A boys preparatory school for boarding and dayboys set in rural grounds in South Canterbury, New Zealand. School days are filled with sport, music, drama, academics, and great friendships.
Welcome to Waihi School's Blog. Find out about our exciting Celebrity Ties Global Auction. It's exciting because we are raising money for our fantastic new building, a boarding and dayboys facility that sets our school up for the future. We will also tell you about events at the school and what boys have been up to. Follow us now!
We had an ANZAC day service last Sunday. Matthew Hitching's father came to talk to us about war. He was in his Army uniform. The best part was the anti tank gun firing after the service. It was loud.
In class we have been learning about Kiwis at War. We learned about Charles Upham and how he got two Victoria Crosses. He went to Waihi School.
We are writing News reports in class. They are on Road Accidents and crashes. In Word Study we have been learning about Gender. I found out that a Sultan's wife is called a Sultana. It's strange because that's a type of food!
Our next topic is going to be on Spiders. I like spiders.
We are delighted to receive 2 ties from our Waihi School Foundation Patron, Sir Tim Wallis.
The blue tie is a special Spitfire Mark XVI tie which has been worn at airshows and aeronautical occasions by Sir Tim.
The brown tie is a New Zealand Deer Association tie and worn to many conferences and meetings in the deer industry which Sir Tim pioneered in New Zealand.
One of the special ties we received was from Tony Hawk, professional skateboarder. Wikipedia says Hawk began skateboarding at age eight after his older brother bought him a used skateboard and his father constructed a ramp in their backyard. At the age of 11, he won his first contest. He turned pro by the age of 14. On July 27, 1999, Hawk was the first skater to land a 900 in competition. He successfully landed the trick, which involves completing two-and-a-half revolutions, on the twelfth attempt. After completing the trick, he commented, "This is the best day of my life." During X Games 2001, he again successfully performed the trick.
Boom Boom Huck Jam: In 2002, Tony Hawk started the Jam, which is a small event featuring competitions in many sports such as motorcross, skateboarding, and BMX with a show.
He has appeared in numerous television shows and films
Left: Michael Houston's subtle initials on his tie.
Michael Houstoun (20 October 1952 —) is a concert pianist from New Zealand.
Born and educated in Timaru he won every New Zealand piano competition and award as a teenager, he then travelled and entered major international competitions with great success. Houstoun returned to live in New Zealand in 1981 and regularly plays with New Zealand's professional music ensembles as well as solo recitals and recording.
In 1999, Houstoun received an honorary doctorate in literature from Massey University.
Right: The Michael Houston tie is a beautiful musical piece!
Tamati Coffey signs a tie when he was at Caroline Bay. See on the right Henry Rolleston, Hamish and Reuben Woods, Alex Wilson and Luke Elsen.
John Campbell sent us his tie but it is not signed. Please sign it on air for us John or come and see our boys with your news crew!
His certificate says "I wore this tie on air - quite a few times! I always felt amazingly handsome in it - and I am sure that had I been single and gone out on the town it it, it would certainly have pulled dozens of chicks!!! Thanks for supporting Waihi School. Lots of love John xxxx"
Paul Holmes got his signing write - right across the front! What a special tie! Wouldn't you love to be seen in this one, great conversation starter!
His certificate of Authenticity says "I wore it once"
Matt Watson sent a great package. His signed photo says "Waihi Boys - Fishing Rocks!"
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Cody Callaghan was delighted to receive the special message with the personally monogrammed and autographed tie from Donald Trump. We were impressed he took the time and trouble to send it. Thank you for your thoughtfulness Mr Trump.
Nathan Twaddles New Zealand team uniform tie from his first ever selection for New Zealand. Nathan won bronze at the Beijing Olympics with George Bridgewater. They were World Champions in 2005, and silver medallists in 2006 & 2007. Right: Eric Murray's tie "Tie was worn as part of Inaugural 'Great Race' for Waikato University 2002". Eric is double World Champion rower.
