Recent Events
Service of commemoration - Monday 1 July 2024
On Monday 1 July, the Association held a special service of commemoration to mark 73 years since the unveiling of the Roll of Honour Memorial Board. It was a moving and solemn occasion with old boys, students, staff, and representatives from across the college community joining together to pay tribute to the 92 Rongotai men who died during WWII, as well as all those who have served or are currently serving New Zealand's Defence Force.
The service was filled with many singing tributes, including the school song 'Non Nobis Domine', the school vi'iga, the hymn 'I Vow To Thee My Country', and the National Anthem.
The service was conducted by Association President, Mr Jimmy Fiso, who touched on the intricacy of remembrance and our collective responsibility to do it justice. In his official address and dedication he said:
“As you can see above us today, inscribed on the Roll of Honour and eternally etched into the soul of this college are the names of 91 old boys and 1 school master, who now stand guard over all those who enter this most remarkable place. It serves as a humbling tribute to the deeds and sacrifices of 92 Rongotai men, as well as the acts of all those who have served or are currently serving in New Zealand’s Forces.
Today when we walked into this most hallowed of halls, we entered into a living memorial that tells a rich story. Some of the memorials you’ll recognise and the names you’ll know. But frankly, most of them you won’t. However, that doesn’t prevent us from humanising the real experiences of our fallen because they are more than mere names on a board; these are our people who walked where we now walk.
So as we commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the unveiling of the Rongotai College Roll of Honour today, let us also commit to vigilance in our remembering. It is through such efforts that we keep the spirit and values of our predecessors alive, ensuring that their legacy continues to inspire and guide us. We do this because we build our future out of our past. Well, I pray that we have the courage to remember these important things properly, because only then can we confidently receive the light and pass it on.”
Following this, the the Acts of Remembrance took place. Association Patron, Mr John Fiso (ONZM), and Board of Trustees Presiding Member, Ms Louise Carter laid a wreath. Acting-Principal Mr Geoff Hall and Head Prefect Dionysios Soulis placed the College Memorial Books beside the wreath. This was followed by Mr Jimmy Fiso and Mr Bryce Keith (RCOBA Vice President) reciting the Ode of Remembrance.
We were honoured by the presence of LAC Cameron Robertson from the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, who played the Last Post and Rouse on the bugle.
All 92 names on the Roll of Honour were then read aloud and attendees were invited to lay a pōhutukawa clipping next to the wreath in personal tribute. The service ended with a haka from old boys and students to the Roll of Honour and the ringing of the memorial bell.
Annual golf day - Thursday 9 may 2024
It was a fantastic Thursday afternoon at Shandon Golf Club for the Annual RCOBA Golf Day. This was originally supposed to be held in April, but was postponed due to weather. The weather was looking quite bleak in the morning with some showers and high winds. However, the decision was made to push ahead with the hope of things clearing up by the afternoon. This turned out to be the right decision with the sun eventually coming out to support the golf day.
The afternoon started off with a BBQ and drinks before our golfers took to the links. Our first open-invite event of the year was a brilliant success with some good golf being played amongst even better company. The Association would like to thank all those who attended for their support at this fundraiser tournament.
Pictured on the right are the top three teams from the Golf Day who earned their way on to the podium. A special mention to ‘Team FishDogs’ who ultimately took out the tournament, shooting 4 under par.
We would also like to thank and acknowledge Rongotai College Old Boy, Mr Ross Bond, and Shandon Golf Club for their kind hospitality in hosting the Golf Day.
Patron’s reception and presentation of the president’s award - tuesday 5 december 2023
The Association was proud to hold the Inaugural Patron’s Reception at Rongotai College to finish off the calendar year. The Patron’s Reception was officially hosted by our Patron, Mr John Fiso (ONZM), and is designed to bring the Rongotai College wider community together.
The Reception coincided with International Volunteer Day. As such, the theme of the reception was '“Service and Duty”. As such, the Association was joined by alumni, members of the Board of Trustees, Parents’ Association, Pasifika Parent’s Asosi, Whānau Group, Prefects, as well as the College’s Interact Club. It was an amazing celebration of those who contribute so much to the life of the Rongotai College community.
