Our school has recently concluded a very positive external review conducted by the Education Review Office. For us, this was a chance to be critically examined across all areas of our curriculum by a group of outside experts whose primary focus was on the achievement, engagement and success of students from Year 9 through to Year 13.
This external review confirmed, and indeed, affirmed a wide ranging culture of totally positive young men-staff interactions. The review clearly highlighted the tremendous pride that all of our young men have in their school. We are all proud of our school, its achievements, and most importantly the “can do “culture that is expounded in our school motto: Virtus repulsae nescia. Courage knows no defeat. Kia Kaha, Kia toa, Kia Manawanui. What this external review did not say is “there is nothing else to be done “.
In just one year, since the last Gisborne Boys’ High School Prospectus was produced, there has been a quite astonishing array of changes in teaching and learning across all sectors of New Zealand education. For us, these changes simply represent a challenge to be taken up and conquered. We do not necessarily come out on top of all of these
challenges, but we are prepared to put all of our skills, commitment, passion, energy, and effort into never accepting second best. This too was a positive comment that was
expressed by the Education Review Officers. If there is one thing that has become obvious to all our school community, it is that the core business of Gisborne Boys’ High School must be the teaching and learning of young men.
Their achievement, engagement, and success cannot just be measured in terms of academic parameters, but must also be measured in such “ outside of the classroom “ teaching and learning, as found in the choir, outdoor pursuits, drama, basketball, soccer, rugby, debating and kapa haka, to name a few.
There is no doubt for all of us, young men and their teachers, that academic teaching and learning must be at the top of our focus. This academic focus is founded on a wide
ranging curriculum that is continually reviewed and developed to ensure that all young men are able to engage and achieve not only at their level but also according to their needs. Expectations to be the best that an individual possibly can be are constantly put in front of both young men and staff.
While our curriculum offers teaching and learning in traditional courses of study such as English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, and all the other subjects shown
in the curriculum page of this prospectus, we have worked hard to develop and successful implement teaching and learning courses of study in construction, engineering, catering, whakairo, technology, outdoor pursuits, Gateway and STAR programmes. Being the best school for young men in Tairawhiti requires both tradition and forward thinking.
Our school has a traditional set of values that will never diminish as time marches forward. All of us, young men, teaching and support staff, base all teaching and learning on the ageless values of honesty, respect, responsibility, self motivation, courage and reliability. We support these values with programmes such as Te Kotahitanga, Tu Tane, Peer Support, Senior Leadership. and priceless taonga. Their contribution and willingness to be Gisborne Boys’ High School young men is very special and significant. Our school is these young men. They deserve our whole school community’s total support and care. We leave no stone unturned in ensuring that every young man of every ability, culture, and personal skills and qualities is happy, safe and positively engaged in learning.
We are very fortunate to have facilities that are simply the best for teaching and learning. Our new gymnasium/sports complex, ongoing modification of teaching and learning spaces, Te Aomarama, our outdoor teaching and learning facility, along with modern up to date facilities such as the library and technology suite, are all physical resources that ensure that young men have the ability and spaces to engage, achieve and succeed.
It was great to receive such a positive Education Review Office report. At Gisborne Boys’ High School, we are not prepared to sit back and bask in these excellent external review findings. There is work to be done!
Our young men and your young man are both our strength and focus. Our choice is to continue to be the best school for young men. Your choice is to want him to be a Gisborne Boys’ High School young man.
G.H. Mackle
Principal