Wellington College (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
Wellington College is a state secondary school
for boys in Mount Victoria
in Wellington
, New Zealand
.
gave the school a deed of endowment in 1853. In 1874 it opened at its present location. The former boarding establishment at the College, Firth House, was named after Joseph Firth
, the headmaster from 1892 to 1921.
Wellington College's Pavilion, Firth House and the Gifford Observatory were opened on 1 December, 1924. The War Memorial Hall was opened on 2 March, 1928, financially supported by £6000 from the Old Boys' Association. The War Memorial Hall and classroom wings were demolished by the Ministry of Works
and replaced in the 1960s with a new hall and seven-storey Tower classroom block due to its lack of earthquake reinforcements. The stained glass window from the front of the War Memorial Hall is now located in the front of the existing hall.
During the 1970s the Maths, Library and Technology blocks were opened, replacing the last of the War Memorial Hall building and classroom wings that opened in 1928. Also, the Old Boys Gymnasium was built on the eastern boundary of the campus replacing the swimming pool.
In 1980 Firth House was demolished to make way for a new gymnasium which opened in 1982. 1987 saw the opening of the Arts and Music block, and the Brierley Theatre, named after old boy Ron Brierley
.
The first dedicated computer rooms in the College opened in 1992 in a new building located behind the school hall.
2001 saw the opening of the Science block, on the western boundary of the campus. In 2008 the Languages block opened, also located on the western boundary.
The campus also has many prefabricated buildings, some functioning as offices and some as classrooms.
The only "historical" buildings remaining on campus to this day are Firth Hall, the Pavilion and the Gifford Observatory.
Each year the school's rugby team plays in a competition with Nelson College
, Christ's College
, and Wanganui Collegiate School
known as the "Quadrangular Tournament". Wellington are the reigning champions of this tournament and have been since 2003. Their current winning streak of eight titles in a row is the longest in the tournament's history.
The school also competes in a local athletics competition known as "McEvedy Shield
" along with St. Patrick's College (Town), St. Patrick's College, Silverstream
and Rongotai College
. Historically, Wellington College have won the shield 47 times since 1922. The 2009 event was won by Wellington College at Newtown Park
, but in 2010 St Patrick's College (Town) won the shield.
It is next to Wellington East Girls' College
, also in Mount Victoria, and shares with that college the Gifford Observatory
.
Each year in Dunedin
, a de facto reunion is held by old boys of the College studying at Otago University.
Although Wellington College is situated next to Wellington East Girls' College, its sister college is Wellington Girls' College located in Thorndon
.
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...
for boys in Mount Victoria
Mount Victoria, Wellington
Mount Victoria, locally abbreviated to Mt. Vic, is a prominent hill to the east of the centre of Wellington, New Zealand, and its associated suburb. To the south of it is a spur, Mount Albert, and the two are linked by a ridge....
in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
, 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...
.
History
Wellington College opened in 1867 as Wellington Grammar School in Woodward Street, though Sir George GreyGeorge Edward Grey
Sir George Grey, KCB was a soldier, explorer, Governor of South Australia, twice Governor of New Zealand, Governor of Cape Colony , the 11th Premier of New Zealand and a writer.-Early life and exploration:...
gave the school a deed of endowment in 1853. In 1874 it opened at its present location. The former boarding establishment at the College, Firth House, was named after Joseph Firth
Joseph Firth
Joseph "Pentland" Firth CMG was a New Zealand educationalist and teacher. Known as The Boss, he was the headmaster of Wellington College from 1892 to 1920...
, the headmaster from 1892 to 1921.
Wellington College's Pavilion, Firth House and the Gifford Observatory were opened on 1 December, 1924. The War Memorial Hall was opened on 2 March, 1928, financially supported by £6000 from the Old Boys' Association. The War Memorial Hall and classroom wings were demolished by the Ministry of Works
New Zealand Ministry of Works
The New Zealand Ministry of Works, formerly the Department of Public Works and sometimes referred to as the Public Works Department or PWD, was founded in 1876 and disestablished and privatised in 1988...
and replaced in the 1960s with a new hall and seven-storey Tower classroom block due to its lack of earthquake reinforcements. The stained glass window from the front of the War Memorial Hall is now located in the front of the existing hall.
