2023 Winter 'Play the Game' magazine

Play the Game

Mihi Whakatau

Centenary Celebrations

Ballantyne House

Science of Reading

A values-based culture

Outdoor Education

Play on! Production

Centenary Art Exhibition

Swimming Sports

Exchanges

Cross Country

Old Boys’ Reunions

Congratulations to our 2023 Scholarship Winners.

Top row: Angus Schmack, Sports Scholarship to St Andrew’s College; Beau Terpstra, Executive Principal’s Scholarship to Christ’s College; Nitin Keswani, Academic Scholarship to Christ’s College; Hugo Bush, Christ’s College Old Boys’ Association Scholarship to Christ’s College.

Middle Row: Will Glassey, Sports Scholarship to Christ’s College; Zac Hibbs, Sport’s Scholarship to St Andrew’s College; George Greig, Field-Dodgson Choral Scholarship to Christ’s College; George Wood, Sports Scholarship to Christ’s College.

Front Row: Siyuan Wang, Year 6 Medbury School Music Scholarship; Andy Li, Music Scholarship to St Andrew’s College; Ollie Gordon, General Excellence Scholarship to Christ’s College; Oscar Cutler, Regional Boarding Scholarship to Christ’s College.

I have always thought that the opportunity to educate other people’s children is a rare privilege that also brings with it huge responsibility. Luckily, at Medbury the responsibility comes easily as the boys are such a pleasure to work alongside, and this has been so evident in a very full first half of our Centenary year. As we look back over the many and varied accomplishments that have made up the past two terms, it is sometimes necessary to pinch oneself to believe the vast array of activities that take place at Medbury.

A quick scan of the year to date sees teaching and learning, of course, at the top of the tree. Of course learning does not just happen in the classroom, and learning activities to date have included Year 6 visits to Kate Sheppard House, the World Vision Junior Youth Conference, Future Problem Solving, Year 3 and Year 4 visits to the Court Theatre and the Christchurch School of Gymnastics, the Year 5 trip to Ferrymead Historic Park, to

name just a few. Our experiential learning through outdoor education experiences have seen all boys in Years 5, 6 and 7 attend camp weeks at various venues. These experiences build positive relationships and develop skills like resilience and teamwork which turbo charge learning back in the school and classroom environment.

As you would expect, sport and culture also feature highly in our all-round holistic offering and the summer and winter sports codes have all competed with success in the first part of the year. We have seen our boys compete exceptionally well in the traditional school exchanges during Term 1 and as I write, our winter sports teams and codes are punching well above their weight, and there have been some outstanding individual and team performances. The Term 1 Swimming Sports and recent Cross Country events were outstanding, with great competition and lots of community support.

Culturally, the focus has been dominated by our Centenary production, ‘Play On’, an outstanding whole school extravaganza showcasing the talents of literally everybody at Medbury, from boys to staff. Performed over two full house evenings to over one thousand spectators, ‘Play On’ epitomised the Medbury spirit and what can be accomplished with teamwork and enthusiasm. Music, too, has been in the spotlight, with our Chorister’s and various bands and groups performing at an array of

events from Centenary Reunions to Church services. Mana Kapa Haka is also thriving, and a huge group is working hard to prepare for the Tuhono festival event which takes place in Term 4 this year.

We have all heard the statistics that those currently at school are likely to have much longer working lives than their parents’ generation. They will end up doing multiple jobs and a lot of those jobs either have not been thought of yet or will be done in very different ways to how they are currently. Of course employers want, or even require, young people to obtain their ‘tickets’ to the next stage of education or of life and, as you know, those ‘tickets’ generally come in the form of examination results. The ‘tickets’ are, in themselves, unimportant, however. They are stamped on the way in, and then often discarded. What we want for our boys at Medbury, is that they flourish on the journey that follows. This means that a broad and holistic approach to education is more important than ever and I see it as our responsibility to bring out our boys’ talents, to broaden their interests and to develop their personal qualities. I am sure that you will agree with me that this first half of 2023 has done just that and more. Medbury is about the education of the whole boy, and as you have read, the opportunities are endless.

Play the Game.

Noho ora mai.

On Monday 30 January 2023, on a warm day out on The Avenue, we welcomed the new boys, new staff and the new Headmaster, Mr Scott. There were eight staff and two students who attended from Mr Scott’s previous school, Kristin School in Auckland.

The Mihi Whakatau’s start was signalled with the sound of the Conch, followed by Mrs Mahon and Mrs Cathcart’s Karanga.

Mana Kapa Haka performed the haka powhiri, led by the Co-Heads of Kapa Haka, Zac Hibbs and Samuel Moggie, then they led the School in the School Haka.

Matua Maaka then said a karakia, followed by everyone singing He Honore.

Korero and waiata followed then Matua Maaka handed the toki to the manuhiri (visitors) to speak.

Mr Scott said “he honore tera, it was an honour to be formally welcomed by the boys and staff of Medbury School. What made it really special for me was having my former colleagues and student representatives from Kristin present to witness this occasion”.

This was a great first day and start to the year, marking the beginning of the Centenary year.

“He honore tera, it was an honour to be formally welcomed by the boys and staff of Medbury School.”

Throughout the Centenary day there were many fabulous events. The photos to the right are of the Founders Day Service, and overleaf are photos of the Opening of Ballantyne House, and the Gala Dinner.

The Founders Day Service was a fantastic morning where many Old Boys from Medbury had a trip down memory lane and got to revisit their former school and join all the current Medbury boys in a service that celebrated 100 years of Medbury being open. The Choristers led the singing and there were many great prayers and readings throughout the service. To conclude the service, the youngest boy at Medbury, Louis Mackenzie, and the oldest former Medbury boy, Mr John Rutherford, cut a fabulous triple layered cake. The boys all received a Centenary cupcake for morning tea.

Later that day, there was the Official Opening of the newly refurbished historic Ballantyne House. George Forbes, the Chairman of the Foundation, spoke and introduced Richard Ballantyne, who cut the ribbon and gave a speech. The Jazz band played and guests could tour Ballantyne House.

To conclude the amazing Centenary day there was a Gala Dinner in the evening where Jason Gunn was the Master of Ceremonies. He talked about his son’s time at Medbury and shared many hilarious stories with us all. After Jason finished speaking, the four Head Boys read a poem from the ‘Ink Stains’ written in the 1950s by Old Boy Stephen Scott. There was also live entertainment provided by the ‘Starlets’. Finally, to wrap up the evening, Former Medbury Boy, Oscar Stove sang ‘Time to say goodbye’.

We would like to thank The Oxford Group, Two Rivers, Southern Alps Brewing Co and Hey Hey for their sponsorship, which helped make the evening a great success.

All in all, everyone who came to an event throughout the day had a fabulous time celebrating 100 years of Medbury and will remember this day for the rest of their lives.

Centenary Celebrations commenced on Thursday 9 February 2023.

Each skill represents a vital strand.

Science of Reading

This year, Medbury has embraced the development of Science of Reading school wide. Many of you will be familiar with the term Structured Literacy. It can be defined as an educational approach that focuses on teaching literacy skills in a systematic and explicit manner. It is designed to help our boys develop strong foundational skills in reading, writing, and spelling. The term Structured Literacy, from the Orton-Gillingham approach, has been used for many years to support individuals with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. Work from renowned scientist Stanislas Dehaene, combined with the advancement of technology has given insight into

understanding the brain and how we learn to read. We now know that while we are prewired to speak and listen, we are not wired to read.

