Christ's College, Canterbury
Encyclopedia : C : CH : CHR : Christ's College, Canterbury
Christ's College, Canterbury is an independent boys-only Anglican secondary school in Christchurch, New Zealand. It teaches from Year 9 to Year 13, and has day and boarding students. It was first sited at Lyttelton as a school for early settlers, but soon moved to its present location in today's downtown Christchurch.
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, and developed slowly around a central quadrangle. The 'quad' is treated with reverence and only cerain people are allowed to walk onto it. The 'quad' has often been the target of vandalism, particularly in the run-up to important annual rugby matches with rival Christchurch schools.
It is claimed that a form of rugby was being played at the school as early as 1853. Each year its rugby team plays in the "Quadrangular Rugby Football Tournament" with Wellington College, Nelson College and the Wanganui Collegiate School. 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. The Bishop of Christchurch is ex officio Warden.
Notable alumni
- Charles Upham, double Victoria Cross winner
- Michael Cullen, Minister for Finance
- Sir Miles Warren, architect
- Denis Glover, poet
- Sam Neill, actor
Upper department (College House, University of Canterbury)
College House was created as part of Christ's College in 1850. 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. The upper and lower departments (tertiary and secondary departments) separated in 1957, and College House became independent of the College.References
External links
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