Kia ora te whanau o te Kotuku

My highlights this week have been watching the dress rehearsal for both our Indian dance and African dance groups prior to heading to Polyfest on Wednesday. Both our Indian and African Dance groups looked ataahua (beautiful) in their costumes yesterday and then performed with pride and distinction on their respective stages. Samoan group is also working hard to get ready for performances.

Thank you to the tutors, staff and students who have added to the sights and sounds around the school with their efforts. It’s these moments that create lifelong memories.

While that was going on we also had the pleasure of hosting the Rutherford Primary school athletics day.  Our sports department and student sports leaders did a great job in making the day special for our neighbours, our fledgling Kotuku’s. The day began with our student leaders doing the school haka to welcome our guests to Kotuku Fields and leading the primary school in a chant. A day to feel proud of the community spirit that exist in our area.

Also in the last week our Te Kāhui Mana Māori leadership student group have been busy welcoming our International Visitors to Rutherford. This has included a powhiri onto the marae and exposure to Te Ao Maori.

This has then been backed up with the great work of the international department and the international student ambassadors and buddies. The purpose to make our guests (manuhiri) feel welcome and part of our community from day one.

March 15^th Mufti day Fundraiser and Athletics final afternoon.

I am looking forward to the student body getting behind the mufti day fundraiser for those throughout Aotearoa affected by the floods. The fundraiser will also double as a house points competition. Every dollar given in will translate directly to a house point. On the same day we will be finishing off our athletics programme by getting the whole school gathering for our final’s afternoon event. This will include a number of field events, the 800 metres and 100 metre finals followed by the big one, staff v prefects relay.

Involvement in Sport

In the absence of evidence, there are theories and testimonials posited by philosophers, child development experts, and ordinary adults who insist that sport sculpted their lives.

Sport involvement as a pre-teen and then as teenager taught me how to work with others, to appreciate the responsibility to the collective. Nearly all my adult friends who played sports growing up, can instantly resurrect a story from those times that had an impact on life and who they are today.

Kids can grow from sports in other ways, too. Competitive athletic environments compel people to engage with their own and others’ powerful feelings. Before long, they learn to manage the anger, sadness, disappointment, embarrassment, and absolute joy that playing evokes. If the sports environment is healthy, young people can also learn how to control their aggression. In games, one team or individual is pitted against another. During that competition the goal is to defeat the other—aggressively, if need be. But once the contest is over, everyone needs to revert to human beings again, maybe even friends, and the aggression must be shut down.

It has been a great week with students stepping up to lead, compete and participate in training’s and trials across the school. Touch team continue on their way as well as tennis, volleyball. Waterpolo and our cricket teams.

Musters and trials for rugby, football, basketball, netball etc are underway with more to follow. Signups are looking great and it is pleasing to see so many of our young people wanting to take up the challenge and engage with the opportunities that are available.

Upcoming events

16 March – Teacher strike day. There are no scheduled classes on 16 March. The school remains open with a skeleton staff. If you have to send your son/daughter to school, please let the Dean know.

Kāhui Ako Picnic Community Picnic

Come along to our first combined schools Kāhui Ako Picnic.

This is a fun event for all staff, children and families from our community of schools.

To be held at Te Atatū Intermediate, Thursday 23rd March 4 – 6pm.  Come and enjoy food, stalls, games, Old McDonalds Farm, bouncy castles and much more!

Rutherford News
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Kia kaha

Gary Moore