Learning to read is, in fact, a complex process that involves several key skills and stages. Pre-reading skills: Before formally learning to read, our boys develop skills that form the foundation for reading readiness. It is vital for our boys to understand that print carries meaning and to develop their phonological awareness (the ability to identify and manipulate sounds in spoken language.

Alphabetic principle: Phonics is a fundamental part of learning to read. It teaches the relationship between letters (graphemes) and

sounds (phonemes). We learn to associate individual letters or groups of letters with specific sounds. We have 26 letters in the alphabet, making 44 different sounds.

Vocabulary Development: Building a strong vocabulary is crucial for reading comprehension. We can support the expansion of word knowledge through multiple exposures to a wide range of spoken and written language. This includes reading books, engaging in conversations, and participating in languagerich activities.

Fluency: Fluency refers to the ability to read with accuracy, speed, and expression. Fluency develops as our boys practise

reading regularly, building their word recognition skills and comprehension abilities. Reading aloud, paired reading, and repeated reading are all ways we can help improve fluency.

Comprehension: Reading comprehension involves understanding and making meaning from text. Boys learn to extract information, make inferences, identify the main idea and connect ideas within and across sentences and paragraphs. Comprehension skills are developed through explicit instruction, guided practice and independent reading.

Reading Engagement:

Encouraging a love for reading is vital for continued growth as

a reader. Providing access to a variety of reading materials, such as books, magazines and online resources, helps foster a lifelong reading habit. Encouraging discussions about books, modelling reading behaviour and creating a positive reading environment can enhance engagement.

In order for our boys to be successful, the above skills need to be fully accessible to each child. As shown in Scarborough’s Reading Rope, each skill represents a vital strand. Once acquired and woven together tightly, our boys will be able to fully decode and encode.

Some boys make neural connections with only a few

repetitions. Their neural pathways develop quicker. For others, they need many repetitions of sounds and spelling concepts to develop their neural connections.

At Medbury, our Structured Literacy instruction follows a sequential and cumulative approach, breaking down language skills into smaller, manageable parts.

By using this approach at Medbury, we are ensuring that no boy’s learning is left to chance and every opportunity is sought to unlock their full potential. Medbury we are ensuring th

Prioritising and fostering a strong culture.

An essential component

Culture has long played a vital role in shaping the identity of Medbury School. Culture is one of the pillars that has defined us and guided us for the past 100 years. We know that boys thrive in a culture that understands, accepts and celebrates them for who they are.

First and foremost, Medbury’s values-based culture fosters an environment of excellence. Our culture emphasizes the value of academic achievement and encourages boys to strive for their best. We know that boys need teachers who have an intimate understanding of boys’ learning and this in turn helps to shape our culture. In some schools, boys are assumed to be having behavioural problems or lacking

in concentration just because they are not always good at sitting still and listening. We know that boys are physical – they like to move around. They like handson learning. Boys are naturally energetic and can often be quite noisy. But that doesn’t mean they are not learning. We know that this is the way boys are, and tailor our teaching around it.

We also understand the requirement for a culture that celebrates the unique ways boys interact with one another and challenge each other and that offers activities that allow them to build a clear sense of their own capabilities and those of their peers. At its heart Medbury’s culture allows boys to simply be themselves without having to play

the part they think they have to play to impress others.

We also believe that boys need to belong to a positive masculine culture to discover and gain confidence in their own unique abilities to find their individual form of success as young men. Our culture also promotes strong social and emotional development. We place a high value on the importance of positive relationships and encourage all of our boys to build positive connections with their peers, teachers and the Medbury community. This culture of inclusivity and respect creates a supportive environment that allows boys to feel safe, valued, and accepted. This, in turn, promotes a healthy sense of self-esteem

and well-being, which is crucial for their academic and personal success.

Our founding Christian values, and focus on the importance of community service and seeing leadership as service to others, also set our boys apart. We instill in all of our boys the importance of taking responsibility for their actions and being accountable for their decisions. This culture of accountability promotes a sense of maturity and independence in boys, be they 5 years old or 13 years old, and allows them to take ownership of their learning and personal growth.

As we celebrate our Centenary, our culture also emphasises the importance of creativity, innovation and critical thinking.

We value diversity and the unique perspectives and talents of all of our boys and encourage them to express their creativity and ideas through our holistic educational offering. By fostering a culture of innovation and creativity we give our boys licence to think outside the box and develop skills that will prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century.

To conclude, it is crystal clear to me that culture is an essential component of Medbury’s identity. Our culture is multi-faceted and promotes academic excellence, social and emotional well-being, responsibility and accountability, creativity and innovation. These values create a supportive environment that nurtures the growth and development of

our boys and prepares them for success in all aspects of life. By prioritising and fostering a strong culture, Medbury has become a leader in preparatory education, producing boys who are wellrounded, resilient and capable of making positive contributions to the world and understand the true meaning of our Play the Game ethos.

Year 6 Science and Technology Evening

We started off the Year 6 Technology evening by joining teams with friends and their parents. The technology challenge was then described to us by Mr Taylor, and the materials were handed out.

The task was to build the strongest and longest bridge out of newspaper, sellotape and string, that could support a weighted car. It seemed like a very small amount of newspaper and we were

wondering how we would do it. Our group spent a while planning how we would build our creation. We then settled on a grand idea and set to building. The dads in our group were on constructing, while myself and my friends were newspaper rollers and sellotape cutters.

Near the end, our bridge was starting to look a bit like an elephant, but it was really strong. At the closing, we did our finishing

touches while the judges went around and trialled the bridges and tallied everyone’s points. We were really surprised by who won, it was completely different to who we thought it would be!

It was a fun experience to have with our friends and family and we are grateful to Mr Taylor and Mr Collins for organising it.

A School Boy Memory?

Being in Standard 4 (Year 6) and doing a play for the school assembly. I was Jonah Lomu. My teacher always encouraged me to be myself and add humour. I loved doing plays for assembly. Most outrageous thing attempted?

While on a 20-day trip of Europe, I was brave enough to paraglide in Switzerland. It was very scary but exciting at the same time. Advice would you give to your 10-year-old self?

Try a bit harder with your handwriting, be grateful for what you have, be patient and a number 3 all over is not the best idea for a haircut.

Unique cultural experience?

While searching for our wedding venue in Cape Town, South Africa, my wife and I went on a safari. We saw the big 5 and were not disappointed. Amazing to see lions up close but extremely dangerous at the same time.

A School Boy Memory?

Being 8 years old at boarding school and being woken up by a bell, rushing up into P.E. uniform, making my bed with hospital tucks, going for a run around the field and then coming back to a cold shower, all before breakfast.

Weirdest thing you have eaten?

In 2011 I started a carnivores’ club with a group of guys I taught with in Qatar. We would have a monthly ‘meating’ where the entrée, main and desert all had to be meat dishes. Some of the more interesting ones were frogs legs, snails, ostrich and camel.

Advice would you give to your 12-year-old self?

