Read the latest news from Rutherford College

Kia ora te whanau ō te Kōtuku

Today was a truly special occasion to acknowledge and honour a true Rutherford legend, Bryce Wills. He didn’t necessarily love the accolades or attention, but he does deserve it after 45 years of dedicated service. He has been a constant and consistent presence in this place for such a long time. The cultural capital, knowledge and things he has seen and experienced in his time would be the basis of a few good stories.

 Mr Wills was first part of the kotuku flock back in 1980 when the Footrot Flats theme park was where the housing development is now, and this was Tat North bro the mighty 834 and we were known as Rutherford High School. His tutor class back then in 1980 was 4WL.  Here is he back then.

One of our parents about 10 years ago asked me if that was Mr Wills in the corridor when she saw him one day when she came to pick up her son, when I said that it was, she said “man we all had a crush on him back in the day.” 

Originally from Mt Maunganui he moved up to New Lynn,  Auckland, to start Form 1 or  Year 7 as we now know it. He has remained a westie ever since he arrived in this special part of the world. Why would anyone leave?

Mr Wills was appointed by the foundation principal Mr Eric Clarke, arriving from a year teaching at MAGS. After 11  years pausing for one year out in 1988 for his OE  he was made Dean in August 1999. He  later assumed the role as Senior Dean and has been a central figure in the Rutherford pastoral care processes for 3 decades. It was obvious to Mr Edmeades when he was Principal that when he needed someone to add to the senior leadership team that there was only one person he wanted and that was Mr Wills. He stepped into a senior leadership role in March 2003 as Assistant Principal then Deputy Principal in T3, 2005 and has been a crucial part of the team for 20 years. He has worked with all 4 Principals and he is the last existing teaching staff member who we will be able to say that about.

Bryce is not one to fuss. He just gets on with what needs doing. He takes his roles and responsibilities seriously and always puts the school first when he is needing to make decisions. Bryce likes things to be done right and more often than not he will do it himself if he has any doubt that things will not be as they should be. He has always put the time in and worked incredibly hard. 

If he can do it, he won’t be looking around, to see if anyone else will do it, that's not his way. It is fair that Bryce can reflect on his time here and be confident that he gave his all and that he is highly respected   because he is a constant reliable presence who got things done. He is more often than not been the first responder when the unexpected happens. We won’t be able to look around and ask where’s Bryce when something needs to be done. I trust he’s doing what he wants to do because after what he has given to this community he deserves to be able to do that and more.

Haka Competition

Thursday last period we had the Haka competition on the field. The competition was close with all three houses providing a rousing performance. 14 points ahead of the other teams, Tāne Mahuta came out the clear winners. Ruaumoko were second and Tama-nui-te-rā were in third place.

 English Teacher

Rutherford is on the hunt for a part time English teacher to teach a junior programme. This role is suitable for primary or secondary trained teachers and starts 28 April for a fixed term to the end of the year. If you are interested in a .3FTE role or more, please apply via this link.

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday break. 

Gary Moore