheres.

Highlights included:

Cultural: Aperahama Hurihanganui, the Head Prefect, being recognised for winning the national final of the Race Unity speech competition;

Academic:  Darshan Shrestha as one of only five boys in the whole country to gain NCEA Level 1 with Excellence in Year 10 and as the best performer in the Cambridge IGCSE exams, scoring in the top 1% in the world - one of 10 A* grades gained by the school.

Sporting:  Shaquille Stone following in the family footsteps and making the NZ Mens Touch squad as a 16 year old, and our Golf Team who won the NZ Super 8 Schools Golfing Championship.

“We have these evenings to recognise boys who have been particularly successful in one field” said the Principal, Mr. Grinter, “But what always amazes me is how many excel across the academic, cultural and sporting fields and manage to maintain the balance.”

The format of the evening encourages boys to bring along significant people in their life, be that parents, grandparents, siblings or hostel masters, and each boy makes a short speech to thank the people who’ve helped mould them into fine young men.  Mr. Grinter said “Certainly a highlight for me was the speech made by Te Reweti Graham from Year 12, acknowledging the effort and sacrifices made by his Nan in raising and supporting him.  It takes a lot of courage for a 16 year old boy to stand in front of a group of his peers and talk about his love for his Nan and whanau.”

Congratulations to Juyoung Oh, who won double Gold medals in pattern and sparring at the National Under 18 Taekwondo Championships last month.   A former Korean champion, Juyoung has achieved sporting successes since moving to New Zealand, including a 1^st placing at the New Zealand Taekwondo Championships in the Junior Male Black Belt light heavyweight division, and a 2^nd placing in the Male Youth Division at the NZ black belt championships in 2009.

Juyoung, a student at Rotorua Boys’ High School, would like to encourage more people to join his sport. His ambition is “to teach at this school and coach a Taekwondo team.”

	Boys High-dol winner Aaron Fausett with his winning perfomance of "Sorrow"

Rotorua Boys’ “High-dol” finals were held at the end of last term.  The finalists wowed the audience and the four judges with some excellent vocal & instrumental performances, and at the end of each performance the judges offered comments in true “Idol” style.  First place and the title of Rotorua Boys’ “High-dol” went to Aaron Fausett for a stunning performance of “Sorrow”, a song he composed and performed.  Second place went to Te Kahuirangi Webster and third place to James Hill-Albert.

Rotorua Boys’ High School student Teimana Harrison has scored a place in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Sevens squad, selected by the Condors Club.

Teimana was selected for the team following the annual Condor Sevens tournament in Auckland last month, where the best of New Zealand's schoolboy rugby talent was vying for the national title and a place in the national squad.

Condors RFC President Gordon Nimmo says that the Condor Sevens always showcases new talent, with more than 25 future All Blacks having played at the tournament.  Rugby Sevens will be included in the 2016 Olympics, so for these young men the Condor Sevens could be their first step on the path to Olympic gold.

Teimana joins a number of athletes from Rotorua Boys’ High School who have made National teams over recent months including;

• Shaquille Stone – NZ Maori Mens’ Touch Team and NZ secondary Schools Touch Team
• Jesse Komene – NZ Under 18 Development Basketball Team to Australia
• Dylan Irihei – NZ Schools Touch Team
• Kihiroa Wihapi – NZ Under 16 Maori Boys Touch Team
• Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi - NZ Under 16 Maori Boys Touch Team
• Jared Tauiwi - NZ Under 16 Maori Boys Touch Team
• Cody Davis – NZRCA Under 15 Steer Riding Team
• Juyoung Oh – NZ U18 Taekwondo Champion – double gold medalist in pattern and sparring.