Wear deodorant, brush your teeth after every meal, work hard and be respectful.

Unique cultural experience?

Going to the camel races in Doha, Qatar. The spectators drive the inside of the track in their own cars while watching the camels and cheering. The owners are on the outside of the track in their cars, leaning out the window while using a remote control to operate a robot jockey that is fixed to the back of the camel.

We asked Brad Khemarangsan in 5M and Tom Wilson in 8R to interview their teacher to find out some interesting facts....

Year 5 Camp at Living Springs

We asked the Year 5 boys to share some of their ‘moment in time’ writing, using the five senses.

A Big BANG!

My heart was pounding as soon as the archery battle started. Lining up, I knew I hit the jackpot with sharpshooters; Mr Ogston, Archie, Albie, Tommy, Max, Daniel and Oscar in my team. BANG! My friends went down one by one. Suddenly I felt the arrows woosh past my face. My ears rattled from the loud music. I taste victory as I let my arrow go. BOOM! Then, silence as the target crashes to the ground. Quickly my teammates run to me and cheer. We have proudly won the battle.

Tripping onto dirt

Slowly but unsteadily I walk up the hill, feeling dazed after running for what seems like a decade!

“Rabies, rabies is coming,” Spencer shrieks. It hits me!

Now I’m running down the bumpy hill quickly but unsteadily - it’s too much for me. I have to stop. I have collected all the food and water stamps but now I am fighting to survive. Breathing heavily and trying to think to

myself - I lean on a tree. Oh no, rabies is here again.

“Aaaaah” I run away and don’t see a metal wire which I instantly trip over. Crash! Bang! Oh no, I might be caught, or will I?

Dani Munns, 5O

Zipline and Monorail

Zipline: I was waiting in line and felt super scared, I had a tonne of adrenaline. Then I clipped on and heard 3…2…1! I was off. It wasn’t too bad, and I could feel wind blowing against me but at the end I flew up and went back to the middle. I could hear crickets even though they were probably 200m beneath me.

Monorail: As I tiredly climbed the hill, I could see how steep the track really was. I could feel the adrenaline rush through me while I waited in line, but I was determined to do it. I was only third in line, the first two people went and both were screaming all the way down. The cart was placed on the track, and they put the seat belt on… and I was off. The first corner, the cart jerked around then I was at the drop it felt like I was flying. Then I made it to the end with the biggest grin on my face. All I wanted to do was ride it over and over and over and

over and over again. I sprinted up the hill so I could do it again.

The Terrifying Monorail

As I climbed up the steep mountain, I saw the Monorail. When I got up, I could see the amazing view. I can smell the fresh air. I look down at the Monorail. What! That is so high! I feel my heart drop.

All I can see is fear. A few kids go on. I am not sure if I should go on. I hear that the Monorail is very fun.

As I climb on the Monorail I feel the cold handle. I can see everything from up here!

As the Monorail moves, I feel my insides shake.

I feel like I am going to fall off. I can feel the wind blast on my face. I can see the amazing ocean!

As I come to a stop, I feel terrified. It was the most terrifying experience of my life. Suddenly a big grin appears on my face.

I want to go again!

“Aaaaah” I run away and don’t see a metal wire which I instantly trip over. Crash! Bang! Oh no, I might be caught, or will I?

Year 6 Camp at Wainui Heights

On 12-14 February, the Year 6 boys, teachers and parents travelled on a bus to Wainui Camp. First, we stopped at Little River for a short break. Once we arrived at Wainui, we started our rotation of activities. All boys completed a number of water and forest tasks, such as coasteering and archery. There were many other exciting games like ‘Colours’

as well. The weather held out until our final day when a cyclone arrived, and we were forced to go back to school early. It was a fun filled camp that we thoroughly enjoyed.

Camp Moment in Time: Colours

“Whizz!”, the engine of the clamouring car was working disputably. Mrs Metcalfe was busily driving us to the towering, enormous rock called “Papa Bear”. Before we went to the rock, the professional instructor had taught us about the ancient volcano that had formed the monumental crater that we were about to swim in.

“Splash!” Jack jumped into the freezing subtemperature water with might. The cold, jittery water froze his nerves. I shouted “Good job!” to him as he swam up to the shore. He clapped my hand with joy.

Soon it was my turn. I was as fearful as a bee trying to sting. The coach told me not to worry and that I would not be injured. I took a deep breath….but I couldn’t do it, I froze right on the spot! What would happen next? The rock was almost three times my height. The patient, kind instructor showed all of us again how to jump in safely in and without nerves. I finally mustered up the courage and believed in myself. I closed my eyes, and my legs slowly began to move. A moment of silence calmed my whirring brain. “Splash!” I did it, I jumped off Papa Bear! The numbing water enveloped me, and the seaweed bumped against my sides.

It was a very tiring day. I was proud of myself and all the other boys. It was an amazing experience.

Camp Moment in Time: Kayaking

A powerful green bomb whizzed past my eyes like a missile missing its target. As the salty substance shone like a clean sheet of glass, my kayak sliced through the dark ocean. The seagulls were an air-raid siren as they squealed in mid-air. Some seaweed floated sadly on the sea’s surface as my kayak drifted past.

Suddenly, my kayak was enraged as another kayak attempted to capsize it. The salty air grabbed at my lungs. I suddenly realised the temperature, as the clouds blackened like a frostbitten hand. Supersonic icy winds stabbed their frozen spears at me. The white clouds disappeared like phantoms at night.

Violent rain pelted down like a ferocious meteor shower. Salty water burned through my mouth. The

brainwashing rhythm of the waves charging at my kayak engraved itself in my head.

I will never forget kayaking at camp and the experience of zooming through the water like a torpedo. I can’t wait to go kayaking again.

Noah Zhang, 6P

Camp Moment in Time: Kayaking

As I opened my eyes, I heard the rain drizzling on the roof. It was 5:47 a.m., and I was ready for another exciting day at YMCA camp. After everyone woke up and had breakfast, we headed straight for the kayaks. All I could think of was how cold it would be. Would it be as cold as Antarctica?

Splash, Splash. The paddles were smacking the water as we played jewellery hunt. People stole all our gems so we were defeated and excited about revenge. But time had run out.

Heading back towards the start, a huge face appeared in the rocks and was looking right at us, from its perch on a rock by the deep, damp cave. Once inside the jaws of the monster’s mouth made my buddy shiver like leaves on a winter’s day. Plunging deeper and deeper, we finally reached the end and relief flowed over me like a warm blanket.

Together we paddled to a floating platform and jumped off it excitedly and, as the icy water soaked through to our skin, we climbed back into the kayaks and returned to safety.

What an experience! This was such a moment to treasure forever.

Year 7 Camp at Hanmer Springs

Let’s ask some boys from 7M, 7B, 7W and 7O to tell us a bit about what happened on Year 7 Camp....

Day 1

On 8 May all of Year 7 hopped on to two buses and were off to Hanmer Springs for camp. The bus ride was quite long, although we had a break at Culverden. Once all of us arrived, the bags and suitcases were unpacked from under the bus. We were given a briefing, then went to our rooms. After settling into our rooms, it was time for the first activities! The range of activities included Mountain Biking, Tree Climbing, a Puzzle Hunt and Archery. Back from the fun and tiring first

activities, there was now some free time. After the free time it was time for dinner. Dinner was being catered by Rusty Carrot. Finally, it was time for sleep, where many people slept less than usual!

