Say Cheese! Kumagaya students Hikari Yonenaga and Atsushi Kasakoshi with their host brother Anthony Mallon.
For over a decade now the international exchange between brother schools Kumagaya Boys High School from Japan and Southland Boys High School has been an annual event on the calendar. Each year a handful of young men are selected to partake in the exchange which gives the students from each school the chance to gain firsthand experience of another culture.
Recently a 19 strong tour party from Kumagaya Boys High School that included 17 students and two staff made the annual journey down under to New Zealand for a two week stay that had them experiencing the best New Zealand, in particular Southern New Zealand, had to offer. Certain trips and activities the Kumagaya students took part in were bungee jumping and sightseeing in Queenstown, rock climbing at Stadium Southland as well as visiting various attractions around the Southland region.
Two students who took the opportunity to travel to New Zealand were Hikari Yonenaga (16) and Atsushi Kasakoshi (17). For Yonenaga there were several highlights from the trip, however one stood out from the rest, "I enjoyed looking at New Zealand's scenery, especially in Queenstown." Similarly it was also an outdoor aspect that caught the eye of Kasakoshi, "I really enjoyed going to the farm and feeding the animals we don't have in Japan."
For this pair the trip ran deeper than just admiring the attractions. "The friends I made in New Zealand I will never forget," said Yonenaga.
When asked whether or not they would be interested in returning to New Zealand in the future the answer came with a definite grin. "Yes. New Zealand is beautiful and I would like to come back sometime," said Yonenaga. For Kasakoshi a similar expression was voiced, "Of course! I enjoyed my experiences in New Zealand and intend to return after university."
No doubt we will be seeing this pair back in our neck of the woods in the near future.
Article by Scott Eade, SBHS Media Team
Our Boys In Oliver!
Two Southland Boys' High School students shared their acting talents with thousands of Southlanders recently when they shared the part of the Artful Dodger in the Invercargill Musical Theatre company's production of 'Oliver!'.
Sam Smith (Year 9) and Jack Honeybone (Year 8) were chosen from a large group of auditionees for the leading role of 'The Artful Dodger', performing on alternating nights at the Civic Theatre.
The boys say their involvement in the show was an experience they'll never forget. "Working with the cast was my favourite thing about 'Oliver!'. Sam Smith said. "I was nervous at first, about performing in front of so many people, but it turned out to be an amazing journey and I learnt so much from the others in the cast."
Jack Honeybone attributes his years of tap-dancing with his ability to perform in front of an audience. "I am used to performing regularly, so that probably gave me the confidence to take on the role.
Both students say they had great feedback from their classmates about their performances. "Lots of boys went to see 'Oliver!' and told me they had enjoyed the show." Jack Honeybone said. "It's great to hear your mates tell you that you've done good job."
Southland Boys' High School students Joshua Payne, Ray Luck and Lee Richardson also featured in the show, as well as Year 8 Classroom Teacher Josie McSoriley.
Dancing With The Staff Fundraiser
Throughout Term 2 staff and Year 13 students were rehearsing hard for Southland Boys' High School's very first Dancing With The Staff contest. Students paired up with teachers and learnt routines to compete for placings in this very entertaining competition! Congratulations to our winners, Miss McKinlay and Adam McDonald, and well done to runners up Mrs Edgley and Tim Wells, and Helen Robson and William Rabbitt. Money from this fundraiser went towards helping Yr 13 student Taylor Barrett on his way to London to perform Shakespeare at the famous Globe Theatre.
Lip Synch House Competition
At the end of Term 2 the school was treated to an afternoon of entertainment at the SBHS House Lip Synch Competition. Have a look at some of the highlights of the Junior and Senior entries. Congratulations to Grant House for winning the Lip Synch Competition this year!
Kings High School Interschool Competition
The 22nd and 23rd of June played host to the traditional sporting interschool between Southland Boys High School and Kings High School from Dunedin. The interschool included Hockey, Football, Badminton, Trapshooting, Basketball and Rugby. The competition between these two schools is always fierce and 2010 was no exception. It all started on Tuesday the 22nd with the Basketball. A decent sized crowd packed into the SBHS gym to witness our 1st V shoot some hoops and the faithful supporters that turned out were not disappointed. Some atrocious weather late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning had some biting their nails over whether Wednesday's activities would even take place however they needn't have worried as a bit of light rain didn't manage to dampen the spirits of these two traditional rivals and the games went ahead in fine spirit. Interschool results: Basketball- SBHS 91 Kings 47 Badminton-SBHS 5 Kings 1 Hockey-SBHS 2 Kings 1 Football- Kings 7 SBHS 5 Trapshooting-SBHS win Rugby 2nd XV-SBHS 33 Kings 5 Rugby 1st XV-SBHS 38 Kings 3
Reporting, filming and editing by Brayden Lindsay and Scott Eade SBHS Media Team
The Royal NZ Ballet Trains Our 1st XV
On Friday the 18th of June we welcomed to the school Dance Educator Brigitte Knight and SBHS Old Boy Shannon Dawson from the Royal New Zealand Ballet. The 1st XV were treated to a training session by the pair, who were in town for the RNZB's season of 'Carmen'.
Gladstone Pre-School Visit
On Thursday 17th June five of the SBHS 1st XV visited Gladstone Pre-School. The littlies were ready and waiting for us in their rugby boots and rugby tops, and our boys played some rugby with the kids and also performed the SBHS Haka. Thanks to the Gladstone kids for singing us the National Anthem and performing the All Black Haka for us!
Gladstone Pre- School watched the 1st XV play in the Interschool against John McGlashan and will also come along to support us at our next Interschool against Kings High School.
A big thanks to Miss Mulligan for organising this fun visit!
First XV Boys: Campbell Smith, Stephen Clegg, Scott Eade, Campbell Wood and Tiaki Cameron
House Cultural Competition - The Haka
On Tuesday 15 August SBHS held its yearly Haka Competition. Have a look at each houses' different interpretation of our school haka!
Southland Boys' High School & Southland Girls' High School Ball
The Southland Boys' High School & Southland Girls' High School Ball was held on Friday 11 June at Stadium Southland. The theme was 'Secret Garden'. Have a look at some of the highlights of this wonderful event!
