Rangi News | April 2012

The Newsletter of Rangi Ruru Girls’ School April 2012

Year 13 and Intermediate school students prepare for their annual delivery of donated Easter eggs around the neighbouring retirement homes in Merivale.

Open Day Information ..................... page 2News from the Principal .................. page 3Board Report .................................... page 5Chaplain’s Column........................... page 62012 Heads of School ...................... page 7NCEA and Scholarship Results ..... page 10Project Blue Sky ............................ page 11Boarding House News ................... page 12From the Director of Theatre Arts.. page 23

From the Director of Music ........... page 24From the Director of Sport ............. page 25Early Childhood College ................ page 31Pre School News ............................ page 32Celebrating Past Students and Staff ......................................... page 33Old Girls’ Association .................... page 34Athletics Day Photos ...................... page 36

Creating opportunity, releasing potential, achieving success.

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Open Day: Monday 7 May 1:00 to 4:00pm Principal’s Addresses: 1:15pm and 2:00pm

Rangi Ruru has a reputati on as one of New Zealand’s top schools across wide ranging academic, sports, cultural and creati ve pursuits. Our staff are specialists in teaching girls; providing a supporti ve, inspiring and empowering environment in which all girls are encouraged to challenge themselves, enjoy their learning and reach their potenti al.

Life as a Rangi boarder is all of this and so much more, a truly extraordinary life experience in itself.

For more informati on on enrolments or a personal tour contact Amelia Davis on 03 983 3700.

Visit www.rangiruru.school.nz to learn more about enrolment events.59 Hewitt s Road, Merivale, Christchurch 8014.

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Boarding and Day. Years 7 to 13.

Rangi Ruru Girls’ School presents … Julius Caesar!

With a modern take on William Shakespeare’s classic tale of Julius Caesar, Rangi Ruru was one of the two Canterbury schools chosen to ‘go through’ from the Wednesday heat of the University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival. As we go to print we are waiting to hear if this cast will be selected to compete at the National University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival in Wellington at Queen’s Birthday. Fingers crossed.

As the story goes … There are suspicions that beloved Caesar, who is being offered the crown, is going to rule with his own ambitions at heart. These rumors are being spread by Cassius, who truly believes that Caesar would destroy the Romans should he become King, and shares this opinion with Brutus. He convinces Brutus that Rome would be better off without Caesar, and they must kill him.

“It seemed such a classic story for the girls to develop” says Rangi Ruru Director of Performing Arts, Robert Gilbert “With political intrigue, fierce but shaky friendships, larger than life characters and the backstabbing one might find among adolescents … this could be just another television High School drama”

The Rangi Ruru entry was produced by Rangi Ruru drama students and Director of Performing Arts, Robert Gilbert for the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival.

Et tu…?

“I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar.” Brutus (Sammy Guest, left) and Caesar (Sinomi Hood), watched on by Isabel Robertson, Miranda Hitchings, Victoria Rea, Olivia Abbot, and Brittany Rea.


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News from the PrincipalOne of the great joys of working in education – in fact the greatest joy – is working with young people. The very attributes that can put some of them in the risk category and cause parents to worry also put them in the inspirational category – high energy, passion, readiness to step outside the comfortable and the norm, curiosity and a willingness to question, and a belief that differences can be made.

The student voice is heard around Rangi Ruru and in particular we have had some wonderful student speeches in our Wednesday church services, from topics as broad as the imagination.

Establishing Rangi Ruru as a leading school in sustainable design and practices is something very dear to my heart. Recently we applied to become a ‘Schoolgen’ school and to be part of a photovoltaic project supplying solar power. We have been lucky enough to get into the final cut and as a result had to do a presentation to representatives from Genesis Energy. The student voice was an important component. Claudia Mannering and her environment committee were the obvious choice, but the time for preparation was extremely short – just a few days. We met with them and discussed the project and two days later they were part of the presentation – in fact they were the presentation. Unfortunately I was in Nelson at Claudia Wysocki’s funeral on the day of the presentation but the staff who were there were effusive in their comments about the girls. Whether we are selected or not, I believe that the voice of these students deserves a wider audience and thus I have selected excerpts from some of the presentation. The girls who were involved in the presentation were Claudia Mannering Year 13, India Alexander, Tayla Wood and Lucy McSweeney, Year 12, Georgia Reynolds and Isabella Gregory, Year 8. All spoke with conviction and knowledge, keen to bring about social change and to ensure a better future.

Claudia Mannering, Head of Environment, coordinated the team and set the scene.

“I have a huge passion towards our New Zealand environment, and throughout my life have immersed myself in the elements. As I grow older and become more aware of the issues that surround

us, I feel that I must do everything in my power to conserve the beautiful land, rivers, lakes and Flora and Fauna.

At Rangi we have a variety of ways in which we try to promote environmental issues to the school. We develop these around the school, increasing our potential to be a sustainable community.”

Lucy McSweeney described and showed a clip of the numerous student lead initiatives undertaken by the environment committee involving all students in the school – worm bins, recycling, Earth Day, Sustainable Transport days, river clean up and the potential introduction of sun week.

India Alexander, a committee member, contributed the following:“Over the past year, the city’s main focus has been ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the people most directly affected by the quake. This has also been the case for students and staff at Rangi Ruru, but now that the unsafe buildings have been demolished and new prefabricated buildings have been constructed, we are ready to face the new task at hand; the rebuild. To many this may seem a daunting task but to the girls, parents and staff here at Rangi we see this as an incredible opportunity to make a more eco-friendly school. There seems to be a unanimous agreement to make Rangi as ecologically aware as possible. We have so many ideas, such as using LED lighting which will reduce the school power bill and which will last far longer. We are also really interested in using as much natural light as possible in our classrooms to maximise the fantastic natural resource of sunlight. Our beautiful old administration building, Te Koraha, which is currently being strengthened and renovated, has been insulated with wool for optimum heating efficiency.

An important decision that we will have to make is what type of power to use to run our school. Rangi is looking into ways to make our school less reliant on hydropower and more reliant on other renewable resources, for example, the sun. By getting solar panels now we would have enough power to run at least one whole classroom, if not more, or we could use it to heat several different places around the school. We could use it all on water heating, or the panels would produce enough power to run large lights,

up to 20 lights in our science block. In the holidays when students are not at school we can continue to run the solar panels and feed the power back into the main grid so that we are not only making Rangi a more sustainable place to be, but also Christchurch city.

One could also consider this as a trial run towards our new school buildings. If the solar panels work very well for our school then when the time comes to design and build our new classrooms and facilities, we will already have a good idea of how efficient solar power is. These solar panels will be a gateway to introducing even more sustainable energy at Rangi Ruru for years to come.

Rangi Ruru offers many opportunities to its students academically, culturally and in sports but to have solar panels operating at our school would give us one more opportunity to offer current and new girls, the chance to study and learn in an ecofriendly environment. We like to lead by example.

For the younger girls who are the future of our school, introducing solar power would teach them to care for the environment. This attitude will then be carried with them through their years at Rangi Ruru and when they are leaders in the school, this passion will shine through and influence and support the school community. For the older girls at Rangi, it is likely that we will have some impact on the rebuild of Christchurch and our experiences with solar power would help make decisions on sustainability in the city. These solar panels would add a huge step towards making Rangi a Carbon zero school. As girls from Rangi, we leave our school and take our knowledge and passion for the environment to other parts of New Zealand and overseas so that we


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can slowly try to make the world a more ecological, sustainable and generally happy place to live. “

Tayla Wood added a boarders’ perspective

“This year we have been pushing to make some positive changes in the House and conserving our precious resources by reducing electricity consumption and use of plastic, and monitoring our use of water are our main focuses.

We have big dreams but everything has to start small. We have sourced additional recycling bins which are constantly filled and put out for collection; we have repeatedly pushed for girls to cut back on water use and unnecessary use of electrical appliances and lights, by setting up timers to switch them off.

The opportunity to generate our own energy resources in a sustainable and practical way is a concept we are aware of but were previously unable to put into action.

In our future school, we plan to maximise natural lighting, heavily insulate and take every step to make Rangi a sustainable, energy efficient school and hopefully blaze a trail for others to follow.

Having the ability to harness a sustainable energy source and generate power would have a huge effect on the way our girls, moving forward into the world, appreciate the importance of sustainable energy. It would be more than that though. It would be an opportunity to educate and inform not only our students but our entire school community.”

Claudia rounded off the presentation:

“As you can see Rangi has so much potential for positive changes within the school and we all dream of making these changes ones with substantial environmental benefits. We have so many ideas, some of which have been developed into actions for this year and many future years filled, with not only sustainability but also conservation.

As Hunter Lovnis said, “If we use resources productively and take to heart the lessons learned from coping with the energy crisis, we face a future confronted only by insurmountable opportunities. The many crises facing us should be seen, then, not as threats, but as chances to remake the future.”

We have often researched the possibility of a project such as this one, and are often dismayed to see that New Zealand

does not in fact live up to its clean green reputation. Instead we look in awe at the dedication that countries such as Switzerland, Germany and France have for their environment. The way they use the development of new age science is truly inspiring.

At this school we believe we can make change, and I know that the girls here in front of you and

I would like to leave you with a powerful quote from the environmentalist Margaret Mead, which I feel perfectly, describes organisations such as our own.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

The voice of youth is a powerful and creative voice, one that we need to listen to. Our young people represent the now and the future, and when you hear their voice there is a reassurance that the future can indeed look good.

Julie MoorPrincipal

The students of Rangi Ruru Girls’ School all came together today to commemorate the tragedy of the 22 February earthquake. To encourage the students to provide hope for the future, each girl wrote an individual message on a cardboard leaf and tied it to the “Rangi Tree of Hope” on school grounds. These will be collected and preserved so they can be displayed on a permanent sculpture within Rangi Ruru to keep the memory alive. It was a sombre affair as we comprehended

The Tree of HopeCara Crawford and Courtney Franks, Year 13,

the effect the earthquake has had on the people of Christchurch. The girls did not forget, however, the opportunities and

Sammy Guest holds a branch for Annabel Greene

budding prospects that will carry the city forward to build a stronger community within Christchurch. Messages left on the tree of hope


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It is impossible to write of 2011 without commenting on what an extraordinary year it was. The seismic catastrophe that beset Christchurch rippled its way through all parts of our society and Rangi was affected along with much of our city and population.

It is with great pride that I reflect on the outstanding work completed by the Rangi Ruru Board of Governors, the Principal of the school, and her team. In particular, Ms Moor and her entire staff rallied to a significant series of challenges, which had only ever been considered as a theoretical event. They showed determination, resilience, forebearance, courage, and an unwavering focus on ensuring that this cohort of girls and young women were not negatively affected.

Rangi rose to the challenge and established alternative learning and teaching programmes, using all the technology that was available for distance learning. Damaged facilities were quickly identified. Erudite and prompt decision-making saw both a steady and safe demolition of badly affected buildings and a well ordered building programme for temporary teaching and learning facilities.

As a consequence, Rangi’s students were always in safe, warm, comfortable and encouraging learning environments. The girls responded in kind and were an inspiration to board and staff. This created a virtuous circle of behaviour and attitude. The results of this were a happy school, a settled staff that knew they had a safe and appropriate working environment and students who could continue to receive the best that faculty had to offer.

The school’s academic and sporting results were quite outstanding in the context of such a remarkable year. Rangi’s consistency through this time was a clear reflection on Ms Moor, her management team, the faculty and her varied team of support staff. Blended with these results were the best of pastoral care and active engagement with community through a very difficult year. Rangi Ruru’s reputation as one of the best schools in

the world for education of young women remains untarnished.

One can only marvel at some wonderful results from 2011:

* 97.6% success in NCEA Level 1

* 100% success in Level 2

* 99.1% successful in Level 3 and in achieving University Entrance

* 18 leavers receiving University Scholarships

* Significant sporting achievements in athletics, tennis, netball, rugby, hockey, volleyball, basketball, touch, cycling, cross country and road racing, skiing and snowboarding, multisport, aerobics, gymnastics, equestrian, football, fencing, trampolining, lawn bowls, motocross, kumite and mountain biking!

• Regional and national cultural successes for the Rangi Sinfonia, the Jazz band, Resolutions, Chamber music, Barbershop and Kapa Haka

• Nearly 8,000 hours of volunteer work in the community including assisting with earthquake clean-up, Ronald McDonald House, Nurse Maude, the YMCA Children’s Holiday programme, and various festivals and appeals

The school was ably supported through the year by some wonderful constituencies; The Old Girls’, the PTA, the Rangi Ruru Trust, and The Friends of Rangi Ruru. The board is grateful for their support both at individual and collegial levels.

This year we farewell several long standing board members who have tirelessly given of themselves to this wonderful school.

Thérèse Arseneau, as our Vice Chair and immediate past Chair of the Strategy and Policy committee, has been an integral part of the board for six years, providing acuity of thought and a challenging perspective when the school most needed it. Dr John McKean has been on the board for seven years and has always provided sage and thoughtful advice

covering the broad range of Rangi Ruru’s constituencies. Deborah Errington has been a stalwart member of the Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association for many years and has brought that insight and focus to the board. Deborah’s sharp focus and insightful commentary will be missed. Linda Harrison has been an outstanding PTA representative on the board and has offered much with her awareness of communications and the wider parent constituency. I retire as Chair after ten years on the board: an experience that I have found fulfilling and rewarding at every turn.

