Christ's College, Christchurch

Christ's College
Bene tradita, bene servanda (Latin for "Good traditions, Well maintained")
Address
33 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch, New Zealand
Coordinates	43°31′47″S 172°37′33″E / 43.52972°S 172.62583°E / -43.52972; 172.62583Coordinates: 43°31′47″S 172°37′33″E / 43.52972°S 172.62583°E / -43.52972; 172.62583
Information
Type	Independent, Single-sex, Secondary (Years 9–13), Day & Boarding
Established	1850
Ministry of Education Institution no.	330
School roll	602[1] (July 2016)
Socio-economic decile	10
Website	www.christscollege.com

Christ's College, Christchurch is an independent, Anglican, secondary, day and boarding school for boys, located in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Founded in 1850 by Reverend Henry Jacobs in Lyttelton as a school for early settlers, College is the oldest independent school in the country.^[2] The college currently caters for approximately 647 students from Year 9 to Year 13.

College is an International Member of The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC). The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC) represents the Heads of the leading independent schools in Ireland and the United Kingdom and International schools mainly from the Commonwealth. Christ's College is one of only three member schools in New Zealand.

History

Christ's College was established in 1850 and directly modelled on the pedagogic vernacular of English public schools, such as Radley College and Eton College. The school was (probably^[3]) named Christ's College by James FitzGerald, Canterbury's first Superintendent, after his old College at Cambridge (Christ's College, Cambridge).^[4] At its foundation, the school was run from two rooms at the immigration barracks at Lyttelton,^[5] and the emphasis was on a classical education, including Greek and Latin, Modern languages, Mathematics, English, History and Geography. Students were also expected to conduct scientific experiments, to draw and sing.^[2]

The school left Lyttelton in 1852 and moved over the hill to the St Michael's parsonage in Oxford Terrace with 16 students. Henry Jacobs, the first headmaster, ensured that his school enabled both boarders and day boys to attend.^[2]

Christ's College moved to its present site in 1856, with 35 pupils and a staff of three. This location, adjacent to the Government Domain (now Hagley Park), provided the college with room to expand, and the school gradually began to acquire additional buildings. The first of these building were wooden, providing homes for the staff and their families and an increasing number of boarders. By 1863, Big School, the first of the stone buildings, had been built on the west side of the quadrangle in which all classes were taught (in present-day it is the schools library with additions by Sir Miles Warren and currently the oldest educational building still in use in New Zealand), followed in 1867 by the Chapel.^[2] The school developed slowly around this central quadrangle, and today the 'quad' is treated with reverence, and therefore students are not permitted to walk on it, only staff members and permitted visitors.

In its early days, the College taught boys as young as six, with each boy arriving with a different level of education. Subsequently there was a wide age range in many classes and, until the number of classrooms increased, they were all taught together.^[2]

The school motto, Bene Tradita, Bene Servanda in Latin translates to "good traditions, well maintained".

Campus

In the original survey of central Christchurch (known as the Black Map), which was undertaken in 1850, it was envisaged for Christ's College and ChristChurch Cathedral to be built adjacent to one another in Cathedral Square, modelled on Christ Church, Oxford.^[6] The area set aside for the college in Cathedral Square, 3 acres 1 rood and 3 perches (13,230 m²), was found to be insufficient. In a meeting in June 1853 between Henry Sewell, Henry Jacobs, Rev. Robert Bateman Paul, and Thomas Cass, Sewell took the group for a visit of a site earmarked as the Government Domain (i.e. botanical gardens). The group agreed on the site, subject to approval by Bishop Selwyn, which was later obtained.^[7] Years later, this land transaction was formalised through The Cathedral Square Ordinance 1858, a law passed by the Canterbury Provincial Council in October 1858.^[8] The compensation paid for the transfer of land to the Provincial Council was ₤1,200, but with 10 acres (40,000 m²), the college was also given a much larger piece of land.^[9]

The Christ's College grounds have a collection of nineteenth century, and turn-of-the-century buildings, as well as newly built buildings such as the Old Boys Theatre and the Fine Arts Building. 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.

Upper department (College House, University of Canterbury)

College House was created as part of Christ's College in 1850.^[10] 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.^[10] The upper and lower departments (tertiary and secondary departments) separated in 1957, and College House became independent.

College life

Chapel

The chapel is an integral part of the school with compulsory religious education being undertaken until Year 11. Every Wednesday congregational practice takes place, in which the whole school sings, and practises hymns, psalms, prayers and chapel routine. Boys are also required to attend chapel on Monday and Friday mornings and usually alternative Sundays, even if it coincides with their own church service outside the school. The school chapel service takes priority and compulsory four services each term are required. Parents are welcome to attend Sunday chapel. Music is an integral part of school life, the Christ's College Chapel Choir consists of approximately eighty boys. The choir sings at chapel services, public and private events and takes part in several singing competitions such as the Big Sing, and in 2007 the international Summa Cum Laude Festival in Vienna (attaining second place).