Day 2

We woke up and had breakfast, which was nice and yummy. Then we all had to go our groups and start to do the activities. After that we had lunch then we went to the pools and hot pools, But before that, we had to walk all the way down from camp to the pools and it was a long way down. When we got there a person showed us where we were allowed to go and not allowed to go. Most boys went to the pools while others

went on the water slides. We had some fun then we went back to the campgrounds and had dinner. After dinner it was really quiet for the rest of night, but some groups of people (totally not the teachers) were very loud.

Day 3

It was day 3. We had breakfast as usual. After breakfast we could play but we had to tidy our rooms and leave our bags outside. After more play time, it was time for the final activity, then it was time to go back to school.

Tree Climbing Puzzle Hunt

In Week 3 we went to Hanmer Springs for our camp which is definitely something to look forward to when you come into Year 7, as it is some of the most fun we have ever had.

We had a long one-and-a-halfhour drive, but it was fun getting to Culverden. We got to stretch our legs at the local park and we had a fun time eating our food and exercising a bit. We had to have another ten-minute drive until we arrived at camp. We got to see our cabins and hangout with our cabin mates before we did our first activity which was tree climbing...

Freddy and Raphe’s creative writing about their experiences...

Scratch, Scratch. Fully buckled up, babbling nervously but way too excited with our pumped up friends. Grab our massive helmets, it’s on! We get into tiny groups in dignified army-like clusters. One of our good friends is up first, he looks up the towering pine tree.

He starts climbing sluggishly up the menacing tree, he is going perfectly well, but wait! He got stuck. Here comes the big boy, the

instructor! Gus screams out in a worried cry, thinking he is going to fall off. This is where the instructor comes in handy. He gives the thick hard rope a big tug, Gus goes flying into the air! Phweeeeeeee and he is on the next lot of branches. A bit of tough climbing later, he makes it to the top and he feels like he is on the top of the world. We lower him down slowly.

Oh, oh, it’s my turn. Wobble wobble, knees shaking uncontrollably as I start THE TORMENTING CLIMB! Climbing up as slow as a slug, suddenly my hand slipped and I fell, or did I? I was just floating there, it was relaxing for a moment, then I realised I have to get back up. Fearing looking down as my group cheers insanely loud for me to keep climbing.

After a 10-minute drive from camp to the town, we arrived. The instructor informed us about our mission then we picked our groups and were handed all our items which consisted of an Ipad, notepad, pen and a poster with instructions.

We all raced towards the checkpoint in a rush to try to beat the other teams, ipad in hand. Some teams quickly fell behind but still sprinted to the checkpoint. When we arrived at our first checkpoint, we immediately scanned the barcode at a specific location. After that we were handed our second task. Our group was slightly in front of every other group, so we zoomed to the next checkpoint.

This continued for two more hours until we finished all our tasks

“Gus goes flying into the air! Phweeeeeeee and he is on the next lot of branches...”

Play On!

On 14 and 15 June, the production ‘Play On’ was presented at the Christ’s College Auditorium, performed by every student in the school and almost every staff member.

Each Year 8 class was assigned two decades, with the Year 7 classes to help back up the Year 8 boys. The overarching frame of the production was looking at Medbury through the eyes of boys who have been here throughout the decades. This year’s production has been the most momentous production in Medbury’s history, with the aim of making the School’s Centenary celebration awesome.

Behind the scenes, it was an exhausting and lengthy process; it started AGES ago, in Term 3 of 2022.

Alessio Barlozzi-Knothe (Deputy Head of Drama)

and I (Hugo Bush) were cast with ten Year 7’s as the main characters: the Time Travellers! Our team had Thursday options to rehearse, so we needed to work hard and fast and practise heaps at home. This year, 2023, we have had even more practices, so we had to make sacrifices. But we managed to figure it out along the way and as we got closer to the production, we found that the jigsaw pieces were coming together.

Like an iceberg, the show looked amazing on top, but it was an absolute mess behind the scenes. To make this show really pop, we had to layer it with props organising, costume making, rehearsals, sound effects and script writing.

Oscar Lucioni (Head of Props) was a massive help with all the props; he suffered through meetings and lunchtimes just to help us. Many thanks to the behind-the-scenes team; Mrs Keleghan had to make and fit over 400 costumes and props! Mr Durant with all the organisation, and Jeffery Bergin and Harrison Ballantyne were busy every lunch, morning tea and before school finding and making props, labelling them and moving them.

A month before the show, all the Time Travellers were going absolutely crazy from stress due to trying to remember all their lines. We didn’t get heaps of breaks on Thursday afternoon practices that were two hours long. We would have to be bribed with chocolate from Mr Wilson. And the silly fun we had jumping up and down, off the ground trying to speed run our lines at 1000 miles per hour. It feels like now, after it’s finished, it’s a relief, and even though there were a few mistakes here and there, it managed to come together. And seeing all the boys’ excitement on stage made me burst with joy.

The most momentous production in Medbury’s history...

Mana Kapa Haka Workshops with Selwyn House

The Mana Kapa Haka workshops are held for a combined group from Medbury School and Selwyn House School. The two schools work together to have fun and embrace the culture of Kapa Haka.

Both schools have Kapa Haka practices separately every week but have a workshop together every last weekend of each holidays either at Selwyn House or at Medbury. The workshops usually last from 10.00am to 4.30pm. The Mana Kapa Haka group is brought together to experience, learn

about, embrace and perform this culture. The Kapa Haka teacher, Maaka Kahukuranui, teaches both schools in their own time, and organises all the weekend workshops that happen, with the help of some staff from both Medbury and Selwyn House. The Mana Kapa Haka group have great friendships with each other, and this is a way for your son to get more involved with New Zealand culture and have a good group of friends.

Musical discovery

The Junior and Lower Middle School Music Showcases held in Term 1 demonstrated how music is taught in the Junior and Lower Middle School using Kodály inspired teaching.

This approach is based on the work of Hungarian educator Zoltan Kodály who believed that musical instruction should reflect the way that children learn naturally. Through singing games, fun and play, the child discovers the musical elements as they are presented sequentially and can enter the world of music through the creative development of the ear and the eye.

Loren Easterbrook has been training in this approach since 2015 and has completed levels in both Primary and Secondary teaching.

On the following page, William Fleetwood shares his experiences of the Lower Middle School Music Showcase with us.

“The two schools work together to have fun and embrace the culture of kapa haka.”

Junior and Lower Middle School Music Showcases

On Tuesday morning we had a music showcase with 3S, 3E, 4B, and 4P involved. A number of parents came to support us. During the show, the Year 4’s joined together to sing a ‘Hello’ song and the Year 3’s, the ‘Bow Wow Wow’ song. 4B did the ‘Hi Lo Chickalo’ song, 4P, ‘Double Double’, 3S, ‘Cherry Tree’ and 3E, ‘Mix a Pancake’. I think we all enjoyed it and we had lots of fun. The audience was very well behaved, they were as silent as a mouse!