The Board has been bolstered by some outstanding new appointments; Steve Anderson, Stephanie Marsden, Matthew Rose, Greg Rozen and Helen Tait. Rangi has a very exciting time ahead as world class teaching and learning facilities are designed and built for this and future generations of students. The Board encourages all of Rangi’s constituencies to engage with the development process; by bringing together the mosaic of ideas we will be able to create a wonderful facility for the next 100 years!

Grant Close Board Chair

Board Report

Grant Close


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“There are no endings, only new beginnings”

These are words from the Easter Communion liturgy we celebrate together at the end of term one. They were very poignant words last year as we emerged from 22 February, still shocked and grieving, both for people and for places and spaces. We celebrated communion together, determined to enter, with hope, the future as it opened up for us. Our mind set was not unlike that of Jesus’ followers who experienced the earthquake of Jesus’ death in shock and disbelief but also subsequently encountered the mystery of new life, in the resurrection of hope and grace in the person of the Christ.

At this year’s end of term Easter Communion, I will repeat those words. How do they resonate for us in 2012? We are a year down the track. As a school community we can look back on the hard work of a large team of people here at school who have achieved much in ensuring we have spaces to teach and learn in and a school community with which to celebrate. We can give thanks. Obviously though, for many of us as individuals, families and indeed as a

Chaplain’s Columncity, the new beginning into which we were catapulted has been very complex. Differing agendas, politics, and issues about the shape and form of this new beginning have made this a long and wearingly difficult period of time for many in our city.

The three Year 13 students who are studying early Christian history by distance through Otago University, have been learning about how complex the new beginnings of the Christian church were. Followers of Jesus, in the post-resurrection period, struggled with a variety of visions, agendas and beliefs about how to be community, how and where to worship, and what to believe. Yet from those early beginnings a major world religion developed which, whilst making some major mistakes, has:

“contributed much to medical care, education, social justice, art and music, community work, foreign aid and so on.” (Professor Murray Rae, Theology Department, Otago University)

None of that happened easily. There was much that changed in people’s lives, yet communities moved forward believing

that they were empowered by the hope and grace of the Christ revealed to them in the man Jesus. They acknowledged one another’s flaws, encouraged one another to be faithful to hope, reflected on their experiences, sought out ways to serve others, made connections and built up their respective communities. Most of all they listened to where the spirit was leading, stepping out with courage into often quite challenging futures.

This Easter, as we reflect on our own endings and beginnings, may our prayer be that we might follow their example.

Rev Yvonne SmithChaplain Rangi Ruru

The Leaders wanted to identify a form of community service which will make a difference in our own community. Two weeks ago Annie Doig came up with the idea of supporting Cholmondeley Children’s Home. We invited the General Manager to school and discussed with him what would be appropriate for us to do to support them. We came up with the idea of fundraising for them and using some of the money to buy sports equipment.

Our plans so far have included an Intermediate bake sale; all the money raised will go to kids our age from Canterbury.

Intermediate Girls Raising Money for Cholmondeley HomeJessie, Annie and Phoebe, for the Intermediate Leaders

2012 Intermediate Leaders: Front: Kirsten Mackenzie, Alex Summerfield, Grace Eglinton, Izzy Evans; Second Row: Isabella Gregory, Chloe Jenkins, Ella O’Donoghue, Annaliese Doig; Back Row: Jessie Anderson, Georgia Reynolds, Emily Barns, Ashleigh Goh, Phoebe Spiers


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2012 Heads of SchoolHead of School – Cara Crawford

For some, this is the most anticipated year of the century. This is because it is the mighty Year of the Dragon. This year the Chinese believe the

Year of the Dragon will bring growth, new opportunities and success. This is definitely pertinent to Rangi as I know we are going to embrace these exciting aspects of this Year of the Dragon - and more! So many exciting things have already happened and with additional events to come, I know that 2012 will live up to its promise.

This year the Senior Leaders wanted to come up with a vision that we could focus on; a vision that everyone in the Rangi Community is empowered by and can get involved in. This year, like the Chinese Dragon, we want to “light up life” for everyone at Rangi. This is our overriding aim this year. By lighting up life at Rangi we want to add colour, artwork, enthusiasm and build on our fantastic Rangi community spirit. Rangi spirit is something I believe is very unique to our school and has most definitely been on display over the first few weeks of term.

Something that really stood out for me from the time I started Rangi Ruru, some six years ago, is the sense of belonging and of feeling welcomed. I believe, at Rangi our school spirit is created by numerous things. In particular, it is built upon by having strong connections not only just between girls, but with everyone in the Rangi Community. Building on our connections at school and getting to know everyone at a personal level, enables the girls to feel more comfortable at school, opens them to the opportunities that exist here, and empowers them to get involved and make their own unique mark on their school, whilst feeling supported. Lighting up life for the Senior Leader Team also means leading the way and facilitating those connections for the girls at school.

This is something I believe is extremely important - creating that atmosphere of belonging and sense of community. This is something that I will be striving to achieve this year as Head Girl.

Looking at all the up and coming events planned for this year, I know that it is going to be packed full of fun, laughter and learning. However, ultimately we want to light a small flame inside every girl to recognise the power they have to light up not only their life for themselves, but for others in our Rangi Community. This is the legacy that the Senior Leader Team wishes to give to Rangi Ruru in the year 2012.

Head of House – Meg FergussonWhen I think of the term “ B o a r d i n g House”, my mind is instantly bombarded with images of a Harry Potter styled dining room, strict matrons

and bland dormitories. Although the Rangi Ruru boarding house is different from every other, in fact it is a home, it is a place where over five years, multiple memories are created with the sisters surrounding us. The staff members act as second mothers and although not quite set up like Harry Potter, the dining room is always buzzing with excitement and has an extremely positive atmosphere.

This year the Senior Leaders’ theme is to ‘Light up Life’, as part of this, my main focus is to break down any year group barriers so that we can make more vertical connections within the house. In the last year, we have all been pushed outside our comfort zones and want to regain normality by becoming a stronger, closer and happier family. Boarding is something that needs to be attended to 24/7, so it is highly important that we build these bonds within the house to ensure that it is always fun and the place to be. I want the girls to always feel comfortable in the Boarding environment and be able to actively contribute ideas

or opinions throughout the year. I am truly privileged to be Head of House for 2012 and my deputy, Victoria Butterick, is excited along with me. Together and with the help of House Council, we have been organising plenty of new fun events for everyone to enjoy, and are aiming to achieve all our goals in mind. Due to the small number of new entrants this year, Victoria and I are really pushing to get to know them on a more personal level and help them to feel welcome. It has been great getting to know everyone so far and seeing the enthusiasm rise within the House. Already we have had a great start to the year, and are highly excited for the upcoming events in the terms ahead!

Head of Community Service – Miranda Hitchings

Since starting Rangi Ruru in Year 7, many things have changed within the school. Whether it be the food in the canteen or the introduction of

Ultranet, change has constantly been around us. However, on 22 February last year, change became a considerably bigger part of our lives. That is why this year one thing the community service council and I are focusing on is the “I am” challenge. This is a charity started up by the youth of New Zealand, focusing on helping Canterbury rebuild its spirit by doing small projects throughout the community. Alongside this we have also had the annual harvest festival which resulted in raising almost 800 items of food for struggling families within Christchurch. Coming up we also have an easter egg delivery to the elderly, the 40 hour famine, several different charities for weekly offering and other smaller projects throughout the year. Our theme for the year as senior leaders is ‘Light up Life’ and I feel with such an amazing year to look forward to and an incredible council, this will definitely be prominent within community service at Rangi. Through the events already taken


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place this year, the school has already shown how effective it can be in making a difference.

“Never underestimate the power of volunteer work. Noah’s Ark was built by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals.” - anonymous

Head of Culture – Sammy GuestHi there; I am Sammy Guest and I am honoured and very excited to be this years’ Head of Culture. Cultural activities have played a huge

part in my life and I am hoping to plant a little musical bug in everyone this year. I spend the majority of my time in leggings and dance shoes, and can be found in the dance studio where I will be turning and leaping all over the place or choreographing. My uncontrollable tapping feet have got me into several embarrassing situations over the years, including bowling over several people in a supermarket aisle due to the urge to be like Billy Elliot and dance down the street! I have a lot of ideas this year which although in their infancy, I plan to make come to fruition. I hope not only to benefit the community at Rangi but our wider community also. For me, if I make someone smile every day whether it be through a comic drama performance, a dance routine or just simply smiling at a stranger, then I feel I am doing my job. The support I have already received from the girls, staff, my mentors, my council and my fellow senior leaders has been unbelievable and I am truly thankful. I think I am on my way to making this role my own and I plan on making this year a memorable one. Thank you for this chance to make my mark and I hope I won’t let you down.

Head of Environment – Claudia ManneringThroughout my life I have always immersed myself in the natural

environment around me. I have lived in the snow capped mountains, native beech forests, gorges and rivers all over the South Island, and experienced the danger and wonders of the coastal environment. My job as Head of Environment is to raise awareness for this beautiful land and to work with the girls to make many environmental differences in our community. Throughout the year I hope to develop the relationship between the Forest and Bird Organisation and Rangi, as I feel we could make a huge change in some of the events that take place in our environment. We have already worked with this organisation during our beloved sea week, when we raised funds for the sea lions.

Moving further inland and up country, I would like our school community to get involved with native bird protection programmes, specialising with the Kiwi. Throughout the year I look forward to getting all ages involved in river clean ups, beach clean ups, sustainable transport days and Earth Hour. On top of these community based activities, we also have to look within the school and its rebuild for opportunities to make a difference. The demolition of so many buildings has given us the chance to rebuild a better school; we can change our lifestyle slightly to dramatically improve our effects on the environment. With help from my council, this year we will look into ways in which we can maximise the natural resources around us and therefore minimise the carbon footprint of the school. As we continue to endanger the environment which surrounds us, we must work harder to conserve what is left. I look forward to working within the school community and beyond, sustainably and thoughtfully to bring the environment that is around us, closer to us all.

Head of Form Activities – Sophie LesterThe role of Head of Form Activities for 2012 allows me to inflict all my loves in life on

the school community; organisation, sense of fun, and vibrant colours. 2012 is going to be a year of recovery, reestablishing our school spirit, sense of community and restoring the physical colourful glow that Rangi relishes, along with further encouraging girls to take part in the terrific learning environment we are offered.

My personal education to date could be described as ‘turbulent.’ I began at a small country school before moving to Selwyn House for intermediate. This in itself was a big change, but nothing like the differences I encountered when I began at Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti as a nervous Year 9. Although this experience was relatively short lived, I definitely pay credit to Unlimited for transforming me from ‘quiet mouse’ to my current outgoing nature. Moving to Rangi Ruru in late 2009 proved to be one of the best decisions my family has ever made. Right from the beginning, I looked up to the Senior Leaders who were seated at the front of chapel. I felt their presence around the school, one of the many reasons that I am honoured to be in the position I am today.

My plan for the year involves adding to the school spirit through events, such as we had in Love Week, as I think we all deserve reward after the trials we all went through last year. I definitely think that since the earthquake, the school has a stronger feeling of togetherness. This togetherness was reflected on the anniversary of 22 February, with our silence at lunchtime and the enthusiasm the girls showed with our tree of hope. This is exactly the spirit I want to help facilitate this year. It also ties in with our leadership team vision of “light up life” for 2012.

The “Light up Life” endeavour began with the fantastic annual Love Week in February, bringing year groups together through a variety of activities. With Love Week behind us, I now focus on the Senior Dance, a themed evening for Years 12 and 13. As well as these events, the Senior Leaders Team are working on some exciting ideas to add to the school spirit throughout 2012; something we all feel very passionate about.


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I feel extremely privileged to be here today, at this school and in my position of leadership. I can’t wait to carry on and build on my skills as a leader, team member and friend, while also growing as a person, and ultimately being remembered for my achievements in 2012.

Head of Sport – Charlotte Aitken“A ship is safe in the harbour, but that’s not what ships are built for”. For me this quote by William Shed sums up what I hope sport to be like at Rangi Ruru this year. As individuals

we all have potential, however, it is up to us to step outside our comfort zones and find it. For some of us this may mean striving to represent Canterbury or New Zealand in our chosen sport and for others it may simply involve trying out something new.

Already I have seen girls giving it their all on the sports field and the year has only just begun. Quad Tournament was held in February at St Margaret’s and the girls from the touch, volleyball, swimming, tennis and debating teams did well to place 2nd to St Hilda’s by only one point! The much anticipated athletics sports were also held and it was awesome to see the enthusiasm and mighty clan spirit. Not only did everyone get involved but the level of competition was outstanding. With cross country, sports week, Sumner Tournament week, Winter Tournament, hopefully a swimming sports and plenty of Wednesday sport still to come, 2012 is shaping up to be amazing.

With such a talented group of girls at Rangi, I have no doubt that the rest of the year will be filled with success, involvement, persistence and hopefully lots of fun; because that is what sport is really about. I dare you all to steer your ship in an unknown direction because you never know what you may find!

Head of Health – Sarah WadworthHello my name is Sarah Wadworth and I am your Head of Health for 2012. I feel very privileged to be given the leadership opportunity as a senior leader and know I will grow

and work to my full potential in this role. I come from the town of Blenheim and consider Rangi Ruru my second home. Having grown up on a farm I have always tended to lead a physically healthy lifestyle and want to further promote not only this, but all four dimensions of health, to the rest of the school this year. Health is a fairly new role that can sometimes be overlooked and so I hope to develop it further and really bring a lot of my personality to the position.

