TBHS PRIZEGIVING - 2011

Senior

The 2011 TBHS Senior Prizegiving Ceremony took place in Hogben hall on November 7. Staff and invited guests were led into the hall by piper, Tyler McCarron where they heard addresses from the Chairperson Of The Board Of Trustees, Mark Elliotte and the Rector, Mr Kevin O'Sullivan.

In his address to the school, the rector told the audience that, "We have been the fortunate Cantabrians this year. When our big sister city, Christchurch, was devastated by the 22nd February we South Cantabrians emerged physically unscathed. Many of us here this evening had family and friends who were victims of this earthquake. Nine months on this most significant natural disaster in New Zealand history still impacts on the daily lives of thousands of those in North Canterbury. We provided temporary support for 25 students in the weeks following the quake. This small gesture was warmly acknowledged by our short term visitors. The education landscape of Christchurch has and will continue to change. Recovery in Christchurch is going to take longer than originally thought. We will continue to be supportive in any way we can."

Mr O'Sullivan went on to say that, "The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) has been embraced by this school as the only valid national qualification. A decade on from its inception we are still tinkering with some of the practices and procedures. We mostly approve and can cope with incremental improvement.
There are aspects of the NCEA qualification administration and validation that are concerning. Some schools have gone beyond massaging results to manipulation. If a schools’ results appear unbelievable good, I firmly assert they probably are just not believable. There is a lack rigor by NZQA in following up on assessment practices in schools with incredible results. NZQA have an obligation to ensure that all school results stand up to scrutiny. Integrity and credibility must be paramount considerations. It is my view that NZQA are found wanting in this task."

Mr O'Sullivan also took the opportunity to recognize the contributions of, in particular, Pru Egan (pictured right) who has taught maths in room 12 for the past 17 years. "That is over 2000 young lads that waited with baited breath for the right answer!" Also acknowledged was Alan Birkitt who was recruited from the UK in 2010. "His effective contribution in materials technology teaching we embraced. His stay has been all too short. The rugged landscapes of Central Otago have proved too alluring."

Entertainment for the evening was provided by pianist, Jordan Beer and guitarists, Henry Francis and Patrick Hill

Top achieving students this year were, Connor Jaine (Year 11), Danny Ko (Year 12), and pictured below (left to right), Chris Arthur (Dux) and Ben Morgan (Proxime Accessit).

Chris Arthur - Welch Scholarship & Dux of the School (Awards)
The Tozer Memorial Prize - For Year 13 Mathematics
The Cain Bequest Essay Prize for Year 13
The Howell Arithmetic Prize: Senior
The Ronald Alexander Cuthbert Prize - For Year 13 English
The Balthazar Matheson Trophy - For excellence in the classroom and on the hockey field
First in English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and first equal in Mathematics with Statistics
Todd Field Cup –Top performing student in Senior Chemistry
Callum Streeter Cup – senior Science, best aggregate in Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Meldrum Trophy – senior Physics
Welch Scholarship & Dux of the School
 

Prize lists and more...

Year 11 (Presented by Sarah Davis, Principal Timaru Girls' High School)
Year 12 (Presented by Pru Egan)
Year 13 (Presented by Kay Nelson, CEO Aoraki Polytechnic)
Special Awards (Presented by Mark Elliotte, TBHS Board Chair)
Cups, Trophies and Excellence Awards (Presented by Mark Elliotte and Jo Goodhew, MP for Rangitata)
Rector's Address (Mr Kevin O'Sullivan)

Junior

The Junior Prizegiving was held on December 9. This assembly marked the final one for Mrs Pru Egan who retires after 17 years service to TBHS.

Top honours went to:

Joshua Blaikie - TBHS Junior Arts Person of the Year
George Snuggs - TBHS Achievement Award Year 9 
Robert Sutcliffe - TBHS Achievement Award Year 10
Mackenzie Basford - Matthew Garland Trophy - Contribution to Academic, Culture & Sporting in Year 9
William Guerin -  (below left)Leonard Hight Cup Excellence in Y9
Cameron Keelty - (below right) Fenton Trophy  for the Most promising Junior student in Academic, Sporting And Leadership

Year 9
Year 10
Special Awards