At Rutherford, we value little acts of human kindness. This week has been bullying-free week across the country.

The theme is; He kotuinga mahi iti, He hua pai-a-rau. Small ripples create big waves.

For me, the first small ripple is to choose our attitude each and every day. This can start with recognising the importance of positive self-talk. Our thought patterns create the attitude. Our attitude creates the person.

Na te whakaaro
Ka ora te tangata
As we think so shall we become.

We can choose to be kind as a default attitude or mindset, and we can learn to choose to do no harm even in a heightened emotional state. We can also be aware that a positive and can-do attitude with a healthy realism that things don’t always go smoothly will be helpful. It’s a choice what attitude we bring with us.

People who take ownership, acceptance, and responsibility for their words, deeds, and actions build trust, they develop and build their brand image, respect, and mana which allows their levels of integrity or pono to get enhanced. They have chosen that attitude of mind.

I can choose to not make a permanent decision out of a temporary emotion. Emotions will come and go that’s why they are called ’emotions’ and not ‘e-standing stills’. Learning how to not jump on an emotion and do harm is something we value at Rutherford College.

Those with a growth mindset do their 50% and have a laser-like focus on what is important now. They also know that if something is worth doing it’s worth doing badly or failing at the first time while we learn how to do it better.

We can take responsibility for our own happiness and develop a positive influence on those around us when we adopt a growth mindset, an above-the-line thinking attitude. In simple terms, this means that on a daily basis, work hard, be kind, be a good friend and start every day from where your feet are now. Take one positive little step in the right direction and you will have a foundation for happiness and success.

ASSESSMENT CALENDAR: WEEK 4 TERM 2

Monday 24 May
2 Media Studies AS91252
13 ELL AS31033 – all week
13 Physics AS91521 – all week

Tuesday 25 May
13 ELL AS31033 – all week
13 Physics AS91521 – all week 

Wednesday 26 May
13 ELL AS31033 – all week
13 Physics AS91521 – all week
12 Music 91270

Thursday 27 May
13 ELL AS31033 – all week
13 Physics AS91521 – all week

Friday 28 May
13 ELL AS31033 – all week
13 Physics AS91521 – all week
11 Dance AS90858
11 English AS90052
12 Biology AS91158
12 Early Childhood Education US29857
12 History AS91229