Read the latest news from Rutherford College

Dear Parents/ Caregivers and Students

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome to you to Rutherford College and I look forward to a wonderful 2025. It was an absolute pleasure to see so many of our whanau in attendance at our new to Rutherford College powhiri today. The following is a summary of some of the things outlined by me at this gathering for those who would like an idea of what I shared with our fledgling kotukus on day one.

Rutherford Tikanga/ Values and Expectations

We all come from different backgrounds. Our four school values are what unite us in a way of being. Our values which form the basis of our tikanga are what we hold the line on with behaviour and expectations. In simple terms if you work hard and be kind you will be on the right track.

One of the most important parts of working hard is turning up and being in the right place at the right time with the right stuff, to prepare you for success. Any of wrong time, wrong place, wrong stuff prepares you for chaos. Chaos is not a foundation that creates success. To strive for personal excellence requires structure, routines and good habits. Chaos doesn’t work.

At Rutherford, Tohea  - we strive for personal excellence. This means we always look for how we can improve and to build on what we have already done. We start from where our feet are now and take a positive step in the right direction from where we are at this present moment. 

At Rutherford you will learn or have reinforced that “We are what we repeatedly do; Excellence is not an act, but a series of habits and positive behaviours repeated often”. 

We are all individuals.  So never compare yourself to the best that others can be only to the best that you can be. If you are making progress then you are winning.

Uniform Expectations

Wearing the correct uniform and wearing it well says a lot about a school and its students. How do you know you are wearing the correct uniform. Official school uniform can only be bought at The Uniform Shoppe on Rosebank Road.

Sports uniform such as a hoodie is not school uniform. 

Staff and Student ID Photos - 4 February

Tuesday 4 February all students will be getting ID Photographs taken. Students should present in full school uniform. Rules and Information about correct uniform, jewellery and makeup can be found here.

New to Rutherford BBQ - 18 February

At Rutherford we value the building of authentic relationships with students and whanau. For all our new to Rutherford College students at all year levels, and their whanau, please make the attendance at our new to Rutherford Barbecue on Tuesday February 18 February at 6pm a priority. This is a great chance for you to meet your young person’s tutor teacher and also their individual subject teachers in a relaxed environment.

To strive for personal excellence is the school's mission statement and the objective we have for all our students is that they strive to seek the heights of their potential. 

Swimming Sports - 19 February

The Sports Committee will attend Year 9 and 10 Tutor Classes on Tuesday, 4th February to assist students with entry forms for swimming events. They will also attend Year 11, 12, and 13 Tutor Time (10:50 am) for the same purpose.  All participating students must wear full school uniform to and from school. Only students competing in events should go directly to the pool at the beginning of Interval- Races will start period 3.

Students not competing will follow their normal class timetable. Participants should bring: Swimwear & towel, Hat & sunscreen, Water & lunch

Athletics Day - Friday 21 February

Friday 21 February involves all students participating in athletics over the course of the day. Students should dress in house colours or wear their PE uniform. They should bring hat, sunscreen and drink. Races and field events will take place on the field and students will remain with their House for the day.  

Building projects

The new administration building has progressed well over the holiday break, and we look forward to the floor being poured over the coming weekend. Following this we will see the construction of the walls occurring and the building taking shape. We are optimistic that we will be opening this building sometime in August this year. 

We will then move on as soon as possible to repurposing the existing administration block into a Student Services Centre that will house our Deans, Attendance, Counsellors and Health Clinic. The combining of these services under one roof is something that we look forward to as it will provide a central location for the wellbeing services to work together to best support our young people. 

Once again, welcome to the Rutherford College community and I look forward to the year ahead.

Kia kaha
Gary Moore