During the 1970s the Maths, Library and Technology blocks were opened, replacing the last of the War Memorial Hall building and classroom wings that opened in 1928. Also, the Old Boys Gymnasium was built on the eastern boundary of the campus replacing the swimming pool.
In 1980 Firth House was demolished to make way for a new gymnasium which opened in 1982. 1987 saw the opening of the Arts and Music block, and the Brierley Theatre, named after old boy Ron Brierley
Ron Brierley
Sir Ronald Alfred "Ron" Brierley is a New Zealand investor and corporate raider, chairman and director of a number of companies in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. He founded "R. A. Brierley Investments" in March 1961 with no capital...
.
The first dedicated computer rooms in the College opened in 1992 in a new building located behind the school hall.
2001 saw the opening of the Science block, on the western boundary of the campus. In 2008 the Languages block opened, also located on the western boundary.
The campus also has many prefabricated buildings, some functioning as offices and some as classrooms.
The only "historical" buildings remaining on campus to this day are Firth Hall, the Pavilion and the Gifford Observatory.
About
Wellington College's enrolment zone mainly covers the central and western parts of Wellington.Each year the school's rugby team plays in a competition with Nelson College
Nelson College
Nelson College is a boys-only state secondary school in Nelson, New Zealand. It teaches from years 9 to 13. In addition, it runs a private Preparatory School for year 7 and 8 boys...
, Christ's College
Christ's College, Canterbury
Christ's College, Christchurch is an independent, Anglican, secondary, day and boarding school for boys, located in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand....
, and Wanganui Collegiate School
Wanganui Collegiate School
Wanganui Collegiate School is an independent, coeducational, day and boarding secondary school in Wanganui, New Zealand. The school is affiliated to the Anglican church.-About:...
known as the "Quadrangular Tournament". Wellington are the reigning champions of this tournament and have been since 2003. Their current winning streak of eight titles in a row is the longest in the tournament's history.
The school also competes in a local athletics competition known as "McEvedy Shield
McEvedy Shield
The McEvedy Shield is an annual athletics competition held in Wellington, New Zealand, for four of the region's boys' secondary schools. It is the largest annual athletics meet in the Southern Hemisphere, in terms of its number of athletes competing....
" along with St. Patrick's College (Town), St. Patrick's College, Silverstream
St. Patrick's College, Silverstream
St Patrick's College is an Integrated Catholic boys' day and boarding Secondary School located in Silverstream, Upper Hutt, New Zealand. It was established by the Society of Mary in 1931 when the original St Patrick's College, Wellington was intended to be moved to a larger site more suited to a...
and Rongotai College
Rongotai College
Rongotai College is an all-boys state secondary school in the south-eastern suburb of Rongotai in Wellington, New Zealand. The students are aged 12 to 19.The decile 6 school has a roll of over 650 students...
. Historically, Wellington College have won the shield 47 times since 1922. The 2009 event was won by Wellington College at Newtown Park
Newtown Park
Newtown Park is a multi-purpose stadium in Wellington, New Zealand. It is currently used mostly for football matches and athletic events. The main pitch has a 400 metre, all-weather rubberized athletics track around it, as well as the spectator stands and the corporate loungue...
, but in 2010 St Patrick's College (Town) won the shield.
It is next to Wellington East Girls' College
Wellington East Girls' College
Wellington East Girls' College is on the lower slopes of Mount Victoria. It was built on reserve land bordering Wellington College in 1925, to cope with the demand for female education in Wellington at the time...
, also in Mount Victoria, and shares with that college the Gifford Observatory
Gifford Observatory
The Gifford Observatory is an astronomical observation facility located in Mount Victoria, Wellington, New Zealand. Operated by the Gifford Observatory Trust with the intent of making it available for use to Wellington school children, it is primarily used by secondary school students, and members...
.
Each year in Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
, a de facto reunion is held by old boys of the College studying at Otago University.
Although Wellington College is situated next to Wellington East Girls' College, its sister college is Wellington Girls' College located in Thorndon
Thorndon
Thorndon is an inner suburb of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. It combines residential accommodation and the home of government, and is located at the northern end of the Central Business District...
.
The Arts
- Maxwell FernieMaxwell FernieMaxwell Fernie was a New Zealand organist, teacher and conductor. He was an authority on Gregorian chant, sixteenth century polyphony, organ construction and tonal design.-Life:...