We had a great camp at Living springs. I liked the bunkrooms and how we shared them with other people. I also liked the Initiatives, activities where we all had to work together. I liked the food too. There were really cool shipwrecks when we went to Quail Island.
On behalf of 6H I would like to thank the parents for coming on Camp and helping us.
In class in word Study we are looking at synonyms and antonyms. We are finishing off our door stories and making the cardboard doors for our stories to go in.
We have been learning about Landforms and Waterforms after Camp. Next week Mr Hill tells me we will be looking at Homonyms and Report writing.
Have a great weekend
from
Brad Cvitanich
Editor
The photo is me winning the Junior Cup at Swimming Sports!
Waihi is a small rural boys primary school in the South Island of New Zealand, just 112 boys!
The school is 102 years old and the boarding house looks a bit like it!It has worn out and is too small.So the boys have taken it upon themselves to get a new one built hence the fundraising.It’s a big challenge but one we have let the boys instigate, plan and execute!
The boys have written to prominent men all across the world to see if they could get signed ties for a global auction.With great success they have secured some ties from Donald Trump and some amazing sporting greats such as Jonny Wilkinson, Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Roger Federer and Nathan Twaddle…Wow.But you guessed WE NEED MORE!
They have tasked us the parents to help rev up the tie return by networking around the world with friends, family and contacts.SO HELPPPPPP!
So if you know anybody famous, a sporting legend, political figurehead, a TV personality, a global superstar then can you please ask, cajole, or beg for a tie for the boys?
We need their signature on the tie and the certificate of authenticity, so that we can prove it’s them.The certificate is attached for them to print and send with the tie.
We’re going to auction all the ties we get from the 1st June until the 21st 2010, on a global auction site and the money will go to our boarding house…how exciting.
To keep you informed and part of this great boys initiative we are on the following social sites.
The rugby legends are joining the fun!
Top left: We have a tie and shirt from Buck (Wayne) Shelford. The t-shirt explains his career. Middle: Sir Colin Meads, New Zealand's favourite old time All Black. Bottom left: Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith, assistant All Black coaches.
Above left: Paul "Fatty" Vautin :Vautin has hosted The NRL Footy Show since 1994, propelling him to TV stardom. Middle: Wendell Sailor former NRL player with the Kangaroos and also played rugby union with the Wallabies, on the Footy Show panel. Below: Benji Marshall described as West Tigers NRL superstar, co-host of the NRL Footy Show
Nick Farr-Jones "This tie is a "spoofer's" tie. Nick describes this as "An honourable game played with 3 cans by (hopefully) gentlemen" Please comment if any readers can explain "spoofers" for us!
Jonny Wilkinson sent his prep school tie with a lovely letter from his mum Philippa. Jonny signed a photo to Harry Bonifant with "Best of luck my friend. Enjoy yourself" Robbie Deans ties: The NZ Rugby Foundation tie - note says "Hi Linda Rob found another tie! Hope the auction goes well. Thank Braden for his lovely letter, Regards Jo" (Robbie Dean's sister) This tie was signed by Robbie Deans for Robbie Harper and Zin South.
Richie McCaw says his tie was "worn as part of All Black suit" - wow, it was sent to Thomas Paterson. Dan Carter's tie and certificate
Right:Graham Henry is set for rugby world cup fame in 2011? Go All Blacks!
Any other tennis stars want to send a tie....supporting a great cause for our boys. You can buy these ties on eBay 1 June 2010, and support our boys plan for a new boarding house.
Matthew Hitchings was delighted to receive a tie from astronaut James Lovell. Wikipedia says this about Captain Lovell:
James "Jim" Arthur Lovell, Jr., (born March 25, 1928) is a former NASAastronaut and a retired captain in the United States Navy, most famous as the commander of the Apollo 13 mission, which suffered an explosion en route to the Moon but was brought back safely to Earth by the efforts of the crew and mission control. Lovell was also the command module pilot of Apollo 8, the first Apollo mission to enter lunar orbit. Lovell is a recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is one of only 24 people to have flown to the Moon, and the only person to have flown to the Moon twice without making a landing. Lovell was also the first American to fly in space four times.
