New Plymouth Boys' High School
Encyclopedia
New Plymouth Boys' High School is a single-sex boys' state secondary school
in New Plymouth
, Taranaki, New Zealand
. It was founded in 1882 and celebrated its 125th Jubilee in 2007.
The school currently caters for approximately 1300 students, including 210 boarders, on its 15 hectare
site.
The school often collaborates with the very close-by New Plymouth Girls' High School. For example, the Hillary Challenge team for New Plymouth always draws students from both schools and the jazz band and concert band include musicians from both schools.
at the time, Helen Clark
.
, musicians Matt Thomas, Gareth Thomas, Hayden Chisholm
and Leigh Kereopa, current Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy
Rear Admiral Tony Parr
, and 24 All Blacks
. New Plymouth Boys' High Schools sporting teams and musical groups have large reputations nationally and in some cases internationally.
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
in New Plymouth
New Plymouth
New Plymouth is the major city of the Taranaki Region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is named after Plymouth, Devon, England, from where the first English settlers migrated....
, Taranaki, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It was founded in 1882 and celebrated its 125th Jubilee in 2007.
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
site.
The school often collaborates with the very close-by New Plymouth Girls' High School. For example, the Hillary Challenge team for New Plymouth always draws students from both schools and the jazz band and concert band include musicians from both schools.
Houses
New Plymouth Boys' High School currently has four houses, with Hatherly being the boarder house.- Barak - green
- DonnellyMartin Donnelly (cricketer)Martin Paterson Donnelly was a New Zealand Test cricketer and England Rugby Union player.Born in Ngaruawahia, New Zealand, Donnelly's twin brother Maurice died in the Spanish flu epidemic in 1918. His sporting talent emerged quickly and Donnelly became known for his batting and fielding skills, as...
- blue - Hatherly - red
- SymeRonald SymeSir Ronald Syme, OM, FBA was a New Zealand-born historian and classicist. Long associated with Oxford University, he is widely regarded as the 20th century's greatest historian of ancient Rome...
- yellow
Facilities
The school recently acquired a new wing (now known as the French-Wright Block, named for the former headmaster Lyal French-Wright) with facilities for administration, science and mathematics. The wing incorporates modern architecture to add a new flavour to the traditional school. The wing was opened by the Prime MinisterPrime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
at the time, Helen Clark
Helen Clark
Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008...
.
United Space School
New Plymouth Boys' High School and New Plymouth Girls' High School are the only New Zealand schools to take part in the Foundation for International Space Education's United Space School which is held in Houston, Texas each year. One student from each school (and in 2009 a teacher), is selected to attend.Exchange programme
An exchange relationship has been established with a Chilean High School so that every year, students alternate exchanges. In 2006, NPBHS travelled to Chile and in 2007, students from Chile came to NPBHS. The school also associates with schools in New Plymouth's sister cities in China and Japan.Controversy over bullying
After an incident in 2008 when a boarder was beaten by four other students, the school's board of trustees commissioned an independent report on bullying in November 2008. The report, released in late January 2009, identified a culture of bullying amongst students in the school's hostel, although the school's board of trustees disputed some of the report's findings. However a recent Education Review Office review of the school did not highlight any bullying issues, and gave the school a positive report.Notable alumni
Many successful men have come from the school, including Australian Idol winner Stan WalkerStan Walker
Stan Walker , is an Australian recording artist and actor. In 2009, Walker was the winner on the seventh season of Australian Idol. He subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia....
, musicians Matt Thomas, Gareth Thomas, Hayden Chisholm
Hayden Chisholm
Hayden Chisholm is an New Zealand composer, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist....
and Leigh Kereopa, current Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy
Royal New Zealand Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
Rear Admiral Tony Parr
Tony Parr
Rear Admiral Tony Parr MVO is the current Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy.- Early life :Rear Admiral Parr was born in Wellington, New Zealand. He was Raised in Fiji and attended New Plymouth Boys' High School as a boarder...
, and 24 All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
. New Plymouth Boys' High Schools sporting teams and musical groups have large reputations nationally and in some cases internationally.