Over two days, Rutherford welcomed the Year 8 students from Te Atatū Intermediate, Rangeview Intermediate and other schools who will be attending Year 9 at Rutherford in 2019.

On Tuesday, 27 and Wednesday, 28 November Rutherford College held its annual Orientation experience to welcome Year 8s enrolled for the following year. Year 8 students were welcomed by Te Kōtuku Kapa Haka, Mr Moore and Miss Exeter, the Year 9 Dean for 2019. Following the welcome and a few icebreaker activities, including an interactive song from a group of Pasifika students and a quiz from our sports leaders, students enjoyed a tour of the school.

After the tour it was time for refreshment, with a sausage sizzle and some socialising. Finally, students returned to the Sports Hall where Matua Jeff and Te Kōtuku led them in learning the school haka.

The orientation programme is part of our Community of Learning/Kāhui Ako inquiry into transitions and strengthening the links between our local schools. The sessions are intended to foster tūrangawaewae as well as tuakana-teina relationships between current and future Rutherford students. It is a credit to our local intermediates that our teina/younger visitors comported themselves well and upheld the respect of their respective schools.

The CoL team would like to thank the staff and students of our two biggest feeder schools, our leadership team and our student helpers. Special thanks go to Mr Shaw, Mr Dempsey, Ms Wilson, Mrs Malloy, Mrs Jones and Mrs Ratima for their role in the successful programme.