Rotorua Boys’ High School has recently had the privilege of hosting multi award-winning playwright and
director, Toa Fraser as its Writer-In-Residence. The students have really enjoyed having Toa here at the
school, where he has inspired them with recounts of his experiences as a playwright and director, and
promoted the art of good story telling.
Toa says that he has enjoyed the experience of being ‘back at school’ at Raukura. Having spent his own
secondary school years at Sacred Heart College in Auckland, he believes in the experience that being part of a
boys’ college in New Zealand brings, with its multi-disciplinary blend of sport, music and academia - “and
being able to run around in shorts!” He credits his time at secondary school for shaping the focus,
determination and hard work that he would later call on when directing films.
Displaying talent in more than one genre, Toa made his name in the theatre world with the film he wrote and
later directed, “No 2”. Since then, the awards have kept coming, in particular for his film “Dean Spanley”, in
which he directed famous actors Sam Neill and Peter O’Toole. Dean Spanley went on to win seven awards at
the Qantas Film and Television Awards in 2008, including best director and best film.
The son of a British mother and Fijian father, Toa says that he feels fortunate to have recognised his passion
for story-telling early in life, and to have had the opportunity to be able to pursue his chosen career to the
fullest. Coming from a family of adventurers and storytellers, his imagination was nourished in story-telling
from an early age - “my father and grandmother filled my early life with stories of the mythological, cultural
and traditional”. The movie Star Wars was another great inspiration.
As a film director, Toa relishes the opportunity to work with people with all kinds of skills from all walks of life
on the film set. He believes in looking beyond the “safe” career in life if you believe that you have talent in a
different area. While the students at Rotorua Boys’ High School have gained hugely from Toa’s inspiration,
the best piece of advice Toa says he has to give is to - “follow your bliss”.

	The Challenge of Te Wero -Year 13 students take up the Challenge

“Te Wero” is a multi sport endurance event that takes place over two days at the beginning of the school year. Held last week, for the third time, the event is designed specifically for Year 13 students. Its aim is to foster leadership and participation and is an avenue for establishing high standards in behaviour, attitude and appearance that are integral to the role these students play as ambassadors for the school. “Te Wero” incorporates a series of events, including sleeping overnight in the open, over 45 kilometres of mountain biking and running in teams for 30kms carrying 25kg fence posts. Senior students look forward to the opportunity of taking part and gain a great deal of personal satisfaction from completing the tough event. It not only teaches them about themselves but allows them to appreciate that by working together for a common purpose we can achieve anything we set our minds to.  "The students this year were outstanding, they put everything into it" said Mr Clayton McMillan, who started the event three years ago and was chief organiser this year.

We look forward to following the progress of our young leaders as they continue to "take up the challenge" during their final year at school.

Yes, to many parents relief, the summer holidays are fast coming to an end!  We look forward to welcoming back to Rotorua Boys' High School our students for 2010, and meeting and greeting new students.  Please check the EVENTS page for calendar dates, as we have a staggered return schedule to enable students and staff to experience a smooth start to the year.  The uniform shop is currently operating from our main admin building.

We hope you and all our families and friends had a restful and safe holiday period and look forward to many of you attending our POWHIRI at 9 am, Thursday 4th February, 2010.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL.

The successes of Rotorua Boys’ High School economics students were recognised and celebrated recently at the New Zealand Economics awards, held at the University of Auckland’s School of Business. The ceremony acknowledged the top performing students in the recent New Zealand Economics Competition.

Eight students from Rotorua Boys’ High School’s Level 3 economics class took part in the competition, a multi choice examination held earlier in the year. Over 3000 students from around the country participated, the largest field of entrants the competition has seen to date.  More than 50% of the entrants from Rotorua Boys’ High were awarded a credit grade or better.

Leading the way was Ryan Nixon, a Year 12 student, who placed in the top 1% of entrants. This gained him a high distinction award and placed him in the top 18 economics students in the country.  For a student in Year 12 to achieve this result in a competition designed for Year 13 students, is an excellent achievement. Congratulations Ryan!

This is the second article to guide RBHS students towards exam success. A good strategy to remembering the material that was taught in class is to take half an hour everyday to review the day's lessons. Another good strategy to get good results in those gruelling exams is to participate in study groups. Ask your teachers for advice. It's worth asking your teacher to steer you towards helpful books and websites that can further help you understand the things being taught in the classroom. And while you're at it, mention your study group — your teacher may even be willing take the group through tough topics during after school or lunchtime revision classes.

WELCOME BACK TO TERM FOUR!

From the start of this term it is important that our senior students focus on their academic work. Study schedules should be drawn up and it is recommended that students spend every evening on some study, even if this involves going over notes gathered during the year.

