1. education
2. school

APRIL 2015
Information for our parent and student community
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
I hope that everyone has enjoyed the three week break
from routine and the chance to enjoy – most of the
time – some lovely weather. People often comment
that schools seem to get a lot of holidays, but I think
the time away from the routine of school is important
What is important for you as parents to know is that
an ERO review of a private school is very different
to that of a state school. ERO has only to ascertain
that our premises, tuition, staffing and curriculum
are ‘suitable’! They will be looking at a lot of our
documentation, but are in the school for only two days.
for our students. They need time to relax, to catch up,
They do look at two areas of compliance in particular;
to sleep in, and to do some of the things that their busy
Boarding and International students; but it is a much
term time lives don’t always allow room for.
less detailed review than that of a state school. It is
In the first week back we will be visited by ERO - the
Education Review Office. This is the first visit in five
years and we are looking forward to having an outside
perspective. As with any organisation we do have our
own review process and part of this includes outside
reviewers who look at various specific aspects of the
school. This year we have had reviews of Gate and of
always frustrating that they couch their findings in
very moderate language, using words such as suitable,
because that is the measure. We would like to think
that we are rather better than just suitable! But that
is how the system works and I am sure, whatever the
wording of the outcome, we still find the visit extremely
valuable.
the functions and operations of the Gibson Centre –
Julie Moor
something we thought would be useful after a year
Principal
of operation. The focus of any review is always on
delivering the best possible outcomes for the girls.
From the Deputy Principal
Cross Country - Wednesday 29 April
Change of Timetable for Open
Day Friday 8 May
This is a whole school event, starting at 1.30pm. Those
The normal school timetable will be changed on Friday
who are unable to participate support their friends, and
8 May to accommodate our annual Open Day. The day
members of their clans and tutor groups as spectators
will start later than normal, and Period 1 will be held at
or assistants. Please do not make appointments for this
the end of the day:
time. For race times and other relevant information,
Tutor Time: 10.15am - 10.30am
please see Ultranet.
Personal Safety
Period 2
10.30am - 11.30am (No assembly)
Period 3
11.30am - 12.30pm
LUNCH
Your daughter’s safety and wellbeing are of paramount
importance to us. Please consider after school
arrangements for your daughter, especially as the
nights are starting to draw in. The Gibson Centre is a
Period 4
1.30pm - 2.30pm (OPEN DAY STARTS)
Period 5
2.30pm - 3.30pm
Period 1
3.30pm - 4.30pm
secure and pleasant haven to wait in after school but
The Principal’s Address will be at 5.00pm, and Open Day
on its closure at 5.00pm, we recommend that you pick
ends at 5.30pm. We encourage parents with daughters
up your daughter from the Boarding House in Rhodes
to attend our Open Day.
Street. No girls should be in school buildings after
5.30pm unless they are working with a staff member.
Girls may be required to be part of organised Open Day
activities, such as musical performances or as tour
Please also talk with your daughters about being safe
guides or other helpers. We will be contacting girls soon
– about such things as crossing roads at pedestrian
to arrange this.
crossings, cycling, staying in well-lit areas, being in the
company of others and aware of safe places to go.
Uniform
Some girls like to wear a thermal under their winter
shirts for extra warmth. If your daughter chooses to
If you need to drop off your daughter at the normal time,
the school will be open from 8.00am. If your daughter
needs to leave early for any commitment outside of
school, she will need to have her absence approved.
do so, we ask that the top be white and not be visible
Fence Signage for Open Day
under the shirt. White, long sleeved tops are available
We are on the lookout for some extra signage locations
through the shop for those girls feeling the cold. The
to advertise Open Day on Friday 8 May. The signage is
navy or gold Rangi scarf is the only acceptable scarf for
A1 in size and made of lightweight coreflute, which is
winter. Please also reinforce with your daughters that
easy to attach to most fence materials.
they must wear blazers to and from school in the winter
term. The school jacket can be worn outside on cold,
rainy days.
Physical Education Uniform
For Physical Education classes students can choose to
If you, or anyone you know, would be willing to put a
sign on their fence advertising Open Day, please contact
Nicki Tipa on 03 983 3760 or [email protected]
2014 Magazine Distribution
wear either blue shorts or blue track pants. A blue and
The 2014 Magazine will be distributed in Term 2.
yellow Rangi Ruru top is also required. For particularly
Students who attended Rangi Ruru in 2014 and
cold days students may also choose to wear a blue
have their ‘Magazine + Handbook’ charge on their
Rangi Ruru rugby jersey or wet weather jacket.
disbursement account paid will receive a copy.
