School News

HBHS student Patrick Costley and his partner, Rebecca Lau (from Christchurch) recently won the Pre-Primary Ice Dance division of the NZ Figure Skating Championships held in Auckland 28 Sep to 2 Oct 2012.

Where can I or my child learn to skate?

Group skate school (Kiwi Skate) programmes are available at rinks throughout New Zealand. You can find more information in the Learn to Skate section of the NZIFSA website.

Safe travels and best wishes to our Cross Country team who head to Christchurch today to compete in the National Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships. The team, led by form senior runner Jacob Priddey and Teacher in Charge of Cross Country, Ms Tonia Heeps, are optimistic about their chances after taking out the Super 8 Cross Country title for the first time this year after 12 years of competition.  In winning that title, the HBHS team showed strength across all levels, and the promising Year 9 team, who placed first in their Super 8 age group, promises much for the future of HBHS Cross Country running.  Good luck to the team, and we will post results as soon as they come to hand.

HBHS Year 11 student Cullen Taylor (pictured, right) was recognised for his musical talent at the SmokeFreeRockQuest Regional Finals, held in Hamilton on Saturday 29 June at the Clarence Street Theatre, in front of a crowd of 400. His band, The Shift, was one of 13 acts who performed for the enthusiastic crowd, and the quality of the competition meant that judging was very tough. Cullen, who plays lead electric guitar for his group, along with Mitchell Walker (drums), Ben Stocker (lead vocals) and Taio Kessels (bass guitar) won the prize for Best Musicianship, which recognises his level of skill on his chosen instrument.  Congratulations to Cullen, and his band, on their third overall placing in the competitio.

Joshua Gatenby and Cameron Shaw (both Year 13 in 2011) will have their tuition fees (to a maximum of $5,750 each) paid by DairyNZ this year.  61 scholarships for recipients to study at Lincoln or Massey Universities have been awarded to students undertaking degrees in agriculture or related subjects, who have a particular interest in a career in the dairy industry.  The scholarships are particularly sought after because they continue until course completion, subject to the maintenance of good grades.

The success of Joshua and Cameron in being selected is a great achievement and a wonderful testament to the quality of the education at HBHS.  They join a growing number of students from our school to have DairyNZ scholarships.

Scholarship winners are mentored and supported through their university years and can expect to gain employment in a variety of positions, either on-farm or in the support areas, of this massive industry.  The scholarship is an expression of the Dairy Industry's determination to encourage the best people into the industry as the future research scientists, farm advisors, farm managers, farm owners and rural professionals.

Daniel Krippner (Year 13) attended the World Youth Team trial on the 9th of May and has qualified for the World Youth Championship speed climbing team.  His team will be competing in Imst, Austria in late August.