Dear parents and families

It is wonderful to have this opportunity to welcome you all to the 2023 year at Hamilton Boys' High School. Whether your son is returning, or you are new to our world, we offer our thanks for your presence in our lives, and we look forward very much to sharing the year with you.

I hope that the Summer break has brought a chance for you to relax and enjoy special family time with your son, and that the year ahead is rewarding and happy for you all.

We are so fortunate to be able to begin the year without restrictions, with the enthusiasm of being able to enjoy a ‘normal’ start! 

The past three years that we have shared have certainly been challenging for all, as we have faced the uncertainty of COVID.

And through this time, we have been fortunate to have the consistent support of both our young men, and our families. Thank you.

So this year, we begin with a sense of joy, with gratitude for your past support and care, and with optimism, as we return with excitement in what lies ahead.

Over 2000 years ago, in a time of uncertainty and disorder in China, Confucius wrote about the need to find joy in our lives, in order to be happy. His advice remains true today: “Wherever you choose to go in life, go with all of your heart”.

There are many research studies which reflect this truth, that happiness comes from finding joy in the small graces, and in being intentional in our approach to all that we do. 

So, as your son begins his 2023 academic year, we hope that he will do so with excitement and with a sense of joy. Our wish is that he has a wonderful, happy and successful year, one in which, together, we can indeed celebrate the small happinesses, and moments of joy, as well as the large ones, where being back to normal is a genuine cause for celebration. 

We will cherish every day!

I take this opportunity to congratulate our First XV Rugby team, who, before Christmas, won the World Invitational Schools tournament in Thailand, against fierce opposition. And our Sevens team who managed a seventh consecutive win at NZSS Nationals - an extraordinary achievement. 

And I congratulate all of our 2022 Year 11-13 students on their exam results. For you, it has been a job very well done! 

Thank you to all parents who have supported your sons in their academic endeavours last year, and to those who have helped us over Summer in so many ways. And I thank you all, for your continuing care and support for our world.

To our young men, we offer our very best wishes for the year ahead. We all look forward to sharing it with you.

Ngā mihi nui,

Susan Hassall

Dear Parents/Caregivers

Please see below some critical aspects of procedures at HBHS. We appreciate your support in ensuring that your son is as safe, and as settled as possible, as we begin the new school year.

• Drop off and pick up: Boys are NOT to be dropped off or picked up from inside the school grounds. Please arrange a suitable meeting point to pick up your son after school, away from the school grounds. This is creating genuine issues for our boys' safety.
• Bikes: Boys are to lock their bike INSIDE the bike enclosure. This is located between the Horticulture Room and the Carpentry Room (near the hockey turf). We have had bikes stolen that were locked outside the bike enclosure.
• Sun safety: We strongly encourage your son to have a school bucket hat or school cap in this very hot weather. 
• Uniform and grooming: All boys have been given strong messages about their grooming, in particular their hair length and tidiness. Please ensure your son is up to the required HBHS standard with his grooming. 
• Road safety: Please discuss with your son his safety around the busy streets bordering our school. After school particularly, our school community is very hectic with cars and buses. Encourage your son to use crossings where possible.

Please see attached, our Off-Site Student Code of Conduct.

Dear Parents/Caregivers

Hair is to be short, neat and tidy, of even length, following the natural hairline above the collar, ears and eyebrows (when straightened). Hair must not be braided, dyed, waxed, straightened nor be tied, spiked or cut with lines or ridges. Eyebrows may not be shaved. Sideburns must be horizontal cut and may not grow below the midpoint of the ear. All students must be clean-shaven.

Advice for Barbers: Students who would like a smooth transitioning “Fade” (evenly around the head) should request a “2-4 or 3-5 bracket fade” (2/3 on sides and back, smoothly transitioning to a 4/5 on top), or a 4-scissor trim fade”. Fades must be even on sides and back. NOTE: “Skin-fades” (ie. Shaved skin showing by ears and nape), “Mullets”, “Ear Shears”, “Undercuts” and “Bowl cuts” are NOT allowed.

Note: Any student who is not fully compliant with regulations will be withdrawn from classes until the issue has been remedied.

Dear Parents/Caregivers

Hamilton Boys’ High School are amongst an increasingly large number of schools around the country who operate under formal Digital Device Policies.

Please discuss the key points below with your son, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of our policies as they pertain to Phones, Laptops, Headphones and Gaming Devices. 

The Key Points:

• Devices can be used on school grounds prior to 8:45am and after 3.15pm (2.10pm on Thursdays).
• Device refers to all electronic devices (e.g. phones, laptops, headphones, and gaming devices).
• The consequence of using devices during intervals (including class transitions) and lunchtime is a litter detention.
• The consequence of using devices during class time without the permission of a staff member is a faculty detention.
• Repeated infractions may incur harsher consequences as administered by Deans, Pastoral Directors, and Executive Staff.
• Students needing to contact home should do so before or after school, or through the Student Services Centre.
• Parents needing to contact their sons during school hours should contact the Secretaries in the Student Services Centre.

We thank you for your support.

Mr Dan Bair
Assistant Principal Pastoral Care & Discipline
Hamilton Boys’ High School

Dear Parents/Caregivers

Please find attached 2023 Beginning of the Year Information.