INTERHOUSE EVENTS: JUNIOR The Years 9–10 group had a very successful year. The boys started strongly, winning the volleyball competition convincingly. This was largely down to the way that the top junior volleyballers in the House – Tawhiri Cate, Yannis Zhang, and Josh Shannahan – combined with their enthusiastic but non-expert peers. The victory in the backyard cricket competition – taking the honours in a nail-biting final-over finish – was more surprising. However, it was also the result of a great team effort rather than individual brilliance. Slightly disappointing, but perhaps character building, was the narrow defeat in the final of the junior basketball competition. Somes was the heavy favourite going into the final against Flower's, but that House’s team spirit was famous, and its team did not give up. Despite
Alex Stead, Ryan Gu, and Calib and Gordon Wyness triumphing over a favoured Richards outfit in the final. With two of the finest young basketballers in New Zealand in the House, the senior basketball competition went more as expected, with Ihaka Cate and Hoani Ifopo- Togia confidently leading the team to victory. It was not all about them, though, reflecting their team ethic and inclusive characters. There were many boys on the court and a real sense of joy – rather than seriousness – about the way the House played. This is a credit to the boys. The flip side of having such talented athletes in the House is that they are sometimes away representing the school, their club, or region. This caught the seniors out in the volleyball competition, where the absence of key players was costly. Still, reaching the semi- finals was something the boys can be proud of achieving.
having a team stacked with talent, Somes came away with 2nd place. It is a reminder that things do not always go your way. Finally, the House Year 10 group delivered a much-needed victory in the tug- of-war competition, after the Year 9s, Year 11s, and seniors had been outgunned by the other Houses in their respective contests. With the seniors away in Term 4, the touch rugby competition was a chance for the Years 9–11 students to combine for the first and only time in 2023. They beat School, 4–0, in the quarter-final before sneaking past Harper, 5–4, in the semi-final. Somes was the underdog going into the final against Richards, but well- organised defence and excellent running lines from Ihaka Cate, Louis McKeon, Tawhiri Cate, Jackson Grace, and Noah Madgwick won the day, 3–1. It was a great way to finish the interhouse season.
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Register 2023 Pastoral Care
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