Christ's College, Canterbury

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This article is about the school in New Zealand. For other colleges of the same name, see Christ's College.
Christ's College
Motto Bene tradita, bene servanda
Type Private, Single Sex Boys Secondary (Year 9-13)
Year established 1850
Address Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch, New Zealand
Principal Simon Leese
School roll 651
Socio-economic decile (10 is high) 10
Ministry of Education Institution no. 330
Website www.christscollege.com
Christ's College
Christ's College
Christ's College, Dining Hall, as seen from Rolleston Avenue
Christ's College, Dining Hall, as seen from Rolleston Avenue

Christ's College, Canterbury is an independent boys-only Anglican secondary school in Christchurch, New Zealand. Christ's is the oldest and most prestigious independent school in the country.[citation needed] It teaches from Year 9 to Year 13, and has day and boarding students. It was first sited at Lyttelton as a school for early settlers, but soon moved to its present location in downtown Christchurch.

Contents

[edit] About

Its grounds have a collection of nineteenth century, and turn-of-the-century buildings. The neogothic style is dominant, as was the case for most notable colonial-period buildings in Christchurch, such as the Cathedral, and the original buildings of Canterbury University (formerly Canterbury College), which is now the Christchurch Arts Centre. 'Big School', built in 1863, is the original classroom for the Christchurch site of the school, and is one of the oldest surviving buildings of its type in New Zealand.

Christ's College was directly modelled on the pedagogic vernacular of English public schools, such as Westminster School and Eton College,[1] and developed slowly around a central quadrangle. The 'quad' is treated with reverence and only certain people are allowed to walk onto it.

It is claimed that a form of rugby was being played at the school as early as 1853.[2] Each year its rugby team plays with Wanganui Collegiate School, Wellington College and Nelson College in a tournament known as the "Quadrangular". It also has a long-running rivalry with Christchurch Boys' High School, and an annual rugby match between the two schools is fiercely contended.

In keeping with the tradition of English public schools, Christ's College has ten houses accommodating around 650 students. There are four boarding houses and the dayboys are organised into six more houses. Each house has a housemaster responsible for the care of the boys.

The motto "Bene tradita, bene servanda" in Latin translates to good traditions well maintained.

Its governing body comprises a Chairman, Warden and Fellows.[3] The Bishop of Christchurch is ex officio Warden.

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] Business

  • Sir Peter Elworthy – Prominent rural businessman
  • Sir William Hamilton - Inventor of the jet boat
  • Henry Van Asch - Co founder of commercial bungy jumping
  • Sir Tim Wallis - Deer industry pioneer, developer of warbirds over Wanaka
  • Sir Miles Warren - Architect
  • Richard Woods – Director of the S.I.S.

[edit] Entertainment and the arts

[edit] Military

[edit] Politics and law

[edit] Sport

  • Robbie Deans - Former All Black and current Crusaders Coach
  • Jock Hobbs - Current Chairman of NZRU
  • Tom Lowry - New Zealand’s first cricket captain
  • John Wright – Former New Zealand cricket captain
  • Simon Maling - Former All Black
  • James Ryan - Current All Black

[edit] Upper department (College House, University of Canterbury)

College House was created as part of Christ's College in 1850.[4] According to College House, "[Christ's College] was instrumental in the establishment of Canterbury University in the early 1870s". The upper department became a residential college of the university after it was founded, and soon it was referred to as College House.[4] The upper and lower departments (tertiary and secondary departments) separated in 1957, and College House became independent.

[edit] References

  1. ^ History (English). Christ's College. Christ's College. Retrieved on July 3, 2006.
  2. ^ 1853 (English). Christchurch: a chronology. Christchurch City Libraries. Retrieved on July 3, 2006.
  3. ^ Staff Directory (English). Christ's College. Christ's College. Retrieved on July 3, 2006.
  4. ^ a b History (English). College House. College House Canterbury. Retrieved on July 3, 2006.

[edit] External links

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