Harper House
Welcome to Harper House
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Harper House as you begin your Christ’s College journey. I look forward to getting to know you over the next five years. This booklet will answer questions you may have about the House system at College and Harper House in particular.
House Background Harper House is one of the oldest day Houses within the gates of College and it has a proud history. Each House in the school has its own identity and culture, and in Harper we aim to foster a friendly, supportive environment where participation and excellence are valued. We have fun while maintaining high standards, both personally and in interhouse endeavours. The History of Harper House Although by the early 1900s dayboys spent a good deal of time at school, they still had no proper base, no lockers, no common rooms, no lavatories and no changing rooms. The Rev. CH Moreland, Headmaster 1904–1912, took action in 1909, by which time there were 13 dayboys and 109 boarders. He divided the dayboys into two proper Houses, North Town (for those who lived north of Gloucester Street) and South Town (for those who lived south of Gloucester Street). They were provided with a “decent changing room and lavatory” in the Condell’s building, and elsewhere they had lockers and a place to put their bicycles. Harper House began in 1925 and is named after the first Bishop of Christchurch and College’s second warden, Henry John Chitty Harper. His image can be seen in the Harper window at the east end of the Chapel.
If you have any further questions, we can discuss these when I meet with you. Please contact me if there is anything I can help you with between now and the start of the new school year. – Neil de Joux, Housemaster
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The Housemaster
Deputy Housemaster Neil Nicholson
I have been teaching at College since 2020 following a career change after working in various roles within academia at the University of Canterbury and the University of Nottingham. On starting at College, I found myself drawn to the pastoral care system and the way that it allows us to deliver positive outcomes for our students. In 2021, I stepped in as the Acting Housemaster for Julius House, before becoming the Housemaster for Harper House at the beginning of 2022. It is a role that I have loved since day one, due to the varied nature of the job and the opportunity it provides me to form close, positive working relationships with the boys. Each year brings new ideas, new challenges, and new vibrancy. I look forward to continuing with the Harper tradition of creating outstanding young men, as well as seeing the ways that new students can enrich the House environment. Dr Neil de Joux, Housemaster Mobile: 027 268 5557 Email: ndejoux@christscollege.com
Neil has been teaching Geography at College since 2002 following a role as acting assistant principal at a North Canterbury area school. Appointed to the role of HoD Geography in 2003, Neil continued in this position until he was appointed Housemaster of Rolleston House from 2010–2019. In 2021, Neil was reappointed as HoD Geography. Married with three children, Neil has been involved with rugby and outdoor pursuits throughout his time at College. Email: nnicholson@christscollege.com
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New Boys in 2025
NAME Luca Lemalie Callum Thorpe
Ollie Bennett Danny Cleave Marcus Fogarty James Ingram Gus McPherson Henry Ridd Mason Sanders William Young King Zeng Kyraarn Kingi Moreland
Sam Petrowski Ryland Savage Henry Tattershaw Owen Yuan Leo Beck
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The House System
Christ’s College is divided into 10 Houses, seven for dayboys, three for boarders. The dayboy houses are Condell’s, Corfe, Harper, Jacobs, Julius, Rolleston and Somes. The boarding houses are Flower’s, Richards and School.
The Mentor System All Houses have a Deputy Housemaster/ Mentor and staff mentors who assist the Housemaster with pastoral care. Each boy is assigned a staff mentor and, in vertical groups of boys from Years 9–13, placed in a mentor group. These groups meet their mentor each week. Year 9 students spend Term 1 with their Housemaster, before being integrated into the groups in Term 2. During these weekly meetings, boys can discuss their goals for the year, as well as participate in other activities, such as group discussions, led by senior students. The goal planning process is student-driven, but guided and monitored by the mentor. Being part of a mentor group allows the boys to build a relationship with a member of staff who is not their Housemaster and is not necessarily one of their subject teachers. During the year, we invite parents to meet with their son and his mentor to reflect on the goal- planning process. This meeting provides an opportunity for the boys to explain what they aim to achieve and how they plan to realise their goals and aspirations. Mentors also undertake House duties and attend selected House assemblies and functions. They provide feedback to Housemasters about the boys in their group as required, and Housemasters can also access all goal-planning documentation.
House Structure The House system is one of the strong features of College. It is not just the physical base from which the boys operate, it is the unit in which they may develop close relationships, leadership skills and a real sense of community. Academic, sporting and cultural facets are all catered for, particularly in interhouse competitions. However, the House is a lot more than a physical space. It is the structure in which the boys form lasting bonds with other members of the House and develop a strong sense of unity over their five years at College. Their involvement, in a wide range of duties as well as interhouse academic, sporting and cultural activities, encourages and instils a sense of responsibility, pride and commitment to the House in particular and to Christ’s College in general, and helps develop personal qualities and values. The Housemaster The Housemaster is responsible for the individual development of every student in the House, both academically and in co-curricular pursuits. They are the first liaison between parents and College. They advocate for their students when necessary and are in regular contact with teachers.
