CHRIST'S COLLEGE, CANTERBURY

'Christ's College, Canterbury' is an independent, boys-only, Anglican secondary school in Christchurch, New Zealand. Christ's is the oldest, and arguably most prestigious, independent school in the country.^[1]
It teaches from Year 9 to Year 13, and has day and boarding students. It was first located at Lyttelton as a school for early settlers, but soon moved to its present location in downtown.

Contents

About

Upper department (College House, University of Canterbury)

Notable alumni

Business

Entertainment and the arts

Military

Politics and law

Sport

References

See also

External links

About

Its grounds have a collection of nineteenth century, and turn-of-the-century buildings. The neogothic style is dominant, as was the case for most notable colonial-period buildings in Christchurch, such as the Cathedral, and the original buildings of Canterbury University (formerly Canterbury College), which is now the Christchurch Arts Centre. 'Big School', built in 1863, is the original classroom for the Christchurch site of the school, and is one of the oldest surviving buildings of its type in New Zealand.
Christ's College was directly modelled on the pedagogic vernacular of English public schools, such as Westminster School and Eton College,^[2] and developed slowly around a central quadrangle. The 'quad' is treated with reverence and only certain people are allowed to walk onto it.
It is claimed that a form of rugby was being played at the school as early as 1853.^[3] Each year its rugby team plays with Wanganui Collegiate School, Wellington College and Nelson College in a tournament known as the "Quadrangular". It also has a long-running rivalry with Christchurch Boys' High School, and an annual rugby match between the two schools is fiercely contended.
In keeping with the tradition of English public schools, Christ's College has ten houses accommodating around 650 students. There are four boarding houses and the dayboys are organised into six more houses. Each house has a housemaster responsible for the care of the boys.
The motto "Bene tradita, bene servanda" in Latin translates to ''good traditions well maintained''.
Its governing body comprises a Chairman, Warden and Fellows.^[4] The Bishop of Christchurch is ''ex officio'' Warden.

Upper department (College House, University of Canterbury)

College House was created as part of Christ's College in 1850.^[5] According to College House, "[Christ's College] was instrumental in the establishment of Canterbury University in the early 1870s". The upper department became a residential college of the university after it was founded, and soon it was referred to as 'College House'.⁵ The upper and lower departments (tertiary and secondary departments) separated in 1957, and College House became independent.

Notable alumni

Business

★ Sir Peter Elworthy – Prominent rural businessman

★ Sir William Hamilton - Inventor of the jet boat

★ Henry Van Asch - Co founder of commercial bungy jumping

★ Sir Tim Wallis - Deer industry pioneer, developer of warbirds over Wanaka

★ Sir Miles Warren - Architect

★ Richard Woods – Director of the S.I.S.

Entertainment and the arts

★ Austin Deans - Artist

★ Denis Glover - Poet

★ Mark Hadlow - Actor

★ James Milne - Musician, The Reduction Agents, Lawrence Arabia

★ Sam Neill - Actor

★ James Reid - Musician, The Feelers

★ Teddy Tahu Rhodes - Singer

Military

★ Edward Kain - The first Allied ace of WW2

★ Vice Admiral Sir Somerford Teagle – Former Chief of Defence

★ Charles Upham - War hero, double Victoria Cross winner

Politics and law

★ Michael Cullen - Minister for Finance, Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand

★ Sir Michael Fowler - Former Mayor of Wellington and architect

★ Sir Arthur Guinness - Politician, Speaker of Parliament

★ Right Honourable Justice Tipping - Justice of the Supreme Court of New Zealand

★ Hon Justice Young - President of the New Zealand Court of Appeal

Sport

★ Robbie Deans - Former All Black and current Crusaders Coach

★ Jock Hobbs - Current Chairman of NZRU

★ Tom Lowry - New Zealand’s first cricket captain

★ John Wright – Former New Zealand cricket captain and Indian cricket coach

★ Simon Maling - Former All Black

★ James Ryan - Current All Black

References

1. Christ's College
2. History
3. 1853
4. Staff Directory
5. History

See also

★ List of schools in New Zealand

★ List of boarding schools

External links

★ Christ's College Old Boys Association

★ College House, University of Canterbury

★ Christ's College External Website