- organist, conductor and music teacher - Alexander GrantAlexander Grant (dancer)Alexander Grant was a ballet dancer noted as a founder member of the Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet and as a dancer with The Royal Ballet.- Overview :...
, dancer - Dai HenwoodDai HenwoodDai Henwood is a New Zealand comedian and interpretive dancer . He is best known for his hosting of several television shows found on C4 but also performs stand up comedy.A little known fact on Dai is that he has spent a year in Northern America as expedition leader for a privatley funded...
- comedian - Raybon KanRaybon KanRaybon Kan is a Masterton, New Zealand-born Han Chinese comedian and newspaper columnist.-Early life and family:Kan's family moved to Wellington, New Zealand soon after his birth, where he began his education at St Mark's Church School and continued through to Wellington College where he was...
- writer and comedian - Bret McKenzieBret McKenzieBret Peter Tarrant McKenzie is a comedian, actor, musician and producer, best known for being one half of the Grammy Award winning musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords along with Jemaine Clement....
- Flight of the ConchordsFlight of the ConchordsFlight of the Conchords are a New Zealand-based comedy duo composed of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement. The duo's comedy and music became the basis of a BBC radio series and then an American television series, which premiered in 2007 on HBO, also called Flight of the Conchords.They were named... - Karl UrbanKarl UrbanKarl-Heinz Urban is a New Zealand actor.He is known for playing Éomer in the second and third installments of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy in the 2009 film Star Trek and Julius Caesar on Xena: Warrior Princess...
- actor
Broadcasting & journalism
- John CampbellJohn Campbell (broadcaster)John Campbell is the presenter of Campbell Live, a primetime 7.00pm current affairs programme on TV3 in New Zealand.-Early career:...
- current events TV host - Keith Quinn - TV & radio sports presenter
- Chris Spence - journalist
Business
- Sir Ron BrierleyRon BrierleySir Ronald Alfred "Ron" Brierley is a New Zealand investor and corporate raider, chairman and director of a number of companies in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. He founded "R. A. Brierley Investments" in March 1961 with no capital...
- businessman - Arthur MyersArthur MyersSir Arthur Mielziner Myers was a New Zealand politician. He was Mayor of Auckland City from 1905 to 1909, Member of the House of Representatives from 1910 to 1921, and a Cabinet Minister...
- businessman, politician - Steve OuttrimSteve OuttrimSteve Outtrim is a technology entrepreneur from New Zealand. He is best known for his success in the early "dot com years" of the Internet, as the creator of Sausage Software and its flagship product, the HotDog Web Editor...
- businessman - Sir Frank RenoufFrank RenoufSir Francis Henry "Frank" Renouf was a prominent New Zealand tycoon and financier. His obituary in the Dominion was headed: "Flamboyant Renouf shook starch out of financial world"....
- businessman - Alan GibbsAlan GibbsAlan Gibbs is a New Zealand businessman, entrepreneur, and art patron; and one of New Zealand's wealthiest residents. National Business Review magazine estimates his wealth at $450 million.-Career:...
- businessman
Public service
- Air Marshal Sir Arthur "Mary" ConinghamArthur Coningham (RAF officer)Air Marshal Sir Arthur "Mary" Coningham KCB, KBE, DSO, MC, DFC, AFC, RAF was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force. During the First World War, he was at Gallipoli with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, where he became a flying ace...
- famous World War II commander and World War I Air Ace. Portrayed in the film PattonPatton (film)Patton is a 1970 American biographical war film about U.S. General George S. Patton during World War II. It stars George C. Scott, Karl Malden, Michael Bates, and Karl Michael Vogler. It was directed by Franklin J. Schaffner from a script by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H...
. - Lord Freyberg of WellingtonBernard Freyberg, 1st Baron FreybergLieutenant-General Bernard Cyril Freyberg, 1st Baron Freyberg VC, GCMG, KCB, KBE, DSO & Three Bars , was a British-born New Zealand Victoria Cross recipient and soldier who later served as the seventh Governor-General of New Zealand.A veteran of the Mexican Revolution, he became an officer in the...
