School News

Jack Connor (Year 9, pictured right) and Tom Maguren (Year 11, below) competed in the World Organisation of Martial Arts Athletes World Championships in Wales last month.  Tom won silver and bronze in his age group level, while Jack was able to win a  gold medal in the continous discipline, unofficially making him world champion.  Jack won gold, silver and bronze medals in the 12 - 14 under 59kg class, and was delighted with the results of his first international competition. 

What is kickboxing?

Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing. Kickboxing is often practiced for self-defense, general fitness, or as a contact sport.

Poolcha Wasansirikul (Peter), a Year 9 student from Thailand, recently won the Waikato Education International Student Photo Competition.  Peter entered the competition against other Waikato students from Years 9 to 13.

The judge David Cook, Head of Media Studies at Wintec, loved the symbolism of Peter's photo.  The towering goalposts representing challenges, and ther rainbow representing hope and opportunity.  He described it as 'The rainbow beyond the goalposts'.

As a token of their appreciation for the school's support during the recent Japan Tour, the 1st XV Rugby team entertained HBHS with a concert at lunchtime today.  Entry was by gold coin donation, and raised over $500.00 towards the on-going care of Jope Kikau, as student of our school who is in hospital at the Otara Spinal Unit.

Mr James Sutherland MCed the event, which included accounts of the trip, interspersed with songs and a stunning final lipsynch and haka.  Friends, whanau, staff and students all enjoyed the opportunity to watch what has clearly become a tight-knit family, as well as an extraordinarily successful team.

Jope Kikau is Fijian pupil studying at HBHS who recently fought off a life-threatening streptococcal infection. During his treatment, three bones from his spine were removed to reduce pressure on his spinal cord.  He is currently at the Otara Spinal Unit receiving treatment, and waiting to see if the feeling in his lower legs will return.

If you would like to support Jope, and help his parents meet some of the costs associated with this situation, please make a donation to the following HBHS Account:

Bank Account: 03 1556 0085411 00
Particulars: <Your name>
Code: Jope Kikau
Reference: Donation

Please email Karen Way (kway@hbhs.school.nz) for a receipt. 

The HBHS Sports Committee would like to welcome the Year 9's to "Have a Go Week", beginning today at lunchtime in the Gym.  The aim of this programme is to introduce junior students to sports they may not have considered before, and is an opportunity to do exactly what it says - have a go at something by participating in activities and drills to find out what a particular sport is all about and to have some fun.  Today, it's basketball.  Over the next two weeks the Sports Committee are organising a boot donation scheme, where students and families can drop off old rugby or football boots (or any sports shoe that is no longer required) at the School Pavillion during lunchtimes so that they can be passed on to students who need them.  We hope you will all support this scheme, and urge everyone to "have a go".

HBHS Year 12 student Jacob Phillips crossed the Tasman last week in order to compete in the Queensland State Athletics Championships held in Brisbane to gain his International classification for athletics, and it was a case of mission definitely accomplished. As a result of his efforts, Jacob is now confirmed in the T/F 35 classification. Jacob then went on to compete in the Open AWD 100m, 800m, discus and javelin, and it was in the 800m that Jacob won his silver medal. He also set personal bests in the 800m and the javelin, where he placed fifth. He was also placed fifth in the discus.  Congratulationa to Jacob on these fine results, and we look forward to seeing his progress throughout the year.

On the 27th of March Jacob Priddey, the current U16 New Zealand Cross Country Champion competed in the prestigious ISF World Cross Country Championships in Malta.  Jacob was selected to compete in the team race which was comprised of the 6 strongest runners from 10 participating countries that included North Africa, China, Australia, Israel, Morocco, Algeria and several European nations.

Jacob's selection for this event was made more notable and impressive as the New Zealand team was chosen on merit from our most successful 16 and 17 year old cross country runners. At 15, Jacob was not only the youngest of the New Zealand runners but earned his selection through his stand out performance’ at the New Zealand Cross Country Championships.