Some boys also played an individual piece on their instruments. The boys were Jayden Ban, Ryan Che, Leon Tian, Siran Wang and Alex Radecki. At the end of the show Miss Sutherland thanked Ms Easterbrook and Miss Holland for their hard work and time as well as all the Lower Middle School teachers. The parents went out to have some food, tea and coffee. The food was so good they

devoured it in seconds! They were talking to each other and eating and having lots of fun with friends and other parents.

I got home that day and my Mum said, “William you were so great at the Music Showcase today”. I was proud of myself, and my Mum was definitely too.

The Centenary Art Auction

On Friday 5 May, Medbury held an Art Auction to raise money for the Medbury Centennial Fund. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our talented artists, both young and old, in our Medbury Community.

Every boy created a masterpiece to be sold. There was a range of artwork from paintings, sculptures, clay creations and even drawings. A number of professional and emerging artists donated their work, and we are grateful for their contributions. Svetlana Orinko, Claire Elizabeth Turner, Lucy Mackie, Henry Hargreaves and Peter Mardon were some of our gifted donors.

The evening was well supported by parents and friends. It gave our community an opportunity to meet

Developing the whole child through art

Our art programme is designed to provide our students with a well-rounded education in the visual arts. We offer classes in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, digital art, ceramics, construction and more. Our classes are designed to be both challenging and engaging, and we encourage the boys to take creative risks and experiment with new techniques.

Art education at Medbury School goes beyond just making art. In addition to hands-on creative work, it also includes the study of famous artists and art movements, colour theory and design. By learning about different artists and styles of art, our students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around them. They learn how to analyse and interpret artwork and they gain an appreciation for the diverse perspectives and cultures that art represents.

Art education is not just about developing artistic skills, it is about developing the whole child. Studies have shown that art education can improve academic performance, as it fosters creativity, concentration and problem-solving skills that can be applied across all subject areas. Additionally, art education can promote self-confidence, selfexpression and empathy, which are important social-

and mingle whilst admiring the boys’ talents. Most of the artwork was sold and numerous bids were made on the donated pieces of art, raising over $19,000. Thank you to Head of Art, Mrs Sandra Johnson, for all her hard work preparing the boys’ artwork, and to Victoria Tait for organising the event. All in all, the evening was a wonderful success, and we look forward to more occasions in the future.

emotional skills. By offering a comprehensive art education programme, we are helping our students develop the skills they need to become successful and well-rounded individuals.

To conclude, art education is a critical part of our students’ education. It provides them with important skills, a deeper understanding of the world around them, a creative outlet for self-expression and time away from screens. Engaging in practical art activities, such as painting or drawing, can be a form of stress relief and can help boys relax and unwind. At Medbury School, we are proud to offer a comprehensive art education programme that provides our students with a range of experiences and opportunities to develop their creativity and skills.

Challenges and opportunities in Sport

Sport at Medbury is not about always being the best, it’s about being your best and bringing the best out in your teammates.

This saying has defined my time on the sports field at Medbury.

We are lucky to be at a school that offers so many sporting opportunities and where boys are encouraged to try something new even when it is out of their comfort zone.

Medbury offers a wide variety of summer and winter sports. From your traditional Kiwi classics like rugby and cricket, to your less traditional school sports like polo, fencing and karate. I have also enjoyed the academies the school has offered, and this has been a great chance to hone my skills with coaches from outside the School.

Learning and trying new sports is not only good for your

physical and mental health but for your team-building and communication and social skills. Sport at Medbury has been a great way to meet other teachers and form many lasting friendships with other boys. Not only has this happened at school but with children from across the country when competing at zones, during exchanges, and in representative sports outside of school such as Athletics and CJCA (Christchurch Junior Cricket Association).

It has always been great to see the boys supporting each other on Athletics Day, Swimming Sports, and during sports exchanges. Whether it be their housemates, classmates, or teammates there is always a strong level of support for each other.

I started at Medbury in Year 4 and ever since then have always enjoyed going out to watch the

sporting exchanges, hoping that one day I too could be out there representing my school. Now in Year 8, I’m finally playing in front of my school and loving the opportunities and challenges that come with it. Medbury boys always play sports with pride, humility, and perseverance.

Sport has played a massive part in my life at Medbury and I’m very thankful to all my coaches from over the years and to the Medbury sporting community for supporting me and my teammates and teaching us to always Play the Game!

Sam Scott, 8B, Head of Sport

“There is always a strong level of support for each other.”

Swimming Sports 2023

This year at the Swimming Sports we had some amazing results with eleven school records being broken - wow!

You can tell how much hard work has gone into it - not just the boys, it’s also the staff making it all possible with them putting so many hours in to make sure it goes smoothly.

We had some outstanding results. Whenever the boys did not get the place they wanted, they didn’t put their heads down - they were more than ready to have some fun and get ready for their next race.

A really big surprise was when the teachers came out in their swim gear and there were some big smiles, and the boys were laughing. We were having an awesome time with most of the boys chanting ‘Mr Bath, Mr Bath’!

We would like to congratulate the cup winners this year. In Year 3, Finlay Douglas; Year 4, Josh SomervilleSmith; Year 5, Louis Tian; Year 6, Toby Bush: Year 7 Sam Maxwell and Ollie Brown; and Year 8 Zac Hibbs.

Congratulations to these boys, and also to Ilam House, winners of the George Abbott Cup.

Zac Hibbs, 8D

Swimming at Medbury this year was an absolute blast! We had the ISSA and CPS competitions, things got pretty intense. But our teachers did a fantastic job of getting us ready for the challenges ahead.

To begin, we held prelims, with the top eight swimmers in each event advancing to the finals. Despite feeling exhausted after my 50m freestyle sprint, I managed to achieve a great time. Just as we were about to start the Year 8 relay, four of our teachers stormed into the pool area. We were all gob-smacked! But they wanted to join in the fun, and we couldn’t say no. The energy was electric as they entered, with Mr Bath doing a Manu that splashed to the ceiling and would have

made even the Olympic judges smile. And then it was time for the race. The students were up against the teachers, and let me tell you, it was chaos! But it was also so much fun, and we all cheered and laughed until our throats hurt. In the end, Hamilton emerged victorious in the Year 8 relay.

The ISSA competition was next, where we competed against other independent schools in Canterbury (Louis Tian, Brad Khemarangsan, Pax Read, Ollie Brown, Ryan Ma, Sam Maxwell, Zac Hibbs and I). I managed to come first place in both my events: 50m freestyle and butterfly. I couldn’t believe it!

The CPS competition was the big one, and I was so excited to qualify for the freestyle and butterfly events. Also attending were Louis Tian and Brad Khemarangsan. When I got to the Aquatic Centre, Mr Ogston was there to support me. I was a little nervous. But I had a perfect dive in both events, even though I messed up my turn during the butterfly. Still, I managed to come in second. And in the freestyle, I nailed it! I had a perfect finish and came in second again. The relay race was like something out of a sports movie. We teamed up with two swimmers from St Margaret’s College, and the tension was palpable as we took our positions on the pool deck. The starter’s gun went off, and I dove in. We pushed ourselves to the limit as we battled it out with the other teams. But in the end, it was our team that emerged victorious, leaving the competition in our wake. It was a moment of pure adrenaline and triumph that I’ll never forget!