, Governor-General, World War I VCVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
Winner and World War II Commander. - Thomas Gault - Justice of the Supreme Court of New Zealand
- Lord Grey of NauntonRalph Grey, Baron Grey of NauntonRalph Francis Alnwick Grey, Baron Grey of Naunton, GCMG, GCVO, OBE, GCSt.J, PC, was the last Governor of Northern Ireland....
, last Governor of Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
(also attended Scots CollegeScots College, WellingtonScots College is a private boys' primary and secondary school located in the suburb of Strathmore Wellington, New Zealand. The College comprises both the primary and secondary institutions - the primary school section is typically referred to as the Preparatory School and has its own Head Teacher...
) - Sir Michael Hardie BoysMichael Hardie Boys-External links:*-References:...
- former Governor-General of New Zealand - Don HunnDon HunnDonald Kent Hunn CNZM is a senior New Zealand diplomat and civil servant. Hunn is the son of Sir Jack Hunn, a former Secretary of Defence, Maori Affairs, and Justice.-Education:...
CNZMNew Zealand Order of MeritThe New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
- senior New Zealand diplomat, civil servant, and State Services CommissionerState Services CommissionerThe State Services Commissioner is the chief executive of New Zealand's State Services Commission and has a range of responsibilities for the Public Service, the State Services and the wider state sector... - Ngatata LoveNgatata LoveSir Ralph Herberley "Ngatata" Love, GNZM, QSO, JP, is a New Zealand Treaty of Waitangi negotiator, academic and Māori leader. Love is a Professor of Business Development at Victoria University of Wellington's Victoria Management School....
- academic and Treaty negotiator - Rex MasonRex MasonHenry Greathead Rex Mason was a New Zealand politician. He served as Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, and Minister of Native Affairs, and had a significant influence on the direction of the Labour Party...
- politician - Sir Matthew OramMatthew OramSir Matthew Henry Oram MBE was a New Zealand politician of the National Party. He was the 13th Speaker of the House of Representatives, from 1950 to 1957....
- lawyer, politician, Speaker of Parliament - Sir Paul ReevesPaul ReevesSir Paul Alfred Reeves, ONZ, GCMG, GCVO, CF, QSO was Archbishop and Primate of New Zealand from 1980 to 1985 and the 15th Governor-General of New Zealand from 22 November 1985 to 20 November 1990...
- former Governor-General of New Zealand - Adrian G. RoddaAdrian G. RoddaAdrian George Rodda CMG was a senior New Zealand civil servant.He was born in Wellington, and educated at Johnsonville School, Wellington College and Victoria University College....
- senior civil servant and Chairman of the State Services CommissionState Services CommissionerThe State Services Commissioner is the chief executive of New Zealand's State Services Commission and has a range of responsibilities for the Public Service, the State Services and the wider state sector... - Dr William Ball SutchBill SutchWilliam Ball Sutch was a New Zealand economist, historian, writer, public servant, and public intellectual. In 1974, he was charged with trying to pass New Zealand Government information to the Soviet Union. He was acquitted....
, New Zealand public servant, put on trial for espionage
Science
- George Leslie AdkinGeorge Leslie AdkinGeorge Leslie Adkin was a New Zealand farmer, geologist, archaeologist, ethnologist, photographer, tramper and environmentalist...
- farmer, geologist, ethnologist, photographer, and environmentalist. - Ian FosterIan FosterIan Foster is a Distinguished Fellow and the Associate Division Director in the Mathematics and Computer Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory, where he leads the Distributed Systems Laboratory, and he is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Chicago...
- computer scientist - William PickeringWilliam Hayward PickeringWilliam Hayward Pickering ONZ KBE was a New Zealand born rocket scientist who headed Pasadena, California's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for 22 years, retiring in 1976...
- former Head of the NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
Jet Propulsion LaboratoryJet Propulsion LaboratoryJet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center and NASA field center located in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County, California, United States. The facility is headquartered in the city of Pasadena on the border of La Cañada Flintridge and Pasadena...
(space scientist) - Prof Tony Raine (1949–1995) - distinguished nephrologist
- Philip RobertsonPhilip RobertsonPhilip Wilfred Robertson was a New Zealand chemist, university professor, and writer.Philip Robertson, son of Donald Robertson was born in 1884 and educated at Wellington College, where he was dux in 1900. He then graduated with an MA in chemistry from Victoria University of Wellington in 1905,...