The senior leaders' theme for this year is to “Light up Life”. So the direction I am heading towards is to bring back the smiles and happiness. It has come to my attention we have all been shaken by emotional stress this last year; the earthquake has changed how we view simple things and made us aware of what we have always taken for granted. It has

left a large imprint on our lives. Mental health has been tested and so my target is to bring back the colourful community of Rangi Ruru. I really look forward to the obstacles I will be faced with this year as I set forth to coordinate Health Week, Students’ Against Drunk Driving week, and Youth Week which this year is centred around loving the skin you’re in. Having just tackled ‘Net Week’ along with the health tent at athletics this term, I am feeling confident about the events to come with the help of my amazing committee.

This year I want the girls to feel healthy not only physically, but healthy within themselves. I want them to see their inner strength and be proud of the accomplishments they have so rightfully achieved. Through the toughness of these times we have moved towards one community and I believe this year should be a celebration for the girls of their support for each other and work towards extending connections in the community. My biggest fear is to have regrets, and so that is also my biggest motivation. Not to have regrets, to be ready to tackle the world; to really take hold of all that comes my way and leave my mark; to be remembered as not a good but great Head of Health.

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The NCEA results achieved by Rangi Ruru students in 2011, provisional until later in April, are extremely good. We congratulate all the girls who achieved their certificates at Levels 1, 2 and 3. The pass rates of 97.6% at Level 1, 100% at Level 2 and 99.1% at Level 3 place our students amongst those in the top girls’ schools in the country. University Entrance has been gained by 98.2% of those in Year 13, surpassing last year’s record success rate.

Endorsed CertificatesAn endorsed certificate is extremely desirable as it is a measure of high achievement across several areas of study. Fifty credits worth of Excellence grades are needed for an Excellence endorsement. At Levels 2 and 3 in particular, achievement of Excellence grades is demanding.

Excellence endorsements were gained by 51% of students at Level 1, 42% at Level 2 and 22% at Level 3. Merit endorsements were awarded to 43% at Level 1, 34% at Level 2 and 54% at Level 3.

We are very proud of the girls’ determined focus on learning, despite the challenging and disrupted year they experienced.

We are also delighted that a total of 25 Scholarships including five at Outstanding Performance level, was achieved in 12 subjects by 18 students.

Scholarship HighlightsOutstanding Performance scholarships (highest level) were achieved in:

Classics and English (Ashleigh Lee), Printmaking (Jane Jarman), and Statistics and Modelling (Ashleigh Lee and Philippa Trevella, Year 12)

Individual SuccessesAshleigh Lee, (who gained a scholarship in Statistics and Modelling in 2010) gained five scholarships in 2011, three of them at Outstanding Performance Level. As a result she has been chosen as one of the top 40-60 in the country for an Outstanding Scholar Award, worth $5000 a year for three years.

* Figures for Rangi Ruru Level 3 certificates include 2012 updated results for two students. Based on NZQA data as at February 2012

Jane Jarman gained a scholarship in Printmaking at Outstanding Performance level and her score placed her as one of the top few in the country in this subject.

Philippa Trevella, a Year 12 student in 2011, gained a scholarship in Statistics and Modelling at Outstanding Performance level.

Other successesTwo scholarships, each worth $500, were gained by 3 girls: Imogen Hales Painting and PrintmakingAnya Morrison History and ClassicsMin Ah Song Printmaking and Technology (Fashion, Fabric and Design)

Single scholarships worth $500 were gained by 14 girls: Isobel Gledhill EnglishGeorgia Gliddon Photography

Samantha Harnett Art HistoryAmelia Hooker PhotographyJane Jarman PrintmakingRachel Jordan Statistics and ModellingHebe Joyce-McDonald PhotographyCharlotte Kenny EnglishEmma Petersen PrintmakingPhilippa Trevella Statistics and ModellingJemma Turner Technology (Fashion, Fabric and Design)Harriet Wise Media StudiesYangtong Xiang Statistics and Modelling

We are proud of the girls and their teachers for the NCEA and Scholarship successes of 2011. We wish all school leavers success and happiness in their studies and career paths.

Rowan Billing Curriculum Manager

NCEA and Scholarship Results for 2011

NCEA Results 2011


11

Update for parents of students in Years 11, 12 or 13There is a change to the close date for booking your ‘Meet the Teacher’ Online Interviews. We have extended the close date for online teacher interview bookings to a week later than the In Touch advertised date. Close date is now Friday 18 May.

Teacher interviews for parents of students in Years 11, 12 or 13 are on Tuesday 22 May, 4 to 9.30pm.

To book your interviews, go to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and enter the booking code UPCQ6 from Monday 30 April until Friday 18 May to book a five minute interview time with the teachers of your daughter. We look forward to seeing you then.

The Planning stage of the Rangi Ruru school campus redevelopment project continues to make good progress.

We are presently evaluating a number of conceptual designs for the total campus area, provided by a group of selected architectural companies. These designs will be discussed with key stakeholder groups before we begin the Preliminary Design stage.

At the Preliminary Design stage, we will look to further refine the design and concepts, incorporating the feedback from consultations, our best practise research and ensuring our solution captures what we know about the current and future needs of Rangi Ruru.

Running in parallel with the design process are on-going discussions with our structural engineering company and quantity surveyor, ensuring that we have the appropriate knowledge to move forward to detailed design.

Stewart Barnett

We appreciate the feedback from the parent open evenings. This, along with ideas and suggestions from students and staff, is at the forefront when we hold discussions with prospective design companies.

In tandem with the work underway on the site redevelopment are ongoing conversations with our insurance companies. These conversations involve the quantity surveyor and structural engineer, establishing the cost of repairs or replacement on each building.

Our goal is to have our first significant new building open by mid 2013, if not earlier. We are fortunate the two companies involved have made available sufficient resources to enable this work to be on schedule. After this work is completed, discussions with the insurance company can move to another level.

It is a lengthy process, but we would rather spend the time now to ensure that

we get the best possible outcomes for our school community - something that will make us proud today and for the school’s next 125 years.

Stewart BarnettProject Director

A Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association initiative has made these exquisite replicas available with all profits going towards the school’s re-visioning after the effects of the devastating earthquakes.

email: [email protected] | phone: (03) 355 5308 Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association, 10 Devonport Lane, Chch 8014

TK1 15 x 8mm

TK216 x 9mm

TK3 TK4

$85.00 All Sterling Silver styles

Te Koraha Bead

Plus $5 shipping costs within New Zealand. Gold P.O.A.


12

Boarding House NewsWe are enjoying having a small number of Year 7 and Year 8 (the old Form 1 and 2) girls boarding with us this year. It has been quite some time since we have had this number.

They are so full of energy and have settled into the House extremely easily. What a lovely energy they bring with them; their natural innocence and exuberance creates an atmosphere that we are all enjoying.

Zoe and Sally in Year 7 and Ella and Monica in Year 8 are creating a space in their dorm that is a little different to that we have become used to with the slightly older girls. What a pleasure it is to be lucky enough to spend time with them, listening to the conversation (what wisdom), doing crafts, or taking photos.

Zoe tells me she especially likes the weekend activities, watching movies with friends and our themed dinners. Some Year 9s commented that they like the opportunity to mix, it is like having a little sister – this is very important for those who are from a single child family.

Apart from the Year 9 dorms, the House is very full with all our girls keen to make the most of the opportunities to be a part of so many school and extra-curricular activities.

As I write, we have 13 girls away at Rowing, two at Lawn Bowls, one at the Gold Rush multi-sport event, one in Malta with the Rangi Ruru Cross Country team, a couple readying themselves for an equestrian event and any number preparing for touch, tennis, volleyball, netball, hockey, football, squash, surfing, basketball, cricket, polo, sailing, running. You name it and our boarders do it.

Monica Marshall, Zoe Reader and Sally McPherson.

Another advantage to being at school in town is the ability to pop to the mall to make those purchases required by teenage girls or to see the latest movie.

We love the opportunity to share the very busy lives of our girls!

Jude ConnochieDirector of Boarding

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tests and games, and all the info on what’s involved and how to apply to become an ATC.

www.airways.co.nz/atccareers


13

To all those members of the Rangi family who have generously given to Rangi Ruru in 2011, those who gave financially to the Wide Sky Vision, to the Annual Appeal, to the Earthquake Appeal – thank you. To those who gave their time as volunteers on committees, teams, the PTA and the Rangi Board; and who have supported Rangi girls through work experience, mentoring... the ways you have supported Rangi Ruru and added value to the girls’ learning are endless. Thank you. Your generosity enables us to provide the breadth of education that we are so proud of and benefits every girl at Rangi Ruru, now and in the future.

The Wide Sky Vision with Fees (WSVF) is a Rangi parent contribution toward an annual project providing immediate benefit to girls currently at Rangi Ruru. Thank you to the more than 60% of current families who contributed to the WSVF in 2011.

Over the last decade, WSVF donations have contributed to the wonderful assets the girls enjoy every day, including the tennis courts, science labs, learning centre, the school pool cover and a fitness circuit. In 2012, we will be using the Wide Sky Vision with fees donations to support Rangi Ruru earthquake recovery,

Generosity of Spiritincluding the provision of additional classroom spaces and other betterment projects not covered by school insurance. In particular we are concentrating on projects that enhance student experience.

The 2011 Annual Appeal raised $19,381. Fifty–six donors supported the people, programmes and places of Rangi Ruru. Exactly half of these donors, including the donor who gave $10,000, have chosen to remain anonymous. Donors also specified their gifts to The Arts, the Hilary Orr Sports Trust, Music Fund, Scholarships and Science Facilities. The $2,500 given at The Principal’s Discretion was put toward scholarships. In building the Scholarship Fund it is intended that this fund will become self-funding in the next five years.

Thank you to those of you who contributed to the Wide Sky Vision: M O White, Judith A Arnott, Helen M Kitson, Glenys M Gillanders, Jeanette M Jamieson, Pat Morris, Alison M Kay, Jeanette H Hickford, Linda A Read, Edward G Perry, Mrs C Sell-McLachlan, Margaret A Ratcliffe, David W Trolove, David J Holderness, Calverley Family, Prudence M Tobin, Sally Beattie, Marianne Browne, Katharine M Price, Claire Mackintosh, Betty Leung On Ting,

June B Matthews, Margaret A Hyndman, Antonia Hill, Beverley Milligan, Victoria A Cooper and also those who wished to remain anonymous.

Last year Rangi Ruru undertook a direct appeal to our school community that reside overseas. The 2011 Earthquake Appeal raised $6,695. We would like to thank Judith P McMaster, Mary J Blake, Catherine M Martin, Deborah C Trotter, Janet A Parslow, Alison M Rose, Helen E Coleman, Nicky A Tutt, Muriel P Davis, Gabrielle Parsons, Josephine H Flint Jones, Onarin Chaijaroonrat, Shirley C Glen and Lyndsey M Hawkins. Their immediate generosity to the School is greatly appreciated and was used to enhance the restoration of Te Koraha, over and above the insurance coverage. One example of this was an upgrade to wool insulation.

Thank you to our wider school community who also give in many and varied ways – from ‘tea duty’ to business sponsorship. Thank you to the Rangi Ruru Parent Teacher Association, The Friends of Rangi Ruru Committee, The Hilary Orr Sports Trust, the South Canterbury and Auckland Branches of the Rangi Ruru Old Girls Association, Fuji Xerox and Sportsmed Canterbury Ltd.

There have been some changes to the roles and responsibilities of Rangi staff in our enrolments area.

Amelia Davis, Community Co-ordinator, has taken on increased responsibility for managing the enrolment process and tours for prospective students and their families.

Pauline Clegg has reduced her involvement in enrolments to focus more on her role as Principal’s assistant. Pauline’s new title is Principal’s Executive Assistant.

Anita Workman, Communications and Enrolments Co-ordinator will continue in her current role and provide support to both the Communications and Enrolment functions of the school.

Rangi Ruru Enrolment Contact ChangesFor information on enrolment at Rangi Ruru or to arrange a tour of the school, please contact Amelia Davis on 03 983 3700 or email [email protected]

Enrolment 2013Interviews for Years 7, 8 and 9 places for 2012 will commence in April with the first offer of places being made at the beginning of July. If you have a potential new entrant or know of someone who has, please contact Amelia Davis on 03 983 3700 or email [email protected], as soon as possible, to organise for an application form and interview.


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An obvious excitement filled the air on Wednesday 29 February. As the minutes ticked by, more and more girls filled the Intermediate courtyard. 22…23…24! We’re all here! All of 7Hd and 7Fs were assigned to cars, and then we were off!

Just as we entered Kaiapoi, we noticed a bold sign reading: Blue Skies Camp. We had driven right past! We did a U-turn at the next possible place and headed back towards the camp.

Later that morning: after arriving too early, my group waited for our classmates to show up. When they finally got there we left our gear in an empty room and trooped with our day packs into a small clearing next to the abseiling wall.

“Hey girls! My name is Isaac. I’ll be taking half of you to do a few activities,” says a young man with blonde hair. “Right, even numbers with me!” (We have numbering off numbers from 1 to 12). Isaac ran us through some awesome activities like: Minefield, Hug the Tree and the Hunter Game.

