I was brought up on a dairy farm in a rural community by the name of Kaponga so the journey to the hostel was not such a big one for me as I only lived about 50 minutes away. Coming to the hostel was an opportunity my parents offered me and after coming to the open days and hearing all about this school and the things this place had to offer, I knew I couldn’t miss the opportunity. So I got amongst it and here I am now, Five years down the track on my way out of high school. The hostel is a place I will forever call my home away from home and that’s all thanks to the people that have lived here with me. The boys, the hostel masters, the matrons, we’re all one big family and I wouldn’t want it any other way. The hostel is a place that turns boys into men by providing boys with all the tools they need to go out and take on life as an adult, why also providing some learning experiences that we will keep with us for the rest of our lives.

During my time at NPBHS I’ve played a lot of sport, tried to involve myself in as many opportunities as possible, and have had heaps of fun while doing it. My main sport is rugby and throughout my time here I’ve had many chances to develop as a rugby player while also developing as a person, including an Australia rugby tour back in 2019 which was definitely a highlight of my school boy rugby journey. I’ve also been involved in leadership within the school and hostel which has been another highlight for me.

Next year I’m off to Otago University to study Sports Development and Management which is a journey I’m looking forward to. I’m super nervous to leave the school and hostel but it’s a step in life we all have to take so I’m going to rip into it. It feels like my 5 years at NPBHS went by in the blink of an eye so a big learning experience I have gained from my time here that I will carry with me into the future is to make the most of every moment because time doesn’t stop for anyone and before you know it you are already out onto your next big adventure, just like us year 13’s are moving onto now.