King's College, Auckland
| King's College |
|
| Location |
Golf Avenue,
Otahuhu,
Auckland
|
| Information |
| Type |
Private Secondary with boarding facilities
Senior Co-Ed, Junior Boys |
| Motto |
Virtus Pollet
(Manliness Prevails, or Moral Excellence Prevails) |
| Established |
1896 |
| Ministry of Education Institution no. |
89 |
| Headmaster |
Bradley Fenner |
| School roll |
952 |
| Socio-economic decile |
10 |
| Website |
www.kingscollege.school.nz |
King's College is an independent secondary school in New Zealand. It was originally a boys-only school but now also admits girls in the sixth and seventh forms (Years 12 and 13). The school has strong links to the Anglican church; the Anglican Bishop of Auckland, and the Dean of Auckland are permanent members of the school's Board Of Governors. The school caters for both boarding and day students. The College is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. The school is also a member of the G20 Schools Group.
History
The school was founded in 1896 by Graham Bruce, and was originally situated in Remuera, Auckland on the site now occupied by The King's School, Remuera. In 1922 the school moved to its present site in the South Auckland suburb of Otahuhu.
Teaching and community activities
The school, like some others in New Zealand, offers students the A-Level GCE (Advanced Level General Certificate of Education), CIE (Cambridge International Examinations) and the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) as well as the New Zealand NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).
Additionally, the school actively co-ordinates a voluntary community service programme which aids the South Auckland community (and more) around where the school is located. Some of the types of community service that students offer are visiting the local refugee centre, helping out at Middlemore Hospital with reception duties and helping pupils at local schools learn to read.
The current headmaster of King's College is Bradley Fenner who replaced the former headmaster Roy Kelley in 2009.[1]
Houses
All students are organised into Houses, which form separate communities within the College, and compete amongst themselves for numerous trophies and the much sought Merritt and Tucker Shields. The Merritt Shield will be put back into archives at the end of 2011. Boys' boarding houses include Averill, Parnell, School, Selwyn, and St John's. Boys' day houses (known as 'Townhouses') are Greenbank, Major, Marsden and Peart. The Girl's houses are Middlemore (boarding), and Taylor (day).
- Averill - Averill House was founded in 1961, and became the first weekly boarding house in 1977. There are currently (2009)[update] 65 weekly boarders residing.
- Greenbank - Greenbank House is the newest boy day house; opened in 1997 as an overflow House from the other three Day Houses with just 70 boys and has since grown to 108 in 2009. The Greenbank House motto, 'Semper ad Optima' means 'Always strive for the best'.
- Major - Built in 1959 to relieve the two existing day Houses. There are currently 124 day boys in Major House. Major is named after Charles Major, who "saved the school" back in its founding years. He was the Second Headmaster after Graeme Bruce. Major's House Colour is Black, the house motto is 'Virtute ad Victoriam', meaning 'with virtues come victory', and the House resides between Marsden and Peart.
- Marsden - Originally Marsden was known as Town House, until Town House was split into Marsden and Peart in 1947. There are currently 169 day boys in Marsden House. It is named after the first Anglican missionary to arrive in New Zealand, Samuel Marsden.
- Middlemore - The Girl's Boarding house, established in 1984, caters for up to 50 boarders. There are currently 46 boarders residing. The Middlemore House motto, 'Nulli Secundus' means 'Second to none'.
- Crosbie - Crosbie house was established in 1962 especially for troubled students. The house was named after old collegian Joshua Crosbie. It was built to take 20 students. The house was discontinued in 1981 after a the school board decided the house was having a negative affect on the school as a whole.
- Parnell - Once Middlemore, renamed in 1969 to mark the affiliation with the former church of England Grammar School (est 1855) in Ayr Street, Parnell. There are currently 69 boarders residing.
- Peart - Founded in 1947, named after the Headmaster killed in action in World War II. The motto, "Veritas Praevalet", means 'Let Truth Prevail'. There are currently 126 day boys in Peart House.
- School - The house was founded in 1922, when the College moved to Middlemore. There are currently 71 boarders residing.
- Selwyn - Selwyn was founded in 1945 and resided 'at the top of the drive' until the new House was opened on July 1, 2004. This building is located inside the Golf Road gates, immediately on the right hand side as you drive into the College. Selwyn is a flexible boarding house, the only one of its kind that the College offers. It caters for both weekly and full boarders, having a maximum capacity of 82 boys from Year 9 - 13. There are no dormitories. All students are in rooms, which are shared at Years 9, 10, 11 with individual rooms for Years 12 and 13. Rooms at Year 11, 12 and 13 have ensuites. There are currently 82 boarders residing.
- St John's - Named 'St John's' to recognise the direct link with St John's Collegiate School, which merged with King's in 1913. There are currently 69 boarders residing. The St John's House motto, 'Religio Doctrina Diligentia' translates to 'True religion, sound learning, useful industry.' St John's was the most recent winner of the Merritt Shield, retaining the shield in 2009 after victory in 2008.
- Taylor - Taylor House was established in 2006 and it is home to the Day Girls of King’s College. Originally part of Middlemore Lodge, the differing needs of day and boarding girls meant that a new facility was required. Taylor House is located at the start to the King’s drive in between Selwyn and Middlemore. The statue in the garden (Mana Wahine) was a present at the opening from former Headmaster, John, and his wife, Sarah Taylor – after whom this House is named. The Taylor House motto “Potens Pollensque” means capable and strong. There are currently 69 day girls in Taylor House.
House Music
An important aspect of King's culture is the annual House Music competition. This is divided into two parts: the Small House features a small group (usually no more than 15) of students from each house, who perform a vocal musical item, with optional instrumental accompaniment. The other part of the competition, Big House, requires each house to perform a musical item involving all of its members. The results are then added, with the points going towards the Merritt Shield.
Notable alumni (Old Collegians)
The Arts
Business
Public service
- Hon. Peter Blanchard - Justice of the Supreme Court of New Zealand
- Roy Calvert - WWII pilot
- Flt Lt Brian Carbury DFC - leading fighter ace of the Battle of Britain
- Rt.Hon. Paul East, QC - former Cabinet Minister and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
- Rt Hon. John Henry (New Zealand Justice), DCNZM, QC - Justice of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand, Privy Councillor (see Privy Council of the United Kingdom)
- Colin Kay - former Mayor of Auckland and New Zealand triple jump champion[2]
- John Lewis - former Headmaster, Eton College and Geelong Grammar School
- Hon. Jim McLay - former leader of the National Party
- Simon Moore - Crown Solicitor in Auckland
- Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park, GCB, KBE, MC & Bar, DFC, RAF - New Zealand soldier, World War I flying ace and World War II senior Royal Air Force commander, the key military figure in the Battle of Britain
- King George Tupou V of Tonga
Science
Sport
References