Rongotai College Old Boys Association

Thank you Mr Bhindi for 35 years of dedicated service to thousands of Rongotai College Old Boys!

Congratulations to staff member Dinesh Bhindi, who celebrated 35 years teaching at Rongotai College today. Well done Dinesh - that’s quite a shift!

Don't forget to grab your tickets to the 2024 RCOBA Quiz Night being held on Thursday 25 July at The Green Man Pub!

There will be great trivia, great auction items, great raffles, and even greater company.

On Monday 1 July, the Association and Rongotai College held a special service of commemoration to mark 73 years since the unveiling of the Roll of Honour Memorial Board. It was a moving and solemn occasion with Old Boys, students, staff, and representatives from across the college community joining together to pay tribute to the 92 Rongotai men who died during WWII, as well as all those who have served or are currently serving New Zealand's Defence Force.

The service was filled with many singing tributes, including the school song 'Non Nobis Domine', the school vi'iga, the hymn 'I Vow To Thee My Country', and the National Anthem.

Association President, Mr Jimmy Fiso, gave the Official Address and Dedication where he touched on the intricacy of remembrance and our collective responsibility to do it justice.

Following this, the the Acts of Remembrance took place. Association Patron, Mr John Fiso (ONZM), and Board of Trustees Presiding Member, Ms Louise Carter laid a wreath. Acting-Principal Mr Geoff Hall and Head Prefect Dionysios Soulis placed the College Memorial Books beside it, followed by the recital of the Ode of Remembrance by the Association Vice President, Mr Bryce Keith.

We were honoured by the presence of LAC Cameron Robertson from the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, who played the Last Post and Rouse on the bugle.

All 92 names on the Roll of Honour were then read aloud and attendees were invited to lay a pōhutukawa clipping next to the wreath in personal tribute. The service ended with a haka from old boys and students to the Roll of Honour and the ringing of the memorial bell.


Photo Credits 📸 Ash Wanasinghe Photography

A very fitting tribute for two prominent Rongotai College Old Boys. Trevor Rigby also served as Chair of the Rongotai College Board of Trustees, whilst Ian Wells was an instrumental figure on the College cricket scene.

Congratulations to Rongotai College Old Boy, Jesse Randall, who debuted for the New Zealand All Whites earlier this week against Solomon Islands.

Jesse attended Rongotai College from 2016-2020. In his final year, Jesse was a College Prefect, and was also awarded College Sport Wellington Futsal Player of the Year and Football Player of the Year.

After leaving Rongotai College, Jesse moved to the United States where he joined Northern Kentucky University on scholarship. Last year he signed for second-tier United States League Club, Charleston Battery, on a professional contract, before eventually returning to New Zealand this year.

A few weeks ago Jesse was announced as one of the first signings of newly established A-League club, Auckland FC.

We wish you all the best Jesse and can’t wait to follow your continued success!

Rongotai College Sport Rongotai College Football

In 2020 the Association produced two memorial books which pay homage to the school's Roll of Honour and touch on World War II's influence on Rongotai College.

These books will both be on display during the 2024 Service of Commemoration taking place in two weeks time in the Renner Hall, on Monday 1 July at 7:30am.

We warmly welcome all members of the Rongotai College community to join us for the morning commemoration service, followed by breakfast in the Renner Hall. Register your attendance through the link in the comments.

Old Timers Day - Wednesday 5 June

Don’t forget to come down to Rongotai College this Wednesday 5 June to support our premier sports teams and then join us at the Lyall Bay Bowling Club for the Old Timers Day after-match.

To get into the sporting spirit we are also doing a giveaway. Comment below to put yourself in the draw to win some RCOBA merchandise by tagging a mate and sharing one of your favourite Rongotai College sporting memories.

OLD TIMERS DAY - Wednesday 5 June

Calling all Old Boys and supporters of Rongotai College Sports. There’s one week to go before the Rongotai College Old Timers Day and Annual Traditional Sports Exchange against Wellington College.

This is a great chance to watch four of our premier sports teams in action on home territory before making your way over to the Lyall Bay Bowling Club for an Old Timers ‘after-match’ function. This is open to Old Boys, staff, parents, and wider Rongotai College Community.

Our premier rugby and basketball teams were able to secure some great victories last weekend with the 1st XI football team battling out in a 4-4 draw against St Patrick’s College Silverstream. This will make for a great outing next Wednesday on Old Timers Day.

It was a fantastic Thursday afternoon at Shandon Golf Club, with the sun coming out to support the RCOBA Golf Day. Our first event of the year was a success with some good golf and even better company. A massive thanks to those in attendance for their support of the Association at this fundraiser tournament.

