Principal's Panui - 01 March 2024

Kia ora e te whanau o te Kotuku

I whea koe I te tangihanga o te pipiwharauroa?

Where were you when the shining cuckoo called?

One of the first signs of spring in New Zealand is the return of the shining cuckoo.  The first notes of its call were a signal to the Māori that it was time to begin preparing the land for crops.  The work done in spring would determine the amount of food available for the following winter.  Those who ran short of food were asked, “Where were you when the shining cuckoo called?” because their lack of food showed they had not done their work when it was time to plant.

The beginning of a new school year is all but done, and the shining cuckoo is calling.  There will come a time for us all to show the results of the work we have begun.  We are sowing the seeds for a successful harvest. Diligence, planning, organisation and goal-setting combined with the necessary work ethic will ensure that when you hear the question: “Where were you when the shining cuckoo called?”  You will be confident that you have done the work and be ready to reap the rewards.

We have now completed five weeks of term 1, and students should have developed a clear sense of their academic goals for 2024.  As a school we will be asking students at all levels to pick three academic goals which we will then share with whanau so that you can talk about them at home. The follow up on this initial goal-setting will be to provide regular tracking information twice a term through Terms 1 to 3 so that you remain updated on how your young people are tracking toward their goals.

Fia Fia night - 19 March - 6pm

Rutherford College is holding Fia Fia night on 19 March from 6pm. The venue is the school field providing the weather is fine.

We hope you can come along to witness some amazing talent from our performers. This year we are excited to have some new groups on stage.

Performances will be from Kapa Haka, African Group, Indian Dance Group, Chinese Group, Samoan and Tongan Groups.

We hope you can make it.

Year 9 Literacy and Numeracy Classes
In order to assist students prepare for the new Literacy and Numeracy requirements of NCEA, for the first time, Rutherford College is running Year 9 Literacy and Numeracy option classes.

These classes are intended to boost students who find the requirements of these assessments a challenge.
Literacy and/or Numeracy classes would take place of one of the options your Year 9 son or daughter chose at enrolment. Apart from Languages, students can study all options in Year 10, even if they haven't done them in Year 9.

If you would be interested having your Y9 son or daughter considered for either of these classes in the second half of the year, or would like further information, please email our Literacy and Numeracy Coordinators:

Literacy:         Saffron Conde     [email protected]                         Numeracy:      Kelleigh Stanton   [email protected]

House Points Update:

Wellbeing Survey

Rutherford is using a web based tool with students to survey them about their wellbeing.  This tool is called Goodspace.  It takes less than 10 minutes for students to answer health and wellbeing questions. The survey is used by the Student Services team (that is the counsellors and the nurse) to ensure we are offering support to students as needed.  This is a part of our wellbeing plan to protect and enhance the hauora of our rangatahi. In 2024 we will be surveying all year  9 ,10 and year 12 students.  The survey will be conducted during tutor time.  If you do not wish your child to do this survey, please email their tutor teacher asking them to be excluded from the survey. Thank you for your assistance and help.

Upcoming Events:

05 March - Western Zone Athletics
19 March - Fia Fia Night
21 - 23 March Polyfest
26 March Champion of Champion Athletics, NCEA Evening for parents
29 March - 02 April Easter break
10-11 April Studio Show
12 April End of Term 1

Kia Kaha
Gary Moore