Wow, after running around you sure get hungry! I think it’s time for lunch.

After lunch: ABSEILING. We were going to walk backwards down a wall, with a rope harness on of course. Everyone had a go, even Mrs Holdsworth!

This day’s been fun; we did tons of cool stuff. I even enjoyed my ice cold dunk in the pool before dinner! Also, after dinner Ms Gray came in and taught us a tiptop dance.

Year 7 Camp Megan Blackwood, Year 7

Thursday 30, another action packed day! We went orienteering in which Charlotte and I accidentally on purpose got lost and ended up coming back last. Everyone had a play on the confidence course, a playground type course that helps improve your confidence. Unfortunately it was raining and we didn’t get to go horse riding, but we did get to go ice skating and ten pin bowling instead! The Form Seniors came in that night and we played a murder game in which I was killed firstL. The end of the day was not pretty though, because some girls were getting over the initial shock that there was a rat

outside the dining room! (I shouldn’t be talking about phobias though; I’m scared to death of all insects.)

Aw… it’s Friday, home time. We’ve had an awesome time, but oh! We’re not done yet!

*Sigh* we must be finished now… after an action packed mountain bike. Oh yes, it is time to go home. We couldn’t have gone to camp without the help of all the parents and teachers involved, so 7Hd and 7Fs give a huge thanks to them.

My camp experience was by far a 10/10.

News from Years 7 & 8 camp


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Wainui YMCA camp is the perfect location for school camps. With outdoor space, great facilities and idyllic scenery, you are sure to experience a fantastic time.

There are various outdoor activities for everyone to participate in and help conquer their fears.

The Activities:• High ropes - where everyone has a

great time up high, and it is also very challenging.

Year 8 Wainui CampChloe Jenkins, Year 8

• Archery - where everyone tests their skills to try and get a bulls eye.

• Outdoor Living - to boost everyone’s knowledge of how to survive out in the bush, build a bivouac and start a fire using natural materials.

• Coasteering - this is definitely a highlight for many people, as you get to jump off rocks with your friends and challenge yourself to jump off the highest rock. This is a great activity

for those who aren’t so familiar with the sea.

These activities are the best way to get people to gain their confidence. All of the instructors are supportive and encouraging as well as fully trained in first aid.

All of the Year 8s thoroughly enjoyed camp at Wainui and wish to return sometime.

Two teams of Year 13 girls competed recently in the CPIT Year 13 Science Competition. They had to perform a number of tasks in one hour including using a calibrated microscope to measure the size of a mite, use a colorimeter to

CPIT Year 13 Science Competition determine the concentration of a glucose solution and answer quiz questions.

Our team of Lalitha Mukundan, Harriet Marshall and Natasha de Jong were placed 3rd and the team of Jasmine Jiang,

Vicki Ma, Yui Fu were placed 12th out of 24 teams.

The girls performed well and enjoyed the experience of using equipment not available in the school laboratories.

Ella Eberhart on highropes


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In the last issue of Rangi News I touched on how divisive Gifted and Talented Education can be and that one of the main criticisms is that a GATE programme fosters elitism. I believe this association is misguided and contrary to our philosophy of catering for all students according to their needs. Brooke Trenwith sums this up nicely when looking at the Myths of Gifted and Talented Education:

Myth: It is elitist to have a gifted group. Gifted (highly able) students have particular learning, social and emotional needs that are distinct from other students. They have a right, as do all students, to receive an education suited to their particular needs. The following poem helps to demonstrate why it is not elitist. Gifted students are being true to themselves rather than trying to “pull other students down”.

The root of excellence – from the Greek – is not properly, to surpass others – or to be greater than them, but rather to rise up naturally, to raise as a crop is raised.

The oldest root – in the word – from the Greek – is that for HILL.

Beyond the ClassroomImagine that hill. It was not placed on the landscape to make the prairie feel flat. It was not raised to make the sky tremble. Its job is to be a hill. We do not know why, but we know that a hill-less world would be unbearable.

Jorie Graham – The Dream of the Unified Field (Pulitzer Prize for Poetry)

This need to cater for the requirements of all students underpins our enrichment programme. After scant offerings last year, it has been great to see so many girls joining clubs and putting their names

forward for a myriad of opportunities this term. Girls have participated in the Canterbury Model UN, attended a full day GATE student Conference, visited the University for a Science workshop “You and Your Brain”, participated in a 2 ½ hour creative writing workshop facilitated by author Frankie McMillan and sat in on a first year economics lecture followed by a Q & A session with the lecturer – all great opportunities.

Sue Ogden GATE co-ordinator

On Thursday 8 March, three senior girls, Sophie Lester, Hannah Smith and Victoria Rea all of whom are contemplating a career in International Relations/Law, went along to the International Women’s Day Breakfast. This UN sponsored event featured guest speaker Professor Ursula Cheer (School of Law, University of Canterbury) who spoke on the theme “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures”. The girls were lucky enough (or late enough) to end up seated next to the speaker and found the breakfast and the messages delivered, inspirational on a number of levels. As Victoria Rea said “It was well worth going to see how much hope the speaker had in future generations to strive for equality within all sectors of society”.

International Women’s Day Breakfast

On 14 March, Rangi Ruru GATE students went on a fascinating trip to the University of Canterbury, for a workshop called ‘You and Your Brain’. The workshop was all about the different parts of your brain and how they work. For example, did you know that your Parietal lobe (in the middle at the top of your brain) is in charge of the touch and taste senses? The really weird thing about this part of your brain is that the part that feels sensations on your feet is at the very top, whilst the part that senses things on your head and face is at the bottom! I think that a highlight for all the girls would have been when the GSR

Science Workshop – You and Your BrainBy Sophie Lee and Kimberley Gee

(galvanic skin response) was used. These interesting machines test how conductive your skin is; the more you sweat, the more conductive your skin. We used this to find out whether a girl was lying about the number she was thinking about. It works because when you lie you get stressed, causing you to sweat more; the machine is very responsive and it even picked up a difference when the girl breathed in deeply. I’m just hoping that Mum doesn’t get one... because then she will find out where the biscuits have been ‘going on holiday’ to!

This was a very worthwhile trip; we all had fun and learnt much more!

Group of Year 10 girls in think mode outside the Psychology department, University of Canterbury


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On 20 – 21 March, the Canterbury Model UN was held at the Horticultural Centre in Hagley Park. A large group of senior students from Rangi joined almost 200 other students from city schools. All the participants enjoyed the opportunity to practise their skills of diplomacy and oratory. This year the focus was on religion and religious conflict throughout the world and so fittingly the event began with a lecture by Dr Michael Grimshaw (UC) who has done extensive research work in the field of religion. Even countries that are not presently embroiled in wars or conflicts driven by religious difference were able to participate. This was especially so for some first world countries that were able to guide and support less developed countries in their struggles for religious tolerance. I think all the girls from Rangi represented their countries with passion and commitment. We felt like we certainly had something to offer.

Perhaps the greatest value that comes from a day such as this is the opportunity to work alongside like-minded people all of whom are genuinely concerned with what is happening in the world today. The other really interesting aspect of the event was

Canterbury Model UNBrittany Rea (Year 13)

having to put yourself into the shoes of your designated country. Often our own beliefs were at odds with those we had to portray. This was challenging but also hugely rewarding.

We now look forward to taking our interest one step further – roll on NZMUN in Wellington!

Brittany Rea, Rosie Smith, with Rebekah Hider and Lucy McSweeney in the background, at the Canterbury Model UN

On 16 March a group of Years 11, 12 and 13 Rangi girls joined over 150 students from schools around Canterbury at Villa Maria College for a full day philosophy based conference - ‘A Moral Maze’.

Throughout the day our ideas and preconceptions were challenged as we explored some big ethical questions facing young people in the world today. We had four University style lectures given by Dr Peter Vardy and Charlotte Vardy both from the University of London. These sessions included: ‘A Good Life: Happiness and Duty’; here we looked what makes a ‘good’ person, Natural Law and Utilitarianism. The next session was on Bioethics where we considered the rights and wrongs and different perspectives on abortion, stem cell research and IVF. Environmental/Business Ethics and Sexual Ethics were the final two lectures. In all sessions we were challenged to think about issues like what is right or wrong much more deeply than ever before as we were presented with different viewpoints, religious and secular. The day finished with a debate: “This house believes that Political Assassination can never be justified!” Students from a range of schools with a range of opinions presented their ideas to the group as a whole. It was really interesting just hearing what others had to say.

Thank you to Ms Ogden and Mr Sloss for accompanying us and making it possible for us to engage with the “big questions”.

Dr Peter Vardy “A Moral Maze” Student ConferenceAlice Norton, Year 11

On Friday 23 March we were very fortunate to have visiting author, Frankie McMillan, facilitate a creative writing workshop for us. Frankie, who has an MA in Creative Writing from the International institute

Creative Writing Workshop

Creative writing workshop

of Modern Letters, is an award winning fiction writer and poet.

Twenty students including four boys from Christ’s College spent a very fruitful 2 ½ hours honing their written skills.


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The speech below was given in Assembly by our Yokohama Jogakuin exchangees, Mana Kojima and Miho Ishii. Mana and Miho have been with us at Rangi Ruru for six weeks hosted by Laura Marriott and Gabriella Hearn. Next month Laura and Gabriella will themselves go on exchange to Yokohama Jogakuin. Yokohama Jogakuin and Rangi Ruru have been running student exchanges between the schools for over 18 years. Cultural exchanges are an important part of Rangi Ruru’s commitment to ensuring that students are exposed to other cultures, perspectives and languages; broadening their appreciation and understanding of others living lives different from their own.

Tania MorganExchange Co-ordinator

Kia Ora! My name is Mana. My name is Miho. We are from Yokohama Jogakuin, Japan. We have stayed here for six weeks. We are going to leave this Saturday.

We have enjoyed being here for six weeks, but at first we were really surprised at a lot of things. Because New Zealand is quite different from Japan. Most people in Japan go to bed at midnight, but most people here go to bed at 10:00pm. We thought that this is very early.

We go to school by train and we often sleep or do our homework on the train, but we heard its very strange things for Kiwi people to do.

In Japan we don’t have morning tea. It is very very wonderful custom. Because we can eat lollies, chips, fruits and chocolate before lunch! I love morning tea. I can’t live without morning tea anymore!!

In New Zealand you are more confident than Japanese people, because in Japan we don’t ask questions during the class. I think Japanese are too shy to speak in class. But we think we should be more confident like you. Because it is a very efficient way to study.

Gradually we accustomed them. We’ve got really great experiences here as well.

My favourite places in New Zealand are Queenstown and Christchurch. My host-family took me to Queenstown, it was so

Yokohama Jogakuin Exchange

Mana Kojima and Miho Ishii

beautiful. We did Jet Boating, Luging, Gondola, shopping and so on. Jet Boating was so exciting. It was so fast and the driver drove it very close the rocks. It was a little scary but I enjoyed it. I got on the Gondola to see the view from top of the mountain. The view from there was amazing, very beautiful. I want to go there some day with my family.

The second place I like in New Zealand is Christchurch. This is because I could learn a lot of things and feel a lot of love from many people that I met. At this school I have made a lot of wonderful friends. All of them are very kind, talked to me and listened to my poor English. I have had very good time with them through class, Athletic Day, lunch time and so on. I really want to say thank you very much to all of you. You all have positive opinions and have influenced me a lot. My English skill is still poor, but this is very good opportunity for me to study English more, because during my stay I have been speaking English more and I can communicate with my friends more. I couldn’t stay here and enjoy it without my buddy, Gabby’s help. We have met a lot of people, trying to use another language. A lot of things made me strong and broadened my horizons.

One of best memories of mine is to go to Rangi every day. It has been hard for me to take lessons in English. The first day that I came to school I was worried about lots of things. I was worried whether I would make friends or if I would have classes in only English. But I don’t have to worry about that, because everyone has helped us very kindly. Now when I go to class, we can say hello to lots of people. I’m very happy about that. It was a very good experience to take part in Drama class. In Japan we don’t have Drama so it was very interesting. I had never participated in Drama. It’s very hard for me to express the emotions of my part. Thanks to people in my group helping me I have enjoyed it greatly. I think it’s very important and valuable for me to make friends of my age in NZ when we are young. Especially it was wonderful to meet my buddy, Laura.

Thank you for giving us chance to stay here and supporting us.

Thank you Ms Moor, Ms Morgan, Gabby, Laura and our host families. We love Rangi, Christchurch, New Zealand and all of you.

Thank you from Miho and Mana.


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of school spirit we hold close and are known for at Rangi Ruru. The week would not have been possible without the support of the Form Activities Committee, Year 13 and everyone who joined in.

Sophie Lester,Head of Form Activities

Romeo and Juliet, pink candy floss, pink mufti and compliment cards filled 2012's annual Love Week. The week also crossed over with the anniversary of the devastating 22 February Christchurch Earthquake, which was recognised in two minutes silence, a red and black ribbon worn in the girls’ hair and the creation of Rangi Ruru’s own Tree of Hope. Girls wrote a message of support for our city on a paper leaf, which was then laminated and secured to a magnificent tree. This allowed the school to reminisce and come together in remembering our losses and celebrating our strengths as a community.