- chemist, university professor and writer - Jonathan SarfatiJonathan SarfatiJonathan D. Sarfati is a former New Zealand national chess champion and creationist author with a PhD in chemistry. Sarfati works for Creation Ministries International , formerly part of Answers in Genesis , a non-profit Christian Apologetics ministry specialising in Young-Earth creationism...
- creationist, scientist, and New Zealand Chess ChampionNew Zealand Chess ChampionshipThe New Zealand Chess Championship was first conducted in 1879.Note: Up until 1934 foreign players were eligible for the title. The eligibility rules were changed in 1935 to preclude this; John Angus Erskine was born in Invercargill and was therefore eligible although he was domiciled in...
Sport
- Leo BertosLeo BertosLeonida Christos "Leo" Bertos is a New Zealand association football player who plays as an attacking midfielder or right winger for New Zealand-based A-League team Wellington Phoenix and has represented the New Zealand national football team.-Early life:Bertos was born in Wellington, to a Greek...
- football (soccer) player with the Wellington Phoenix and New Zealand All Whites. - Harry BoamHarry BoamHarry Boam is a New Zealand cricketer, and the first schoolboy to play for the Wellington Firebirds, Wellington's domestic cricket team in the State Championship. He also represented New Zealand at the Under 19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia in and in New Zealand's Under 19 tour of England in 2008...
- cricketer, plays for Wellington FirebirdsWellington FirebirdsThe Wellington Firebirds are one of six New Zealand first-class cricket teams that make up New Zealand Cricket.It is based in Wellington. It competes in the State Championship first class competition, the State Shield domestic one day competition and the State Twenty20 Cricket Tournament.The... - George BridgewaterGeorge BridgewaterGeorge Bridgewater, MNZM, is a New Zealand rower who currently competes in the pair at international level with Nathan Twaddle. The pair won bronze medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing...
- New Zealand rower - Tim Brown - football (soccer) player with the Wellington Phoenix and New Zealand All Whites.
- Ross DurantRoss DurantRoss Durant is a former association football player who represented New Zealand at international level.Durant played four official internationals for the All Whites in the space of nine days, making his debut in a 2-0 win over Australia on 21 February 1980 and earning his fourth and final cap in a...
- football (soccer) player for New Zealand All Whites - Simon ElliottSimon ElliottSimon John Elliott is a New Zealand International footballer who currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Semi-Professional & College career:...
- football (soccer) player with the San Jose EarthquakesSan Jose EarthquakesThe San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....
and New Zealand All Whites - Marc EllisMarc Ellis (rugby)Marc Christopher Gwynne Ellis is a New Zealand businessman and television presenter, and former rugby league and rugby union player. A graduate of the University of Otago, his primary business interests are in Charlie's, a juice company...
- former All Black, entertainer, businessman - James Franklin - cricketer, plays for Black Caps and Wellington FirebirdsWellington FirebirdsThe Wellington Firebirds are one of six New Zealand first-class cricket teams that make up New Zealand Cricket.It is based in Wellington. It competes in the State Championship first class competition, the State Shield domestic one day competition and the State Twenty20 Cricket Tournament.The...
- Onny ParunOnny ParunOnny Parun is a former tennis player of Croatian descent from New Zealand, who was among the world's top 20 for five years and in 1971 and 1972 he reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. He made the final of the Australian Open in 1973, losing to John Newcombe in four sets, and was a U.S...
- tennis player - Lima SopoagaLima SopoagaLima Sopoaga is a professional rugby union player who represents Wellington in the ITM Cup and the Highlanders in the Super Rugby competition.-Early Life:...
- rugby player with the Wellington Lions in the ITM Cup and Highlanders in the Super 15 - Peter TaylorPeter Taylor (rower)Peter Taylor is a New Zealand rower.In 2006 along with Graham Oberlin-Brown he became the Under 23 World Champion in the men's lightweight double sculls, and in doing so set a new world under 23 best time....
- New Zealand rower - Neemia TialataNeemia TialataNeemia Stanley Tialata is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. As well as representing New Zealand, he also plays for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and for Wellington in the Air New Zealand Cup when available....
- All Black - Filo TiatiaFilo TiatiaFilogia Ian "Filo" Tiatia is a New Zealand international rugby union footballer, who used to play as a back-row forward and occasionally lock Ospreys....
- rugby player