Otago High School Old Boys’ Society

December 2010 - President's Report

The Society is alive and well and we are keen to reconnect with our friends and colleagues; many of whom we have lost contact with over recent years. Regardless of whether or not you have paid a sub to the Old Boys’ Society, you are still a valued member of our organisation and we want to see you at our functions and school events. We are planning more social functions over the coming months so keep an eye out for more information – we’ll be in touch again soon. Remember also the Old Boys vs pupils sports day will take place in February and the Foundation Golf Tournament in March 2011.

Planning for the sesquicentennial celebrations in September 2013 is now well underway. Marking of the 150th will be the most important school event for many of us and we encourage all Old Boys to take part. You can find out more and register by clicking here.

We have been working closely with the Foundation who has taken over the job of delivering the excellent monthly report with news about fellow old boys and current pupils. We extend our appreciation to Doug Kamo and his assistants for the quality and depth of information contained in these newsletters which will be of interest to all.

One of their key tasks has been to develop an up to date database of the more than 25,000 Old Boys. To date we have email addresses for only 7,000 of the 16,000 living old boys. Please check your class list for any missing contact details of friends and colleagues so we can complete the database by the 150th.

The Foundation is also assisting Old Boys in organising reunions for various decade groups with the 1940’s reunion scheduled for February 2011. If you are interested in attending or want to find out more, please click here.

Otago Boys’ High School has been enjoying a period of solid growth over recent years with a current role of over 900. The boys continue to do well in sports and cultural activities and have achieved excellent academic success which has been well reported in the media. Quite simply the school is in very good shape and the Society continues to offer support to the current pupils by way of academic scholarships, grants to sports and cultural groups and financial assistance to enable all boys to attend the Mt Aspiring outdoor programme.

Some of our members are actively engaged with present day pupils in providing job talks and help with reading and I encourage you to get involved if you can. The boys really do appreciate the extra focus given them by the volunteers and exam results from the year 9 (3rd form) reading strategies have been spectacular. Please let us know if you can spare an hour each week to help out with in-class reading.

I sincerely hope you all have a safe and enjoyable summer break and I look forward to catching up with you in 2011.

Merry Christmas

BRENT ALEXANDER

president

January 2009

From the President, Norcombe Barker –

The Old Boys’ Society looks to assist the school and the Foundation in their endeavours to provide a superior standard of education for today’s schoolboys.

Norcombe Barker - President

We are now offering scholarships to pupils to ensure ALL Year 10 boys can attend the magnificent Mount Aspiring lodge. Due to financial hardship, some boys may not normally have been able to take part in the trip and experience what is an exceptional facility. It is certainly something all Old Boys long remember and the Society is pleased to be able to help in this area.

The Society is also assisting with the establishment of a purpose-built museum in the Shand Building, located on the school grounds. There is an incredible amount of archival material held at the school and there is a real need for this to be properly displayed. This is even more imperative with the 150th celebrations fast approaching.

One of the Society's success stories in recent times has been its involvement with the Speakers' Series, as organised at the request of the masters. Old Boys and their connections have been brought into the school to address various year groups or classes about their vocations, their life experiences and to pass on an insight into what today's young men should contemplate as they consider their future.

This has been an extremely worthwhile exercise, and will continue to be so, and has helped students to become more conscious of what lies ahead after school. Please be aware we will be tapping a few of you on the shoulder to speak and to espouse your life skills.

In December last year, a plaque was unveiled in the Shand for Mrs Marj Higgs in appreciation of her dedicated service as secretary to the Old Boys’ for 29 years of service.

Norcombe Barker

nork@larnachcastle.co.nz

December 2006

From the President, Jonathan Usher –

In my most recent letter to Old Boys’ regarding membership of the Old Boys’ Society, I mentioned the fact that we are seeking to become more active within the school by way of lending life skills, assistance with scholarships and in the establishment of a museum to complement the magnificent archives held in storage.