The week kicked off with face painting and chalk drawing, which for the first time was held on the new asphalt where Fergusson block once was. The week then continued with the Intermediate School creating “Love Cookies” for a friend and sharing them at lunch time. Wednesday brought the earthquake anniversary; a day of remembrance and looking forward to the future of Rangi and our wider community. Our annual pink and red love mufti showed an attractive array of ensembles, with pink fluffy pyjamas being a fashion feature. Candy floss and sherbet were also sold, with proceeds

going to the end of year “Superday” for the girls.

The Form Activities Committee did an excellent job, which was the first of many fantastic events planned for the girls throughout the year by the Senior Leaders Team. Along with the earthquake remembrance, Love Week gave new and old students a chance to feel the strength

Love Week

This year Harvest Festival went incredibly well. Over the course of three days and with friendly competition between clans, we received around 800 items of food. This was taken down to the Christchurch City Mission who were incredibly happy and grateful for what they had received. Many families are finding it hard to make ends meet as a result of the earthquake, so what was donated through the generosity of Rangi girls, definitely has made a difference within the community.

Harvest FestivalMiranda Hitchings

Bella Senior, Sarah Wadworth and Miranda Hitchings pleased with the amount of cans they’ve collected

Anika Bayly, Gemma Horton-King, Georgie Raymond, Biddy Chaffey, Annabelle Williamson


20

Rangi environment activities started off with a bang in Week 6 as we hosted the annual and much anticipated Sea Week. Monday to Friday posed fun-filled lunch times for all year groups to raise funds for the much adored sea lions. We were all lucky enough to hear first hand just how endangered these species have become when Nicola Toki from Forest and Bird, spoke in chapel. The inspirational speech encouraged everyone to get behind the cause throughout the week, to help the Sea Lions Protection Programme. On Tuesday, crowds came to buy delicious sea themed baking made by the Environment Council and then participated in the adventurous obstacle course with clan points on the line. On Thursday, uniform was left in students’ wardrobes and it was out with anything sea themed! During the week, tickets were available for purchase to win a goldfish, which was won by a Year 13 student who was able to take it home and give it a name. By the end of an eventful week, we had exceeded our expectations by far with the amount of money raised which we could proudly give to the programme run by Forest and Bird. Thank you to everyone who made an effort to help us support the sea lions - it was hugely appreciated. New Zealand is surrounded by beautiful oceans and if

Sea Weekable to do this in a way that was exciting and enjoyable for all the girls involved. Approximately $980 was raised during Sea Week.

Charlotte Fakahau and Claudia Mannering dress up for Sea Week

appropriately. It also showed effective use of technology and how it has such a positive impact on society. Overall, Net Week was a huge triumph, and we look forward to it again in 2013!

Cybersafety Evening As part of Net Week the Rangi Ruru PTA and Health Committee produced a Cybersafety Information Evening to discuss some practical suggestions for parents to help their children become safe and responsible digital citizens. The evening was a great success with a very informative presentation from Simon Kellet and Robert Stewart from Izard Weston that the 50 parents and staff all enjoyed.

In our growing world, awareness of cybersafety is becoming more and more important. During Week 8 of Term 1, Sarah and her Health Committee decided to promote the idea of cybersafety throughout Net Week. Net Week was based around the idea of being safe on the web, and using technology in a positive way. To promote Net Week, we shared some inappropriate status’s and showed a video clip to the school proving how even celebrities can suffer from negative usage of the internet.

There were various activities set up throughout the week; these included Sarah talking to the school about how technology has developed even in the short time she has been at Rangi, and a speed texting competition which everyone

Net WeekBy Courtney Hill, Rosa Cross and Chess Hazlett (Year 12 Health Committee Members)

enjoyed. Rosie Sloan and Jennifer Kim spoke to us in chapel about how the internet can also be used positively to promote important issues within the community. A competition was also set up for students to create a screen saver for the Rangi computers, which had to have an encouraging message that related to cybersafety portrayed on it. Two more week long events that were effective were the Rangi Ruru compliments facebook page which increased school positivity, and the auto-completes board was a complete success throughout the week as it provided entertainment for the school in the dining room at lunch time.

Net Week was really successful in raising awareness of the technology around us and how it’s up to us to decide to use it

we destroy these oceans, we destroy the fascinating life within it. Throughout Sea Week we were able to raise awareness for this aspect of the environment which people tend to forget about, but we were


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The Fitness Centre started off Term 1 with bike wise week. We wanted to promote not only the benefits of biking but also the safety issues about biking. Tuesday 7 February was ‘Bike to School’ day and there was a great turnout of girls that biked to school. Whether they biked from around the corner or as far as Cashmere and Sumner, many students made the effort to bike to school. They were then rewarded with a free breakfast organised by the Fitness Centre which included flavoured milk, fruit, yoghurt, waffles and more; this made biking to school worth the effort! There was a quiz students

Bike Wise WeekAlice Hay and Rachel Rountree, Heads of Fitness Centre

could enter in which involved labelling parts and safety equipment essential for biking. At lunchtime we also had bike games on the field for Years 7 and 8 which was thoroughly enjoyable. Throughout the week we also had the staff involved with a beat the teacher challenge where students and staff members were timed on how fast they could bike 2km. It was a challenge as the staff had set such high standards but a few students managed to beat them. Overall Bike Wise Week was very successful with many girls across all year levels participating. Isabel Robertson, Georgia Osmers and

Charlotte Aitken

Expedition Training 9 - 10 March 2012The World Challenge team is going to India this year, leaving in early December and returning a month later at the beginning of January. We have been planning the trip, itinerary and fundraising since the middle of last year, so on Friday 9 March we were all required to go on Expedition Training at Mt Thomas Conservation area. We left school early on Friday morning, camped the night and returned later on Saturday afternoon.

The trip was both really enjoyable and informative, ably “led” by the World Challenge guys Matt and Alan. We got to know each other a lot better and the girls made ALL the decisions for the entire time. Several times the girls learned from their mistakes. It was great to see them stepping up to leadership roles and finding out they were more capable than they thought.

On Friday the main aim was to set up camp and then hike to the top of Mt Thomas. We had brilliant weather so were rewarded with fantastic views. Our fitness was severely tested on the steep uphill and even steeper downhill as we took the short route down. Several girls were on cooking duty and they produced an amazing stirfry and rice

World Challenge

Girls walking along the ridgeline of Mt Thomas

which everyone enjoyed. Saturday mainly consisted of India type scenarios and another short walk. These scenarios consisted of “lost people”, “broken leg”, “river crossing” “climbing up and down steep terrain”, “accidents” and a lot of “what if” scenarios in the crowded streets of Delhi.

Mrs O’Callaghan and I had to learn to keep our mouths zippered (which was

very difficult for us...) and let the girls make the decisions - whether we thought they were right or wrong. I was amazed how capable they are.

We are now looking forward to further preparations throughout the year and the excitement of India in December.

Ms Ali McQueen


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This summer, I went with a friend to Cambodia for five weeks. We spent the first three weeks volunteering at a Cambodian-run NGO called Savong School, which gives free language classes for rural students. Weekly offering collected for Term 4 last year ($373.70) was sent to Savong School.

Savong School runs from 1 – 7pm, Monday to Friday. It is in the countryside, about 15km out of Siem Reap, Cambodia’s third biggest city. The students, ranging in age from 6 to 21 years, go to state school for four hours a day, then come to Savong School for one or two classes every afternoon.

Savong School, CambodiaCambodia’s national language is Khmer. It is taught in state schools and spoken everywhere. The state schools do not teach second languages, yet being able to speak one is valuable; having a second language gives you a much better chance of finding a job (and especially a good one). For many students, though, language classes are far too expensive for their families to afford. So Savong School teaches these students for free.

We had a lot of fun at the school. We helped the English teachers with their classes; we sang songs with the younger kids and helped the older students with grammar; played games, and practised conversation and pronunciation with everyone. In Cambodia, the sun sets at 6pm every day. In the countryside, there are no street lights and houses are dimly lit. By quarter past six, it is pitch black. The money raised from weekly offering then, will be used to put in outdoor lighting, to make the school a safer place at night. Any money left over will be spent on folders for paperwork in the school office, and/or building up the soil on the schoolyard and path to the school before the rainy season arrives and starts washing the ground away.

The staff at Savong School offer a sincere thank you to the students at Rangi. Many thanks also to Gina Hart (Head of Community Service 2011) and her committee for choosing to give weekly offering to Savong School. I know now, a dollar goes a lot further in Cambodia than it does in New Zealand, and any donation helps.

If you would like to know more about Savong School, visit www.savong.com, or contact Zoë via Barb at the school office.

Zoë Buxton, (Rangi Ruru student 2005-2009, Head Girl 2009)

Zoë Buxton

In the classroom

The Boyle River camp is an experience I’m never going to forget. The activities were enjoyable, although the sandflies were countless. Even though you ‘cover up’, you’ll still get bites regardless.

My group was one of the first to go on campout. I was uncertain of what would happen, but I hoped it would be nice. The walk down to the campout was steep and dusty. Once we had reached the campout area, we were told that we’d be setting up our tents. We had looks of disgust on our faces, but once we saw the instructors

Year 9 Camp Hanna Yoon, 9BH

put a tent up, we thought it’d be easy; we were wrong. The tents were in an A frame, with two sticks holding the tarpaulin up to create a ‘tent’. We were given pegs to hold down the tarp, but it did not stop the sandflies from coming in.

It was beginning to become dark and it was time for dinner. We had to cook for ourselves on trangias. I was so hungry that two minute noodles seemed amazing to eat.

All I could hear while eating my noodles was the slight breeze, chatting and birds. Night had come quickly, and it was time to go to sleep. We all walked into our tent. The smell of insect repellent, lollies and sweat filled our tent, but all we cared about was sleeping. Halfway through the night, I was woken by the pitter patter of rain falling lightly on our tent. I could also hear distant noises of something chewing and scraping around.

The next day, we had abseiling and two wire. But before we could go to our activities, breakfast was a must. We had found that the possums got into the Weetbix and had clearly left the box

ripped up in little bites. It was time to go to two wire. There were two wires over a flowing river which we had to cross. We got into our harnesses and began to cross the wire. When you’re watching others cross it doesn’t seem as hard. Once you start to cross the wire it’s a completely different story. After all of us had successfully crossed the river, we walked back up to the camp and got ready for abseiling.

The area for abseiling is very quiet. Bush and trees surround the area. The rock that we climbed down seemed to be very steep from where we were standing, but in fact once you start to climb it is actually quite small. The thought of making your way down a rock with your feet placed in front of you, seems quite daunting, but I loved the feeling of adrenalin.

When we had all finished abseiling, we ate squiggles and toffee pops, talked about how we felt about our achievements. After the campout, I felt as though I had gotten to know my classmates better and made some new friends throughout my time on camp.


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It has been a busy start to the year. For the three days of Waitangi weekend, eighty or so young hopefuls sang and danced through a series of auditions as they tried out for roles in the combined Christ’s College/Rangi Ruru senior production, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’.

The Production Team agonised over the casting of some roles, yet others seemed to cast themselves. We are delighted with the final cast and have endeavoured to accommodate every committed student possible in what will be a very special production indeed. Congratulations to our girls who have principal roles: Mary – India Alexander; Anas – Georgia Nash, and Simon Zealotes – Sarah Marshall. Of course the show will stand or fall on the quality of the ensemble and we have an especially strong and versatile group of

From the Director of Theatre Artsyoungsters who will occupy the stage for nearly the whole show. Rangi Ruru girls will also have key responsibilities in the orchestra and backstage crew.

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ opens 14 May at Christ’s College Hall.

Also singing and dancing their way through a joyous musical, were the Years 10 and 11 girls involved with ‘Shake, Ripple and Roll’. What a fun show this was. Set in a New York ice cream parlour in the 1950s, audiences were treated to a colourful romp punctuated by catchy tunes, snappy one-liners and authentic rock’n’roll dancing. Congratulations to all of the cast and crew, especially Alice Norton, who was superb in the lead female role as the outrageously evil, Deanna la Domme.

At the time of writing, three other groups are in rehearsal: The Years 7 and 8 are industriously preparing for Stage Challenge. Under the guidance of Miss Forrest and Ms Clarkson, our intermediate girls are learning a broad range of performance skills and enjoying the creative process of developing a presentation for a big stage; The Year 13 Drama students are rehearsing ‘Julius Caesar’ for the Shakespeare Globe NZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Festival of Shakespeare; a mixed group of senior students will also enter a student-directed piece from ‘Titus Andronicus’ under the directorship of Bridget Buchan and Sinomi Hood.

Robert GilbertDirector of Theatre Arts

RANGI RURU GIRLS’ SCHOOL & CHRIST’S COLLEGE

7.30pm | 14, 15, 17, 18, 19 May 2012 | Christ’s College HallAdults $30 ● Students $18 (Premium and Group tickets available)

Bookings phone 03 983 3700 or 03 366 8705

Cast of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR in rehearsalSarah Marshall as SIMON ZEALOTES in rehearsal


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The Music Department has got off to a flying start this year, starting with auditions over Waitangi Weekend for our production, with Christ’s College, of Jesus Christ Superstar. The audition panel was blown away by the amazing talent of the students who auditioned, resulting in a wonderful cast. The cast have been working hard at rehearsals throughout the term, the combined orchestra has started rehearsing, and we are all gearing up for intensive set construction and rehearsals during the term break. The show opens on Monday 14 May, at Christ’s College Auditorium. I am sure it will be enjoyed by all who are able to attend.

