Susan Landels - Matron, 2 July 2026
Hostel Happenings
The boys are on a physical and psychological countdown as the end of term edges closer.
We have been bracing against freezing, icy mornings and an influx of viral infections. There is a sense of overwhelming fatigue mixed with the excitement that the end of each term delivers.
Men of the Week
Junior: Felix Jones, for being a good-natured, well-organised member of our School House team. Felix continues to grow in independence and initiative.
Senior: Jackson Hughes, for his resilience and focus on reaching his goals. Jackson recently won the Men's U18 race up Mt Difficulty, a challenging 25 km climb covering over 1,700 m of elevation. A very impressive result on his first attempt.
We welcome two new House Masters to join our crew.
Florin Thimm is currently completing a Master's degree in Mathematics at the University of Otago and is working towards finishing his thesis. Florin was born in New Zealand and was a former hostel boy here at School House. He coaches basketball and speaks both German and Russian, which is a bonus at prep time for some.
Vili Lea has recently returned from playing rugby in Japan alongside Ardie Savea. He is fluent in English, Tongan, and Japanese and has expertise in sports science.
Renovations continue on the Thomson Dorm and will be ongoing during Term 3 as further redevelopment takes place. We thank you for your continued patience and cooperation throughout the upgrade process as we all look forward to the end result.
The end of term is an opportune time to thank all the staff who work hard every day in the hostel to feed the boys, keep their clothing and bedding washed, and maintain a clean and tidy environment.
Thank you to Donna, Nicola, and Glen in the kitchen for all the delicious meals; Carolyn in the laundry for her superior time management and for keeping ahead of the never-ending loads of washing; Karen, Kerry, and Mandy for working hard to keep the hostel looking clean and tidy; and Howie Nixon for being our wonderful caretaker and valuable "fix-it" man.
Matariki falls on 10 July.
Nga kai a Matariki nana i ao ake ki runga.
This whakataukī emphasises the bounty of nature and the resilience needed to get through the winter months.
We wish everyone a relaxed and happy holiday break. We hope you enjoy reconnecting with your sons and recharging any flat batteries. We look forward to seeing everyone back safely for the beginning of Term 3 on Sunday 19 July after 2.00 pm.