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Graeme Christey / Mentor
Aldine Vorbeck / Mentor
Maude Turgeon-Leblanc / Mentor
Craig Walker / Mentor
The mentor system was introduced in 2018 and, while it has made a positive start, is likely to be refined in years to come. Head of House and Deputy Head of House The Head of House and his Deputy are Year 13 students. They assist the Housemaster in the running of the House. They often represent the views of the boys in the House about any changes to House organisation. They are responsible for the House Prefects. Years 9–13 Students All other students also have duties to maintain the environment in the House. Students would be expected to complete two or three duties each term. The duties involve cleaning and tidying the House and are required to be completed at the end of lunchtime and after school. The duty prefect inspects all the duties. It is important that the House is well looked after and kept tidy. Interhouse Activities There are many interhouse competitions, which range from most sporting codes to drama, debating, singing and chess. House prefects select and organise teams. Boys are encouraged to volunteer to be in teams, though teams are selected on merit, based on age group and ability. Interhouse
activities are great fun and provide leadership skills, as well as fostering a special spirit in the House. Boys can earn House colours for their involvement and performance in interhouse activities. Boys get points for participating, making finals and winning championships. Athletic championships are held in Term 1, shortly after the swimming championships. In both cases there is an interhouse competition as well as the individual championships. Boys are encouraged to enter these competitions, both as individuals and in the various relay events. House Colours The awards for House colours are: 20 points Certificate 40 points House patch 60 points House tie clip 80 points House badge 100 points House cufflinks 100 points have been achieved by several boys in recent years.
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House Environment
Daily Routine
The House has areas for study and recreation as well as secure bike storage that we share with Julius House. Other facilities in the House include: – a kitchen, with toastie machines, microwaves and hot water – a main common room with a table tennis table and pool table – a locker room, with a full-size locker for each boy,suppliedwithagoodqualitycombination lock to keep their locker secure – showers and toilets adjacent to the locker room.
For most students, the daily routine is: – arrive at Harper House by 8.15am for House assembly and roll call – read the noticeboard for any notices and get their name checked off the roll by the Housemaster – organise books and folders for the first two periods of the day – House assembly at 8.15am, except on Thursday, which has a late start, beginning with school assembly – attend Chapel service (Monday and Friday), mentor groups (Tuesday) and school assembly (Thursday) – attend all classes – take part in sport or cultural activities after school.
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House Expectations
Chapel
House expectations are based on a need for organisation and respect, and apply to everyone in Harper House. They are not onerous and most students abide by them naturally. The following are the more common daily expectations: Roll House roll is taken each morning at 8.15am. Any boy who is late to school, for whatever reason, must report to the Housemaster as soon as he arrives at school. If school has begun, he should report to the main office. Permission All boys must obtain permission to be out of the school grounds at any time during the day, including going home for lunch. Breakage and Damage Students should treat the fabric and facilities of the House with respect at all times. Any breakages or damage within the House should be reported immediately to the Housemaster. Possessions All bicycles must be clearly and permanently named, and must be locked in the bike shed. All possessions and clothing must be clearly named. No boy may borrow any property from another boy without first gaining permission. Boys may return to the House at break and lunch to eat meals, study or for recreation. Boys get changed in the House locker room for PE and sports practices. They may use the House after school. It is usually locked at about 7pm.
Chapel is a central part of College life. Boys are required to attend services on Monday and Friday before classes, congregational practice on Wednesdays, and two Sunday Chapel services per term. The Chaplain prepares boys for Confirmation, provided they are in Years 12–13. The preparation course is held in the second or third terms, with the Confirmation Service usually held later in the year. All services are listed in the College calendar or on the College website. Parents are welcome to attend any Sunday Chapel service. Boys who have a regular commitment in their parish church can apply for the Chapel requirement to be halved. A letter from their priest or minister is required and will be forwarded to the Chaplain.
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General Information
Contacts If there is any concern, parents should contact the Housemaster in the first instance. The Housemaster can then direct the concern to the Executive Principal, Deputy Principal or subject teachers as required. Meetings with teachers and members of senior management may then be arranged. Illness/Medical Absences For daily absences or illness, please call 03 364 8676 and leave your son’s name and reason for his absence. For extended absences, please contact your Housemaster. Leave If a boy needs to leave the school grounds during the day for a dental, doctor or physiotherapy appointment, his parents must contact his Housemaster. Parents are asked to try to arrange such appointments outside school hours whenever possible. If a boy is to be absent for a private reason for more than two days, parents are asked to request leave in writing prior to the absence. Such leave is granted by the Deputy Principal. Social Events During the year there will be social gatherings for parents of the different year groups. This provides the opportunity to meet other parents, discuss topical school matters and listen to guest speakers. These will generally be held at school.