Itinerant music lessons started well, with over 250 girls having lessons through school on a wide range of instruments and voice. A large number of girls joined various choral and instrumental groups - Resolutions, Junior Chorale, Glee, Bellbirds, Jazz Band, Rangi Sinfonia, and Junior Players. In addition many girls have become involved in smaller vocal and instrumental ensembles, including barbershop, recorder, ukulele and percussion ensembles, chamber music groups, and rock bands. We have already enjoyed a wide range of performances in Wednesday Chapel services, ably organised by our Head of Music, Jasmine Jiang.

This term has been one where the girls have worked on learning a vast amount of new music, in preparation for performances and festivals in Term 2 and beyond, including Open Day, BIG SING and Chamber music regional contests, Chapel performances and lunchtime and evening concerts, including a Percussion concert at the end of June. We are very fortunate to have such outstanding support from our very experienced instrumental and vocal tutors, without whom all this would not be possible.

There are a number of girls who deserve our warmest congratulations:

From the Director of MusicHansuel Nam, Year 11, on passing her Advanced Performers Certificate from Trinity College on the violin at the end of 2011, and Jasmine Jiang, Year 13 and Siyu Sun, Year 11, on obtaining their DipABRSM (Diploma from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) on the piano, also at the end of last year.

In addition Siyu was awarded the Irene Lasson Piano Exhibition, worth $6000 over two years.

2012 sees a large representation from Rangi in the Pettman Junior Academy of Music at the University of Canterbury – Lucy McSweeney (cello), Amy Lee (piano), Siyu Sun and Geeny Moon (French horn), Grace Leehan (violin), Isabella Gregory (flute) and Olivia Humphrey (recorder).

There are several girls who are representing Rangi in the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra – Jodie Hayes, Cilla Trinh, and Hansuel Nam (violin), Jennifer Kim (percussion), Erica Boyd (viola), Siyu Sun and Geeny Moon (French horn), Lucy McSweeney (cello) and Lynne Ando (bassoon). In addition Erica and Lucy are members of the Christchurch Youth Orchestra.

These are some wonderful achievements and we look forward to hearing all of these girls perform during the year.

My best wishes to you all for a restful term break with time for family and friends.

Janet KingsburyDirector of Music

NZSSSO (New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra) - Back row from left; Lynne Ando, Erica Boyd, Lucy McSweeney, Jodie Hayes, Hansuel Nam, Cilla Trinh. Front row, from left - Geeny Moon, Jennifer Kim, Siyu Sun.


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Another year, another frantic start to Secondary School sport! And, fortunately we have been able to complete a whole term of competitions and tournaments. As with other years the calendar is filled up with not only the weekly competitions but also Athletic Sports, Summer Quad, Canterbury and South Island Athletics, Canterbury and South Island Touch, and Canterbury and South Island Volleyball. Add to this, Canterbury Swimming, Equestrian and the Canterbury Triathlon plus the myriad of things the girls are doing outside of school, and you are reminded just why the girls need a break in the holidays! This isn’t even considering winter trials and trainings which are happening earlier and earlier each year in Term 1.

With the disappointment of no real School swimming sports this year, there was a real sense of occasion added to our Athletics Sports this year, more so than ever before. And the fact that we were holding it at Christ’s College just added to the day. It was a real goodie!! With fanfare, colour and plenty of noise, we were entertained with some spectacular running, jumping and throwing. The numbers in all events were high much to Mrs Rowberry’s distress at times, but everything flowed without too many hitches.

Jo FogartyDirector of Sport

Athletics Championship results:Years 7/8: 1st Phoebe Spiers 90 points, 2nd Pieta Hansen 80, 3rd Jessica Miller 70U14: 1st Goldie Harding a massive 210 points, 2nd Margo Flanagan 120, 3rd Rebecca Willis 80Junior: 1st Rosie Elliott 160 points, 2nd Sassy Borrius-Broek 110, 3rd = Libby Vincent and Abby Williamson 100Intermediate: 1st Hannah Maloney 160 points, 2nd Annie Vincent 110, 3rd = Rosa Flanagan and Megan RainsSeniors: 1st Philippa Trevella 190 points, 2nd Libby Masefield 90, 3rd = Hannah Smith and Flora Poole Two records were broken - Sarah Donald in the Senior Javelin and Rosa Flanagan in the Intermediate 1500m.Congratulations girls.

Summer QuadPrior to Athletics Sports, Rangi fielded a very competitive team in the Annual Quadrangular tournament against St Margaret’s, St Hilda’s (Dunedin) and Craighead Diocesan (Timaru), competing in Debating, Swimming, Touch, Tennis and Volleyball. As usual the competition was tough, with our debaters the standout performers winning all of their debates and taking out the banner as the overall winner of Debating. Our Tennis, Swimming and Volleyball teams were all 2nd in their competitions and our Touch team was 3rd. This placed us 2nd overall in the tournament, only one point behind the winners St Hilda’s. Not a bad effort at all.

Canterbury Triathlon ChampionshipsAs usual we took a large contingent of girls to this annual event at Corsair Bay and as usual the sun shone and the competition was strong.

Congratulations to all of our individuals and teams who competed and performed extremely well for the school. Here are the results:Junior Girls’ Individual - Holly Reid - 9th

Intermediate Girls’ Individual - Rosa Flanagan - 2nd, Kate Macdonald - 4th, Aimee McMaster - 8th

Senior Girls’ Individual - Claudia Mannering - 8thJunior Girls’ Team - 1st (Margo Flanagan, Nicole Smith, Goldie Harding)Intermediate Girls’ Teams - 2nd (Kitty Eglinton, Charlotte Hand, Annie Vincent), 3rd (Georgie Staples, Tessa Jenkins, Lauren Beckett), 4th (Tessa Prentice, Tandia Molina, Gabby Gray), 5th (Jemima Allison, Rose Marshall-Lee, Abby Williamson)

Canterbury Swimming ChampionshipsA small contingent of girls went to the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Swimming finals at Wharenui. Unfortunately, due to the lack of pool space this usually loud and robust event was held with much less fanfare and ceremony. However, at least it was held and it gave all our top swimmers the opportunity to pitch themselves against their rivals. Our successes at the championships were:Girls’ 12 - 13 50m Butterfly Celine Evans - 3rd,Girls’ 15 100m Freestyle Georgie Staples - 2nd, Girls’ 14 50m Backstroke Aimee McMaster - 3rd, Girls 14 50m Breaststroke Jemima Allison - 2nd, Girls Open 100m Backstroke Sophia Batchelor - 1stGirls’ 16-18 50m Butterfly Sophia Batchelor - 1stGirls’ 15 year old relay team 1st, Georgie Staples, Madeleine Long, Abby Rhodes, Anna RobertsonGirls’ 14 year Relay team 3rd, Jemima Allison, Aimee McMaster, Rebekah Hill, Millie DuttonGirls’ Open 50m SC Freestyle SWAM/SWPD Multi-Disability 1st, Jacquie RuthGirls’ Open 50m SC Backstroke SWAM/SWPD Multi-Disability 1st, Jacquie Ruth

Girls’ Open 50m SC Freestyle SWID Multi-Disability 2nd, Charlotte Rozen

Girls’ Open 50m SC Backstroke SWID Multi-Disability 2nd, Charlotte Rozen

From the Director of Sport


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Congratulations to:Anna Cochrane has been selected as the top ranked player in the Southern Girls 14 and under tennis team to play at the National teams event in Hamilton in April.

Hilary Munro did really well at the Canterbury Regional Waterskiing Tournament, scoring personal bests in both the jump and trick events. She won the U17 Girls’ tricks, and also came first in the Open Women’s Tricks, setting a new South Island Open Women’s trick record of 3480 points. She came 3rd in both slalom and jump, giving her 2nd place overall for her division.She also achieved runner up champion of champions, which is scored overall across all divisions and age groupsThis follows her recent success of a silver medal in the Australasian girls’ U17 trick event at the Aussie/Kiwi challenge in January. She will be representing Canterbury at Nationals at Northland over Easter.

Jemima Allison swam well at the Canterbury champs. She achieved Gold in the 200 free, Silvers in both the 400m free and 800m free; Bronzes in the 50m breast, 200m breast and 200 IM.

Sophia Batchelor at the NationalsShe had a really good meet winning eight gold medals, going fastest female 18 years and under for New Zealand in all these eight events, and breaking five New Zealand records in the process. All of this with her being one of the few swimmers still being in heavy training and doing 10km warm ups before competing both morning and afternoon sessions. The most impressive session came on the last night when, despite a very sore throat, she took almost three seconds off the New Zealand record for the 200m butterfly (Sophia has never achieved a New Zealand record in this distance of butterfly). She was helped out of the pool exhausted and then within 20 minutes Sophia won the 50m freestyle (beating the Canadian Junior champion) and then the 200m individual medley by over a third of the pool. Her fellow competitors lifted her onto the podium and held her up, as she could barely stand, to huge applause.

Alice Hay - Alice has been busy with Cycling over the past few months. Here are some of her outstanding achievements:Canterbury Track champs: 2nd - 500m time trial2nd - Individual Pursuit4th - Sprint (against open women)3rd - Keiran2nd - Scratch Race,2nd - 4th - Sprint (against open women) 3rd - Keiran2nd - Scratch Race, 2nd - Points Race

National Age Group Track champs:2nd - Team Sprint3rd - Team Pursuit5th - Sprints9th - Individual pursuit 8th - Scratch Race

Charlotte Hand has also been busy with cycling, and here are her achievements:Canterbury Track Champs (U17)3rd - Individual Time Trial3rd - Individual Pursuit3rd - Points Race2nd - Team Sprint1st - Team Pursuit

Congratulations girls. We look forward to following your progress over the remainder of 2012.

Congratulations to Tessa Jenkins who competed at the South Island Secondary School Duathlon Champs in Oamaru early in March. Tessa won the Intermediate girls race.

Coast To Coast On 9 February, Libby Masefield and I met at the Waimak Gorge Bridge to begin our trip over to the West Coast for the annual Coast to Coast race. Along the way, we decided to go through each transition as we passed them, which only added to our stress levels. Too soon we arrived at Kumara Beach, and after unloading our precious equipment, we made our way to the Coast to Coast dinner. After a carb overload, an inspirational speech from Juddie, and eyeing up our competition from St Andrew’s College and Dunstan College, we looked forward to returning to our beds early that night. 4.45am the following morning, we found ourselves preparing for the upcoming day of events, a 3km run off the beach, a 55km road bike followed by a 33km mountain run. Despite being left to wander to the beach on my own, as support crews were not permitted there, I was never lonely as I made friends with competitors of all ages. The starting horn didn’t come soon enough, and finally we were gladly charging our way up the sand. Two hours later I staggered into the transition chute, leading in the school girls’ teams. After locating Libby and my support crew, the transponder and bib were passed on as she started her run on a cool drizzly morning. Five hours later, we spotted her weaving her way down the Bealey riverbed to Klondyke Corner. Despite just running over Goat Pass she continued her strong stride until the end. After getting into the finishing chute, we both had mixed feelings as the first day had ended. One thing was for sure, we weren’t letting that 1st place out of our sight as we were only about 35 minutes behind.

4th - Sprint (against open women) 3rd - Keiran2nd - Scratch Race2nd - Points Race

National Age group Track Champs:4th - Team Pursuit 9th - Individual Pursuit

Claudia Mannering and Libby Masefield ecstatic with their result.


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Unfortunately Saturday morning was an early one especially for our support crew; 4am. The race began at 7.30am, with a 15km bike ride from Klondyke Corner to Mount White Bridge. After a reasonably smooth transition into the kayak, I began the 68km paddle through the river; I was met by a cold southerly which thankfully did not bring too much rain. I arrived at the Waimak Gorge Bridge 5 hours and 20 minutes later, a few minutes behind the first school girl, to see Libby take off up the hill in a cloud of dust. Sneaking up the Old West Coast Road with Ms Fogarty and Ms McQueen, I was able to see Libby’s fantastic bike ride into town. This took just over two hours and before I knew it we were running through the finishing chute together. We had a total time of 15 hours and 13 minutes, 2nd placing for the school teams and 4th in the women’s teams; we were stoked!

Claudia Mannering, Year 13

Gold RushOn Friday 23 March my team and I began our journey down to Central Otago for the Goldrush Multisport event. This was our second year competing so this time we knew what to expect, and after walking away with 2nd place last year, we were ready to step it up. At 8.00am we headed down to Molyneux Stadium with our support crew for the briefing and were very intimidated to see eight teams from Southland Girls High School and a couple more from James Hargest High School. The following morning was a beautiful one, with blue skies and a slight nor’west, and I began the 36km lake kayak into what I thought would be enjoyable conditions, however, I was soon proved wrong, when the gusts picked up and the waves grew. Finally I reached the dam, the first schoolgirl in and after a smooth transition sent Alice on her way for the 38km mountain bike. This was a hugely challenging ride for Alice which took longer than expected due to the extreme weather conditions. However, she managed to pull in another win for the second stage keeping the lead over a very experienced mountain bike rider from Southland Girls’. Lastly we sent Libby on her way on a challenging 18km mountain run into the Manorburn Dam. Unfortunately Alice and I did not make it in time to see Libby come in, as the road was blocked by a caravan and truck due to the extremely wet and slippery track. But being the troopers we are, Alice put together the mountain bike and rode in and I followed her by foot. We arrived to find a pleased but slightly cold Libby who gained 11 minutes on the Southland Girls’ team who were our main competition.