To kick-start the term we will be offering advice and "places to go" on the www in order for students to improve performance. We will start with some PRACTICAL EXAM TIPS Websites. All the major examination boards have websites these days, usually with sample papers and examiners' reports that you can download. These sites are well worth a visit as they may offer a lot of sound advice. The examiners' report, for instance, can give you an idea of exactly what it is that they are looking for.

It may sound stupid, but ... Don't forget to read the instructions and make sure you know what you are being asked to do. You should go into the exam well aware of what is expected of you, but you should always check. Don't, however, waste a lot of time on this.

Honesty - a language exam is not a test of honesty and you will not be penalised if you tell the examiners that you are CANCER rather than SAGITTARIUS in a written question simply because you are sure of how to spell it. Language Tests are quite simply that; they are designed to test your language and not your honesty - don't worry about being economical with the truth in order to show off your accurate language use.

Try to get into a pattern of a good night's sleep, especially the night before any exam, but also during the next few weeks which are crucial to your performance.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL AND REMEMBER - STAY FOCUSED!!

Adam Zhang

Adam Zhang is a fulltime Teacher of Mathematics at Rotorua Boys High School in New Zealand. He is from Shanghai. With an MSc in computer science he had experience in teaching at a tertiary level.

He immigrated to New Zealand in 2003. After obtaining a qualification of teaching, he has taught maths at secondary schools and was HOD.  He started his current position in July 2009.

Adam is keen to help Chinese students, current and prospective.

张亚当现任新西兰鲁托鲁阿男子中学数学教师。张老师是上海人, 计算机硕士, 在大专院校执教若干年。 二零零三年移民新西兰，获梅西大学教育学资格，之后开始在中学执教, 曾任教研组长。二零零九年七月起，受聘到现任学校工作. 张老师乐意帮助中国学生适应新西兰学校环境, 取得学业成功.

欢迎联系，电邮：azhang@rotoruaboyshigh.school.nz

Wendy Chen

Hi my name is Wendy Chen. I am Teacher of Chinese at Rotorua Boys’ High School. I have been teaching for over 20 years, 18 years in China and 5 years in New Zealand. Teaching is where my passion is, because I love my students and I like making positive impact on young people’s life. I gained my Bachelor of Pedagogy from East China Normal University. Then I started teaching Pedagogy and Educational Psychology at Fuzhou Educational Institute.  After 5 years of service at Fuzhou Educational Institute, I taught at Fujian Art School (it is now known as Fujian Art Professional Institute).

I immigrated to New Zealand to explore New Zealand Education and to understand New Zealand culture. Teaching ESOL at language schools in Auckland was the first part of my educational journey in New Zealand. Then I had my New Zealand secondary school teaching qualification from Auckland University. That is a great honour of being able to teach at Rotorua Boys’ High School which is a leading school in many aspects in education in New Zealand. I would like to continue to promote and teach the Chinese language and give these outstanding young men a greater understanding of Chinese culture.

你好！我的中文名字是陈雯文。我是罗托鲁瓦男子高中的中文教师。我从事教学工作已经二十多年了，其中18年在中国，5年在新西兰。教书育人是我一生的热情所在。因为我热爱我的学生同时我也乐于带给年轻的一代以积极的影响。我毕业于上海华东师范大学教育系，获教育学学士学位。在福州教育学院从事教育学、心理学教学五年有余。 之后我在福建艺术学校(现为福建高等艺术职业学院)任教多年。我移民新西兰，其中一个主要原因是想深入了解新西兰的教育及文化。在奥克兰的语言学校从事英语为第二语言的教学是我在新西兰的文化教育探索之旅的第一站。在奥克兰大学取得新西兰中学的教师资格后我来到了罗托鲁瓦男子高中。我感到非常荣幸能够得以在这所在新西兰的教育领域的很多方面都处于领先地位的学校从事我喜欢的教学工作。我将继续为传播中国语言以及帮助这些出色的未来男子汉们更加了解中国文化而竭诚努力。

Senior Preliminary Examinations Timetable Draft 21/08/09

NB: Senior students will be on study leave Mon 7 adnd Tues 8 September.

Below is the link to the NZQA website to view the 2009 National Seconday Schools' Examination Timetables.

http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/for-students/exams/examtt.html

Note: The NCEA (Levels 1-3) and New Zealand Scholarship examination session are all three hours. The exam sessions all start at either 9.30am or 2.00pm.