Nelson College Newsletter May 30 2025
Kia ora koutou,
I hope this message finds you well as we settle into the rhythm of Week 5.
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the joint Nelson College for Girls and Nelson College musical showcase ‘Between 2 Colleges’. It was a brilliant evening that highlighted the immense talent, flair, and creativity of our young performers. I was especially proud of the contribution made by our boys, and I’d like to encourage more students to consider taking up an instrument or exploring their musical interests further. If this is something your son is keen on, I encourage him to speak with our Arts Coordinator, Ms Tessa Quayle, or our Head of Music, Mr Nathan Munn.
I’m looking forward to seeing our musical groups continue to perform whether at assembly, during school events, or simply rehearsing around the campus. My congratulations also go to all the musicians who participated in the regional heats of Smokefree Rockquest. We are excited to support those progressing to the finals: 1st place solo/duo category winner Jonah Hilchal, Seiji Ito and Thomas Robertson from The Mos, JP Moynihan and Shoei Ito from Bullet Train Wizard and Harry Reith, Winston Palmer and Rorie Harbinson from Armadillo.
Tickets will be going on sale for our Junior Dance shortly and students will have the pleasure of seeing some of our Rockquest musicians perform live in the form of bands Shedheads and Zinger in addition to a DJ. School dances are more than just a night out—they’re a key part of the school experience. They offer our boys the chance to connect, build confidence in social settings, and create memories they’ll look back on for years to come. Many of us can still recall our own school dances—awkward moments, bad dancing and lots of laughs! In our experience, boys often need a bit more coaxing than girls to attend these junior events—so I encourage you to support your son in stepping into the experience and building his own ‘school dance memories’!
Nelson College is fortunate to have a strong Old Boys network, and I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge one of our dedicated supporters. Alastair Cotterill was recently recognised in the local paper for the outstanding work he does in and around the school. His contribution, often quiet and behind the scenes, makes a significant difference to the environment our boys learn in. We are incredibly grateful for his ongoing generosity and care for the College.
Congratulations to our recently badged Student Council. It is always a pleasure to see our young leaders stepping up, driving projects, and delivering results that make a real impact across the school.
Nominations for our Board of Trustees election will be opening soon. If you are interested in lending your voice and skillset to ensure the best outcomes for our students, then I urge you to put yourself forward, or nominate someone you think would be a good fit. You don’t have to be a NC parent to sit on the board, just be nominated by a NC parent.
Please mark your calendars for Sunday 15 June, 10am–12pm, when the Friends of Nelson College will be running our first community working bee. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect while helping with planting and mulching projects on site. More details on projects for later in the year will be shared shortly—we’d love to see you there.
Yesterday, we were happy to host Marlborough Boys’ College as part of our annual interschool exchange. A special thank you to all staff and students involved, and to those who supported on the sidelines. It was an added bonus to have the First XV televised by Sky Sport, showcasing our boys in action to a wider audience. Some photos HERE.
You may have seen recent media coverage of a proposed South Island boys’ schools rugby competition. This was just one aspect of a much broader discussion taking place between boys’ schools across the South Island. We are exploring how we can collaborate more effectively across a range of areas from staff professional development, musical events, culture to raising achievement and celebrating boys’ education. These conversations are ongoing, and I will be sure to keep you informed should anything formal develop.
Thank you for your continued support of our school and your sons. It’s a privilege to lead a community that cares so deeply about the development, success, and wellbeing of our young men.
Ngā mihi nui,
Richard Washington