All items can be purchased from the school uniform
If you do not fall within this category but would like to
shop. If you have any questions or concerns about your
receive a copy of the 2014 Magazine contact the school
daughters uniform please contact either their Physical
office on 03 983 3700 or [email protected].
Education teacher or Head of Physical Education,
Copies are $30 and can be charged to the goldsheet.
Debbie Robertson at [email protected].
Stephanie Barnett
Deputy to the Principal
2
Rangi Ruru Girls' School • Information for our Parent and Student Community
Curriculum Matters
Reports and Exams
Full reports for all students will be published at the
encourage learning to be a habit, not an event.
•
The rewards are cumulative – it’s not all or nothing
on the day.
•
Personalisation of learning is available in both
end of Term 2. A reminder email will be sent when
programme design and learning outcomes. We
these can be accessed on Ultranet. Please update us if
can tailor a programme for an individual and for a
there are any changes to your email address.
cohort.
In Term 3, Senior School Exams are Wednesday 26 -
•
learning and hence the outcomes.
Friday 28 August (Week 5) and Monday 7 - Tuesday
8 September (Week 7). These are split around Winter
Knowing your daughter enables us to support her
•
Helping your daughter find her learning passion
Tournament and proved a successful change when we
and knowing that she will do better if she loves
followed this format last year.
what she does – designing learning opportunities
to support the range of passions and individual
The NCEA result sheet with all of the credits accrued
thus far will be posted on Ultranet. The Senior report
at the end of Term 3 has been replaced by a further
strengths.
•
extending students with optional standards or
Learning Progress Interview for Years 11-13 with your
reducing the number of assessments to reduce
daughter’s teachers on Wednesday 16 September.
This will provide the opportunity to discuss her
performance in the school exam round and to identify
stress on students.
•
Learning Progress Interviews
outcome that we believe they can achieve.
•
learning that leads to that assessment outcome.
We don’t withdraw students from standards that
Wednesday 29 April 4.00pm - 8.00pm and Tuesday 5
they don’t achieve. Therefore they know that
May 5.00pm -9.00pm for Daygirl parents. There will
what they do and how they do is visible – this
be no separate designation for Juniors and Seniors;
bookings.
encourages them to be persistent and resilient.
•
achievement in exam results. What we know is that
that will allow you access to book a slot with your
assessment results follow learning practices that
daughter’s teachers. If you haven’t receive the email,
us out. If this is not the case, please contact Tim Jones,
are personal, engaging and empowering.
•
their personal well-being. We are aware that this
What we love about NCEA at Rangi Ruru
may come at a cost to our NCEA performance, but
believe that this is vital for on-going success for
We believe that learning comes at the forefront
of everything we do. Assessment is a measure of
some of what the school offers. Not everything that
our graduates and our institution.
•
•
NCEA provides tremendous flexibility for
Juliet Collins
programme and course design.
Curriculum Manager
NCEA allows key competencies to be developed.
Analytical and critical thinking, communication,
collaborative participation and self-management
are at the forefront of the learning.
•
Students can strive for Merit and Excellence
endorsements that recognise their efforts.
•
3
We believe in NCEA and we know about educating
girls.
is learnt needs to be assessed.
•
We are currently responding to change in the
Curriculum and in what the girls want to learn and
[email protected].
•
We are able to innovate around traditions.
Rangi Ruru has a reputation for high levels of
You will have received an email containing a link
please check your junk box as some of your ISPs filter
To these ends we don’t withdraw students from
Achievement Standards once they have begun the
Learning Progress Interviews will be held on
parents can choose the evening that suits and make
Having high expectations – all will succeed on
their own terms, but we aim for the best possible
approaches for your daughter in preparation for her
NCEA exams.
Facilitating outcomes that suit the individual eg
Mix of Internal and External modes of assessment
2015 Flu Vaccinations
Over the past three years the Canterbury District
Health Board has offered free Flu vaccinations to
young people under the age of 18 and Rangi Ruru
participated in the school vaccinations scheme in
which students could receive the vaccination at
Rangi Ruru Girls' School • Information for our Parent and Student Community
school. A decision has been made by the CDHB not to
of technology as well as the issues to be aware of,
offer free Flu vaccinations this year and so any parent
including online grooming, cyberbullying, sexting, and
who would like their child to have the Flu vaccination
potential dangers and safety tips.
will need to contact their own GP to organise this.
An event email will be sent on Tuesday. Tickets $10
Dare to Prepare - Study Skills
Seminar
each, or $20 for families.
