Archive for the ‘School’ Category

Dear Members of the Dilworth Community

I wish to take this opportunity to provide the first of an annual update.

The School

2009 was a very good year beginning with a roll of 520. The commencing roll this year was 540.

The academic results for the calendar year ending 2008 and 2009 were outstanding, with our students’ achievement continuing to be well above national averages in most subjects, and significantly above national averages for Maori and Pacific students.

A Metro article published during the year with the assistance of Professor John Hattie from the Education Department, University of Auckland, ranked Dilworth academically third out of 77 secondary schools in the Auckland Region.

In extra curricular activities (music, culture and sport), Dilworth continues to be a strong presence in the Auckland Region in all these areas.

A full review of boarding (conducted by an external expert) has resulted in a strengthening of the residential side to Dilworth.

A new Rural Campus has been acquired through the purchase of Hotel du Vin at Mangatawhiri just south of the Bombay Hills. It is currently hoped that the Rural Campus will be ready at the beginning of 2012 for up to 100 students (additional to the existing roll), and it is presently envisaged that the boys will spend the whole of an academic year at the Campus.

Earlier this year the Board acquired a substantial residence at 39 Market Road.

The Isabella Lodge (as it is now called) will be a special boarding facility that will be managed by house parents and designed to assist up to twelve students who require more individual attention.

That facility is expected to be up and running during the second term of this year.

Visitors to the School over the past decade will have noticed the changing and developing ethnic mix at Dilworth. This change has greatly enriched the social, cultural, sporting and academic life of the School, and further demonstrates the wisdom of James Dilworth in placing the emphasis in his will on “need” and specifically allowing for any “race or creed”. A far-sighted statement indeed.

88 scholarships have been awarded for 2010 from 494 applications received during 2009.

Last year we farewelled Mr Rex Hooton after 15 years of highly dedicated service as Head of the Junior Campus. He was replaced by Mr Peter Vos in August 2009.

This year we have farewelled our official Visitor, the Rt Rev Bishop John Paterson, also after 15 years of dedicated commitment in that position. We have welcomed his successor, Bishop Ross Bay at a recent Board meeting.

I encourage members of our community to view the latest ERO Report from the school inspectors, published in January this year. This is yet another excellent report, and a further reason for all of us to be proud of our school (the link is www.ero.govt.nz – enter “Dilworth” in “Search”).

Around the world, every school is basically as good as its Principal and we are very fortunate to have someone of the calibre of Donald MacLean who would have to be one of the best educationalists in the country.

The Trust Fund

The Trust is in good shape with invested assets in the region of $400 million plus a further $100 million of School assets. The total return (capital gains and income) over the last 10 years has exceeded that of most superannuation and other managed funds.

We balance on 31 January each year. On 31 January 2000 our Trust equity (the value of the Trust’s investments) was $192 million. Our equity presently stands at $394 million. You will see that, averaged over 10 years, our equity has doubled (105%), compared with inflation which has increased by 31% during the same period.

However, during that period we have also spent a total of $115 million running the School and an additional $30 million in capital expenditure.

In other words, we have ensured that our capital fund has increased by three times the rate of inflation after allowing for all of the costs of running the School and all of our capital expenditure. I am sure you will agree that is a very gratifying result.

Also, it is a high note on which our General Manager, Martin Thomson, will retire around the middle of this year.

The average increase in equity since the Trust’s inception in 1894 has been 6.82% pa (compounding) That is effectively the earnings, after meeting all the School capital and operating expenses, over the past 116 years.

This is quite a tribute to the mere 44 Trustees (who include the present five) over the 116 year life of the Trust.

The Board

It is important to understand that the Trustees are responsible for two quite different endeavours.

One is to maintain the Trust in real terms (ie, level with or ahead of inflation) and the other is responsibility for the School.

Indeed, we are very privileged to have that dual responsibility and are very conscious of the importance of it.

Six Trustees is a very efficient number and the convention which we have introduced of having three Old Boys and three non-Old Boys has worked exceptionally well. Occasionally, that has been two and four, or four and two, but those short periods of imbalance are insignificant in the overall scheme of things.

The present non-Old Boys (David Hunter, Brian Maltby and Hugh Fletcher) add enormous strength to the Board as have the many former Trustees in the past. Jon Wain and I greatly respect their contribution.

