Susan Landels - Matron, 30 July 2026
Hostel Happenings
It was heartwarming to witness the boys returning last Sunday afternoon, excited to see their mates, filled with stories and banter about their holidays, and looking refreshed and ready to settle back into the hostel.
This term, our main focus will be on academic performance, so we have reintroduced Senior Prep for Year 12 students in the snazzy new Prep Room. There will be no going out to Roslyn or the gym prior to or during designated Prep times.
The Rector and Lance were busy last week promoting School House while networking during the annual country visits, travelling to Balclutha, Gore, Middlemarch, and Cromwell. Thank you to everyone who assisted with these visits and to those who came along to show their support. Numbers are looking encouraging for 2027, and places are already highly sought after.
King's Interschool took place last week, and we enjoyed a mixture of challenges across both sporting and cultural spheres. Please check the various sporting results on the appropriate websites.
Men of the Week
Oliver Murray has settled very well into School House routines. He is reliable, polite, and gives everything his best effort. Well done, Oliver!
Flynn McCall – Congratulations! You are the best-dressed boy in the mornings, with impressively clean shoes and a tidy uniform. Flynn starts each day armed with a cheerful, can-do attitude.
Unfortunately, we have had a bout of Influenza A affect the hostel this week, and a number of boys have been unwell. Please be mindful that if your son has a fever or is feeling unwell in any way, do not return him to the hostel until he is symptom-free, as infections can be highly contagious and spread rapidly throughout the hostel.
We have recently had a couple of boys develop itchy rashes that were initially thought to be flea bites but have since been confirmed as scabies. If you notice, or are concerned about, any areas of skin irritation on your son, it is essential that you notify us immediately and seek the appropriate medical treatment.
For more information about scabies, please refer to Healthify, Health NZ, or DermNet.
On Monday, we finally enjoyed a sunny day, allowing us to have our annual hostel photo taken. These will be available within the next three weeks. More details will follow at www.kelkphoto.co.nz.
We have been fortunate to have Julia Landels join us as a casual Housemaster. Julia started midway through last term and brings experience from a similar role at St Hilda's Collegiate. She has a BA (Honours) in Communications and Marketing and has previously worked for the Otago Rugby Football Union and Emerson's Brewery. She is thoroughly enjoying the positive atmosphere at School House.
All hostel parents are warmly invited to gather at the Law Courts for drinks and nibbles on Saturday 15 August, from 5.00 pm. This is an excellent opportunity to socialise and get to know fellow hostel parents. We look forward to seeing you there.