This was also a chance for the Association to formally recognise the four inaugural recipients of the RCOBA President’s Award. This newly established Old Boys’ honour recognises distinguished service to the Association or College by an individual who embodies the Rongotai College values.
The motto of the award is “Verum Educationem – True Education”. This pays homage to Foundation Headmaster Mr F.M. Renner’s 1928 Te Rama editorial, where he wrote:
“Some believe that the be-all and end-all of a good education consists solely in the preparation for a trade or a profession… But I should like to tell you boys that examinations, trades and professions are all quite insignificant matters when viewed in the light of true education. This true education consists entirely in learning just two things – your duty to your neighbour and your duty to yourself. There is no higher and no finer doctrine. If you, while you are here, set yourselves steadfastly to follow along the true road of education, then nothing will be impossible for you, and your school will be truly one that will shed its light far and wide… No greater and more honourable task awaits the young man of to-day than that of fitting himself morally, mentally and physically in order that he make first of all his school, and thereafter the great world, a better place for the generations that come after him.”
We would like to congratulate our four inaugural recipients: Graeme Cowan, Simon Woolf, Dave Meaclem and Bruce Cockburn. Thank you for your service to the Association and Rongotai College! Each recipient was presented with an Honour Cap and a special framed image of the school’s emblem.
Graeme (Gus) Cowan's was recognised for his contribution to the cohorts of the late 1960s. Gus leads the charge in maintaining the connection amongst his cohort through regular newsletters, correspondence, as well as multiple reunions. The Association was especially impressed at Gus' coordination of the 1968 Premier Sports Teams Reunion that took place in May 2023.
Gus' efforts truly serve our Rongotai College community extremely well and are a testament to the importance of Rongotai College Brotherhood beyond one’s years at Coutts Street.
Simon Woolf was recognised for championing Rongotai College in both his personal and professional capacities, and continued support.
In 2014 Simon addressed the annual Old Boys’ Assembly at the College, where he highlighted a myriad of Old Boys’ who went on to achieve across different areas of New Zealand society. More recently he has also lived out the school motto through volunteering to help coach the Rongotai College Football 1st XI. Simon is a true ambassador of the College and positively exemplifies how Old Boys’ are able to give back.
Dave Meaclem served the Rongotai College community in a myriad of ways. As a student he captained the 1st XV Rugby team and returned in the early 2000s to coach. He helped lead the 1st XV to win the Wellington Competition in 2003 before leaving in 2007. Dave then returned to coaching at Rongotai College in 2013 where his coaching team re-introduced Rugby Honours Caps and had a successful run of premiership division qualification which included top four placements and some famous traditional fixture triumphs.
Dave was also a valued member of the Rongotai College Old Boys’ Association Committee where he helped develop our social media presence and assisted in the implementation of the Jamie Hunter Outward Bound Scholarship. The way that Dave contributed to the Rongotai College community and touched the lives of many, is something truly worthy of being commended. He has undoubtedly left a legendary lasting legacy. Dave was represented at the Reception by his wife, Jo Meaclem, and his son, Rhys Meaclem.
Bruce Cockburn's contribution to the Rongotai College community, as both an educator and through his service to the Old Boys’ Association, is nothing less than inspiring. The Association is especially grateful for his work and dedication to creating and maintaining the Old Boys' Archives - a mammoth and meticulous task, ensuring the proper archiving of Association records and memorabilia. This includes Bruce's massive efforts in digitising the archives, the binding of the Te Rama yearbooks, the printing of the Honour Roll Book, and much more. Bruce's efforts of preserving the history of our school, his general service to the Association and College, and his time as a staff member teaching science and math and also coaching hockey, has truly served the Rongotai College community well.
Unfortunately Bruce was unable to attend the awards ceremony, however the Association's President Jimmy Fiso visited Bruce at home to present him with his award.