Read the latest news from Rutherford College

Kia ora te whanau ō te Kōtuku

We tell ourselves our life will be better when 'xxxx' happens. The truth is there is no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when. Lives will always be full of challenges. It is better to admit to this reality and order our thoughts appropriately.

I am sure that some of our senior students will say their lives are better now that exams are over. My answer to that is that throughout the exam process those who took up the challenge in a meaningful way will have improved themselves by what they learned from the experience. Where they are now is time to reflect and to enjoy some R&R. Recreation always feels more rewarding when you have done some work you are proud of. 

The circumstances or events of the day are what they are, we get to choose how we order our minds to look for the next best step.

There will always be some obstacles along the way, an ordeal to get through, some work to be finished, some time to be given, a bill to be paid. 

I finally came to understand that those obstacles were life.

That point of view helped me see that there isn’t any road to happiness. Happiness is the road.

So, enjoy every moment. Stop waiting for school to end, for a return to school, to get fitter, for work to begin, to get married, for Friday evening, for Sunday morning, waiting for a new car, for your mortgage to be paid off, for spring, for summer, for autumn or for winter, or for Xmas, before deciding to be happy.

Happiness is a voyage, not a destination. There is no better time to be happy than… NOW! Live and enjoy the moment.

Now answer these questions:

1 – Name 3 teachers who contributed to your education.
2 – Name 3 friends who helped you in your hour of need.
3 – Think of a few people who made you feel special.
4 - The people who mean something to your life are not rated “the best”, don’t have the most money, haven’t won the greatest prizes…

They are the ones who care about you, take care of you, those who, no matter what, stay close by and support you and who you are, all imperfections included.

Vandalism in West Auckland

Rutherford was one of six west Auckland schools that experienced significant damage through reckless vandalism over the past couple of weeks. This happened in the early hours of the morning. The schools have video footage which they have or will share with the police in the hopes the offenders can be caught. 

Exams

This week we see the end of all NCEA exams and internal exams. School is not over for the junior students yet though, classes continue as normal until 5 and 6 December when students go off to do the Wider Living Activities they have chosen. Those that haven't signed up to something will be allocated to a class and will remain on site doing activities.

11 December is the last day of the school year. Year 9 have their prizegiving at 10am and Year 10 at 12pm. 

2025 Dates for School

23 January - school office opens
30 January - Staff Only Day
31 January - Year 9 Induction 9am
03 February - Year 9 and Year 10 attend
04 February - All levels attend school
06 and 07 February - the school is closed for Waitangi Weekend.

Kia kaha

Gary Moore