Kia ora te whanau o te Kotuku

Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted. It was encouraging when we could welcome our students back to Rutherford for the third time this year on Wednesday February 15th. Attendance on that day was at a 4 year high of 90% across the school. Attendance – everyday counts. So the 90%+ needs to become the new normal. Good attendance is a partnership between whanau and school. Make sure you talk to your child about the importance of school and how it can help them achieve their goals. Remember the school is here to help any way we can.

We were able to go ahead with our annual Scholars’ assembly today Friday February 17th. I believe that one of my best decisions was to introduce a Scholars’ Assembly in my first full year here to acknowledge and promote the pursuit of academic excellence. 223 students were acknowledged for endorsing NCEA with either merit or excellence. 12 students were also awarded academic scholars ties for achieving success in the external scholarship exams. Only the top 3% in the country achieve this within each subject area.

I am looking forward to next week with Swimming and Athletic Sports scheduled on Wednesday and Friday respectively and the new to Rutherford Barbeque on Thursday night. We understand that this clashes with Matipo Primary’s meet the teacher evening due to the rescheduling of our event after the school closed for 2 days.

We are Rutherford and you are all part of the Kotuku flock. Those who are part of the Kotuku realise that they contribute to something bigger than themselves. They work collectively to strengthen the V formation.

As it is the start of a new school year, and we welcome 400 new students to the Rutherford whanau it is important to let those who are new catch up with what we know is important around here.

THE SENSE OF A GOOSE
When you see geese flying along in ‘V’ formation, you might consider what science has discovered about why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in ‘V’ formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. If we had as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are headed the same way we are.
When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.
It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south. Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front and to keep up their speed. What messages do we give when we honk from behind?
Finally, and this is important – when a goose gets sick or is wounded and falls out of formation, two other geese fallout with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group.

If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.

Building Upgrades

The upgrade of our C Block toilets has begun and should be completed in Term 1.
School Gates are being installed at the front and back entrances of the school to provide another layer of security for students and staff during the day as well as protect the property better overnight. Please do not drive up the driveway to drop off or collect students before and after school. Workmen will be on site at different times and it is a health and safety hazard having too many cars entering and exiting during peak times. Drop off points for students should be in the surrounding streets.
The tennis courts will be resurfaced this term.

Upcoming Events

22 Feb – Swimming Sports
23 Feb – BBQ for all students new to Rutherford  6-8pm – Venue: Behind the Admin block
23 Feb – Photographers will be in the school taking photographs for Rutherford College prospectus, website and promotional material
24 Feb – Athletics Day
8 – 11 Mar – Polyfest
9 Mar – School ID photographs

School Portal

The School Portal is accessed through the website. The portal allows you to view timetables, report absences, sign permission forms, access school reports and pay for school activities. Caregivers need to click on the Request Magic Link button. A code will be sent to your email and you can then log in. This is a temporary measure until some issues have been resolved by our student management system provider. Students can log in using the  Microsoft option using their school username and password.

Kia Kaha

Gary Moore