The first objective, where we assist the school by seeking Old Boys or others to speak to certain year groups or classes about particular vocations and working options, is where we need your help at this point.

Listed below are the vocations of Old Boys we are very keen to bring on board in the first year or two of lending experience and expertise to the school. If you believe you match one of these descriptions, or if you know someone who does, please contact me.

This plan has been developed in conjunction with the school’s senior management.

Old Boys to visit low stream classes to convince them of the necessity of qualifications
The opportunity to have six to eight boys in a workplace for one day a month. This will put school into perspective with the employer also able to act as mentor.
Junior economics – small business owners, financial planners, bankers and share brokers to talk to the boys
Senior economics – foreign exchange dealer, an exporter and the like to speak to these classes
To have successful sports people talking to groups about life after sport with a focus on the value of education
To develop contacts with businesses in New Zealand which employ French or German speakers. Inspirational value at first
Possibly Jeremy Elwood & Simon McKinney (Drama/theatresports/stand-up comedy)
Contact with those involved in creative writing, journalism, television and radio presenting with a view to discussing the requirements of these employment avenues
People involved in using computers (using and maintaining/developing software). For staff – web design & maintenance
We have Year 12 (6th form) students making lamps that need to be certified and safety-checked by an electrician
Forge work – a specialist would be valuable with staff up-skilled at the same time
A doctor to speak to the Year 9 (3rd form) Body Unit about the human body – its functions and malfunctions
An optician to the address the Year 9 (3rd form) Optics Group (as above)
To attract a professional Chef who would undertake practical demonstrations. Bakers and butchers to do the same
Scientists or researchers to talk about all manner of angles about their occupations
Visits from detectives – how is evidence collected and processed?
Visits from those in professions involving in science and biology
Old boys in agriculture and automotive engineering to offer senior students work exploration placements
Scientists and engineers to talk to Year 10-13 (4th to 7th form) boys about their occupations and how they ventured down that pathway
An old boy who is proficient at chess and who is willing to spend time coaching
Old Boys involved in the woodworking industry and experienced in the various components of that occupation

It’s with great please we announce the establishment of the Central Otago Lakes branch of the Old Boys’ Society, based in Wanaka. Your contacts are Don McKinlay (027 4595799) and Mat Andrews (027 4836261).

Paul Dryden and an enthusiastic group of Old Boys in the Queen City are working on the revitalising of the Auckland branch of the Old Boys’ Society. Paul’s ‘phone number is 021 439924.

And there is added zest and drive within the South Canterbury branch. Steve Little is the new president, he has a terrific band of experience and youth in behind him and he’s also mein host at the Royal Hotel in Cains Terrace, Timaru – a place worth visiting. Steve’s ‘phone number is 027 4111123.

Jonathan Usher

021 462442

jonathan.usher@xtra.co.nz

July 2006

A huge amount of energy continues to be spent in the tracking of the 24,000 Old Boys of Otago Boys'.

About 2,000 previously unaccounted for have been traced in recent months but with about 16,000 having been at the school since the 1920s very much alive, finding them all - along with information about those who have passed on - is a massive task.

This is not just about finding Old Boys' Society members, but rather all Old Boys.

All and any details about the school's alumni - as the western movies would 'dead or alive' - is extremely valuable information for the Foundation and will be gratefully received. Please don't assume we know where each and every Old Boy is, so please take the time to make contact with the Foundation office with names and contact details.

Tribute to Marj Higgs

Marj Higgs celebrates retirement

(photo compliments of the Otago Daily Times)

Long-serving Old Boys’ Society Dunedin branch secretary Marj Higgs has retired after 27 years of loyal and unstinting service.

Very much the glue which held ‘head office’ together, Marj worked tirelessly through the years in producing the Society’s bi-annual newsletter, in assisting with the organisation and staging of Society’s lunches and functions, and in maintaining scrupulous records.

She leaves a legacy which will be difficult to match and we wish her a long and happy retirement, confident in the knowledge of sterling service to the School and Society.