Welcome to those who are new to the Rutherford Whanau and community and welcome back to those we know already. Thank you to all families for entrusting the care of your sons and daughters with us.

A strong rope starts with just a few threads. The messages for students and staff for the start of the year can be summarised as follows.

Success in life in simplistic terms, “work hard, be kind, good things happen.”

This all starts with developing a work ethic.  Working hard helps build confidence in your own ability. One of the most important parts of working hard is turning up and this means working toward a 95%+ attendance rate in 2020. To do this typically means you get 100% in term 1. 95% attendance is effectively only 2 days off a term. When it is possible that you may have a week off in term 2 or 3 with illness taking days off “just because” will negatively impact on the consistency needed to be successful and feel connected with what is happening. Consistency is what is important. Little steps in the right direction daily, repeated every day.

Turning up is the first part, turning up on time, to all classes all the time is the next thing. Once there, switch on to make the most of that time. Right time, right place, right thing. In other words, be prepared and you will give yourself the best chance of success.

Experiencing happiness and success in life has some simple routines attached.

“We are what we repeatedly do; Excellence is not an act but a habit.”

“Never compare yourself to the best that others can be only to the best that you can be.”

“A journey of a thousand miles starts with just one step.”

At Rutherford we say please, thank you, excuse me and sorry.

At Rutherford we value little acts of human kindness and care.

Happiness and therefore success in life can be as simple as what I said earlier, work hard, be kind, good things happen.