Identifying a replacement Trustee (whether Old Boy or not) is always a very sensitive issue. We are very anxious to ensure that every new Trustee is of high quality and brings a strong commitment. Also, we have to take into account the importance of having a balanced Board – that is, balanced in respect of differing necessary skills.

The vacancy since John Potter’s departure has lasted much longer than we would have wished, but we are “on the case” and there has been a good reason for the delay.

Concluding Comments

When governing the School and managing the fund, we have to keep at the front of our minds the needs of present and future generations of students. That must always be our first point of focus.

The Trustees wish you all well and hope that you find this update of interest.

Yours sincerely

Chairman

Rev Warren Watson

On the 23rd of March I had an appointment to meet with and interview Rev Warren Watson at the Dilworth Senior Campus. Both of us were punctual and met in the main School entrance. Just as we were shaking hands, Peter Vos – the Junior School Head of Campus – came strolling by. After a few quick “hellos” I promised Peter that one day I would seek him out for his own interview. Clearly staff at Dilworth School cherish the chance to talk with Old Boys of the School!

I am not sure how to address Reverend Watson in this article, but he was such a warm and friendly man that I am sure he won’t mind if I refer to him by his first name. The boys, though, call him “Rev”. Warren has been at Dilworth for four years now, taking over from the long serving Father Brown – even I was taught by Father Brown when I was at School in the 70s.

Warren took me down to the Religious Education Department. It is actually where Music classes were held when I was at School. We sat down in his office and after a few pleasantries, got right into it.

Warren is very well supported by the RE Teacher – James Hannah – who has been at Dilworth for two years now. Warren had a lot of good things to say about James and it is clear that Warren and James have been very busy ensuring that boys have a broad Christian education available to them. James was in fact at the time of this interview busy with an RE class right next door.

Gift From Tonga

Warren told me that in educating the boys about Christianity the idea is to ‘lay the whole thing out’, so that boys have the big picture. In doing so, they focus on morals and ethics and take a good look at the world religions. This provides the students with the tools they need should they be attracted to a Christian life. The important thing is that they do not try to ‘shove it down the boys’ throats’. The whole focus is to make Christianity available in a non-threatening and relaxed environment, whilst also encouraging students to be actively involved in community service locally and overseas. The Chaplain, 7 boys and 2 other staff went on a trip to Tonga in 2009, where they visited St Andrews School – the same school that Mr John ‘Jock’ Conolly (Headmaster 1951 – 1966) went to on retirement after Dilworth.

In Year 7 (Form 1) the boys are Baptised – in June. Then in Years 10 – 13 Confirmation is offered, where the boys can choose to confirm their promises of Baptism. These are always special events and involve time away from the School. Each year about 20 – 26 boys take this opportunity.

Just as I remember from my time at the School, Warren tells me that it is challenging to keep the boys focused in Chapel. So a lot of effort is made to keep things fresh and relevant: storytelling plays a major part, as does relating those stories to what is going on in the 21st century.

The Founder’s Will requires the Trustees to ensure that the boys are given a Christian education. Accordingly, the School is affiliated to The Anglican Church in Aotearoa – New Zealand and the Bishop of Auckland is designated the Episcopal Visitor. Chapel is central to the spiritual life at the School. Two mornings a week each Campus starts the day with a brief service. On most Sunday evenings, boys attend the Chapel Service held on their particular Campus when they return from weekend leave. Parents, guardians, families and friends of the boys are encouraged to attend these Sunday services.

It is not a 9 to 5 job working as the Chaplain at Dilworth. In the evenings, Warren dedicates himself to making his time available for further pastoral care than may be provided in the public space of a classroom and ensuring that he is deeply embedded into School life. If needed, boys can sit with him to talk and pray. I am quite sure this gives boys a lot of comfort, especially in times of need. Warren is also involved in the sporting life of the school, coaching softball, rugby and soccer teams.

School Chaplaincy is a vocation that Warren is clearly dedicated to and passionate about. The boys are clearly in good hands and I am personally impressed and comforted.

Warren also talked about Old Boys and their families who make use of the Chapel for Weddings and Funerals. So, for those Old Boys thinking of ‘tying the knot’, have a think about the School Chapel as being a very special venue for this most important commitment you are making to your new wife.

Thank you, Warren, for taking the time to sit down with me.