School Hours Students report to the House to be ready for House assembly at 8.15am. They leave school after they have met their academic, sport or cultural commitments, usually between 5–6pm. Dayboys should not stay around school after 6pm unless for a specific purpose. Notices The Christ’s College calendar for each term can be found on the College website. Students are asked to check upcoming events at the start of each week. Students are expected to listen carefully to notices at House assembly and must regularly check the House board, as well as Schoolbox and their College email. Lockers Each boy has a locker in the House, where he can store books and school equipment, packed lunch, sports gear etc. Boys are given a combination lock at the start of the year. They are expected to keep their lockers tidy; they must not leave food in their locker and should take their sports uniforms home for washing. Lunch Boys may eat their lunch where they wish within the school grounds. Year 9 boys can use the common room, where there are toastie machines and a microwave. The cafe is located in the Chapman Room and is open at lunchtime every weekday. It offers a wide range of food items and drinks, with healthy alternatives. Wherever boys eat, they are expected to put all rubbish in rubbish bins and cans/plastic bottles in recycling containers.
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Bicycles Boys are encouraged to cycle to school. They are asked to lock their bike in the cycle shed. Some sporting codes (rowing, for example) require boys to cycle to venues for practice or competition days. Helmets must be worn at all times and bikes should have appropriate lights, especially in the winter months. Students are expected to follow the road code and to respect other cyclists and pedestrians at all times.
A limited number of places are available for dayboys who wish to have lunch in the Dining Hall. Boys should apply on the first day of each term through their Housemaster. Lunchtime Activities Boys are encouraged to be active during lunchtime and make use of the sporting facilities such as Upper, the gymnasium and the weight training room. The library and the computer suites are open at lunchtime. Many interhouse events take place during lunchtime and boys will either participate or support House teams. Uniform Shop The Uniform Shop in Gloucester St, where you can buy uniforms for all sporting codes and basic stationery items, is open every school day between 10am–5pm. Second-hand uniforms are sold in the Uniform Shop. Laptops, Books and Stationery All textbooks issued by the school, exercise books and stationery items must be named. Students are expected to look after their books and keep them in good order. Boys are asked to use a school bag to carry their gear during the day. The boys need to ensure that they carry their laptops with them at all times. When not in use, they need to make sure they secure them safely in their lockers.
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Uniform
All uniforms should be purchased from the Uniform Shop upstairs at 10 Gloucester Street. A list of uniform requirements will be sent to all parents.
Sports Gear All Houses have their own colours for athletics and interhouse sports. The Harper House uniform consists of black shorts, a black singlet with a white diagonal band across it, and a black and white rugby jersey. There is no regulation footwear for PE and athletics, but all boys must wear footwear around the school or when running in the park. Sports gear can be purchased from the Uniform Shop.
In the senior school, a different blazer replaces the striped blazer worn by juniors. In all cases, blazers must be worn when on leave from College. Full uniform must be worn when going home after school, unless boys are being collected from directly outside the House. After sport practices, boys may travel home in sports gear or in a tracksuit. Formal Uniform The formal uniform consists of the grey suit and white shirt. It is worn on a Monday and Friday during Terms 2 and 3, and for Sunday Chapel services. Stripes Blazer Uniform This uniform consists of a striped blazer, white shirt, and mid-grey long trousers or black walk shorts (summer). It is worn on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during Terms 2 and 3 and every day during summer. It is also worn for any sport exchanges.
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HARPER
We want Harper students to be the best students and citizens in College. By ensuring we do the simple things right, we can set an example for others to follow.
THE 5 BASICS
1. HAVE RESPECT & MANNERS Be courteous, respectful and polite towards others. Have respect for others, the College and yourself. Respect the House and your environment. 2. WORK HARD Give your best effort in all you do. Work hard in class and at home. Remember that class time is business time. 3. BE ORGANISED & ON TIME Know what is coming up, where you are supposed to be and when. Plan ahead. Be on time – being late is not acceptable. 4. TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR UNIFORM Wear the uniform correctly. Have pride in your appearance. Wear the right uniform – it represents who you are. 5. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS
Follow the rules and follow through. Do what is asked and make sure you follow through on your commitments.
HONESTY, ATTITUDE, RESPONSIBILITY, PRIDE, EXCELLENCE, RESPECT
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