Curriculum

The school offers students NCEA Levels 1, 2, 3 and scholarship examinations through NZQA. However, in some cases Cambridge Mathematics Examinations are also offered. There are many academic disciplines offered at the school as subjects, varying from the standard English and mathematics to French, drama, classical studies, physical education, art history, sciences and many other subjects.

Extra-curricular

The college also places a strong emphasis on extra-curricular activities; sport is compulsory for all year levels with many options available, and throughout the year there are opportunities for the dramatic arts, music, debating, model United Nations and several other extra-curricular activities.

There are opportunities for all boys to be involved with the performing arts, with a Junior and Senior production each year, an annual inter-house play festival and more; in fact, over half the college population is involved in drama each year.^[11]

Saturday activities have been compulsory for those who do not have games on this day since Saturday morning classes were abolished. There is an extensive list of activities to choose from in 2009; this included archery, mountain biking, pool activities and scuba diving, rock climbing, Spanish, theatre sports, tennis, video production, workshop and weight training. Extra tuition has been available in art, biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, drama, economics, English, German and music.

Sport

Sport is compulsory for all boys; there is an extensive selection of sports available with boys choosing both a summer and winter option each year. As well as school sports, there are ongoing inter house sporting competitions in which all boys are encouraged to participate. Extra sporting activities are also available: for example, the school ski club buses to the ski fields on weekends during winter terms. Sports facilities on site include Upper the school playing field, an all weather facility, a 5-lane indoor 25-metre heated swimming pool, gymnasium and weights room. Offsite facilities include the nearby Christ's College cricket ground (which also has football and rugby fields) which consists of four hectares of South Hagley Park, and Kerr's Reach on the Avon River which is home to the Christ's College rowing club, consisting of a boat house which houses top quality rowing equipment. It is claimed that a form of rugby was being played at the school as early as 1853.^[12] 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 contested.

House system

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.

From the schools early days, Houses were a base for boarders within the school, and these changed their names as Masters came and went. The name Jacobs has been retained, while others have been replaced by School, Richards and Flower's. It was not until 1909 that the first two day-boy Houses were established. They were named 'North Town' and 'South Town', and students were allocated to them depending on whether their homes were north or south of Gloucester Street. In 1924, these Houses were named Harper and Julius – Condell's, Corfe, Rolleston and Somes have also been added over the years.^[2]

The year groups within the Houses are encouraged to build House spirit and to compete in sporting and cultural competitions. Cricket and football games were established as soon as there were enough boarders to compete against each other, and gradually music and drama competitions have been added.^[2]

Day Houses

• Condell's
• Corfe
• Harper
• Julius
• Rolleston
• Somes

Houses for dayboys provide a place for study and recreation, a Common Room, showers and changing facilities, and areas for storing books and sports clothing. Boys meet here at the beginning of each day for House Assembly where they receive notices for the day and reminders of upcoming events to prepare for from their Housemaster.^[13]

Boarding Houses

• Flower's
• Jacobs (Transitioning to a day house)
• Richards
• School

In the boarding environment, the facilities and support systems are more comprehensive. Assisting the Housemaster are an assistant housemaster, a matron, and two live-in tutors who are also studying at university. Most of the school facilities, such as the library, computer room, gymnasium, pool, music and art rooms, and the workshop, are open for use by boarding boys out of school hours. Evening activities during the week include set times for homework, but recreational activities are also encouraged.^[13]

The Christ's College Boarding Programme keeps boarders busy in the weekends. With age-appropriate activities tailored to each year group's needs, boarders are given a number of opportunities that may not be available to dayboys.^[13]

Uniform

The black and white striped blazers and ties Christ's College boys wear are instantly recognisable and well known especially within Christchurch. There are three types of appropriate uniform, called Sport's Uniform, Dress Uniform and Summer Dress. During Winter terms dress uniform is worn on Mondays and Fridays, and sports uniform is worn on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Dress uniform is required for chapel services and other formal occasions. A high standard of dress is expected at all times and boys are punished for incorrect or incorrectly worn uniform, boys must always wear their blazers when in town, even with summer uniform.

Each house has a different uniform for inter house sporting events and is made up of a rugby jersey or singlet in the house colour and black or white shorts, depending on the house. Each different sport also has its own uniform for games, a tracksuit consisting of black pants and a black tracksuit top with College crest is required for travelling to and from games venues and for field trips where the uniform of the day is not suitable.

Governance

The Christ's College governing body comprises a chairman, Warden and Fellows.^[14] The Bishop of Christchurch is ex officio Warden.

