Monthly Archives: June 2018

The Rutherford College U17 Red boys’ basketball team started this season as a ‘left overs’ from the already formed U17 Blue team, with only six players - they are now a full team of 10. Team is an appropriate word here, these boys have gone from strength to strength, working hard both on and off the court. “They quickly gelled together and have become more and more cohesive as a team each week. Although there are clearly more skilled and more experienced players than others, everyone understands their strengths, weaknesses and role within the team” Dan Fake team coach. They…

Outward Bound New Zealand is a not for profit organization offering outdoor experiential learning courses to New Zealanders young and old. Our Leaps and Bounds course is offered to teens aged 13-15yrs and their parent or caregiver during the July and September school holidays. The course is aimed at building and strengthening the important parent/teen bond in a fun and healthy environment.

On Thursday,  7 June Rutherford College hosted the Western Zone Special Olympics Football Skills Day. Over 20 members from the Sports Committee and Junior Sports council volunteered to help on the day. Over 180 students from six West Auckland Schools participated in the event. Rutherford students assisted with the coaching of each core skill at three different stations as well as encouraging the teams and celebrating with them in their success. The organiser of the event was extremely proud of each student that helped out on the day, ‘I was blown away by their attentiveness to instructions and also the…

Last week I spoke in general terms about what above and below the line thinking means. This week I am linking this to our senior students, in particular,  what can they do to adopt a growth mindset. We are now over half-way through the academic year for Years 11 to 13. You may not be halfway to your 80 credits or course endorsement but you need to be half way through the total mahi or work. It’s not okay to say you still have 80+credits available to get with only 15-20 credits posted if you have only done 15% of…

Last week the intrepid Level Two Geography class set off on their annual trek through the Waitakere rainforest to gather evidence for their research project. The trip was blessed with a respite from the Auckland rain but instead faced a howling southerly wind that felt like it came straight from Antarctica. For the second year running students realised that teachers are always right (yes, you must bring a jacket!). This year much of the track was closed due to the Kauri Dieback rahui and so students were unable to visit these majestic trees in person. A fitting reminder of the…

We urgently seek families to host our International Students. Hosting can be a fun and rewarding experience for your family. Home-stay includes three meals per day and their own single bedroom. We pay $250 per week to cover expenses. There are two up-coming opportunities to host Japanese student groups: 22 - 29 July,Tokorozawa High School (Male & Female) 23 July - 5 August, Shibaura High School (Male only) If you have a spare room and are keen for a new cultural experience please call Lisa on 836 1277 or email [email protected]

He aha te kai ō te rangatira? He Kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. (What is the food of the leader. It is knowledge. It is communication.) Rutherford College was represented at the recent Ngā Manu Kōrero Speech Competition at Ngāti Whatua ki Orakei Marae last Friday. Our speakers were Tiare Ngata-Aerengamate (junior English) and Alison Lamdin (junior Māori). The speakers were supported by teachers, parents, whānau, senior te reo Māori students and Te Kōtuku Kapa Haka. Tiare finished third in the junior English section. She delivered a humorous speech about the constant pressure for young people to look good and…

We get to choose our response in each and every moment. We have a choice everyday about our attitude. I choose to be positive. One way to display a positive attitude is to adopt above the line thinking in everything you do; People who play above the line do what? They take “Ownership” of their life, they say I am “Accountable” for the results in my life and the “Responsibility” lies with me.  The difference between the two is that people who play below the line have a fixed mindset and don’t believe they are in control of their life. People…