Once again, we are offering a study skills seminar
The Rangi Ruru PTA welcomes all our
presented by Stuart Wright for Years 11 to 13 students
new members. We are very excited to
and their parents. The seminar will be held on
have a group of parents who are taking
Thursday 7 May, from 7.30pm - 9.30pm in the Helen
a keen interest in ensuring that our
Kitson Function Centre.
daughters are able to benefit from the work that we
Stuart Wright is a leading New Zealand facilitator
of Accelerated Learning and Whole Brain Learning
Techniques and has worked in education for 25 years
as a teacher, head of department, careers advisor and
assistant principal. His workshop “Dare to Prepare” is
designed to assist students to learn and revise more
effectively, and to improve their motivation and focus.
To attend please book your tickets here. Tickets are
$25 per student, and parents can attend free of charge.
News from the PTA
do. Evidence of the hard work is visible around the
school with the wonderful Maori carving by Riki Manuel
at the entrance of the new Mana Wahine Building,
the water feature outside the Gibson Centre and the
Orb sculpture on the Te Koraha Lawn. Added to this is
the PTA Pavilion that has been an asset to the school
in a time of need. The PTA also approves funds for
student travel when they are representing the school,
resources for curriculum areas (including a recent
$10,000 donation towards the new laser profile cutter),
Cyber Safety Seminar
as well as sports equipment, musical equipment and
Susan McLean, one of Australia’s most popular
rooms. But big ticket items are not the only focus for
and experienced speakers on cyber safety, will be
the PTA. Ensuring that parents are making connections
visiting us on Tuesday 26 May. She will be speaking
with each other is also vital. An example of this is with
in the Helen Kitson Function Centre from 7.30pm -
the New Entrant BBQ and the Year 9 Parents social
9.30pm, and will be focusing on the positive benefits
evenings. Added to this is the role of parent education
even decorating items to “bling up” student common
59 Hewitts Road
Merivale
Christchurch
Open Day
8 May 1.30 - 5.30pm
Discover an education for your daughter that will last a lifetime.
Come along to our Open Day and experience all that Rangi Ruru
has to offer. Register online now. Rangi. For Life.
4
Rangi Ruru Girls' School • Information for our Parent and Student Community
Phone 03 983 3700
rangiruru.school.nz/openday
evenings which are held throughout the year. Your
yearly donation is vital to help maintain the work that
the PTA do.
We would also love to have your company on the
PTA. Being part of a group helps parents meet other
parents, contribute to our fabulous school, lead by
example to our daughters, make new friends, as well
as being a link between parents, teachers and our
community. Our meetings are informal and social, yet
Experience
Boarding
efficient. We are a great team and would love you to be
part of it. Come along to our next meeting in the staff
room on Tuesday 28 April; socialising from 7.00pm with
the meeting starting at 7.30pm.
We would also like to take the opportunity to thank
the PTA members who “retired” at our last AGM, in
particular Michelle Staples (Past President) and
Jenny Rountree (Past Treasurer), but gratitude goes
to all of our past members who have committed many
hours and years of work to ensure that the PTA ran
efficiently and smoothly as well as maintaining a
highly professional community group. We are hugely
appreciative of their time and effort. They have worked
tirelessly for the betterment of our school and leave
big shoes to fill.
Rangi Ruru Girls’ School PTA
Fundraiser
As part of the personal development programme for
Years 9 and 10, we are offering the opportunity for
the girls to ‘stretch themselves’ by experiencing life
as a boarder.
Girls can choose to board for a minimum of a week
and a maximum of two weeks, from Sunday night
until Friday night and including weekends. They will
take part in any special boarding activities occurring
at the time of their stay and will be fully involved in
the life of the Boarding House. Boarding House Staff
will coordinate any appointments and school or
outside activities. The cost for this is $410 per week.
Bookings must be made at least a week in advance
and are dependent on numbers and availability of
beds.
If you are interested in a boarding experience for
your daughter please contact
Director of Boarding, Treena Ruwhiu
[email protected] or 03 983 3708.
We are excited to
be offering you
the opportunity to
purchase 2015/2016
Christchurch Entertainment™ Memberships to help
us with our fundraising efforts. This year you have the
choice to purchase the popular Entertainment™ Book
or the Entertainment™ Digital Membership, which puts
the value of the Entertainment™ Book into your iPhone
or Android smartphone!
The brand new 2015/2016 Entertainment Memberships
feature many of the area’s best restaurants, cafés,
hotel accommodation, attractions and activities, and
are packed with hundreds of up to 50% off and 2-for1 offers, valued at over $20,000 that your family can
enjoy until June 2016!