I have to give a huge shout out to the Medbury staff who helped us get ready for the competitions. These memories will stay with me forever!

Tennis Exchanges

The Medbury Top 8 Tennis Team had an impressive season this year with great wins and some upsets.

Our first exchange was against our Christchurch friends, St Andrew’s College Preparatory School. We started off the exchange with a rain delay, but thankfully we only had to wait for 15 minutes, finally starting our games at 10.30am. We put up a close fight against their strong team, with many of our players having closely contested games. The final game of the day ended in a three-hour battle in 28º heat.

Roger Federer once said, “Tennis is a tough sport - there are no draws”, but in the case of the

last game, there was a draw as, unfortunately, the StAC bus had to leave, ending in StAC beating us overall.

One of the great things about exchanges is that you get to meet new people who enjoy the same hobby as you, people you have seen in different tournaments, and people you will maybe meet again in senior school. Exchanges also keep the fun element in sports, which is really what sports should be all about.

Our second exchange was with the North Island school Huntley. Huntley School is one of the oldest preparatory boarding schools in New Zealand and is in Marton, half an hour from Palmerston North.

“Exchanges also keep the fun element in sports, which is really what sports should be all about”.

It was founded in 1896 and after 117 years as a boys-only school, it became a co-ed school in 2014. Having boys (and girls) stay in our homes was one of the highlights of this exchange. We met our billets at Medbury on Sunday evening and I’m sure a few of us had some late nights up chatting!

The following morning it started to rain heavily and this time it decided to stay so we had to make the decision to go to Wilding Park for our tennis matches. This made it more exciting and also kept us dry. It was good to be able to play on hard courts.

It was a fun day, with Medbury winning most of our games. We

had pies for lunch and even got to play mini cricket while waiting to play our games. The games that we won, we won easily but Huntley put up a good fight against some of our players. When we were finished we headed back to Medbury in the mini-bus where our billets were collected to go to the airport. They gave us a gift of a jar of honey made at Huntley school which was cool.

In the end, we had a confident win against Huntley School.

Our last exchange against Cathedral Grammar didn’t go according to plan! We lost to their particularly strong team but there were some great games to watch.

They won in the end. As Rafael Nadal says “If you don’t lose, you cannot enjoy the victories. So you have to accept both things.” We accepted our loss but had a fantastic season of tennis.

Cricket Exchanges

The first season was a blast, but the most fun part of the season is the exchanges.

We first played St Andrew’s College Preparatory School on home ground. When StAC arrived, there was a 15-minute delay because of rain. All the boys were thrilled and excited to play, then the two captains came to the middle for the toss. The coin flew up and it hit the ground. StAC had called right and chose to bowl first. We had a quick warm up and both teams were ready for the first ball. The first runs came quickly as Medbury were 10 for none but then we lost a wicket. All the boys were anxious, but we still had good batters to come. After the first innings Medbury set a respectable score and the standout was Angus Schmack with his half century.

After a good lunch and some more warming up the boys got back to playing, with Medbury rolling StAC for a very low total. Next, we played Huntley School. Before the game we picked up our billets and they came home with us. This was fun as we hadn’t billeted anybody yet. Then, in the morning the rain took the show, and we did not play cricket until 2.00pm. We went to the indoor centre and had a blast. Even though it was indoors it was still so much fun. We played four games and both groups won and lost. We ended up drawing with Huntley. However our last exchange was coming up against Waihi School. We were sent into bat and then did not fool around, with another great score and another half century from Angus. We were

in the driving seat and we had bowled them out for below 50! We were excited and were proud of each other.

Then the Second XI took on Cathedral Grammar. It was a blast of a game, with almost everybody from Medbury scoring a half century. In the end Medbury won the game easily. The Medbury boys celebrated and Cathedral Grammar went home in defeat.

Cross Country

On Tuesday 16 May Medbury had the one and only Cross Country!

At 8.00am we lined up. When we got there my mind was going bonkers. Was I going to get the stitch? Was I going to pull a muscle? Well, pulling a muscle was off my list because we started stretching.

When I was on the starting line, I was nervous. Could you imagine a cheetah, and behind that cheetah was a rabbit, and behind that rabbit was a turtle, and behind that turtle was a snail, and behind that snail was me. My goal was to not get in the last three places. In the race I almost slipped seven times. At least it wasn’t raining like last time. At the end I came 23rd.

When I came back I was puffed!

Ryan Che, 4P

Results

Year 1

Medbury School Cup

George Shang 1st

Louis Mackenzie 2nd

Jordan Donaldson 3rd

Year 2

Howard Brothers Cup

Bobby Ferguson 1st

Bailey Gordon-Bhebe 2nd

Jayden Wang, Vance Stewart 3rd=

Year 3

Connolly Brothers Cup

Flynn Stratford-Bevins 1st

Levi Tucker 2nd

Ravi Morar 3rd

Year 4

On Tuesday 16 May, Medbury had their Cross country. We lined up, and walked to Fendalton Park. I was excited but at the same time it was nerve wracking. I loved the Autumn colours. I played with my friends and Mrs Erasmus did stretches with us.

Then Mr Ogston led us to the starting line. One minute later I was on the starting line. Mr Gilbert shouted “Ready, Set, Go!” Everybody blasted off like a rocket. Two or three minutes later I was tired out! But I still made it to the finish line. Mr Durant was cheering me. Every time someone passed me I would catch up again.

At the end I came 29th, Josh came 1st, Jayden came 2nd and Jackson came 3rd. It was nerve-wracking!

Junior School Cross Country Champion

Josh Somerville-Smith

Shang

Valentine

Year 5

Elworthy Family Cup Hudson Stratford-Bevins

George Alexander

Year 6

R. C. Rutherford Family Cup Jack Ferguson

Year 7

R. C. Rutherford Family Cup

Henry Ridd 1st Raphe Dacre 2nd

Dawson 3rd

Year 8

P.T.A. Senior Cross Country Champion

George Wood 1st

Joe Osborne 2nd Sam Ensor 3rd House Result Clyde 1st

“Everybody blasted off like a rocket...”

Medbury Triathlon and Duathlon and CPS Triathlon

The Medbury School Triathlon Championships were held on Friday 10 February, followed by the Duathlon Championships on Friday 3 March, both at Lake Crichton, Dunsandel. The Primary Sports

Canterbury Triathlon was held on Tuesday 14 March at Eyrewell Forest. We asked Harrison Tapper to write about his day at the PSC Triathlon below.

