Hutt Valley High School
Encyclopedia
Hutt Valley High School (also known as HVHS, Hutt High) is a state co-educational secondary school
located in Lower Hutt
, New Zealand
. It is a uniformed school
, with the uniform coming under review roughly every 5 years by the order of the Board of Trustee’s. The current principal is Ross Sinclair. Hutt Valley High School has continued to expand and now has a diverse school population from over 60 different national and cultural backgrounds. It also hosts many international and exchange students from around the world. The current roll is 1761 students.
The school has a long and impressive history in the realm of the Arts. Public Speech Making Competitions and the regional Debating Society are just two of the events majorly associated with the school's tradition in Public Speaking. Drama productions and Musicals have been a long standing event since 1926, ranging from ‘Oklahoma’ and ‘Oh, It's a Lovely War’ "don the Roof" in 2007. Recently, the schools Stage Challenge Troupe won the Second Night of the Wellington Round of Stage Challenge, with their humorous look at what happens when you get locked in a shopping mall after closing time - Taking home not only 1st place, but 13 awards in doing so. The popular Multi-Cultural Evening, where food and entertainment from different cultures are sampled and celebrated, has become an annual event being run by the Cultural Committee.
A wide range of sporting pursuits are part of the school’s tradition and success continues in local and national competitions. Many old boys and girls have gone on to represent New Zealand in their chosen code. The local Tararua
mountains have been explored by many groups from the school as part of the Tramping Club and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. In the 1940s, a teacher died in a snowstorm, and several other students have since lost their lives in these mountains.
Hutt Valley High School has recently built two new facilities catering to Physical Education, Art and Drama. With the 2009 Government Grant to re-vamp school grounds, Hutt High took to earthquake strengthening the Language and Technology Block (otherwise known as D Block by Students). Currently the same renovations are taking place on the Mathematics and Science section of B Block, with the original 1920s section (which houses the Social Sciences, Computing and Graphics departments) is set to receive similar renovations later this year.
, near Lower Hutt
. In 1905, a secondary school, Petone District High School was added to Petone (primary) School which served a growing population employed in the Gear Meat Works and Railway Workshops. From 1910, urban growth encouraged citizens to lobby the council for a local school. 18 acres (72,843.5 m²) of land was bought in 1915 and in 1926, the school moved to its current site on Woburn Rd, as an amalgamation of Petone District High School and Hutt District High School, with a roll of 142.
The first principal was H. P. Kidson and the school had nine classrooms and one laboratory. To school felt rural with sheep grazing the land, loaned by local farmers. The first caretaker, Mr. H. J. M. Stirling, died while in the school’s employ, and a sundial for his memorial was unveiled by the then Prime Minister
and local MP for Lower Hutt
, Walter Nash
. Until recently, this sundial was maintained as a memorial to those students who had died during their time at the school. However, this landmark was removed in recent years, due to unknown reasons. The school’s first Rhodes Scholarship
was awarded to D. Vere-Jones in 1957, who had been Dux in 1953. He represents the school’s reputation for scholarship and the many academic honours that past pupils have been awarded over its history.
In the 1930s, girls were expected ‘by voluntary labour, to keep the flower beds in order’ and boys planted trees and had the opportunity to join the Cadet Company, which involved rifle drill parades and provided the guard of honour at the opening of the nearby Riddiford Baths. The 1940s saw the building of air-raid shelters in the grounds and the effects of polio outbreaks with the early closure of the school for the year in 1947. After the closure of the Petone Memorial College in 1998, its pupils were incorporated into Hutt Valley High School, which greatly increased the roll.
The only part of the School Uniform to not have changed since 1926 is the Boys Socks.
Board chairwoman Susan Pilbrow’s response brought the school's safety into further question. Pilbrow is reported as saying that a series of assaults preceding the main attack were minor, and did not warrant being referred to the board, even though scissors and cell phones were being used as weapons and they were regarded as serious violent and sexual assaults by authorities.
Chris Carter
, then Minister of Education, asked for an urgent report into allegations of underage sex, drinking and drug-taking at the school. The report found that there was no evidence of ongoing serious problems apart from the December incidents. However, the report found that while the school had clear expectations of its students' behaviour, there was "a lack of clear procedures in dealing with incidents" (particularly complaint and investigation of the abuse) and that some management policies needed updating.
Parents were incensed at the response from the school and complained to the offices of the Ombudsman and Human Rights Commission .
In September 2011 the Chief Ombudsman released a comprehensive and highly critical report finding that the school had a systematic culture of bullying and violence and that discipline systems were inadequate and recommended the implementation of mandatory anti-bullying programmes in all schools.
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
located in Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt is a city in the Wellington region of New Zealand. Its council has adopted the name Hutt City Council, but neither the New Zealand Geographic Board nor the Local Government Act recognise the name Hutt City. This alternative name can lead to confusion, as there are two cities in the...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is a uniformed school
School uniform
A school uniform is an outfit—a set of standardized clothes—worn primarily for an educational institution. They are common in primary and secondary schools in various countries . When used, they form the basis of a school's dress code.Traditionally school uniforms have been largely subdued and...
