Welcome from the Housemaster
I have been involved in the Christ’s College community for more than 15 years and have been very fortunate to serve as the School House Housemaster for the past four years.
On behalf of the School House community, I warmly welcome you and your family to our House.
During my time at College, I have worked as a Physical Education & Health teacher and have held a range of leadership roles, including Head of Department and Deputy Housemaster across several boarding houses. Prior to joining Christ’s College, I was involved with the New Zealand rowing programme and also spent time teaching within the Youth Justice system. These experiences have strongly shaped my approach to working with young people.
Since joining College, I have remained involved in leadership within both the rowing programme and the Physical Education Department. Through these roles, I have had the privilege of getting to know many outstanding young men – supporting them as they grow, develop, and strive to become the best versions of themselves.
Supporting me in this role is my wife, Kate, and our two young children, Ben and Ruby. As a family, we enjoy spending time on the water and in the mountains, as well as travelling around New Zealand whenever the opportunity for adventure arises.
We feel incredibly privileged to be part of the School House community. Our aim is to provide your son with a genuine home away from home, underpinned by a strong culture of respect, compassion, honesty, and fun.
Henry Smith
Housemaster
Welcome from Head of School House
School House is built on brotherhood and bonding.
At Christ’s College, boys are always encouraged to meet new people, and make new friends. In School House, this is an inevitable outcome. Our House has had a strong brotherhood for many generations. This helps boys as they develop into young men and establish strong friendships that last a lifetime.
Living in close quarters with about 60 teenage boys for most of the year can lead to making great memories. The brotherhood that is so ingrained in School House enables a truly supportive and encouraging environment for boys to grow.
Gabriel Beaven
Head of House 2026
House staff
Henry Smith
Housemaster
Henry Smith
Housemaster
Physical Education teacher Henry Smith is head coach for College’s rowing programme. As a former New Zealand rower, from 2003–2008, Henry achieved a world university rowing medal. He has coached three winning Maadi crews, including a historic Springbok U18 four and a record-breaking U17 eight, at the New Zealand schools' regatta.
Kylie Marsh
School House Day Matron and Assistant to the Housemaster
Kylie Marsh
School House Day Matron and Assistant to the Housemaster
Hugo Zanker
Mentor
Hugo Zanker
Mentor
Hugo Zanker holds a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning from the University of Canterbury, a Masters of Music in cello performance from Freiburg Music University in Germany, and a Bachelor of Music (Hons) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts, UC. Alongside his cello performance skills, Hugo has experience in leading contemporary, classical (solo, chamber, and orchestral music), choral (traditional and contemporary), and jazz ensembles (big band). He has also been involved in sound design, music technology, and composition. Hugo joined College from Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School, having been Head of Music and Head of Digital Technologies.
Lydia Sinclair
Boarding Community Overnight Nurse
Lydia Sinclair
Boarding Community Overnight Nurse
House booklet
History of School House
School House was designed by CJ Mountfort and JJ Collins, both Old Boys of the College. The foundation stone was laid in February 1908 by the Governor-General, Lord Plunket, and was ready for occupation in 1909.
The Christ’s College Register of April 1909 describes it as follows: “The interior is spacious, with broad passages, a large common room and a dining room; the walls are of faced bricks, and, therefore unpapered.” It was refurbished in 2002 and the concrete block addition at the rear of the building was constructed at this time.
The name appears to have come from the tradition of English Public Schools to call the house in which the Headmaster, who was also Housemaster, lived, “School House”. Charles Hudson Moreland, 6th Headmaster of Christ’s College, was School House’s first Housemaster.
The four shells (escallops) which can be seen on the House Tie come from the College Crest. They are heraldic symbols used by the Crusaders and represent those who came in the First Four Ships in 1850. The motto Pilgrims Still was one of those considered for the College Motto.