The following days proved to be similar and very successful, with a few changes to the course because of the terrible weather. We continued to win nine out of the eleven stages, gained 18

minutes on the second day, and had a total race time of 18 hours and 43 minutes over a distance of 375km, with the Southland Girls’ team 30 minutes behind us. We all had a brilliant three days of racing around the breathtaking Central Otago region and were surrounded by some truly inspiring athletes. We had amazing help from our own multisport legends, Russell Prince and Ms McQueen, who kept us strong and capable throughout the weekend. Despite being unable to represent Rangi in the school teams next year, I know that this won’t be the last Goldrush for any of us.

Claudia Mannering, Year 13

Canterbury Schools’ Athletic Championships

Results of the Canterbury Schools’ Athletic Championships held on Saturday 17 March at Rawhiti Domain, New Brighton.

The team achieved some outstanding results, some of the best we have had in recent years.

We gained eleven titles - ten individual and one relay, seven 2nd placings and ten 3rds.

Finalist results: Rosa Flanagan won the Int 3000m (record time)and the 1500m; Philippa Trevella won both the Senior 800m and 400m (she had just returned from the Australian Championships with a Silver in the 800m). Annie Vincent won the Open 1500m Steeplechase and was 2nd in the Intermediate 1500m. Libby Vincent won the Junior 1500m and was part of the winning Junior girls 4 x100m relay

Gabby Gray was 2nd in both the Intermediate 800m and 3000m; Saskia Borrius Broek was 2nd in the Junior Long jump with a personal best performance. She was 3rd in both the 100m and 200m and also part of the winning relay team. Rose Marshall-Lee won the Junior 800m and was 4th in the 400m and was part of the winning relay team.

Hannah Maloney won the Intermediate Triple Jump and was 6th in the long Jump; Evelyn Spiers won the Intermediate Hurdles Georgia Galbraith won the Junior Javelin. The Junior 4 x100m Relay team were 1st (Libby Vincent, Sassy Borrius- Broek, Becky Wilson and Rose Marshall-Lee); Sarah Donald was 2nd in the Senior Javelin (personal best throw); Maddy Long 2nd Intermediate Hurdles and 6th in the 200m.

Libby Masefield, Claudia Mannering and Alice Hay

Rebecca Wilson and Saskia Borrius-Broek PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW LONG


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Rebecca Willis was 2nd in the U14 Javelin, 4th in the Triple Jump and 5th in Hurdles. Goldie Harding was 2nd in the U14 1500m. Margo Flannagan was 3rd in both the U14 Hurdles and Long Jump with personal best performances in both events; Abby Williamson was 2nd in the Junior 3000m and 800m; Megan Rains was 3rd in the Int Shotput and 6th in the Discus; Lauren Beckett 3rd in the Intermediate High Jump and 4th in the 400m; Lucy Allison was 3rd in the Intermediate 800m. The 4 x 400m relay were 3rd (Libby Vincent, Abby Williamson, Rose Marshall-Lee and Philippa Trevella). The team without the Malta Girls will now advance to the South Island Champs on 30 March.

Brenda Rowberry

NZCT Girls Summer Cricket Tournament 2012A team of eleven keen Rangi cricket players came together to represent the school at this two day tournament played on 28 and 29 March at Hagley Park, coached by Hayley Aburn.

Game 1 vs Ashburton College saw Rangi post a very creditable 163 runs for 3 wickets down (Kate Willis 53, Kirsty Nation 82). We then restricted Ashburton to 92 for 6 wickets off their 20 overs (Anna Robertson 2 wickets for 9 runs off 4 overs, Kirsty Nation 2 wickets for 2 runs off 2 overs, Kate Willis 1 wicket for 5 runs off 2 overs).

Game 2 vs Waimea College and again Rangi batted first, posting an outstanding 219 for 3 wickets with a century to Kirsty Nation (106), ably supported by Kate Willis (67). They restricted Waimea to 98 for 3 wickets with tight bowling from all ten girls who bowled.

Day 2 and the first game was against St Andrew’s College. St Andrew’s won the toss and batted first scoring 145 with 3 wickets down, as Rangi’s bowlers struggled to break the strong opening partnership. More solid batting from Kate Willis (58 retired) and Rebecca Willis (51 retired) saw Rangi chase down this target in the 17th over, and hence book a place in the final against the three times National Defending Champions, Christchurch Girls’ High School.

The Final was a very tense affair. Girls’ High won the toss and elected to bat. The Rangi bowlers toiled positively for the 20 overs, managing to keep the defending champions to 159 with 5 wickets down. Chasing this total was never going to be easy. A collapse in the middle order for Rangi saw Year 9 student, Rebecca Willis, take the team through to 138 for 6 wickets, as she withstood the relentless pressure from the seasoned bowling attack of Girls’ High, scoring 71 and batting for the whole 20 overs.

As girls’ cricket struggles to attract and retain participants it was great to see the enthusiasm, positive encouragement, and camaraderie within the Rangi team and we look forward to future participation and success next cricket season.

Rangi Ruru Girls’ Cricket tournament Squad: Kirsty Nation (Captain), Sarah Donald, Kate Willis, Alice Rountree, Anna Robertson, Penny Mander, Georgia Galbraith, Ruby Matheson, Livvy Thomson, Caitlin Heale and Rebecca Willis.

Cricket awards

Rebecca Willis and Phoebe Spiers

On Friday 10 February, Rebecca Willis and Phoebe Spiers attended the Canterbury Cricket Youth Awards which were held at St Bedes College. CJCA gave out four awards two for girls and

Rosa at the time of writing is away with the NZ Cross Country team in Malta for the World Secondary Cross Country Championships.Since her time as a Year 9 student at Rangi, Rosa has broken three of the school's 1500m records and similarly three of the 3000m records.On Saturday she broke the Canterbury School's 3000m record with a time of 9.53.44 and broke her own school record of 4.49.96 in the 1500m with a time of 4.47.26 as well as her own schools 3000m record of 10.29.Rosa is clearly the best runner for her age in New Zealand. At the National 4km Road Race in Wellington last December, she won the event so convincingly that one of the officials thought she couldn't have run the whole course! Just two hours later she won the 3000m on the track and later was awarded the honour of being the most outstanding Junior Athlete at the meeting.

Rosa Flanagan leading the pack at Athletics Day

Rosa Flanagan

Rosa has one more year at Rangi where she will now have an eye on all the senior records.The girls are in awe of Rosa’s achievement and her beautiful running technique. We all wish her the best for the future and congratulate her on her many successes.


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TennisThe Tennis team have taken back the South Island Tennis title they lost last year.

Competing in Timaru on 16 - 18 March, they won all their ties and are now the 2012 South Island Champions. This is a closed event and there is a very competitive qualifying system as you have to get 1st or 2nd in your area. They won the Canterbury division and went on to defeat the following schools: Craighead, Southland Girls’, Waimea College, St Hilda’s and St Margaret’s in great style.

The team was in ranked order:Brogan Maoate (Tennis Capt)Jess OttowaIlsje ErasmusZoë BerrymanCharlotte Aitken

They proceeded to the Nationals on 26 - 30 March.

I would like to thank all the mothers for preparing their daughters for this event and in particular to Ali Maoate and Viv Ottowa who took the team away, and to Alastair Hunt, the coach, who although unable to go, kept the girls inspired.

Brenda Rowberry Teacher in Charge of Tennis

Touch Term 1 sport always gets off to a roaring start and Touch is no exception to this. With Wednesday games, Canterbury & South Island Touch Championships, Quad Tournament and representative tournaments all in the mix, a lot of Touch happens in a short period of time.

It was fabulous to secure some experienced coaches this season, including Canterbury U15 coach, Tama Thompson (Junior A coach) and Canterbury Open Women’s player and ex-Rangi student, Chloe Williamson (Senior B coach). Both Tama and Chloe added enormous strength to our coaching team along with the return of Supertouch coach, Cally Hoani.

The strength of the players at junior level, supported by some great coaching, was reflected in the winning of the Junior Div 1 grade by the Junior A team. Other teams also performed well with the Junior B team playing in the Div 2 final and several teams in the top four of their sections.

The Supertouch team is capably led this year by Year 12 girls and Canterbury Representative players, Holly Brown and Anna Radovonich. Combined with six of their Year 12 peers, this is one of the youngest Supertouch squads we have seen for a while, with six Year 10 girls and two Year 11 girls completing the 16 player squad. Heading into the Canterbury Championships in February, the aim was to qualify for South Islands, which they did as 3rd place qualifier. The team went on to finish 3rd in the Wednesday Supertouch competition and competed in the South Island Championships to finish 5th. A valiant effort for a young team who will only continue to grow in experience and confidence this year. As this goes to print, the team is hoping for a Wild Card place at Nationals in December where they will continue to build on what they have started. 2013 will be their turn to shine, I’m sure! Congratulations to those girls who represented Canterbury this season – Holly Brown, Anna Radovonich, Caitlin Rains (all

two for boys. The awards for girls were given to Rebecca and Phoebe at the end of 2011 for best batting and bowling. Rebecca received the cup for the best batter with 109 runs including a very good 50. Phoebe also received a cup for the best bowler with 8 wickets and 39 runs.

Phoebe Spiers and Rebecca Willis

DressageGreat results from the South Island Dressage ChampionshipsSarah Wadworth 3rd overall [i.e. against all adults], NZ Reserve Champion U21Belinda Field-Dodgson Level 1 & 2 Champion PonyEllie Braddock also good results.

All three formed the Rangi team [Belinda on 2 ponies] and won by at least 70 points! Well done girls!

GymnasticsHanna Malloch competing in artistic gymnastics at the Pacific Rim Championships earlier this month in Seattle, USA.

Hanna Malloch competes in the Junior International grade for artistic gymnasts and is ranked within the top five gymnasts in New Zealand. She recently represented New Zealand at the 2012 Pacific Rim Championships in Seattle where she competed against gymnasts from America, Russia, Canada, Japan, Australia, Mexico, Hong Kong, Chinese

Taipei, Panama and Colombia. Hanna paced 15th overall and her team finished 7th. Hanna trains 32 hours a week at Christchurch School of Gymnastics and her next big goal is the Youth Olympic Festival.

Rowing

From left: Ali Doig, Mandy Austin (parent), Emma Austin and Lucy Hutchinson at the last regatta on 29 January, Lake Ruataniwha, Twizel.


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U17 girls), Taylah Thompson (U15 girls), Romana Bell and Rosie Elliott (both mixed U15). It is great to see Rangi girls build their Touch knowledge through playing for Canterbury. Experience at a Canterbury level can only help make Rangi

Touch stronger and is something we will continue to encourage this season.

Well done to all the girls who took part in Touch this season – including those who helped with coaching and refereeing. We are already looking forward to the return of summer sport in Term 4!

VolleyballOnce again this year Volleyball has proven to be an extremely popular sporting option in Term 1, with the majority of the teams keen to play in the social competitions on Monday evening.

As usual, we fielded a team in both the Senior A League and Junior A competitions, with varying degrees of success in both. Term 1 is the busy time for the Senior A team with both the Canterbury and South Island championships contested here in Christchurch prior to teams heading off to the nationals in Palmerston North. Unfortunately this year for our team, we had sickness and injury and girls away at equestrian events so at both regional and provincial tournaments we were understrength, which was reflected in our results. As usual for Rangi, the girls who did play the tournaments fought hard and never gave up. At the South Island Champs we finished in 12th place and at the Canterbury Champs we finished in 11th place. With the whole contigent available for Quad tournament the girls fought hard to finish in 2nd place behind St Hilda’s, beating both St Margaret’s and Craighead.

The Junior A team had a quiet term with the focus on starting to build for their main tournaments in Term 4. This team will continue to play together over the winter term, so should hit the ground running later in the year.

Thanks to all the wonderful support given to the volleyball girls by both Terry Vuleta and Simon Vesty, who have both coached at the school for many years. Thanks also to the many staff and senior students who coach and/or accompany the social teams to their games. We could not enter the number of teams we do without your support.

Year 7 & 8 Sport Term 1, 2012Touch: Three teams played in the Friday afternoon competition at St Andrews College. Rangi White played consistently throughout the term and came 2nd overall, and the Blue and Gold teams had mixed success. The teams were mixed Years 7 and 8 girls, and they were ably coached by senior students.

Water Polo: the team played on Friday nights at Jellie Pool. Coached by the Sport Canterbury Water Polo Development

Officer, Deb Bowry, the team is making good progress. Games are often against mixed teams, so the girls have been challenged!

ISSA swimming: A team of 13 girls represented Rangi Ruru at the Independent Zone swimming Championships held at Wharenui Pool recently.

Results:Isabella Carter 11 year olds 50m freestyle 3rdIzzie 11 year olds 50m breaststroke 3rdVictoria 12 year olds 50m freestyle 3rdOlivia Mason 12 year olds 50m breaststroke 2ndOlivia Mason Open 50m butterfly 1st

CPSSA Swimming results Olivia Mason: 3rd 50m 12 year olds breaststroke; 3rd Open Butterfly

Aerobics: A group of girls have been practicing during lunch hours regularly this term. Senior students have been training the girls as they are work towards upcoming competitions.

Helen Joblin

Zones Swimming SportsOn the morning of Thursday the 15th of March was the day where the eager year 7 and year 8 swimmers of Rangi Ruru 2012 would show what they were made of. It was the morning of the zones swimming at the Wharenui Swimming pool.