, with the uniform coming under review roughly every 5 years by the order of the Board of Trustee’s. The current principal is Ross Sinclair. Hutt Valley High School has continued to expand and now has a diverse school population from over 60 different national and cultural backgrounds. It also hosts many international and exchange students from around the world. The current roll is 1761 students.
School
Hutt High has a widely varied curriculum, offering many languages, sciences and almost the entire spectrum of the National Curriculum. In addition to the school's subjects, there are a wide and intriguing number of extracurricular events and groups to join and participate in. The school offers organisation bodies such as the Councils (serving Years 9 - 13), the Cultural Committee and the Sports Committee, a large number of interest related groups such as the Environment Group, Christian Club and a Human Rights Group to name a few.The school has a long and impressive history in the realm of the Arts. Public Speech Making Competitions and the regional Debating Society are just two of the events majorly associated with the school's tradition in Public Speaking. Drama productions and Musicals have been a long standing event since 1926, ranging from ‘Oklahoma’ and ‘Oh, It's a Lovely War’ "don the Roof" in 2007. Recently, the schools Stage Challenge Troupe won the Second Night of the Wellington Round of Stage Challenge, with their humorous look at what happens when you get locked in a shopping mall after closing time - Taking home not only 1st place, but 13 awards in doing so. The popular Multi-Cultural Evening, where food and entertainment from different cultures are sampled and celebrated, has become an annual event being run by the Cultural Committee.
A wide range of sporting pursuits are part of the school’s tradition and success continues in local and national competitions. Many old boys and girls have gone on to represent New Zealand in their chosen code. The local Tararua
Tararua Range
The Tararua Range is one of several mountain ranges in the North Island of New Zealand which form a ridge running parallel with the east coast of the island between East Cape and Wellington....
mountains have been explored by many groups from the school as part of the Tramping Club and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. In the 1940s, a teacher died in a snowstorm, and several other students have since lost their lives in these mountains.
Hutt Valley High School has recently built two new facilities catering to Physical Education, Art and Drama. With the 2009 Government Grant to re-vamp school grounds, Hutt High took to earthquake strengthening the Language and Technology Block (otherwise known as D Block by Students). Currently the same renovations are taking place on the Mathematics and Science section of B Block, with the original 1920s section (which houses the Social Sciences, Computing and Graphics departments) is set to receive similar renovations later this year.
History
The origins of the school are in PetonePetone
Petone is a major suburb of the city of Lower Hutt in New Zealand. It is located at the southern end of the narrow triangular plain of the Hutt River, on the northern shore of Wellington Harbour...
, near Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt is a city in the Wellington region of New Zealand. Its council has adopted the name Hutt City Council, but neither the New Zealand Geographic Board nor the Local Government Act recognise the name Hutt City. This alternative name can lead to confusion, as there are two cities in the...
. In 1905, a secondary school, Petone District High School was added to Petone (primary) School which served a growing population employed in the Gear Meat Works and Railway Workshops. From 1910, urban growth encouraged citizens to lobby the council for a local school. 18 acres (72,843.5 m²) of land was bought in 1915 and in 1926, the school moved to its current site on Woburn Rd, as an amalgamation of Petone District High School and Hutt District High School, with a roll of 142.
The first principal was H. P. Kidson and the school had nine classrooms and one laboratory. To school felt rural with sheep grazing the land, loaned by local farmers. The first caretaker, Mr. H. J. M. Stirling, died while in the school’s employ, and a sundial for his memorial was unveiled by the then Prime Minister
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
and local MP for Lower Hutt
Hutt (New Zealand electorate)
Hutt was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. It was one of the original electorates in 1853 and existed during two periods until 1978. It was represented by 13 Members of Parliament.-Population centres:...
, Walter Nash
Walter Nash
Sir Walter Nash, GCMG, CH served as the 27th Prime Minister of New Zealand in the Second Labour Government from 1957 to 1960, and was also highly influential in his role as Minister of Finance...
. Until recently, this sundial was maintained as a memorial to those students who had died during their time at the school. However, this landmark was removed in recent years, due to unknown reasons. The school’s first Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship, named after Cecil Rhodes, is an international postgraduate award for study at the University of Oxford. It was the first large-scale programme of international scholarships, and is widely considered the "world's most prestigious scholarship" by many public sources such as...
was awarded to D. Vere-Jones in 1957, who had been Dux in 1953. He represents the school’s reputation for scholarship and the many academic honours that past pupils have been awarded over its history.
In the 1930s, girls were expected ‘by voluntary labour, to keep the flower beds in order’ and boys planted trees and had the opportunity to join the Cadet Company, which involved rifle drill parades and provided the guard of honour at the opening of the nearby Riddiford Baths. The 1940s saw the building of air-raid shelters in the grounds and the effects of polio outbreaks with the early closure of the school for the year in 1947. After the closure of the Petone Memorial College in 1998, its pupils were incorporated into Hutt Valley High School, which greatly increased the roll.
The only part of the School Uniform to not have changed since 1926 is the Boys Socks.