Current

Executive Principal

Mr. Garth Wynne

Deputy Headmaster

Mr. Robert Donaldson

Warden

Bishop Victoria Matthews

Notable alumni

Alumni of Christ's College are known as Old Boys, and may elect to join the school's alumni association, the Christ's College Old Boys' Association (CCOBA).^[15] Some notable Christ's College Old Boys include:

Academia

• Sam Elworthy – director of Auckland University Press, former editor in chief of Princeton University Press^[16]
• John McMillan – economist, former Professor of Stanford University
• Murray Charles Wells – Emeritus Professor at the University of Sydney^[17]
• Robin M. Williams – mathematician, vice-chancellor.
• Paul Richard Wilson – criminologist, Chair of Criminology at Bond University; crime author^[18]

Business

• John Anderson – chief executive and Director of ANZ National Bank Limited
• Don Elder – CEO of Solid Energy
• Peter Elworthy – prominent rural businessman
• Richard James Evans – chief executive officer of the Sydney Opera House^[18]
• William Hamilton – inventor of the jet boat
• Henry van Asch – co-founder of commercial bungy jumping
• Tim Wallis – deer industry pioneer, developer of warbirds over Wanaka

• Miles Warren – architect
• Richard Woods – former Director of the S.I.S.
• Ian Gilmour – Director of the Southland Times.

Entertainment, media and the arts

• Austin Deans – artist
• Denis Glover – poet
• Mark Hadlow – actor
• Leigh Hart – comedian, actor "That Guy"
• James Milne – musician, The Reduction Agents, Lawrence Arabia
• Sam Neill – actor
• William Pember Reeves – author, historian
• James Reid – musician, The Feelers
• Teddy Tahu Rhodes – singer

Military

• Edward Cobber Kain – the first RAF ace of WW2
• Somerford Teagle – former Chief of Defence
• Charles Hazlitt Upham, VC and Bar – war hero, double Victoria Cross winner

Public service

• Jack Acland (1904–1981), MP for Temuka^[19]
• Peter Boyce – Commissioner for the Health and Community Services Complaints Commission Northern Territory (1998–2005); Northern Territory Ombudsman for the Office of Ombudsman (1995–2005); Police Complaints Authority South Australia (1992–1995)^[18]
• Michael Cullen (b. 1945), former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance
• Jonathan Elworthy (1936–2005), former Minister of Lands and Forests (1981–1984), member of Parliament for Waitaki, and farmer^[20]
• Michael Fowler (b. 1929), architect and former Mayor of Wellington
• Jim Gerard (b. 1936), MP for Rangiora and Mayor of Waimakariri^[21]
• Richard Geoffrey Gerard (1904–1997), MP for Mid-Canterbury and Ashburton^[21]
• Arthur Guinness (1846–1913), politician, former Speaker of Parliament
• Sam Johnson (b. 1989), organiser of the Student Volunteer Army^[22]
• Edward Latter (born 1928), National MP for Marlborough^[23]
• Duncan MacIntyre (1915–2001), National MP for various electorates in the Hawkes' Bay^[24]
• Derek Quigley (born 1932), National MP for Rangiora and co-founder of ACT^[25]
• Frank Rolleston (1873–1946), MP for Timaru^[26]
• Andrew Tipping (born 1942), Justice of the Supreme Court of New Zealand
• Kenneth Williams (1870–1935), MP for Bay of Plenty^[27]
• William Young (b. 1952), President of the New Zealand Court of Appeal

Religion

• Charles Drennan – Bishop of Palmerston North (2012–present)
• Bernard Michael O'Brien SJ – New Zealand Jesuit priest, philosopher, musician, writer and former seminary professor

Sport

• Bruce Deans – former All Black
• Robbie Deans – former All Black and former Crusaders, All Blacks and Australian rugby coach
• Peter Fulton – New Zealand cricketer
• Roddy Fulton - New Zealand cricket director, Canterbury and Northern Districts captain
• Jack Hazlett – former All Black^[28]
• Jock Hobbs – former All Black and former Chairman of NZRU
• Tom Lowry – New Zealand's first Test cricket captain
• Simon Maling – former All Black^[29]
• Joe Moody - current All Black prop
• Damian McKenzie - All Blacks, Chiefs
• Arthur Ollivier (1851–1897), representative cricketer and mountaineer; chairperson of the Old Boys' Association (1895–1897)^[30]
• Alastair Robinson – former All Black^[31]
• James Ryan – former All Black^[32]
• John Wright – former New Zealand cricket captain and Indian cricket coach

See also

• Christ's College Big School
• Christ's College Chapel
• Lists of schools in New Zealand
• List of boarding schools
• List of Victoria Crosses by school

Notes

References

• Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN 0-474-00177-6. 
• Suzannah Pearce, ed. (2007). "Wells Murray Charles". Who's Who in Australia Live!. North Melbourne, Vic: Crown Content Pty Ltd. 
• Sewell, Henry (1980). W. David McIntyre, ed. The Journal of Henry Sewell 1853–7 : Volume I. Christchurch: Whitcoulls Publishers. ISBN 0 7233 0624 9. 
• Wigram, Henry (1916). The Story of Christchurch, New Zealand. Christchurch: Lyttelton Times. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Christ's College, Canterbury.

• Christ's College
• Christ's College Old Boys Association
• Rolleston House
• Corfe House
• College House, University of Canterbury