We started the year with the largest group the choir has enjoyed in a very long time – 104 boys. This meant the treble section took up all of the choir pews on the Canterbury Museum side of the Chapel, pushing the tenors toward the back of the wings. Unlike last year, when the rehearsals in the Chapel were occasional because of Covid-19 guidelines, all rehearsals started within the Chapel, ensuring a sense of normality. The annual Big Sing competition was a significant occasion for the Chapel Choir. The choir sang E te atua tapu (Pūnaki family), Locus Iste (Bruckner), and Regina Coeli (Mozart). Performing E te atua tapu was a monumental occasion as it was the first time we had performed it for a public audience. Peter Walls, the adjudicator, praised the choice for our tuning in the Regina Coeli, our dynamic shading and dramatic pausing in the Locus Iste, and, finally, our ability to enhance our sound as a big choir in E te atua tapu. He praised us for an,“overall, very good recital”. Carols on the Quad Carols on the Quad marks the final time that the Chapel Choir can get together as a whole and perform in front of the school. Being set in a different position (outside the Chapel), the acoustic is more difficult to hone. Despite this challenge, the choir overcame it and put on an excellent show. Alexander Law Head of Chapel Choir
built on the work of past Arts Weeks, as well as introducing new events. We enjoyed the return of the Album Cover Competition, the Non-Talent Fest, and the Student vs Staff Debate. While each of these events deserves its own paragraph, I will mention some highlights. The teachers’ persuasive arguments were convincing, Oliver Trollip’s reprisal of Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up wowed the judges, and Cam Hill showed his digital artistry with his album cover. A new addition to Arts Week was the Whole School Musical Chairs competition, where 100 boys (10 from each House) danced around in a circle until there was only one man standing, well, sitting I suppose. Harper House dominated the competition, claiming the top three spots and earning a pizza shout for the House. On the final day of Term 3, hot chocolates were handed out, along with fried bread from the Bicultural Committee. I would like to thank all of those who helped with Arts Week this year, including Elliott Grey and Sean Jang regarding numerous tech issues, Oscar Compton-Moen, and Mr Everingham for judging competitions, Hugo Sudell and Max Topham for being MCs, and the rest of the Arts & Culture Committee for their various ideas. I would especially like to thank the Music Department, Director
of Music Robert Aburn, Nicholas Sutcliffe, and Nolan Hungerford; the Fine Arts Department, Head of Department Darryn George and Kate Belton; and especially the Drama Department, Director of Drama Hannah Clarkson, Assistant Director of Drama Nikki Bleyendaal, and Shannon Small. Their constant and unwavering dedication to the Arts is admirable and greatly contributes to the enjoyment of students at Christ’s College. It has been a highlight of College for me and many boys. I would also like to wish my successor, Hugo Sudell, good luck for the year ahead. I look forward to hearing about the fantastic plans he has to offer and how he will build on the foundation laid by his (wiser) brother and the Prefects before me. William Sudell Head of Arts & Culture CHAPEL CHOIR The 2023 year has run a lot smoother than previous years for the Chapel Choir, with Covid-19 precautions not having much of an impact on rehearsals and services. Throughout the year, the Chapel Choir has participated – and been incredibly successful – at a variety of events and services. Not only has the quality of music improved throughout the year, but so, too, have the passion and engagement of the boys.
CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP Yet again, the Character &
Leadership Committee has been an integral part of College in 2023. It has further grounded itself among the busy array of academics, culture, sport, and other aspects of school life. As the Head of the Character & Leadership Committee, I observed the growing importance of this area within school this year, namely with the new Character & Leadership model in place. This model includes the four cornerstones of Humility,
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Register 2023 Virtues
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