The day started on a crisp morning as we hurried to pack the bikes in the Medbury van to escape the cold. Following a one-and-a-half-hour drive along the backroads of Canterbury we arrived at the venue, a small man made lake on South Eyre road. By the time everyone unpacked their bikes the first race was about to start. As we settled down, we watched the Year 5 boys plunge into the ice cold water. After a few minutes, the juniors ascended from the lake to start the bike. Soon all the races had ticked by and it was my turn to start. All the Year 8 boys received their numbers and were briefed. Then it was time to get into the water. The cold shocked all of us at first but it got better as we started to swim. As soon as we trudged out of the water, we had to sprint down a hill to the transition area. The 10km bike ride had us all suffering after swimming so hard, as we fought

Duathlon results

Year 5

1st George Alexander

Year 6

1st Bruno Ash

2nd James Wilkinson

3rd Ted Jones

Year 7

1st Raphe Dacre

2nd Sam Maxwell

3rd Max Cosgriff

Year 8

1st Sam Ensor

2nd Sam Scott

3rd Tom Wilson

Senior Duathlon Champion

Olli Aitken Cup - Sam Ensor

Junior Duathlon Champion

Art Aitken Cup - Bruno Ash

desperately against the howling wind. Another quick transition later we were on to the run. Around this time I started to wish that I could go back to the swim, to cool off in the refreshing water. My calves started hurting as I questioned whether I could finish the race. Suddenly the finish line came into veiw and I made one last sprint for the finish line. I had made it!

Primary Sports Canterbury Triathlon

Triathlon results

Year 5

1st Hudson Stratford-Bevins

2nd Archer Douglas

3rd Orson Ma

Year 6

1st Bruno Ash

2nd William Valentine

3rd Ted Jones

Year 7

1st Sam Maxwell

2nd Raphe Dacre

3rd Max Cosgriff

Year 8

1st Harrison Tapper

2nd Zac Hibbs

3rd Tom Wilson

Senior Triathlon Champion

CD Robson Cup - Harrison Tapper

Junior Triathlon Champion

Schneideman Brothers Cup - Bruno Ash

PSC Triathlon

Year 5

4th Hudson Stratford-Bevins

Year 6

2nd Bruno Ash

3rd William Valentine

5th Ted Jones

Year 7

5th Raphe Dacre

8th Maxwell Appleman

Year 8

7th Harrison Tapper

Year 8 Surf Days at Sumner Gymnastics

In Week 2 of Term 2 all Years

3 and 4 students went to the Christchurch School of Gymnastics for four sessions. We travelled by bus to the Christchurch School of Gymnastics, and it took 30 minutes to get there. We broke into three groups and had different instructors. We did the beam, bars, the mat, the trampoline and the foam pit. My favourite activity was the foam pit because we could do flips into the pit. It was lots of fun.

It was a one hour lesson, and we did different activities at each session over the two weeks. We rotated three times in each lesson. Some activities were challenging but we tried our best. The instructors were really friendly and taught us lots of new skills. I hope we go there again.

“My favourite parts were trying to get up on the surfboard and finding pipi’s in the sand.”

Community and Family

Community Service at Medbury

It was a busy start to the year, with raising funds for Hereworth School in the North Island, after it was hit hard from the destruction of Cyclone Gabrielle.

As a school we managed to raise over a staggering $2,000 from our mufti day and Church services! A huge thank you to all the people who contributed.

World Vision’s focus this year is to raise funds for Malawi. At the World Vision Young Leader Conference in Term 2, that I attended with our House leaders (Nitin Keswani, Oscar Abbott, Will Glassey and Harrison Tapper), we learnt about the plight of people there and in particular how extremely difficult it is to get access to safe, clean drinking water.

After the conference, we set a goal of raising $12,000 to help the people of Malawi and planned a school wide event called ‘H2Go for Malawi!’

In parts of Africa and Asia, children carry water an average of 6km a day for their families.

On Friday 30 June, Medbury boys will be challenged to see how many 10 L buckets of water they can fill, walking 150m carrying a 250 ml cup of water. This proportionally simulates the distance walked and volume of water carried by children in rural communities. This will be a House challenge.

On the journey, there will be visual reminders of some of the dangers that children like nine-year-old

Madalidso will face as she fetches water for her family every day.

We also have a brave group of teachers and Year 8 leaders who have volunteered to have cold buckets of water tipped on them at lunchtime that day. By donating a certain amount to World Vision, boys can select a particular teacher or leader to tip a bucket on. This promises to be a very entertaining event!

Service of Remembrance, 1 May 2023

World War 2 started in 1939 and finished in 1945. It was a major world crisis with more than 100 million people that went to fight. The majority of them sadly died in battle.

The Allies who fought included Australia and New Zealand, known as the Anzacs. At the Medbury Service of Remembrance

we remember the Old Boys of Medbury who served their country, especially the 21 Old Boys who did not return.

George Greig, Head Chorister, sang the Australian National Anthem, followed by the Choristers singing the New Zealand National Anthem. We all sang ‘I vow to thee my Country’ and Ollie

Gordon, Head Boy, read the Roll of Honour. Fletcher McNeill played the bagpipes during the laying of a wreath, and after, Miss Holland played ‘The Last Post’, the Choristers Sang the anthem ‘The Poppy and Pohutukawa’.

J acob Carr, 8S, Head Boarder

From the Boarding House

Fishing Trip

Mr Black took us fishing to the Groynes and Laka Roto Kohatu. Before fishing, Toby, Angus, Billy, Thomas and I had to print our licences at school. At Lake Roto Kohatu, Thomas and Billy caught a fish in the first 30 minutes. I was the next to get one, then Thomas caught another one. After a couple of hours we had all caught a fish or two. Some of us lost lures in trees or on snags in the water. I was able to help rescue four of the boys’ lures; they were very pleased. By the end of the day we had landed 28 fish, all of them were released. We had such a great time and can’t wait to go back.

Before School Fitness

On Monday night Mr Devereux or Mrs Black ask if we want to do fitness or not, but of course I do it. We get up at 6.50am and get changed into togs or mufti. We either go swimming in the Summer, or go for a great morning run. I enjoy waking up in the morning and going for a run. It refreshes me for the day ahead. Sometimes we run around the University or through Fendalton Park with my mates and Mr Ogston. I recommend that you do morning fitness, because you get a lot fitter, you feel really good for the day ahead, and you get together with your mates.

A night out at ‘Peter Pan’

The Peter Pan performance was a big, fun, fantastic night in the Boarding House. We arrived on a bus at Christ’s College. There were hundreds of people there to watch the performances. Everyone in the Boarding House loved it. Our favourite bit was when they woke up from Peter Pan being in the room and then they took him to this land where the girl could sing to the pirates. Then we caught the bus back to the Boarding House. It was an enjoyable night and worth going.

An gus Orchard, 7W and Sam Coop, 7M

Laser Strike

Towards the end of Term 1, eight borders set off for an adventure at Laser Strike. This was an amazing activity because we all got to shoot each other but no-one was hurt. My favourite part was when I shot Mr Lloyd multiple times and he didn’t know that he was shot. At the end of the game I told him I was the main shooter. He was very surprised. I would rate it a ten out of ten. I think it was a great Boarding House trip.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking at McLeans Island was a big hit for the Boarding House weekend outings. It is nice and smooth with some whoops and a tunnel along the way. My favourite part is when we go to the pump track and see who gets the best time. For a treat sometimes Mr Ogston will get a Moro bar for each of the boys. One thing you don’t want to forget is your drink bottle.

Ice Skating

On the weekend Mr Black decided to take us on a cold ice rink outing where we learned to ice skate. We all shoved on our boots and helmets and got out there and tried our hardest not to get any broken bones or bruises. The lights turned colourful and the music was booming when we were skating around the rink. We had a game of spin the bottle and I was lucky enough to be able to win a little token to get free food from the cafe. Mr Black got us a cup of hot chips afterwards and we had a great time.