Retiring Bishop of Auckland - Bishop John

At the AGM on Saturday March 13th we unanimously voted for Right Reverend John Paterson to be added to our Honorary Old Boys list.
Rt Rev’d John Paterson, the Bishop of Auckland, has served as Episcopal Visitor to Dilworth School from 1995-2010.
In that time in this very unique role he has become a lot more than that – he has become a friend to the School and a personal friend to many.

It was in James Dilworth’s will that it was required there be an Episcopal Visitor to the School each year to look over things and if all was not right then to take some action.
This role includes filling in the Episcopal Visitor’s Book and making comments on the visit.

Looking at the two words -
Episcopal means that the Visitor must be a Bishop.
Visitor (with a capital V) is the interesting word – it means a lot more than it would appear at face value, but following is my concise interpretation of the word.
The Visitor (sorry these are my words – I hope they are correct)  is charged with ensuring that the ‘powers that be’ are kept in check, and if they need checking then has the power to take some action to do so.
Thanks to Principle Donald MacLean for explaining all of this at the Thanksgiving Service last night (Sunday March 14th).

We were honoured ourselves to be able to bestow the honour of Honorary Old Boy on Rt Rev’d John Paterson and at the Founders Thanksgiving Service he assured us that although he was now retiring as Bishop of Auckland he will make certain to continue his yearly visits to the School.
As an Old Boys Association we will welcome him into our family gladly.

The first step will be to get Bishop John on to our Old Boys Mailing List!

Dr George Barker - Guest Speaker

Saturday March 13th 7pm – the Reunion Dinner.
What a great night it was.
It was incredible to see Old Boys from all eras in attendance including a table of the youngest Old Boys – and as Dilworth Old Boys tend to do – we all got on incredibly well.

After a rousing introduction by brother, Bill Barker, Guest Speaker Dr George Barker talked eloquently and with great passion about the clauses in James Dilworth’s will and how they modeled his and our lives as “good and useful citizens”.
George was clearly greatly honored to be our first Guest Speaker at what we hope to be an annual event moving forward and at times had trouble containing his emotion which left us all with lumps in our throats.
Dilworth means so much to George and to all of us!
We will be producing a full transcript of George’s talk – so when that comes to hand it will be posted on the Website.

DOBA Vice President Peter Tate, as master of ceremonies, was in great form and kept things well organized as well as keeping us laughing.
We did not know you had this talent Mr Tate!

The food and wine, supplied by Robert MacDonald was exemplary – plentiful and better than restaurant quality – just amazing.
Many thanks Robert!
The waiting staff also were really great – thanks Elena and others for looking after us so well!

Some of the names there on the night (in no particular order) are listed here. We will endeavor to provide a complete list of names soon.

Principle and Vice Patron Donald MacLean, Trustee John Wain, Past Chairman John Potter and wife Alison, Murray Wilton (former Principle, Old Boy and Patron) and wife Christine, Chairman of the Trust Board Derek Firth and wife Maxine, Vice Patron Bruce Owen, Past President Peter Thompson, Dr George Barker (Guest Speaker) and wife Jo,  Maurice Hood, Ian West, Kerry Pascoe, Roger Pym, David Bennett, Peter Hargraves, Frank Bull, Dave Winter, Trevor McCauley, Emerson Coe, Tana Faamausili, Ethan Hindman, Matt Saunderson, Damon Scmidt, Daniel Priest, Greg Tothill, Tapu Vea, Jonathan Whittingham, Ricky Mossman

Life Members; John Simpson, Stan West, Roger Pye and wife Annette, Bill Barker

Council Members; Adam Hiron (President), Grant Steel (Treasurer), Jacob De Berry, Theo Davy and daughter, Callum McGibbon, Mark Easton (Web Master), Peter Tate (Vice President and M.C for the night),  Julian Annear, Chris Hodder (Secretary)

Congratulations to all of you that attended – you made it a night to remember.

Adam Hiron & Hon John Key

At 9:15am on March 12th The Dilworth Boys welcomed Hon John Key in grand style with a rousing Haka to the Founders Assembly.

It was most evident that John Key enjoyed his time at Dilworth and we heard his minders getting quite concerned at how late he was running. Eventually he was dragged away but not after many had said hello and posed with Mr Key for a photo – like our DOBA President, Mr Adam Hiron.

