Principal's Panui - 24 May 2024
Tālofa lava
Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week - 26 May - 1 June
The 2024 theme for Samoa Language Week is 'Tautua i le alofa, manuia le lumana’i – Serve in love for a blessed future'. What does the phrase ‘Tautua i le alofa’ mean? The concept of tautua focuses on the phrase – “Serve in love”. Love is the driving force of service. No matter what service looks like or who is doing it, service is accomplished through the power of love. During the course of the week there will be a programme of Gagana Samoa learning activities across the school.
PERFECT IS NOT ALWAYS BEST
An old Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a stick which she carried across her neck when she went to collect water from the river. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the river to the house, cracked pot arrived only half full. Everyday the woman brought home only one and a half pots of water.
Of course the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it was supposed to do.
After years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, the cracked pot spoke sadly to the old woman.
“I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.”
The old woman smiled and asked, “Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my house. Without you being just the way you are, I would not have this beauty in my life.”
Each of us has our own unique flaws. But it’s the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so interesting and rewarding.
Appreciate yourself for the things that make you the beautiful individual you are. Take each person for what they are and look for the beauty in them.
To all of our ‘cracked pot’ friends, enjoy every day and remember to smell the flowers, on your side of the path.
NCEA Literacy and Numeracy Co-requisite Exams
This week our Year 10 students sat three exams: Reading, Numeracy and Writing. These exams are designed to test students’ levels of functional Literacy and Numeracy and a pass in all three is a requirement for passing Level 1, 2 and 3 NCEA. We have been preparing students for these tests for weeks during Maths and English classes. I was very proud to see how our Year 10s showed focus and determination during the exams and we all have high hopes for the results. Students will have the opportunity to re-sit these exams in September if they missed them or did not pass this time around.
Next week starting Monday 9am, our Year 11, 12 and 13 students who have not yet passed Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy have an opportunity to re-sit their exams. There are only two opportunities per year, and I hope to see all those who need to be there at the hall on Monday morning first period. The first step to passing is turning up for the test. Best of luck to everyone involved.
School Photographs
Please take note of the photo dates for this term:
30th of May : Class Photos
5th of June : Sports Photos
10th of June : Clubs and Committees Photos
After all the photos are taken, details of how you can place orders will be emailed to you by Photolife (the photo company engaged by us) they will also post the photos directly to you.
Open Evening and Enrolments for 2025
In Term 3 Rutherford will host their annual Open Evening. If you have a son or daughter currently in Year 8, then please come along to the college to meet the teachers and learn more about Rutherford College. If you prefer to see the school in action you can attend on Friday 2 August between 9.30 and 1.30pm and experience a tour of the school and talk with students about what they like about Rutherford College.
Open Evening Thursday 1 August 6-8pm
Open Day Friday 2 August 9am-1pm
Following on from the Open Evening and Open Day is our Enrolment week from Monday 5 to Thursday 8 August 3.30 - 7.00pm and Saturday 10 August from 9.30 - 11.30am. All enrolments will be in our Information Commons. Booking schedules will be available closer to the time. To find out more about how to enrol, please visit our website.
School Policies and Procedures
Rutherford subscribes to SchoolDocs for policies and procedures. You can view them here. This term the policies being reviewed are:
Employer Responsibility Policy, Appointment Procedure, Equal Employment Opportunities, Teacher Relief Cover, Safety Checking, Police Vetting, Classroom Release Time/Timetable.
- All reviews are open to board members, staff, students, and the school community (parents/caregivers/whānau).
- Anyone can review any policy/procedure that has a review button.
To access the SchoolDocs site for Rutherford please use: Username: rutherfordcollege and Password: kotuku
Staff Only Day - 31 May 2024
Next Friday is a staff only day and the school is closed for students. Staff focus for the day is curriculum development with a particular emphasis on level 1, junior courses and literacy.
The school is also closed for instruction on the following days:
03 June - King's Birthday
28 June - Matariki Day
04 July - Early close on Thursday 4 July at 1.30pm in preparation for the School Ball.
05 July - The last Friday of the term the school is not open for instruction.
Upcoming Events:
17 June - International Languages Week
21 June - International Languages Evening
20 June - LUV Music
Kia kaha
Gary Moore
