- Nelson College
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Nelson College Location Waimea Road, Nelson Coordinates 41°17′8″S 173°16′36″E / 41.28556°S 173.27667°ECoordinates: 41°17′8″S 173°16′36″E / 41.28556°S 173.27667°E Information Type State single sex boys secondary (year 9–13) with boarding facilities Motto Pietas Probitas et Sapientia
(Loyalty, honesty and wisdom)Established 1856 Ministry of Education Institution no. 294 Headmaster Gary O'Shea School roll 1062 Socio-economic decile 7 Website www.nelcollege.school.nz
(requires plug-in)Nelson College is a boys-only state secondary school in Nelson, New Zealand. It teaches from years 9 to 13. In addition, it runs a private Preparatory School for year 7 and 8 boys. The school also has places for boarders, who live in three boarding houses adjacent to the school.
Contents
History
The school opened with eight students on 7 April 1856 in premises in Trafalgar Square, Nelson, but shortly thereafter moved to a site in Manuka Street. In 1861, the school moved again to its current site in Waimea Road.
The Deed of Foundation was signed in 1857 and set out the curriculum to be followed by the College. It included English language and literature, one or more modern languages, geography, mathematics, classics, history, drawing, music and such other branches of science as the Council of Governors should determine.[1] The Deed stated that the purpose of the school was the "advancement of religion and morality, and the promotion of useful knowledge, by offering to the youth of the Province general education of a superior character."
In 1858, the General Assembly passed the Nelson College Act, which confirmed the status of the school. In that same year, Alfred Fell gifted the common seal, containing the college's badge and motto, "Pietas, Probitas et Sapientia" (Loyalty, honesty and wisdom).[1]
A team from Nelson College took part in the first game of rugby played in New Zealand, against the Nelson Rugby Football Club on 14 May 1870 at what is now known as the Botanic Reserve, Nelson, and, in 1876, the first inter-College rugby match in New Zealand was played between Nelson College and Wellington College.[1]
On 7 December 1904, the College was almost completely destroyed by fire. The main building, designed by William Beatson, was said to be a "miniature of Eton," the architect being an old Etonian.[2]
In 1926, Nelson College was invited to join the annual rugby tournament between Christ's College, Wanganui Collegiate School and Wellington College, known as the "Quadrangular".[1]
In the 1929 Murchison earthquake, the main building of the College was once again severely damaged, although only two boys were injured.[1]
In 2011, Nelson College became the first all-boys college in New Zealand to form a GSA (Gay and straight alliance) support group.[3]
Houses
The College has a house system. In 2004, two new houses were formed, to add to the existing three boarding and three day houses. The current houses are:
Boarders
- Barnicoat (White)
- Fell (Maroon)
- Rutherford (Black)
Day boys
- Chaytor (Red)
- Domett (Green)
- Monro (Blue)
- Robinson (Orange)
- Kahurangi (Yellow)
There is competition between the houses across a range of sporting codes and cultural activities.
Notable staff
- John Gully, artist
Notable alumni
Main category: Former students of Nelson College.- Michael Baigent - co-author of The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail
- Sir William Hudson - chief engineer for the Snowy Mountains Scheme
- Syd Jackson - Māori activist
- Simon Mannering - current captain of the Warriors
- Sir Don McKinnon - former Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, Commonwealth Secretary-General
- Tex Morton - country music legend
- Sir Geoffrey Palmer - former Prime Minister of New Zealand
- Sir Wallace (Bill) Rowling - former Prime Minister of New Zealand
- Ernest Rutherford, 1st Baron Rutherford of Nelson - Nobel Prize, Chemistry
- Rex Sellers - Olympic yachting gold medallist
- Leonard Henry Trent - Victoria Cross recipient
- Jang Geun Suk - Korean Actor, singer, and model
References
- ^ a b c d e L.R. Palmer, "A Short History of Nelson College". In: "Nelson College Old Boys' Register 1856–1981" (5th edn.)
- ^ "The Evening Post", 8 December 1904
- ^ Roberts, Adam (6 April 2011). "Boys' college backs gay, straight students". The Nelson Mail. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/4854531/Boys-college-backs-gay-straight-students. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
Categories:- Boarding schools in New Zealand
- Boys' schools in New Zealand
- Educational institutions established in 1856
- Nelson, New Zealand
- Secondary schools in New Zealand
- Schools in Nelson, New Zealand
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