Another very big week!!

Opening of the Anna Stuck Performing Arts Centre

Our newly refurbished Anna Stuck Performing Arts Centre was officially opened by Ms Anna Stuck on Thursday evening 19 November. This was followed by a special concert for boys and their parents on Friday afternoon 20 November.

This refurbished project really has been one of the most exciting developments at Hereworth in recent years and is contributing to the provision of richer and more fulfilling musical, dance and dramatic experiences for all of our boys, equipping them with relevant skills and experiences so they continue to grow and learn. For arts education not only has intrinsic value, but when implemented with a structured, innovative and long-term approach, it also provides essential extrinsic benefits for our boys at Hereworth, such as better academic achievement across all areas of the curriculum, as well as improved social and emotional wellbeing.

Thank you to all boys who helped at the opening celebration as ushers, guides, parking attendants and waiters. Those present also appreciated the performances from our Orchestra and our Kapa Haka group. This was also a most special start to the evening. Thank you Mr John Snowling, as conductor, and Mrs Geemas Buxton, our Kapa Haka tutor, for preparing the boys so well. Thank you also to all those who participated in the Opening Concert, in particular our talented Choirs, individual current boys and Old Boys, and staff, which made them such fitting celebratory occasions.

The attendance of parents, council members, friends, former and current colleagues and those involved in the completion of this project was also very much appreciated.

Thank you to all teaching, administration and maintenance staff who helped to make these occasions such a success.Thank you to Mrs Joanne Stevens who has worked tirelessly over the past few months to bring these opening ceremonies to such successful conclusions.

And finally, thank you to Ms Anna Stuck, our special guest of honour at the official opening, for her speech on the importance of an arts education as part of the curriculum and co-curriculum for boys and for her most generous support which has helped us to deliver this new facility to meet the needs associated with a 21st Century learning environment in particular in the Performing Arts. 

T20 New Zealand Schoolboys Knockout Cup Final

Congratulations to members of the 1st XI Cricket team on their success in the T20 New Zealand Schoolboys Knockout Cup in Palmerston North – being silver medallists from an original 200 teams from across New Zealand, is an amazing achievement. The boys also received the Spirit of Cricket Award for exemplifying the way this sport should be played.

Our boys had worked hard, frequently practising in the weeks leading up to the tournament, refining their skills and growing in their understanding of the game, however, it was especially pleasing to see them also being rewarded for their conduct both on and off the field.

On many occasions, our parents commented that it was hard to believe they were watching 12 and 13-year-old boys as they performed with maturity, skill and determination beyond their years, encouraging one another, persevering to do their best for themselves and their team mates. The boys can feel justifiably proud of their accomplishments.

Thank you to all parents who travelled to Palmerston North to support the players. I know this was very much appreciated by the boys and staff.

Thank you to Mr Paul Unwin as coach of the 1st XI Cricket team for his commitment to the development of each boy’s skills and for his encouragement and support of the boys, teaching them the importance of fair play, teamwork, sportsmanship and abiding by the decisions of the umpire.Thank you to Mr Scott McLaren, our Director of Sport, for his organisation of these days away. Thank you also to staff who took on extra duties at school during this time to cover for colleagues. 

Dr Reeve Cricket Match

Thank you to the many parents and Old Boys for their involvement in this cricket game against the 2nd XI last Sunday. The match ended in a win to the 2nd XI. Thank you to Mr McCorkell for organizing the boys for the day and to parents for preparing lunch and afternoon tea. Thank you in particular to Mr Patrick Dingemans, Dr Reeve’s son-in-law, who umpired for a large part of the game and to Mr Peter Young and his wife Nicki for their important roles in planning and overseeing the day. This was the 62nd time the game had been played – a fixture firmly embedded in the Hereworth calendar. It was first instigated by Dr Reeve, the school doctor, in 1958. It was a very well contested match played in the right spirit. And whilst the day included the dedication of a family plaque to Mrs Dingemans at the base of a cherry tree at the start of lunch, it was a very special day thoroughly enjoyed by all, which would have delighted the late Mrs Cherry Dingemans, Dr Reeve’s daughter.

Trevor Barman

Headmaster

Article added: Friday 20 November 2020