School News

The Jazz Band, Gyspy Pickers and HBHS/HGHS Combined Orchestra each won gold awards at the Waikato Band and Orchestra Festival, held at the University of Waikato Performing Arts Centre on Friday 5 August.  Very positive comments were made about each group, and HOD Music Adrian Botting was particularly pleased by the numbers of students who now participate in this competition.  ‘There were literally hundreds of students from New Plymouth to Tauranga, playing a very high standard of music.  The Gypsy Pickers were first ever guitar ensemble to play at a band festival, and this year there were ten guitar ensembles alone.’ Special thanks go to Mike Booth and Pete Skandera, who direct the Jazz Band and Gypsy Pickers, respectively.  The boys are going from strength to strength under their tutelage.

Yesterday at lunchtime, the HBHS library briefly and brilliantly turned jazz café, as a large crowd of staff and students were treated to a polished live performance by Sydney-based jazz band The Dilworths who had literally just arrived in the country and were beginning a whirlwind tour taking in Hamilton, Wellington and Melbourne in the space of a week.  The band featured former HBHS prefect Thomas Botting on double bass, along with Eamon Dilworth on trumpet, Dave Jackson on alto saxophone, Steve Barry on keyboards, and Paul Derricott on drums.  The set list included a mix of original music, as each band member writes for the shows, and pieces by renowned jazz musicians such as Sonny Rollins.  The HBHS Jazz Band then had the chance after school to rehearse with the band and pick up tips and advice.  The best piece of advice?  Just get together and play music, keep playing music.  For more information on the band that have been described as “talent-packed” and “a band to watch out for” by John McBeath (Weekend Australian) check out their website at www.eamondilworth.com

It is going to be a huge week for the HBHS 1st XV, after they won their way through to the Chiefs Cup finals on Saturday. First up, the team travel to Auckland this Wednesday 29 May to play Auckland Grammar School in the annual exchange fixture, where both the Headmaster's Bowl and the Moascar Cup will go on the line. The match starts at 12.30pm and the team would very much appreciate it if as many supporters as possible could come along to Auckland in order to back them in what is guaranteed to be an exciting fixture. Then on Saturday 1 June at 2.45pm, the team will play Rotorua Boys' High School in the Chiefs Cup final at home in front of what will be a huge crowd of HBHS supporters dressed in red and black. The match will be live on Sky Television 064 the Rugby Channel. The HBHS 1st XV would like to thank their sponsors Heartland Bank, Jacanna Customs and Freight, Lodge Real Estate and Pacific Auto Carrier, and look forward to seeng as many supporters as possible at both matches.

The Under 14 and Under 15 Rugby teams are HBHS's latest champions. The Under 14 team won the Taranaki Trophy, beating Sacred Heart 44 - 4, and the Under 15 team soon followed with a 14 - 7 win over St Bede's in the New Zealand Invitational Tournament. In a three for three shutout, the Under 16 Rugby team won the Quadrangular Tournament earlier in the week. In other play-off results, the 1st XI Football team are 5th in New Zealand after beating Tauranga Boys' College 4 - 2 in a penalty shootout after being tied at 3 all in the New Zealand Lotto Premier Tournament, and the 2nd XI Football team finished 3rd in the Malcolm Cowie Tournament, beating Onslow College 1 - 0.

Were you there when our teams did so well? We would love any photos of our HBHS teams in action. Please send them to wmoffitt@hbhs.school.nz

2012 saw HBHS students achieving some very impressive results in both Cambridge International Examinations, and NCEA Levels 1 through to 3.  However, three HBHS students achieved truly outstanding results in the Cambridge International Examinations, with one being able to claim that he truly is the best in the world in his field.  Year 12 student Adam Cameron, placed first in New Zealand in IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (a double award), and in IGSCE Geography.  Thomas Simpson, a Year 13 student last year, placed first in New Zealand in A Level Economics, and was unable to attend today’s assembly as he is currently representing New Zealand in Debating at the World Championships in Turkey.  Finally, Christopher Jury, pictured here with Mrs Hassall, who is about to embark on his university studies, placed first in the world in AS History, as a Year 12 student in 2012.  This extraordinary achievement was celebrated and acknowledged by the entire school, and Christopher, along with Adam and Thomas, will feature in this term’s edition of “The High Achiever”.

In their final game on the first day, the HBHS Touch team had a good win against Palmerston North Boys' High School 8 - 5.  They begin their top ten qualification matches today in their bid to retain their national title.  Go team HBHS!