Read the latest news from Rutherford College
Bula Vinaka
This week we celebrated Fijian Language Week. This was a great opportunity to celebrate Fijian culture, traditions and heritage within our community. This morning the staff were treated to a Kava ceremony and cultural performance before school. It was a joyful way to start the day. Thank you to all our staff and students who helped make the week so entertaining.
Finish Strong – The Final Push for Our Senior Students
As we approach the end of the school year, we want to encourage all our senior students to keep going and finish strong. The end is in sight, but there is still important work to be done.
We want to acknowledge the effort students put into preparing for and sitting their recent derived grade examinations. Many students showed real commitment, and we thank the staff who supported them throughout the process.
Senior classes finish on Wednesday 4 November. That leaves a very limited number of lessons before students begin their final NCEA examinations. Every lesson matters, and we encourage students to make the most of the opportunity to ask questions, seek feedback and strengthen their understanding.
This is not the time to take your foot off the accelerator. A few more weeks of focused preparation can make a significant difference to final results.
Make the Most of Your Study Time
Students have access to a range of revision resources through our school study website:
The website includes:
Subject-specific study guides to help students prepare for their examinations.
Blank study timetables that students can download and use to plan their revision.
We encourage parents and whānau to sit down with their child, look at their examination timetable and help them develop a realistic study plan. Short, regular study sessions, practising past examination questions and revisiting areas of difficulty are much more effective than leaving everything until the night before.
NCEA Examinations – Check Your Times Carefully
During our derived grade examinations, a small number of students arrived at the wrong time and consequently missed their examination.
We do not want this to happen during the national examinations.
Please check the official NZQA timetable carefully, particularly whether each examination is scheduled for the morning or afternoon.
2026 NZQA Examination Timetable
NZQA requires students to arrive at least 20 minutes before their examination begins.
Students who arrive late do not receive extra time. Those arriving more than 30 minutes after the official start cannot enter without direct NZQA approval, which is only granted in exceptional circumstances.
Students must take responsibility for knowing when their examinations are scheduled. There is no guarantee that a missed examination can be rescheduled.
Important NCEA Examination Rules
To ensure examinations run smoothly, all students must follow these expectations:
- Uniform: Full and correct school uniform must be worn.
- Admission slip: Students must bring their NZQA admission slip to every examination.
- Drink bottles: Must be completely clear, without labels or markings.
- Equipment: Pens, pencils and approved calculators must be brought in a clear pencil case or plastic bag. Calculator and laptop covers must be removed.
- Paper and notes: No personal paper, notes or study materials may be brought into the examination.
- Electronic devices: Phones, watches, headphones and other electronic devices must be switched off and kept outside the examination room in students' bags. Headphones are permitted only when specifically required for an approved examination.
- Digital examinations: Students must bring a fully charged laptop and know their NZQA login details.
Students must follow all instructions from examination supervisors.
We encourage families to help students check their equipment and examination requirements well before each examination.
Expectations During Study Leave
Senior students who choose to study at school are expected to use their time productively and respect the learning environment.
Mobile phone use is not permitted for students studying at school. Students who wish to spend time on their phones should study at home instead.
We also ask senior students not to spend their study leave lounging in the sun, socialising or wandering around the school grounds.
Our Year 9 and 10 students are still attending regular classes and working hard. It is difficult to maintain their focus when senior students are moving around the school as though the summer holidays have already begun.
We expect our senior students to demonstrate maturity, show consideration for younger students and set a positive example.
One Final Push
We know that students are tired after a long year, but there will be plenty of time to relax once examinations are over.
For now, we encourage every senior student to make the most of their remaining lessons, use the revision resources available and approach their examinations with determination.
You've worked hard to get this far. Don't give up when the finish line is so close.
Thank you to our parents and whānau for the encouragement and support you provide at home. Working together, we can help our students finish the year with results they can be proud of.
Sponsorship Acknowledgement
We would like to thank Mitre 10 for the donation of a laundry tub to complete an upgrade in our Turangawaewae Centre. Over the break the kitchen and flooring was replaced. The laundry tub made the renovation complete. We appreciate their generosity in providing this free to the school.
Term 4 Policies for Review
This term the following policies will be reviewed:
- Curriculum & Achievement
- Reporting about Student Progress and Achievement
- Learning Support
- Maori Educational Achievement
- Religious Observances
- Health Curriculum
- Privacy Policy
To review these policies sign in to SchoolDocs and click on the blue 'Review' button. Username: rutherfordcollege and Password: kotuku. Anyone can review these policies.
What's coming up?
This is a busy term for the school with quite a few events coming up:
Tonight - Rutherford's Got Talent in the Hall 6pm to 8pm - Gold coin donation. Come along to support the students.
Tuesday - Pasifika Awards 6.30pm in the Hall
Thursday - Cultural Awards 6pm in the Hall
Friday - Sports Awards in the Hall
04 November - Senior Prizegiving 6.30pm in the Hall.
Ngā mihi nui
Rozanne Donald