Congratulations to Donald MacLean and the School for pulling off the event with the usual high level of efficiency and making it so enjoyable for all.

Congratulations to all the Boys who talked and performed at the Assembly – we were very impressed with their talent and confidence.

See all of the photos here.

NOW ON FRIDAY MARCH 12TH

Due to a late scheduled pre-match game for the 1st XV, we need to move Summer Sports forward from Saturday 13th March to Friday 12th March.

20/20 Cricket will start at 3.45pm
Tennis and Touch will start at 5.30pm
Volley Ball will start at 6.15pm

After Match Function 7pm
Sorry , no Lawn Bowls this year !

As always, if you are keen to participate , please contact either Jake 021 1111652 or Callum 021 187 0666.

The AGM and Reunion Dinner on Saturday March 13th remain as scheduled.

As a reminder …
The AGM will be at 5:30pm and this will be followed by the Reunion Dinner (a 3 course smorgasbord) at 6:30pm for a 7pm start.

Here is the official Founders Weekend Invitation from the School to Dilworth Old Boys, starting on Friday 12th March at 9:00am with the Founders Day Service with Guest Speaker Rt Hon John Key.
The invitation includes a request to RSVP to Principal’s PA Mrs Jenny Reeves.
Please download the invitation to get full details.

Please also note that the Founders Day Chapel service is on Sunday 14th March at 8pm.
There has been some conflicting info sent out on this, but it does start at 8pm!

The Dilworth Athletic Finals start at 3:30pm on Friday 26th February. The School would love to see some Old Boys in attendance. So, please do come along and make yourself known to Principal Donald MacLean or any one else.

Dr George Barker - Reunion Dinner Speaker March 13th

Reunion Dinner Saturday March 13th, 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start at the School Dining Room. Follows the AGM (Rec Centre) at 5:30pm. Tickets available now – please see below to pay by PayPal. Please contact Chris Hodder at chris.hodder@gmail.com to reserve your seat(s).

We are delighted to announce that Dr George Barker (BA, MA (Hons), LLB, DPhil) will be speaking at the Reunion Dinner. George left Dilworth mid-1975 (in his second year as Head Prefect) on winning a UWC Scholarship to study at Pearson College in Canada for 2 years – where of all people Murray Wilton turned up as a French teacher! A top sportsman, academic and a leader at the School George has gone on to lead a successful and distinguished career. He is also a Dio Old Girl and continues that association today – but more on that, no doubt, on the night!

George is Director of the Centre for Law and Economics at the Australian National University and is President of the Australian Law and Economics Association. He was awarded the Olin Fellowship in Law and Economics at Cornell University in 2000. He gained a PhD in Economics from Oxford University 1992, and earned both a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Economics at Auckland where he won the senior prize in economics . George has authored books and articles on a wide range of matters from the Effects of China joining the WTO (Cambridge University Press 2003), through the economics of energy, communication, media and cultural industries to social policy, including education, health, welfare and the criminal justice system. He is also the editor of Asia Pacific Law and Economics Review (Berkeley Electronic Press), and on the Editorial Board of the European Journal of Law and Economics.

After finishing his masters at Auckland George went to work at the New Zealand Treasury and became chief analyst under the Lange Labour Government in the mid 1980’s (returned to Treasury again from 1992-1997). After his 80’s Treasury stint he won a National Research Advisory Council Scholarship and completed a doctorate of economics at Oxford University. During his time at Oxford he was elected onto the Governing Body of Wolfson College.

George continues to advise a wide range of public- and private-sector clients on regulatory, public policy, microeconomic, financial management and corporate strategy issues. He has testified in the Asia Pacific Region before Australian, Korean, Canadian and New Zealand and in European agencies on market design, regulatory policy, competition policy and intellectual property.  Thus on the latter he provided the economic testimony in one of the two major Global cases on music piracy or illegal downloading in the KAZAA case.

So a very interesting Old Boy (with a huge resume that we could not do justice to in these few paragraphs) who has made the most of his Dilworth upbringing to be a leader of men. We are all looking forward to hear George speak at the Reunion Dinner.

Pay and reserve your Reunion Dinner seat now  using PayPal ($60):

Number of Tickets

Single Ticket $60.00 2 Tickets $120.00 3 Tickets $180.00 4 Tickets $240.00