Bullying and Violence
The school was highly criticised by the news media, parents and the public in 2007 when acting principal Steve Chapman did not expel or suspend five students accused of forcibly lowering the underpants of a 14-year-old student and violating him with an object on December 6, 2007. Chapman justified his decision to simply stand down the students, because it was not a violent act. The local police however, labeled the incident as extreme bullying.Board chairwoman Susan Pilbrow’s response brought the school's safety into further question. Pilbrow is reported as saying that a series of assaults preceding the main attack were minor, and did not warrant being referred to the board, even though scissors and cell phones were being used as weapons and they were regarded as serious violent and sexual assaults by authorities.
Chris Carter
Chris Carter (politician)
Christopher Joseph Carter was an independent Member of Parliament in New Zealand, and a former member of the New Zealand Labour Party until his expulsion. Carter was a senior Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand, serving lastly as Minister of Education, Minister...
, then Minister of Education, asked for an urgent report into allegations of underage sex, drinking and drug-taking at the school. The report found that there was no evidence of ongoing serious problems apart from the December incidents. However, the report found that while the school had clear expectations of its students' behaviour, there was "a lack of clear procedures in dealing with incidents" (particularly complaint and investigation of the abuse) and that some management policies needed updating.
Parents were incensed at the response from the school and complained to the offices of the Ombudsman and Human Rights Commission .
In September 2011 the Chief Ombudsman released a comprehensive and highly critical report finding that the school had a systematic culture of bullying and violence and that discipline systems were inadequate and recommended the implementation of mandatory anti-bullying programmes in all schools.
Notable alumni
- James BannatyneJames BannatyneJames Bannatyne is an association football goalkeeper who plays for Team Wellington in the New Zealand Football Championship...
- footballer, All Whites - Philippa CampbellPhilippa CampbellPhilippa Campbell is a New Zealand film producer, dramaturg and the Literary Manager of the Auckland Theatre Company. Her production company is Escapade Pictures.-Biography:...
- film producer - Mike Clamp - former All Black
- Sir Thomas EichelbaumThomas EichelbaumSir Johann Thomas Eichelbaum, GBE, QC was the eleventh Chief Justice of New Zealand.-Early life:He was born in Königsberg, Germany, and his family emigrated to Wellington, New Zealand in 1938 to escape the persecution of Jews...
- former Chief Justice of New ZealandChief Justice of New ZealandThe Chief Justice of New Zealand is the head of the New Zealand judiciary, and presides over the Supreme Court of New Zealand. Before the establishment of the latter court in 2004 the Chief Justice was the presiding judge in the High Court of New Zealand and was also ex officio a member of the... - John Bevan Ford - artist
- Alan Hewson - former All Black
- Ronald JardenRon JardenRonald Alexander Jarden better known as Ron Jarden was a New Zealand rugby union footballer, businessman, and sharebroker. Jarden played club rugby for Victoria University in 1949, and was selected to play provincial rugby for Wellington that year...
- former All Black and Sportsman of the Year, 1951 - Lloyd JonesLloyd Jones (New Zealand author)Lloyd Jones is a New Zealand author who currently resides in Wellington. His novel Mister Pip won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize and was shortlisted for the Booker.-Early life and education:...
- author - Alan MacDiarmidAlan MacDiarmidAlan Graham MacDiarmid ONZ was a chemist, and one of three recipients of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2000.-Early life:He was born in Masterton, New Zealand as one of five children - three brothers and two sisters...
- Nobel Prize laureate - Chris NevinChris NevinChristopher John Nevin in Dunedin) played 37 One Day Internationals for New Zealand but no Tests.His entire state career has been played out with the Wellington Firebirds, as a wicketkeeper-batsman, normally opening the batting in one-day games.He also briefly represented the Hampshire Cricket...
- cricketer, Blackcap and Wellington Firebirds captain - John Richard ReidJohn Richard ReidJohn Richard Reid was a New Zealand cricketer who captained New Zealand in 34 Tests. He was the country's first cricketing leader to achieve victory, both at home against the West Indies in 1956 and the first away win, against South Africa in 1962...
- former New Zealand cricket captain - Jeremy ThrushJeremy ThrushJeremy Thrush is a rugby union lock who played provincial rugby for Wellington Lions and super rugby for the Hurricanes....
- rugby player, Hurricanes and former Wellington Lions - Nick WillisNick WillisNicholas Ian Willis MNZM is a New Zealand middle distance runner. He won the silver medal in the 1500m at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing with a time of 3:34.16 minutes. He was a gold medallist in the 1500 metres at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and a bronze medallist at the 2010...
- Olympic Silver Medalist, athletics - Mark de Jong - CEO of Parachute MusicParachute MusicParachute Music is a Christian music organisation from New Zealand, that was formed in 1989 and operates in two main areas: Events and Artist Management. The organisation runs the annual Parachute Festival, which has grown to become a staple of the Kiwi summer and regularly attracts an audience of...
& Parachute FestivalParachute music festivalThe Parachute Music Festival is a Christian music festival held annually at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand.The festival is run by Parachute Music and lasts for four days and three nights. 'Parachute' is the Southern Hemisphere's largest Christian music festival, primarily...