Owen Hughes farewelled at Rosmini College
It was with great sadness that the college learnt on Saturday April 6th, that our beloved Student Mentor, Owen Hughes, had passed away in the early hours of the morning.
Owen had been battling cancer for at least a year. A battle he had fought with incredible bravery and stoicism despite his suffering. Owen embodied the Rosmini values and was truly a man of dignity, integrity, fairness and justice. Tributes have been flowing in for this highly popular staff member from current staff, students and parents as well as old boys, ex-staff and ex Board members.
I think Lynne Van Wyk summed him up best by describing him as “a man full of love, kindness, and compassion who only saw goodness in everyone”. Owen was a deeply respected and trusted counsellor/student mentor for a decade from 2013 to 2023. I cannot begin to describe the impact he had on so many of our boys, especially some of our most troubled young men.
Owen began at Rosmini in 2002 as a teacher of Graphics and Design. In 2003 he was appointed Assistant Headmaster and in 2008 he became Deputy Headmaster, a role he held until 2015 when he became full time Student Mentor. Owen was an outstanding Graphics and Design teacher who achieved exceptional results for his students. Owen obtained the highest ever percentage of NCEA excellence grades and scholarships of any teacher.
Owen served on the school Board for 18 years from 2005 to 2023 as the Staff Representative. It is a testament to the high standing in which he was held by the staff that from 2008 he stood unopposed as Staff Representative.
Owen was heavily involved in the college’s extra-curricular programme. He was manager of the 1st XV Rugby between 2003 and 2010, including the champion team of 2009. He was also manager of the 1st XI Hockey between 2011 and 2017 and this includes a period when they won three championships, including the Auckland title. Owen also managed the college’s swimming team between 2011 and 2015.
As a supporter on the sidelines I suspect no staff member could match Owen and Anne’s record of games attended. He saw this as a very important extension of his role as Student Mentor. Owen and Anne could be seen on the sidelines particularly at rugby, basketball, hockey and water polo. Indeed Owen and Anne were present at the water polo only days before his death.
Owen’s funeral was attended by around 900 mourners, a testimony to the tremendous impact he had on the lives of so many of the people that he met. He was farewelled for the last time from the college by a rousing haka performed by current and ex students followed by a guard of honour extending down the driveway as the hearse left the college.
May he rest in peace.
Mr Nixon Cooper, Headmaster
Photographs by Anthony Cudmore @arc_visuals_ and Ms Morrogh
