New Plymouth Boys' High School
history|principal = Michael McMenamin |head_label = Headmaster |roll = 1226 |decile = 8»Decile change 2007 to 2008 for state & state integrated schools |MOE = 171 |homepage = »www.npbhs.school.nz }} New Plymouth Boys' High School is a single-sex boys' state secondary school in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. It was founded in 1882 and celebrated its 125th Jubilee in 2007. »Speech by Governor-General of New Zealand (accessed:13-06-2007)
The school currently caters for approximately 1300 students, including 210 boarders, on its 15 hectare site.[http://www.npbhs.school.nz/ourschool/07%20prospectus.pdf New Plymouth Boys' High School Prospectus] (accessed:12-06-2007)
The school often collaborates with the very close-by New Plymouth Girls' High School. For example, the Hillary Challenge team for New Plymouth always draws students from both schools and the Jazz band and Concert band include musicians from both schools.
New Plymouth Boys' High School and New Plymouth Girls' High School are the only New Zealand schools to take part in the Foundation for International Space Education's »United Space School which is held in Houston, Texas each year. One student from each school (and in 2009 a teacher»http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/2486975/Teacher-first-for-space-camp), is selected to attend.
The school recently acquired a new wing which facilitates for administration, Science and Maths. The wing incorporates modern architecture to add a new flavour to the traditional school. The wing was opened by Prime Minister Helen Clark.
An exchange relationship has been established with a Chilean High School so that every year, students alternate exchanges. In 2006, NPBHS travelled to Chile and in 2007, students from Chile came here. The school also associates with schools in New Plymouth's sister cities in China and Japan.
Lyal French-Wright had his last assembly on the 8th August 2008, after 13 years in the position. He is moving to Qatar with his wife Pauline. The students performed the school haka and musical items at the assembly. He was also presented, as a departure gift, with one of the famed tiger jackets awarded to students who excel in various pursuits and is the first headmaster to have received one. Bruce Bayly, the Deputy Principal assumed duties until a new Headmaster was appointed in 2009.
After an incident when a boarder was beaten by four other students »http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/four-teens-given-diversion-over-school-bullying/5/10306, an independent report on bullying was commissioned in November 2008. The report, released in late January 2009, identified a culture of bullying amongst students in the school's hostel, although the school's board of trustees disputed some of the report's findings.
Houses
New Plymouth Boys' High School currently has four houses.
2008
- Hatherly - Red
- Barak - Green
- Donnelly - Blue
- Syme - Yellow/White
Many successful men have come from the school, including musicians Hayden Chisholm and Leigh Kereopa, current Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy Rear Admiral Tony Parr,»http://www.navy.mil.nz/know-your-navy/org-structure/naval-staff/1/default.htm, and 24 All Blacks. New Plymouth Boys High Schools sporting teams and musical groups have large reputations nationally and in some cases internationally. This can be seen in the schools achievements in the fields of Inline Hockey, and Adventure Racing.
- List of schools in New Zealand
- »New Plymouth Boys' High School Website
- »A Boarders Life - Social Network Website with Photos and Anecdotes from the 1960s