Principal's Panui - 24 April 2025
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Despite the wet weather, I hope you have enjoyed the school holidays and spent some meaningful time with family.
Before the start of term 2, there are a couple of things I wish to remind you of.
At the end of term 1, it was noted that some non-uniform items were creeping in. The regulations for uniform have recently been reviewed and modified slightly. Senior leaders will be checking uniform regularly in Term 2 and students will be asked to remove or fix non-uniform items if possible or remedy the situation before the next day. Below you will find a list of our uniform requirements. Please assist us by ensuring your son or daughter is in the correct uniform when Term 2 starts.
Jewellery
- Two small gold or silver studs or sleepers in each ear and a single small stud nose piercing. No hoop earrings are permitted. Septum piercing is not permitted.
- A taonga of cultural, spiritual or religious significance.
- Large or dangly jewellery are a health and safety risk and are not permitted.
- All jewellery may be required to be removed in some subject options for health and safety reasons.
- Any jewellery items apart from those stipulated in these regulations are not part of Rutherford College uniform and are NOT permitted. This includes but is not limited to necklaces, bracelets, facial piercings (other than ear and nose), anklets and toe rings.
Shoes, Socks and Belts
- Full-length navy socks from The Schoolwear Shop or navy blue, black or white ankle socks.
- Shoes must be plain black leather (faux-leather) lace up or slip-on shoes (boots, sports shoes & suede unacceptable).
- Black or brown leather sandals including Birkenstock. No socks are permitted when wearing sandals. No scuffs, crocs or jandals are permitted.
- Shoes must be worn during all Science and Technology labs.
- Plain leather belt (max. 2.5cm wide with small plain buckle)
Presentation
- Hair must be of a natural colour and no extremes of fashion.
- Young men are required to be clean-shaven.
- Discreet use of foundation, mascara and nail polish is permissible.
- Clothing cannot be deliberately chosen or altered to be over or undersized.
- Skirts should be a maximum of 10cm above the knee
- Garments worn under the school uniform must not be visible.
Uniform Permits
- If students come to school in non-uniform items, they will be asked to correct their uniform by removing a non-uniform item if they can. To obtain a permit they should see their Dean by 8:25 a.m.
- Persistent wearing of non-uniform items without appropriate explanation will result in a loss of school privileges.
- Assistance with uniform is available for students under financial duress. The students should see their Dean.
Cultural and Religious Considerations
- Rutherford’s uniform and grooming standards are flexible to meet cultural, religious and other needs. In these circumstances, the parent or caregiver needs to write to the Principal requesting special consideration.
The government has introduced regulations requiring schools to restrict students’ cellphone access.
The law requires that schools ensure students do not use or access a phone while attending school, including during lunchtime and breaks. Please find Rutherford College’s rules and expectations below. If you have comments or feedback, please feel free to contact the school.
We have attempted to balance the benefits of modern technology and the need to communicate efficiently and effectively with the new law.
We expect students’ phones to be away for the day, meaning phones either do not come with the student to school (recommended) or are switched off or placed in flight mode for the day. Eliminating cellphones from classroom environments frees students from the distraction of notifications and social media interruptions, allowing them to engage more deeply with lesson content.
Cellphone away for the day rules:
- Cellphones, earphones, earbuds, music players and similar devices must be turned off and safely stored in your bag or locker at all times, including intervals/lunchtimes, except where use is authorized by staff for curriculum purposes.
- Phones will not be used by students on site between 8:50 am and 3:10 pm (exit bell for the day signals the use of mobile phones for students).
- If phones are brought to school, they must be turned off and kept in a student’s own school bag.
Procedures and Consequences
If cellphones or cellphone accessories are visible or being used during the class time without specific teacher instruction for a learning activity, the following consequences will be applied:
- First instance: The student will be reminded and told to put the cellphone or accessory away in their bag.
- Second instance, or if the student refuses to put the cellphone or accessory away in their bag: Staff will confiscate the phone for the period and record it as digital misuse in our Student Management System
- Escalation/Defiance. The Dean will contact home and go through the pastoral process with the student regarding it as a ‘Major’ incident. This could include confiscation which may involve the cellphone being released only to caregivers in conjunction with punitive measures as appropriate.
For the full set of exemption and rules please review this page.
Parent/Student/Subject Teacher Conferences
You are invited to book time with the subject teachers of your son or daughter. Conferences run from 2pm to 8pm on Thursday 8 May. To book a conference you will need to log in to SchoolBridge/School Portal and click on Term 2 PSST conferences. Please note, you will not be able to book a time with the tutor teacher unless they also teach your son or daughter. If you need to talk with the tutor teacher, please email them to discuss options. You can also book a time with the Dean if necessary. If you have any problems, please see if your son or daughter can make a booking for you. They also have access to PSST Conferences on their homepage.
We look forward to welcoming students back to school 28 April.
Kia kaha
Gary Moore
