Upham

House Leader: Mr Jaco van Heerden

Deputy House Leader: Mrs Charlotte Espinoza

House Captains: Selina Liu and Davin Burn

House charity: Howick Returned Services Association

House Named After True Hero

The Charles Upham whānau house at Macleans College was officially opened on Tuesday, 8 April 2003.

Charles Upham's daughter, Amanda, described the event as a day she would never forget as she unveiled the brass plaque before a wide spectrum of invited guests including members of the New Zealand Army.

Earlier she had been escorted into the new building by the soldiers before facing a traditional Māori challenge.

As the ceremony took place lieutenant Simon Fitness stood sentinel with a 105 field artillery howitzer on the concrete verandah overlooking Bucklands Beach and the Waitemata Harbour.

Macleans College board chairperson Mrs Jill Pritchard formally welcomed people at the gathering and this was followed by a performance of the college kapa haka group.

Principal Byron Bentley spoke about the heroic qualities of such a person as Charles Upham.

“We are greatly honoured that the Upham family has kindly given permission for us to name our eighth whanau house after their famous father Captain Charles Upham VC and bar and we thank them for this privilege.”

“Charles Upham personified the values of consideration for others, self discipline, sacrifice, selflessness and loyalty,” Mr Bentley said.

The heroic nature of Charles Upham was echoed by the Upham House leader Ian Morrison and house captains Hannah Freer and Glenn Berkett.

Army padre Lance Lukin blessed the house and spoke about the virtue of courage, leadership, and loyalty and told the students they had the potential to be a great leader like Charles Upham.