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Kia ora te whanau o te Kotuku

Mistakes are inevitable but please don’t let them define you. Growing and learning from them is the key to personal growth and happiness. I invite you to be brave, own, accept and take responsibility for the where to from here. Have a growth mindset.

Failure and frustration are tough lessons, but they can either be lessons or an anchor that you allow to hold you where you are now. In life we live and learn, and this process never ends. When we are passionate about something our emotions get charged. How do we manage this energy flow under pressure. Emotions can be our worst advisors, so please take note of your emotional state but do not make a permanent decision from what is a temporary emotion or state of being. 

As parents, adults, mentors, teachers, coaches we need to let our young people and people in general know that they are not alone and that we care about them as people not just as students. That doesn’t mean we are a pushover, we are warm and demanding, the demanding is equally as important as the warm and caring. They are linked.

Pressure that we exert on students/people should be seen and received as a privilege. Pressure makes diamonds, but it needs to be exerted over time and not all in one go. In life we can embrace the challenges that pressure situations offer. We can all shine and be diamonds in our way in certain areas of our life if we put the time in and build habits and routines.

Pressure or tough moments do not build character they reveal character. Those who have learned to work hard and be kind over extended periods of their life’s journey will reveal a strength of character that has been developed by habitually striving for personal excellence regardless of the last outcome or result. Even with hard work, there are no guarantees of success, but as we fail, we get closer to the goal. Remember that success or winning is about being better today than you were yesterday. 

Casual Vacancy on the School Board

A casual vacancy has occurred on the school board for an elected parent representative. The board has decided to fill the vacancy by selection.

If 10% or more of eligible voters on the school roll ask the board, within 28 days of this notice being published, to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy, then a by-election will be held.

Request for a by-election should be sent to: Presiding Member via email: [email protected] or in writing to Presiding Member, Rutherford College School Board, P O Box 45327, Te Atatu 0651 by 3pm on 28 July 2023.

 School Policies and Procedures

Our school has been working with SchoolDocs to create a website for our policies and procedures. We are excited to announce that the site is now live and available to our school community. The school works on a subscription basis with SchoolDocs to maintain, update, and review our policies. SchoolDocs provides us with a comprehensive core set of policies, which have been well researched and align with the National Education and Learning Priorities. The policies and procedures are tailored to our school, and the school supplies specific information such as our charter, and procedures for behaviour management, reporting to parents, etc.SchoolDocs updates, modifies, or creates policies in response to changes in legislation or Ministry guidelines, significant events, reviews/requests from schools, and regular reviewing from the SchoolDocs team. Our school board has the opportunity to view changes/additions and comment on them before they are implemented. We will advise you when policies are up for review and how you can take part in the review. We invite you to visit the site at https://rutherfordcollege.schooldocs.co.nz. Our username is "rutherfordcollege" and password "kotuku".

Casual Administrator

Rutherford is looking for a casual administrator to help out in various departments to cover for staff on leave or to help out wherever needed if there is an overload of work in various areas. If you want a few days work here and there throughout the school term and have commonsense, discretion and a good working knowledge of Microsoft and Google suite we'd love to hear from you. Would suit someone returning to the workforce or recently retired. Everything is negotiable so please head to our vacancies page and put an application in. Applicants must be prepared to be police vetted for this position. If you want to find out more please email the Principal's PA.

The Arts Exhibition

Rutherford College is holding The Arts Exhibition on Wednesday 26 July from 6pm – 8.30pm. Students will be selling and show casing a wide variety of their artwork. From drawings, paintings and sculptures to prints by Te Poho o Hinekahukura, as well as work by Fashion design students. There will also be a silent auction, music, food and wine. Come along and support the students who have worked hard to produce all types of artwork. Book your ticket here: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/events/landing/9706 – $10 per ticket (your ticket includes one free drink and finger food throughout the night). We'd love to see you there.

Open Evening and Open Day

Thursday 27 July the school is open from 6pm to 8pm for any prospective students to visit and find out more about the school. Our current students will be on hand to take interested parties on a tour of the school and the Principal will address the community in the School Hall. 

Friday 28 July we are open from 9.30am - 1.30pm for school tours if you want to see the school in action. 

31 July our enrolment week commences Monday to Thursday 3.30 to 7pm in the Information Commons. You need to complete the online application form (available on the website) and book your appointment time via our Booking Schedule on SchoolPoint - Click on Menu and Choose Registration for Pre-Enrolment Interviews for Year 9 2024. The booking code is 8e9b0bfe.

Upcoming Events:

27 July Open Evening 6pm - 8pm, followed by Open Day 28 July from 9.30 to 1.30pm.
31 July - 5 Aug - Enrolments for 2024 3.30 - 7pm and 9.30 - 11.30 Saturday
10 August - Option Evening and Parent/Student/Subject Teacher Conferences 2pm - 8pm
16 August - Nominations open for Student Trustee on the School Board

Kia kaha
Gary Moore