Further information says Captain Lovell is the world's most travelled man, having done the most miles, much of it in jet propelled aircraft and space ships. He is an inspiration to our boys and especially Matthew. The message from James to Matthew was "A school like yours gave me this tie".
Left: Donald Trumps personal collection monogrammed and signed tie. Donald was one of the first to respond to 11yo Cody Callaghan's request for a tie "Always Think Big Best wishes Donald Trump" - what an inspiration!
Boys take up the fundraising challenge...Collecting autographs for their school is a new sport for Waihi School pupils.The signatures are not just part of a boyhood collection.The boys are using it as a way of raising funds for the Centenary Complex, a new accommodation and dayboys facility for the school.
The boys have written to their favourite celebrities around the world telling them about themselves and why they admire them.The letter politely requests they sign an old tie and send it back.The ties will be auctioned online then the money put towards the $2million building fund.
Ties have been received from many famous people including American property developer, Donald Trump, tennis stars Roger Federer and Andy Murray, All Blacks and Richie McCawDan Carter, rugby coaches Graham Henry and Robbie Deans, Prime Minister John Key, Skateboarder Tony Hawk and Astronaut James Lovell among others.Television presenter Tamati Coffey signed a tie in person in Timaru and TV3’s John Campbell sent a tie that had been worn on air several times and said it ‘made him feel handsome”.
The ties are signed along with a Certificate of Authenticity validating the tie and saying why the tie is special to the owner.All Blacks Richie McCaw and Dan Carter have given special All Black ties.
Waihi is a boarding and day school for 8-12 year old boys in South Canterbury.It is set in a unique rural environment with expansive park-like grounds and playing fields where a healthy lifestyle complements quality education.Waihi School opened in 1907 and is owned and operated by the Waihi School Trust Board.Currently 116 pupils are enrolled for 2009.As an Independent school, all of the buildings are funded through fundraising.
Although small, Waihi School has a significant number of famous old boys many sportsmen, politicians and community leaders.These include Charles Upham, double VC winner,Bill Hamilton, jetboat pioneer, ex All Blacks Jack Hazlett and Robbie Deans.
The World's First Global Celebrity Tie Challenge can be followed by looking up Waihi School on Facebook and Twitter.
Anthony Horowitz is an English author of great repute, well known for his stories about Alex Rider, a 14 year old spy for British M16. He is also a writer for films, television and theatre. Albert Hobson, Year 8, was delighted to receive his groovy green tie with the comment on the Certificate of Authenticity "I'm afraid it was a fashion crime". Waihi School's Celebrity Tie Auction will be held in June and will be New Zealand's First Global Celebrity Tie Auction. Fans of Anthony will be able to bid on eBay to have their own piece of Anthony Horowitz.
2010 is up and running at Waihi School with 112 boys starting and a record for many years of 67 Boarders. The two new tennis courts are in use already. The courts are beside where the new boarding facility will be built this year With boarding numbers risingthere is great excitement about building the Centenary Complex. Stage One at a cost of $1.8million will commence once tenders are confirmed early this year. It is planned to hold a launch on completion. With over $1.5 million raised for Stage 1, fundraising for Stage 2 of the Centenary Complex is underway. Our celebrity tie fundraiser will help the total. A total of 36 celebrity ties have been received and the ties will be sold online during 2010. Look out for further blogs showing our exciting array of signed ties...
Waihi is a boarding and day school for 8-12 year old boys in South Canterbury. It is set in a unique rural environment with expansive park-like grounds and playing fields where a healthy lifestyle complements quality education. Waihi School opened in 1907 and is owned and operated by the Waihi School Trust Board. Currently 114 pupils are enrolled. As an Independent school, all of the buildings are funded through fundraising.
We are writing News reports in class. They are on Road Accidents and crashes. In Word Study we have been learning about Gender. I found out that a Sultan's wife is called a Sultana. It's strange because that's a type of food!