Pictured below are the top three teams from the Golf Day who earned their way on to the podium. A special mention to ‘Team FishDogs’ who ultimately took out the tournament, shooting 4 under par🥇.

Keep an eye out on our social media and ‘Chariot Newsletter’ for notices about upcoming events. The next event will be the Rongotai College Old Timers Day held at Lyall Bay Bowling Club, on Wednesday 5 June following the Traditional Sports Exchange against Wellington College.

Earlier today, 2024 Head Prefect Dionysios Soulis and Sports Prefect Charlie Crawford, laid a wreath at the Wellington Cenotaph on behalf of Rongotai College.

You can read Dionysios’ 2024 Anzac Message below where he pays tribute to the Rongotai College Roll of Honour and all who have served New Zealand in the Armed Forces.

“This Anzac Thursday, I urge you all to take a moment and look at the occasion with a wider lens. Use this day to grow and acknowledge those who sacrificed their lives for our beloved country. It’s a valuable opportunity to strengthen our school bonds while sharing a spirit of remembrance with our wider community.”

to our last RCOBA Golf Day.

Registrations are still open for this year’s Golf Day being held on Thursday 11th April at Shandon Golf Club.

For all enquiries, including sponsorship opportunities, please email [email protected]

The Rongotai College Old Boys Association is pleased to announce Jack Leong and Rico Taylor as the 2024 recipients of the James Hunter Outward Bound Leadership Scholarship. As such, Jack and Rico will attend a 3-week course later this year with all fees, transport costs, and necessary equipment provided.

These scholarships were presented last Friday at the Rongotai College Assembly by Jeremy Simpson (Scholarship Coordinator) and Jimmy Fiso (Association President). Jeremy's address to the Assembly touched on the importance of leadership and how leadership can take many different forms.

The Scholarship was established in 2018 following the sudden passing of 1980 Head Prefect, James Hunter. His family, supported by the Association, wished to honour James' love for his school and for outdoor experiences by establishing a fund to support Rongotai's future leaders. The Association is extremely grateful to the Hunter family and Old Boy's Jeremy Simpson and Dean Galt for their support in ensuring the continuation of this Scholarship.

📣 RCOBA Golf Day 📣

Come join us at our first event of the year held at Shandon Golf Club.

Whether you’re registering as an individual or a team of four, it’s guaranteed to be a great day out on the course.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available to help support the event. Please contact [email protected] for all enquiries.

Happy Birthday Rongotai College!

in 1928, Rongotai College opened its doors to 251 students and 9 teachers. Since then, the College has seen thousands of students and hundreds of staff walk its hallways, with all of them taking on the light and passing it on.

Last week the Association hosted the 2023 Patron’s Reception, which coincided with International Volunteer Day. It was a celebration with members from across the College community recognising the service and duty of those who contribute to the life of Rongotai College.

This was also a chance for the Association to formally recognise the four inaugural recipients of the RCOBA President’s Award. This newly established Old Boys’ honour recognises distinguished service to the Association or College by an individual who embodies the Rongotai College values.

Congratulations once again to Graeme Cowan, Simon Woolf, Dave Meaclem and Bruce Cockburn on your well deserved honours. Thank you for your service to the Association and Rongotai College!

Some brilliant news coming out of China! Congratulations to Rongotai College Old Boy, George Jackson.

This weekend members from the 1968 Premier Sports teams are celebrating the 55th reunion of “When Other Wellington Colleges Came 2nd” - marking the year in which nearly all of the Rongotai College sports teams topped their respective codes.

The teams were treated to a tour of the school by the College Prefects, before attending a full school Assembly where 1968 Head Prefect Phil Williams spoke on behalf of the illustrious cohort.

During the Assembly RCOBA Ambassador and Reunion Organiser, Graeme Cowan, was also presented with a 1st XI Cricket Honours Cap in recognition of his service to the College and Old Boys community.

Statement from the Rongotai College Old Boys’ Association Committee:

After serving as the President of the Old Boys’ Association since October 2020, Joe Fiu (2001-2005) has notified the Committee that he is stepping down from the role in the hopes of ushering in and supporting a new executive, as well as being able to give more time to focus on his family, businesses, and coaching the Rongotai College 1st XV Rugby team.

The Committee would like to thank Joe Fiu for his leadership and sacrifices over the past three years. Under his stewardship the Association has been able to make advancements in a number of areas. These include a keen focus on engagement as well as sustainable development of Association systems.

We are pleased to share that Joe Fiu will remain a General Member of the Committee until the Annual General Meeting later in the year. The Committee has officially appointed Association Secretary, Jimmy Fiso (2016-2020), to fill the vacancy of President.

Head to this link to read the full statement on our website: http://www.rcob.org.nz/news-1