It’s been a challenging but rewarding term 2. Boys and staff have worked really well together and the atmosphere, especially second half of this term has been very positive.
 
We have dealt with lots of seasonal illness, with large numbers of boys and staff succumbing to various bugs, cold and flu during the term. Again, we will have to be wary as we go into term 3 that Covid does not make an unwelcome return and bounces back. We are starting to see some boys and staff contract Covid for the second time, so we will have to be agile again next term, in our planning and operations. This could include having to have Wearmouth as a standby isolation space again if required.
 
The school holidays will give many boys and staff a welcome chance to recharge after the frequent bouts of illness and a naturally very busy term 2. In the holidays, the internal painting of a Jarrow will continue at pace, with the remaining bedrooms and hallways being finished in the same format and colour scheme we started with last holidays. We will also look to replace all of the bathroom taps in both Durham and Jarrow and plan for this work to go ahead in the upcoming holidays. Further maintenance work will be carried out to check and fix locker doors in Durham and we are also having 2 new charging cabinets installed in the Durham common room, so boys have more space to place and charge their devices.
 
The Junior boys (and staff) thoroughly enjoyed attending He Puna Taimoana hot pools on Tuesday evening. We organised a private booking for just ourselves and it was a relaxing way for the boys to spend time and to acknowledge lots of improved cooperation and tidiness around the Junior dorms in the past 3 weeks. In term 3 we will organise a similar trip for the boys in years 11-13 who have been excellent throughout this term.

As I write this piece, two of our boarders, Finn O’Kane and Jack Dennehy Coles in Year 12, are heading off to Whangarei to compete in the finals of the Junior Young Farmer of the year. We wish them well and they join a long list of previous highly successful boarders, who have excelled in this prestigious national competition. We will update you with news as it arrives.
 
A reminder that we re -open for Term 3, on Sunday 24 July, from 2pm onwards to Senior students, many of whom will be attending Senior Conference Day on Monday 25 July. School does not start until Tuesday 26, so we would expect Juniors to start returning from the Monday.
 
I wanted to give you all some advance notice that I will be away mid-way through the holidays. I am returning to Wales to spend time with my elderly Father, who is unwell. I will return to NZ on August 5. Given the distance, I will not be easily contactable. If you have any enquiries or need to speak to hostel staff, please direct your phone calls/e mails to one of the following, depending on the context. Brodie Morris (boarding office), is easily contactable if it is a day-to-day admin/medical issue. Stephen Hand, our Evening manager is here to help with pastoral, evening operations matters. If the issue is of a more pressing/serious nature, contact my Deputy Director of Boarding, Kurt Paterson. I will endeavour to stay connected but would ask not to be contacted directly if it can be avoided whilst away.

Enjoy the break with your boys and we look forward to seeing everyone return refreshed and well for a busy term 3.

Best Wishes - Dai and the boarding team.