Kia ora e te whanau ō te Kōtuku

I would like to congratulate and acknowledge all of our students and staff that supported the amazing event that was Te Kāhu ō te Rehia held at Tirimoana Primary School on Saturday. What an amazing event for our community. It was fantastic to see our students involved as Tuakana to support the local primary and intermediate schools. 

Congratulations to..

• The junior boys' cricket team who won through to the Colts final this Saturday v Westlake having beaten Sacred Heart on Saturday. This is to get promoted to the top division for next year.  
• Mya Anderson who has represented New Zealand in Singapore and Australia (as well as all over NZ) in Ten Pin Bowling. Mya has ended the year ranked No.1 for 18years and under. 

MONEY IN THE BANK 

This week I shared the following analogy with our junior students at Year 9 and 10 assemblies. What is worth more to you – your cell phone or the math's test next week?  Your favourite pair of shoes or your next class? 

Economic downturns remind us that we can often put a higher value on the things we have bought with our money than the job that enabled us to earn that money.   

We have got used to thinking that the things we own are our assets.  In fact, our most valuable asset is our job – and the qualifications and experiences we have built up that helped us to get that job.  Our assets are worth far less in times like these than our human capital. It is education, training and previous track record that continue to pay us dividends throughout our lives.  What you have learned and hold in your head, heart and soul will be worth far more to you than the money you put in the bank! 

Your job will be your most important source of security, health and happiness throughout your whole life, for you and for your family. It’s time to take stock of your true assets.  Just after your recent exams I encourage you to reflect properly on what your school results were like.  Are they good enough to get you successfully through to further education and training?  Are you investing enough time now in your education to guarantee you a range of choices in the future?  

As young people you are in the most fortunate position where you can still have a serious impact on the investment you can make in your human capital. 

Here is some of the best advice you will ever be given.  Now is the time to make the best investment you can in your own future.  Build your education portfolio.  Build your qualifications. Build your confidence in your future self. Your best asset is your own human capital, and you improve this by what you do one day at a time. 

As a footnote to students investing in their human capital, it was also an absolute pleasure to then read out to both Year 9 and 10 a huge number of students who will be acknowledged at our Year 9 and 10 prizegivings next Thursday 7 December.

• Year 9 Prizegiving  starts 10.45 - 12.00pm - then they will be released for the year (Parents welcome)
  Year 10 Prizegiving starts 12.45pm - 2.00pm - then they will be released for the year (Parents welcome)

Wider Living Days - 4 and 5 December

On Monday and Tuesday next week, students who have signed up for the activities will be out of the school enjoying time at Parakai and Rainbows End. Sign ups are now closed. Thank you to the parents and caregivers who have completed the process and paid for the activities. We acknowledge it is an expensive time of the year for everyone but also believe that it is enjoyable experience for everyone and a good way to end the year.

Year 9: Attend Rainbows End Monday and Parakai Tuesday. They must meet in the sports hall at 8.50 both mornings.

Year 10:Attend Parakai on Monday and Rainbows End on Tuesday. They must meet in the top gym at 8.50 each morning.

Any student who is not signed up to the activities is expected to be school. There will scheduled classes for these students. Thank you for your support.

General Information:

Students will not be allowed to leave the venue at all during the day. They can bring a packed lunch (recommended) but they may purchase food at the venues. This option is expensive and there could be long queues as Rutherford College is not the only school at these venues.  The weather is not looking great so they will need a waterproof jacket for Rainbows End and warm dry clothes with them for both venues. The buses be at each venue at 2pm. Students should return to school by 3pm. They may leave straight from the bus to go home. Students are representing their school and therefore behaviour expectations are the same as if students were at school. 

Junior Production - It's not too late to book your tickets

Rutherford is very proud to present Aladdin. Please come along to support the students and staff who have worked hard to put this production together. Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 December. Tickets are available online at www.trybooking.com/nz/QDD - Adults $15/Child or student $12. Under 5 free. (Booking fee applies). Limited door sales (subject to availability). 

School Policies and Procedures

Rutherford College subscribes to SchoolDocs for all policies and procedures. Anyone in the community can log in at SchoolDocs to view, read or review policies.

Term 4 Reviews underway are:

Curriculum and Student Achievement
Student Assessment
Home Learning
Religious Instruction
Religious Education
Health Education

Anyone can review the policies (staff, students, parents/caregivers) by clicking on the review tab when you log in to SchoolDocs.
Username: rutherfordcollege
Password: kotuku

Reviews are open until 15 December 2023. SchoolDocs considers feedback before making any changes. Your feedback is welcome and can be anonymous.

2024 Start Times

22 January - School Office opens at 8am
25-26 January Staff only days
29 January - Auckland Anniversary Day (school closed)
30 January - Y9 students first day and new to Rutherford powhiri
31 January - Y9 and Y10 at school
01 February - All levels at school
02 February - All levels at school on full timetable
05 February - School Closed
06 February - Waitangi Day - School closed
29 March - 2 April - Easter Break
12 April - End of term 1

Families will receive more in depth details in January about how to sign in to SchoolBridge which is our School Portal, timetables and the first week activities. Stationery lists and day to day information is available on the website. 

Kia kaha
Gary Moore