Our History

Blue Black Values Since 1881

Founded in 1881 Christchurch Boys’ High School has rested on commitment, bravery, honour and service. With over 130 years of tradition, we have nurtured generations of students to become courageous leaders across diverse fields.

While honouring our proud past we continually innovate to prepare our boys for their world. Our Blue Black Values ensure that the spirt of our former students endures in every boy who walks our halls

When the school opened (in what is now the Arts Centre) it shared its site with Christchurch Girls’ High School and Canterbury College in Worcester Street. The school moved to its present Straven Road site in 1926 as it had outgrown its central city location and 28 acres of the Deans’ Estate at Riccarton was secured by the University for the expanding school.

In December 2021 a CBHS ‘Recollect’ site was established. This digital archive of school information will gradually be developed over time as more images and documents are added. The site currently holds digital copies of school magazines and a collection of other narratives and images. To access the CBHS Recollect site click the link below.

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Some of the key themes of the school’s history have been the successes of its old boys and their influence in all facets of New Zealand life. Remarkably a number of Boys’ High old boys have gone on to become Headmasters of other schools. Two old boys number amongst the 11 Headmasters of Christchurch Boys’ High School. Other than education old boys have made their mark in the law, commerce, medicine, engineering, politics, literature, sport, the performing arts and the military. Perhaps New Zealand’s greatest soldier, Sir Howard Kippenberger, attended Boys’ High School as did his fellow Brigadier James Burrows.

In the 1960’s New Zealand’s Army, Navy and Airforce were all lead by old boys. 359 old boys have died fighting for New Zealand and the school’s ANZAC service has special significance.

The sense of belonging, partly generated by the success and sacrifice of its old boys, is another integral feature of the school’s history. The school has always seen itself as a community school and has evoked a loyalty amongst this community that has furthered the success of its students. Related to the sense of belonging there seems to have been a recurring and successful ambition to have an assembly hall that sits the entire school.

The influence of the Masters and Teachers on the boys of the school has also been felt through the school’s time. From Charles Bevan Brown, Headmaster from 1883 until 1920, to Masters returning from war, to great music teachers and sports coaches the character and influence of these men and women has shaped the school and its pupils.

The school suffered significant damage during the Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, including to its assembly hall, World War One Memorial Shrine and the Historic Deans buildings, however the foresight and leadership of staff and old boys in the 1980s had seen the Main Block strengthened and this iconic building with architectural connections to the original Worcester Street school survived the earthquakes intact and has remained in operation.

The Christchurch Boys’ High School Redevelopment Project involves the demolition and rebuild of multiple buildings within the school campus. The objective of this project is to ensure teaching spaces and other school buildings are constructed to enable modern learning practices. Above and below ground infrastructure has be future proofed where possible, addressing earthquake related issues to buildings, underground infrastructure, and outdoor areas.

The school is currently nearing the end of the Master Plan process having completed the Hall, Energy Centre, Caddick and Caldwell blocks along with a new Canteen and associated teaching spaces. The listed Category 1 Heritage Main Block has undergone a full refurbishment in the last three years. Staff and students will be back in the Main Block for the start of 2025.

CBHS Headmasters

The portraits of the Headmaster’s that have adorned the walls of the Hall are an iconic link to our past.

T. Miller

1881 – 1884

C.E. Bevan-Brown

1884 – 1921

G.J. Lancaster

1921 – 1940

A.E. Caddick

1941 – 1950

J. Leggat

1951 – 1959

C.F.S. Caldwell

1960 – 1976

I.D. Leggat

1976 – 1988

Z.R. Kidd

1988 – 91

C.W. Croudis

1992 – 2003

T J McIntyre

2003 – 2012

N.C. Hill

2013 – present

Roll of Honour

The wars of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries featured large numbers of Old Boys from CBHS. It is reported that during the First World War, the Headmaster of the time, Mr C.E Bevan-Brown, was visibly moved at each assembly as he read the names of recent Old Boys who had died in the war.

Every year, we read aloud a prayer for the old boys who have lost their lives in the service to their country.

History of the College Match

The annual Christ’s College / Boys’ High rugby match is a major event in any calendar year. This rivalry harks back over a hundred years to when the schools were not only the first two all-male schools to be founded in Canterbury, but also conveniently situated within 100 metres of each other.

College Game Facts

First Game was in 1892, when Christ’s College won 34-0
Only nine College games have ended in a draw
School’s biggest win was in 2015 with a final score of 80-0. This was the first College game played in front of the newly opened John Morrissey Grandstand which allowed the game to be returned to Straven Road after more than a decade
Christchurch has had the longest winning streak to date, winning 16 years in a row – 2001-2016
Christ’s College biggest win was in 1892 (the first College Match) with a final score of 34-0
Christ’s College’s longest winning streak was four years in a row – 1892-1983, 1900-1903, 1916-18, 1987-90

Our History

Blue Black Values Since 1881

CBHS Headmasters

T. Miller

C.E. Bevan-Brown

G.J. Lancaster

A.E. Caddick

J. Leggat

C.F.S. Caldwell

I.D. Leggat

Z.R. Kidd

C.W. Croudis

T J McIntyre

N.C. Hill

Roll of Honour

History of the College Match

College Game Facts

Useful Links

Contact Details

Information Update – Week 8, Term 1

Excellence and excellence

Information Update – Week 6, Term 1

Year 9 CAMP Information

The Main Block

Open Day and other key enrolment dates.

Legal boundaries of CBHS zone.