The Pipes and Drums competition bands attend a national championship annually, and with the Australian Championships held every second year, the bands are fortunate to be able to attend the New Zealand Pipe Band Championships in the alternate year.
Last week, our Pipes and Drums students flew to Aotearoa New Zealand for the Championships, this year held in Invercargill on the South Island.
On Wednesday, the bands transited into Queenstown and stopped over for a night. They took in the sights on the iconic mountain Ben Lomond, and enjoyed the gondola and luge rides. The next morning, the boys were into a solid rehearsal session ahead of the coach trip down to Tūātapere.
At Tūātapere, they were accommodated at the Tui Base Camp, where the boys had another rehearsal in preparation for the competition.
On Friday, the #1 and #2 bands played in three competition elements, and Invercargill turned on the cold weather. The boys performed extremely well in tough and unfamiliar conditions. The following day, the students bravely participated in the street march competition in torrential Invercargill rain.
Here are some reflections from the students:
Justin (Year 10): “The best part of the trip was spending time with friends and the mateship of the band. During our street march it was horrendously rainy, but after we finished, we all had high spirits and enjoyed the time together. Another highlight was watching the other bands, especially Hawthorn, where we watched our tutors play especially for the tenors. We took away some of the flourishes they did and even changed the flourishes in the 6/8s before the drum majoring event, which really connected us as the tenor core.”
Matthew (Year 11):“Being able to listen to and get help from all the other bands, especially the ones in the higher grades, was a highlight as it allowed me to see where I can strive. Spending some quality time with friends in the bands was great to build bonds amongst ourselves and across year groups. For a lot of boys’ first competition, we played well, and we will continue to grow for our next comp.”
James (Year 11):“From friendly people to good lodgings (and excellent food!), everything in Tūātapere was warm and welcoming. By the time we left, Tūātapere had truly earned a special place in our hearts.
Pipe Major Xavier (Year 12):“Tūātapere was quiet but the locals were very welcoming, friendly and supportive. Invercargill was very cold, wet and windy with the whole band getting drenched. There was lots of high-level competition, and I think everyone learnt a lot in terms of preparation and performance. Everyone really enjoyed the trip, and it was a great learning experience, which will make us better the next time around.”
12 August 2026
Staff and visiting guests gathered at Knox on 12 August for a Twilight Networking Event. Bringing leaders together for an evening of connection and conversation, attendees later heard from internationally bestselling author, former state champion boxer and business owner Luke Kennedy.
10 August 2026
Last Saturday’s final rounds in 2026 Winter Sport season marked the conclusion of another outstanding chapter in Knox Sport.
07 August 2026
“Visual Arts deepens our understanding of ourselves, our communities, and the world around us,” says Wendy Shearer (Visual Arts Teacher and Head of Department, Senior School). “Through creative practice, students explore ideas, communicate experiences, and develop personal ways of seeing and interpreting the world. Art becomes both a form of expression and a means of connecting across time, place, and culture.