The best part is that for only $65 you’ll be helping
us, with $13 from every sale contributing to our
fundraising. Please let your family, friends, neighbours
To order, please contact Julie Calder on 021 327 097 or
[email protected] to have your Entertainment
Book/Digital Membership goldsheeted. Alternatively,
you can purchase online here.
Flexi Boarding
The Boarding House has beds available for short-term
boarding for day girls. These beds are particularly
handy for girls whose parents are travelling away from
home for a short time or girls who live out of town and
have school commitments in the evening or weekend.
Contact Treena Ruwhiu, Director of Boarding on
[email protected] or 03 983 3708 for
further details.
and work colleagues know we are are selling the books,
The cost of flexi boarding currently is $65.00 per night
as the more we sell, the more funds we raise!
or $410.00 per week inclusive of GST.
5
Rangi Ruru Girls' School • Information for our Parent and Student Community
Enrolment 2016
Interviews for Years 7, 8 and 9 places for 2016
commenced in March, including for sisters of current
students. If you have a potential new entrant, or know
of someone who has, please contact Amelia Davis
on [email protected] or 03 983 3744 to
organise for an application form, school tour and
Upcoming Events
To access the full school calendar visit
http://rangiruru.ultranet.school.nz and click on
Parent Calendar in the menu. Simply click the link
on an event for more details. You can view by day,
week or month, but be aware that changes happen
regularly.
interview.
Fireside Chats
Term 2 begins
Tuesday 28 April, 8.30am
‘Fireside Chats’ are informal gatherings in the
School Cross Country
Wednesday 29 April, 1.30 - 2.30pm, Hagley
Park
areas beyond Christchurch; including Blenheim,
Cheviot, Methven, Ashburton, Rangiora, Wanaka
and Queenstown and are a way we connect with
our communities outside of Christchurch. Although
primarily an enrolment activity, we like to use this time
to reconnect with old girls, current and past parents
of the school. Hosted by Julie Moor, and attended by
boarding staff and senior students, Julie will be talking
about boarding, the advantages of single sex education
and academic achievement in a girls school - including
our latest very good NCEA stats.
The next gatherings are in Ashburton on Friday, 15 May
and Blenhiem on Friday 22 May from 5.30 - 7.00pm.
Please let Amelia Davis know of any family that would
like to be invited by contracting her on 03 983 3744 or
[email protected].
Communications with You
Our means of keeping you up to date with events and
school-life are through email, In Touch and Ultranet (in
particular the Home Page News Centre). Do check your
junk mail if you feel you’ve missed out on a message, or
contact the school to check that we have your correct
contact details.
You can also keep up to date with news anda events by
liking us on Facebook.
Learning Progress Interviews
Wednesday 29 April, 4.00pm - 8.00pm
Tuesday 5 May, 5.00pm - 9.00pm
Year 10 Day
Wednesday 6 May, 1.30pm - 5.30pm
Dare to Prepare - Study Skills Seminar
Thursday 7 May, 7.30 - 9.30pm
Open Day
Friday 8 May, 1.30pm - 5.30pm
Antipodeans Abroad Parent Presentation
Thursday 14 May, 6.30 - 7.30pm
Senior Family Service
Sunday 17 May, 7.00pm
Year 11 Semi-Formal, Riccarton Park
Saturday 6 June, 8.00pm
Senior Dance, Addington Events Centre
Saturday 13 June, 8.00pm
Senior Production - Julius Caesar
Friday 19 - Wednesday 24 June
Year 9 Dance, Hagley Oval
Friday 19 June, 7.00pm
Junior Family Service
Sunday 28 June, 7.00pm (venue TBC)
Prize Giving (all students expected to attend)
Tuesday 1 December, 6.30pm OR
Wednesday 2 December, 6.30pm (TBC)
Leavers’ Ball, Air Force Museum
Friday 4 December, 7.30pm
Changed your contact details?
If your contact details for phone, email or postal
address change throughout the year, please remember
2015 Term Dates
to let us know. It is important that we are able to
Term 1 28 January - 2 April
contact you in an emergency and provide you with
Term 2 28 April – 3 July
Mail to distribute our mail so please also contact them
Term 3 27 July – 25 September
and NZPost if you are moving house. You can contact
Term 4 12 October - 2 December
information such as school notices. The school uses DX
the school office to update contact details at any time.
59 Hewitts Road Christchurch 8014 New Zealand
T +64 3 983 3700
E [email protected]
W www.rangiruru.school.nz
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Rangi Ruru Girls' School • Information for our Parent and Student Community