Kia ora te whanau o te kotuku

Normally by now, I would have shared the following story at assemblies but due to the hall being out of use and lockdowns, etc my teaching time in the assembly hall to remind students of our ‘must-do’ expectations and school values has not occurred as often as I would like.

The Triple Filter Test – keep this philosophy in mind the next time you hear, and are about to repeat a rumor or something that you read or saw on social media.
In ancient Greece (469 – 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, “Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?”.
“Wait a moment,” Socrates replied. “Before you tell me I’d like you to pass a little test. It’s called the Triple Filter Test.”
“Triple filter?” – “That’s right,” Socrates continued. “Before you talk to me about my student let’s take a moment to filter what you’re going to say. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?”
No,” the man said, “actually I just heard about it and …  ”
“All right,” said Socrates. “So you don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now let’s try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?”
“No, on the contrary…”
“So,” Socrates continued, “you want to tell me something bad about him, even though you’re not certain it’s true?”
The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.
Socrates continued. “You may still pass the test though because there is a third filter – the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?”
“No, not really…”
“Well,” concluded Socrates, “if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?” The man was defeated and ashamed. This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.

At Rutherford, our students are encouraged to deploy the triple filter test. Use of this simple test helps keep things in perspective, prevents unnecessary gossip, and would hopefully get some shared understanding about the need for if you have nothing good to say, share or post about someone then don’t say it, share it or post. We aim to do all the good that we can for all the people that we can as often as we can.

At Year 9 in particular a number of our new arrivals have not yet keyed into the expected Rutherford way about respecting others and taking responsibility for their words and actions. These behaviours have been learned and it is going to take time to teach them a different way of dealing with situations.  The times we live in might be different but the wisdom is equally relevant.

Property Update
The Hall floor where the wheels for the new tiered roll-out seating will track along has been structurally strengthened with reinforced concrete. This will allow for the seating to be rolled out and not compromise the structural integrity of the floor. The walls and ceiling have been repainted, the wishbone structure and wooden panels have all been sanded down and revarnished. The stage floor has been sanded down and is about to receive three coats of varnish. The walls of the stage have all received three coats of theatre black paint which has given the stage a real lift.

Once the varnish has dried sufficiently the hall will receive an in-depth clean and we will relay carpet tiles. The new carpet will be put down during the school holidays. We are hopeful that the upgrade to the entrance and the foyer will also be done then.

Assessment Calendar – Term 1, Week 8
due Monday 22 March
11 Mathematics Internal (MAI): AS 91026
11 Mathematics (MAT): AS 91032
12 Mathematics Internal (MAI): AS 91259
12 Mathematics (MAT): AS 91259
12 Physics AS 91172
12EL2 English Language AS39005 (all week)
13ELL English Language AS30997 (all week)
13 Statistics AS91582
13 Outdoor Education AS91501 (all week)

due Tuesday 23 March
12 Science AS91172

due Wednesday 24 March
12 Mathematics Combined (MAC): AS 91034
12Skills Pathway US7117
13 Skills Pathway US4251

due Thursday 25 March
11Photography AS90917

due Friday 26 March
12 Accounting AS91179
12 Science AS91172

Nga mihi nui
Gary Moore