Robert Mangan will celebrate 10 years as the school's principal this year. Photo/ George Novak
Robert Mangan will celebrate 10 years as the school's principal this year. Photo/ George Novak
Students at Tauranga Boys' College are told to leave a legacy.
When you look around, these legacies start to emerge.
The namesakes of the school's houses fill the grounds. Large black and white murals for Freyberg House, Halberg House, Hillary House, Ngarimu House, Ngata House and Rutherford House are striking.
"Hamish came up to me and said 'Sir, I have an idea'," principal Robert Mangan says looking up at the murals of the inspiring men.
The idea to have these portraits painted on buildings around the school was the legacy of Hamish McGeorge and were painted by Owen Dippie in 2015.
A wall covered in old newspaper clippings stands out as you leave the school office building.
Stories of the great achievements past and present students have accomplished are proudly displayed. Some clippings have yellowed, others look as though they have been recently added.
Mangan will celebrate 10 years as the school's principal and the school will celebrate 60 years as a boys' college.
The range of opportunity and the school's reputation contribute to the college's ever-growing popularity, Mangan says, which was why the school has its largest roll ever of 2029 students.
A diverse range of students makes up the roll including 26 per cent who were Maori and a large number of international students.
"There is a real cross-section of Tauranga," Mangan says.
The college is still on a high from its academic success in 2017.
There were 26 NCEA Scholarships awarded to students last year and 88.9 per cent of all students achieved NCEA Level 2. One of the most significant statistics was that 94.3 per cent of Maori students achieved the standard as well.
Traditions are important to the school and help towards the school's motto of "growing boys into good men", Mangan says.
One "rite of passage" is wearing a white shirt as a year 13 student.
"If students pass NCEA Level 2 then they are allowed to wear the white shirt," Mangan says.
Another special tradition happens at the beginning of every school year where the new Year 9 students are welcomed to the school with a haka powhiri.
These and past traditions will be talked about at the school's jubilee in October.
"It's an opportunity to celebrate our achievements with old boys and present students," Mangan says.
Many past students have gone on to make great achievements and become prominent figures in New Zealand, including sportsmen Peter Burling and Kane Williamson.
Mangan says these men inspire current students, but it is also old boys who had gone on to be "solid citizens" that are role models as well.
"It really is the greatest pleasure seeing students leave and go on to achieve great things."
Friday - Golf tournament Friday evening - Mix and mingle, cocktails and canapes Saturday morning - Welcome, morning tea and TBC tour of the campus, morning tea Saturday afternoon -Cricket and a picnic on Nicholson Field Saturday evening - Dinner in the TBC gym Sunday morning - Arts showcase in the TBC Graham Young Youth Theatre
What do you like about Tauranga Boys' College?
Jordan Proctor
"I like the many opportunities afforded to me from the school, especially Titan sport."
"One thing I like about Tauranga Boys' College is how culturally diverse the school is."
Hamish Gleeson
Finlay Burke
"There are so many opportunities to strive in whatever field you're best at. Be it culture, arts, academic. There's always a place for you at Tauranga Boys."