The Boarding House boys bring us up to date on some of the Boarding House activities during Term 1 and Term 2.

From the Trust Board

Medbury School’s Centenary year celebrations across 2023 have been a great success to date, with many opportunities for the community to come together and reflect on the School’s achievements over the past century.

It’s heartening to see the positive impact these events have had on bringing people closer and reinforcing a sense of shared purpose.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Dave Scott, our new Headmaster, for a successful first two terms leading our great school. His fresh ideas and energy

From the MPA

The Medbury Parents’ Association began 2023 hitting the ground running.

The second week back at school, the Centenary Gala dinner took place on The Medbury Green. What a wonderful night for those who attended. Utilising the marquee on the lawn, we followed that event by holding our special ‘Centenary Edition’ Breakfast with the Boys. Jason and Louis Gunn, as our guest’s speakers, spoke to the boys and parents around goal setting and challenges for young men and having a good attitude. A different direction from previous events and a great message for the boys to start a new year of learning and challenging themselves. Another successful event to start the year off, along with Term One’s sausage sizzle.

have already made an instant impact, and we’re excited to see how his leadership will shape the School’s future. It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate new leadership, and we’re fortunate to have someone as dedicated and committed as Dave in this role. As the year progresses, we look forward to more opportunities to come together and celebrate Medbury School’s rich history and bright future under Dave’s leadership.

The focus for 2023 will be raising funds to put towards the Stephen Scott Memorial Pavilion. We have a number of exciting events planned for the remainder of the year. Our second Breakfast with the Boys is coming up in August, and our major annual fundraising event, which we are bringing back to school, in September. Keep an eye out for our plans for the Centenary Twilight Market, to take place in November.

As always, thank you to those who take their time assist with our events and also those who support them. We look forward to seeing you in 2023.

Advancement Update

Medbury is continuing its strong tradition of giving back to future generations, and building on the generosity of donors over the past 100 years.

Our wider Medbury community were out in force to support the recent Centenary Art Auction, which raised over $19,000.00 for the Medbury Centennial Fund. We were so delighted to receive an artistic contribution from every boy, from Year 1 through to Year 8. Their generosity will make a significant impact on future generations of Medbury boys.

The funds raised through the auction will be allocated towards various important initiatives at Medbury, including the redevelopment of the Stephen Scott Memorial Pavilion (architects impression far right), that will become a multi-purpose building for sporting and cultural events.

We are also thrilled to announce a new partnership that will drive us to success — an exclusive vehicle sponsorship arrangement with

Christchurch European.

Formed in 2006, Christchurch European has established itself with a New Zealand-wide reputation of providing the best selection of late model and competitively priced luxury European motoring. Their values of integrity and excellence are a natural fit with Medbury School.

We are extremely grateful to Old Boys Niki Mills and Michael Mills and past parent Simon Beirne, for giving back to Medbury. As we embark on this exciting journey together, we are confident that this partnership will pave the way for extraordinary opportunities and memorable experiences.

To learn more about the Medbury Centennial Fund, visit community. medbury.school.nz.

Exciting new partnership with Christchurch European announced.

From the Foundation

2023 has been a year of reconnection for many of our Medbury Community.

Celebrations in February kicked off a year of Centenary events that are well underway, with decade reunions and specific occasions planned to reconnect current and past staff, boys, parents and families, Trust Board members, Parents’ Association members and Foundation members.

The Medbury School Foundation exists to support the School, and was established to create an independent financial base for Medbury’s long-term growth. The Medbury Centennial Fund was established as a capital campaign under the umbrella of the Medbury School Foundation. This campaign is a multi-year initiative aimed to achieve extraordinary results and

help position the School for the future. Every donation makes a lasting impact for generations to come.

Master Plan projects include upgrading the Junior School facilities so that all Medbury boys can enjoy the same level of facilities, and redeveloping the Stephen Scott Memorial Pavilion (above) into a modern, contemporary multi-purpose facility for the whole community to use and enjoy.

There are many exciting opportunities ahead of us and the Medbury School Foundation looks forward to working with our community to continue building on Medbury’s rich legacy.

Many opportunities to reminisce with classmates

The Medbury School Old Boys’ Association have had a great start to our Centenary year, which kicked off with the Founders Day Service and the Opening of Ballantyne House.

The Centenary Gala Dinner followed that night, and it was extremely well attended, with many Medbury Old Boys in attendance. Decade reunions are in full swing, where we are reconnecting our Old Boys with their fellow classmates and re-igniting their memories of their time at Medbury.

The Old Boys’ Association will also be contributing to The Centennial Fund, in order to assist the School with Master Plan projects, as we look forward to the next 100 years.

Save the date

We have a number of events on the calendar for the remainder of 2023 and we very much look forward to being able to celebrate with our Old Boys’ network at the 1970s’, 1990s’, 2000s’ and 2010s’ Decade Reunions, the Medbury Old Boys’ Association Annual Dinner in August, and the Annual Five Years On Function in October.

Li ke us on Facebook and connect on LinkedIn.

1990’s Decade Reunion — Thursday 27 July

Kong, Corner Hereford Street and Oxford Terrace Christchurch from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. To register, visit community.medbury.school.nz.

2000’s Decade Reunion — Thursday 24 August

Kong, Corner Hereford Street and Oxford Terrace

Christchurch from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. To register, visit community.medbury.school.nz.

Annual MSOBA Dinner — Thursday 25 August

Come and join us for our Annual Dinner from 6.30pm to 9.00pm in The Medbury Centre Auditorium.

1970’s Decade Reunion — Thursday 7 September

Kong, Corner Hereford Street and Oxford Terrace Christchurch from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. To register, visit community.medbury.school.nz.

2010’s Decade Reunion — Thursday 21 September

Fat Eddies, Corner Hereford Street and Oxford Terrace Christchurch from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. To register, visit community.medbury.school.nz.

Five Years On Function — Friday 20 October

Get together with your classmates from your graduating year of 2018 and take a tour of the School with the Headmaster. Hosted in The Foundation Building from 5.00pm to 6.00pm.

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• Access to 400+ original templates for social media posts and more

That’s $370 of value, but for you, your social media management will cost just $49 NZD per month. GST inclusive. That’s $49 for everything you need to create an active social media account, plus the tools to create your own designs and content.

Want something similar for your business? Contact john@dzynspace.co.nz and we can look to create a pack for you.

“John is a dedicated and driven professional who understood our lifestyle and property needs. He worked hard to deliver the best options both with the sale of our house and with purchasing our next home. John gives you confidence with his extensive property knowledge and networks, building experience, carpentry skills and strong negotiation expertise.”

School of Speech and Drama

www.VoicesofValue.co.nz

Advertising in Play the Game magazine

P ublished twice a year in Winter and Spring, ‘Play the Game’ magazine is read by the wider Medbury Community, and funded by our advertisers.

All current families of Medbury receive copies and hundreds of copies are given each year to prospective families.

Friends of Medbury, which includes past parents and old boys, receive a digital copy.

Advertiser interest is strong, and there is often a waitlist, so please contact us if you would like to advertise with ‘Play the Game’ in the future and we will send you the ad specifications.

marketing@medbury.school.nz