When we had all arrived at the stadium, we could see that we had a bit if competition. The other schools in our zone were St Andrews College, The Cathedral Grammar School, St Margaret’s College, St Marks School, Medbury, Selwyn House School, St Michaels School. The first races were called and as we watched them, the butterflies in our stomachs grew stronger as we knew that our individual races were nearing. The first few Rangi girls had their races but unfortunately they didn’t make the finals. It was great to support our girls swimming for our school as you heard Rangi Ruru being chanted above the other schools.

As the finals races began, we were scared out of our skin this was our last chance to get to the Canterbury’s. The first two competitors in the final for their age group and gender went to the Canterbury’s. When it came my race I couldn’t get my grip because I was so nervous. We walked up on to the block and the whistle blew and we were off. I kept looking at the girl beside me, she was in front but I was determined to catch up to her. Then I saw Izzie we were tied I knew I had to pull my weight or I was going to lose to Izzie as the last fifteen metres came near I was beginning to sprint faster than my legs would take me. All in one touch of the wall my race was over. I was handed a piece of paper with number three on it. How I had hoped for that 1st or 2nd.

Well done to the Rangi Girls who came in the top three in the final: Izzie Evans 3rd 11 year old Breaststroke Isabella Carter 3rd 11 year old FreestyleVictoria Lill 3rd 12 year old Freestyle Olivia Mason 1st 12 year old breaststroke; 1st Open Butterfly. Well done to all the Girls that competed in this event. It was a fun experience to be part of and we look forward to next time.

Isabella Carter, 7HD

Anna Radovonich, Rosa Cross and Taylah Thompson, Super TouchPHOTO COURTESY OF RICHARD BELL


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It was my great pleasure to meet Barbara Chapman (nee Royds 1951-1957) and her niece Hilary Royds (2012- ) at Generation’s Day held on 20 March. Generation’s Day is a wonderful Rangi

event, where girls in Years 7, 9 and 13 (Forms 1, 3 & 7) can invite their mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers to a chapel service and morning tea. Occasionally aunts and other female relatives are deputised in these roles; and somehow sisters outside the chosen years seem to turn up for the morning tea too! Generation’s Day is a time to reflect on the generations of women, and their families, who have chosen to attend and support Rangi Ruru – for nearly 125 years.

Barbara and Hilary certainly gave me food for thought over morning tea. According to Barbara, forty-three members of her family have attended Rangi Ruru. That’s 43 sisters, cousins, mothers, grandmothers, nieces and aunts. There must be a reason for so

many of one extended family to choose Rangi Ruru. I didn’t ask Barbara this question, so don’t know her particular answer; I will be sure to ask next time we meet. I think one influencing factor that stands alongside the academics and co-curricular activities, is the connectedness that we have as a community. It allows us to be resilient, and ambitious, through good and hard times.

The school theme for this year is “making connections” - across the generations, within year groups, and within family groups. It is also about making connections across subject areas, connecting with other schools and educational practitioners. Wider still, it means creating connections with the wider Christchurch communities, as well as national and international communities. It is my observation that Rangi does this very very well. Perhaps that is why we get 43 members from one family attending the school.

On the theme of connections, I have recently taken over enrolments for Rangi Ruru. Already I have met such lovely families in this stage of their long Rangi lives. I am responsible for doing tours of the School and organising ‘Experience

Rangi’ (a half day taster), and I will be assisting with various school functions, such as Open Day. Please do get in touch if you know someone who might like to connect with us.

PS: Jesus Christ Superstar is nearly upon us! The joint Rangi Ruru & Christ’s College production is already looking and sounding fabulous. Buy a ticket and connect with our performing arts!

From the Community Coordinator

Hilary Royds and Mrs Barbara Chapman

engagement in early childhood settings. Ginger’s presentation, which incorporated video footage of travelling pre-schools in Hawaii, was a powerful reminder of the importance of recognising parents as first teachers, and supporting all families in our early childhood services through providing culturally responsive programmes that empower parents and children. We too recognised an alignment of Te Whāriki, the New Zealand early childhood curriculum and the curricula of the Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu.

The College’s 2012 Open Day is to be held on Monday 21 May, from 2-6 pm, at 54 Rossall Street, and further information is available from the College on (03) 983-3747.

Alison StevensonDirector

and education for infants and toddlers from a mental health perspective. Norah Fryer continues as coordinator of this programme, commuting from Auckland for the in-College sessions.

During this term we offered professional development to our associate teacher community, with a most enlightening presentation from Ginger Fink, who has extensive experience as a private consultant, author, curriculum developer and university and community college lecturer. Ginger is currently teaching at Clackamas Community College, Oregon. Jenny Walker, who is responsible for the associate teacher programme, met Ginger during a visit to tertiary institutions in Hawaii last year. Ginger shared with a large gathering of teachers, her experiences working in multicultural communities; specifically a multicultural perspective on collaboration and family

It has been reassuring to complete this first term of 2012 without disruption, which has enabled a focus on ensuring the students are settled into their studies. We are most fortunate to remain housed in our own buildings, meaning a relatively smooth commencement of the academic year.

The College’s pre-service roll sits at 72, with the majority of students enrolled in the Diploma of Teaching qualification, and six completing the one year nanny education qualification. In addition, 18 teachers are enrolled in the Certificate in Infant and Toddler Mental Health qualification for early childhood teachers; this being the largest group since the qualification was first offered in 2008. The interest in this study programme confirms the commitment of teachers to recognising the importance of providing high quality collaborative care

News from the Early Childhood College

Amelia Davis


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Monday 21 May, 2-6 pm

Over the January break, cosmetic enhancement of the indoor space created a refreshing look to the entrance way. The pre-school roll numbers have increased over the term, and a number of new families to the centre have enrolled their children. The teachers have incorporated some exciting, stimulating learning opportunities for the children in the programme; in particular visits from people in the community who have willingly given their time and shared their experiences and skills with the children. Highlights include a visit from Smith Construction Company, complete with machinery, the introduction of drama workshops; the return of Playball and capturing children’s interest in dance as an extension to the daily programme.

Our weekly e-mail communication to families is proving most beneficial in sharing the important happenings for children in the programme. We are finding too that the use of the television monitor in the main playroom to share digital photographic records of the events throughout the children’s day is providing an additional effective form of communication for both children and their families/whānau.

Over the next few months we are preparing for re-licensing of the service by the Ministry of Education, with a focus on ensuring all policies and procedures and operational processes comply with the 2008 Education (Early Childhood Services) regulations and licensing criteria.

Vanessa Pauley and staff

News from Rangi Ruru Preschool


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Kat Gee (1994-1999) has made an international reputation for herself in the fashion world with her jewellery brand, Kagi. Last year, Kagi was the only fashion label to be listed on Deloitte’s Fast 50.

In a recent interview for Next magazine, Kat explained how it all began with a life-changing decision while holidaying in the Marlborough Sounds in 2006. At the time, she was working as a graphic designer.

“I had an epiphany. It was one of those moments where I felt I wasn’t passionate about what I was doing. So I looked back to the times in my life when I was happy, and it was when I was making jewellery. It’s something tactile and something I love.”

Kat started jewellery classes at night school, and a year later quit her job.

In the five years since starting out, Kat has received an Icehouse scholarship and was highly commended at the International Pearl Design Awards. The former Rangi head girl says that getting placed on Deloitte’s Fast 50 was “definitely a high-point”.

Kagi, which is handmade by a small team of jewellers in China, is bold and simple designer jewellery using real gemstones and pearls. It has a celebrity following including Rachel Hunter, Bonnie Tyler and Trinny and Susannah.

“It’s great to have these women wear your product, but it’s just as satisfying having your everyday Kiwi women enjoying it,” Kat says.

Emily Laing (2001 -2005) is one of ten finalists in the New Zealand Olympic Songwriting Competition. Her song, “Raise Up Your Flag”, written under her stage name, Emmy Joyce, is about reflecting on and celebrating New Zealand’s sporting achievements, she says.

“Being from Christchurch, my sense of appreciation for my country has been heightened in light of our recent tragedies, and I think this song is a great way of reflecting on all the positive things

Celebrating Past Students & Staffwe remember about growing up in this country and our many accomplishments.”

The song-writing competition is part of the New Zealand-London Olympics campaign, “Making Us Proud”. It was developed by the New Zealand Olympic Committee in conjunction with the Play it Strange Music Trust to inspire Kiwi athletes at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The winning song, which will be decided through votes on the New Zealand Olympic team’s Facebook page, will become the team’s official song. The top entries will be professionally recorded for the Olympic Soundtrack album.

At Rangi, Emily was involved in a number of musical groups including the chorale, orchestra and barbershop. She had a lead role in the Rangi Ruru/Christ’s College production, Les Misérables.

Emily was also an accomplished sportswoman, winning a gold medal for gymnastics at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival and earning a tennis scholarship to an American university, Eckerd College, in Florida.

Natalie Jones (2001 - 2007) was one of two young New Zealander’s selected to represent the New Zealand Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association at Commonwealth Day in London on 12 March.

Natalie was chosen from a number of high-calibre applications because she was seen to demonstrate strong leadership skills, as well as having an interest in parliamentary and commonwealth affairs.

She and the other New Zealand representative, Fale Lesa, joined young people from countries throughout the Commonwealth for the one-day programme themed “Connecting Cultures”. The day included presentations and debates on current critical issues in the Commonwealth as well as attending the Observance at Westminster Abbey, at which the Queen was present.

Kathy Cron

Rangi Ruru former head of accounting Kathy Cron (staff member 1980-2011) has been recognised for nurturing budding business enthusiasts in her role as Young Enterprise mentor. Kathy was named Young Enterprise Teacher of the Year in 2001, but late last year received the highest accolade by winning the Sir James Fletcher Award for her outstanding contribution to the programme.

Kathy brought the Young Enterprise programme to Rangi 30 years ago, mentoring the many teams that have won regional and national awards until her retirement at the end of last year.

Under the scheme, teams of students dream up and run with entrepreneurial ideas without the risks they would face in the business world. They pursue their ventures and compete in the Young Enterprise Trust’s regional and national awards.

Her recipe for students’ success: “Confidence, communication skills, determination, enthusiasm and perseverance.”

After a career in nursing in the 1970s, Kathy studied commerce at Massey University, juggling studies with raising a family. She went on to Teachers’ College and Rangi was her first job.

Kathy isn’t one to put her feet up. She launched her “retirement” by setting off for new experiences in Asia and is now residing in Canada with her family.


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The Friends of Rangi held a highly successful “Free Family Fun Day on the Farm” on Sunday 12 February on Overland, the Waddington property of Lyn and Warwick Judd. This day was attended by the Principal, several teachers, longstanding and prospective members of The Friends of Rangi, and over 100 “friends” and family.

We were very fortunate with the weather and before most of the organised activities got under way, with a BBQ set up, everybody enjoyed their picnic on the expansive lawn and garden in front of the homestead.

Children and adults alike were fascinated and informed by the workings of a modern farm – this included various farm animals able to be touched and fed, a dog trial demonstration and sheep shearing (with a pet lamb in the audience).

A bouncy castle, pony rides and the miniature pony and cart rides were particularly popular with the children,

The Friends of Rangi Rurunot to mention all the races and lolly scrambles, and the fathers and childrens’ tug-of-war - with the children the resounding winners!

There was also additional interest with an impressive traction engine on display and going for a spin in a convertible Model

Overland, the Waddington property of Lyn and Warwick Judd

For RROGA, 2012 events began with the One Year On Drinks for the leavers of 2010. This was organised by Phoebe Clay, Head of School in 2010, at Woolston’s Cassels Brewery on 16 February before some of the year group continued their tertiary studies out of Christchurch.

The annual Janet Storry tennis tournament with old boys’ and girls’ from St Andrew’s, St Margaret’s and Christ’s

College was also held in February followed by a barbecue. Unfortunately RROGA was unable to field a bowls team this year but Robyn Cartwright (Good) is keen to hear for anyone wanting to play in February, 2013.

Following the pattern of previous years, while the Rangi students were away at their Sports Day, the Gibson Girls’ Lunch was held in the Dining Room. Jason Burrows and his team provided an appetising and delicious buffet lunch; the atmosphere was great with many of the more than fifty Gibson Girls’ who attended commenting it was “the best yet”. Neil Templeton, Rangi Ruru’s Business Manager, gave an update on the earthquake damage to the school’s buildings and the major revisioning required for the whole campus.

Work has begun on compiling names for the reunion lists for this year. The reunions will be held on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 October, 2012. If you were in Form 3 in 1992, 1982, 1972, 1962, 1952 or IVB1

or IVB2 in 1942 then this is your reunion year. People who left prior to that year or came to Rangi after that, are welcome to join with their contemporaries. We already have a group coordinating their 1982 year group. Other years will need organising groups too. You don’t need to live in Christchurch to do this. Email, Facebook and letters have worked well for previous years’ reunion coordinators. If this is your reunion year, mark 26 and 27 October in your diary now and mention it to your old school friends. If you haven’t heard anything more about your reunion by 31 July 2012, please contact us with your current details as we may not have your them.

By the time you read this, our RROGA Newsletter 2012 issue may still be able to include articles and updates. We aim to include notification of births, deaths and marriages and also articles or even a paragraph about an old girl that makes for interesting news. Please email [email protected] or phone Hilary at home on (03) 355 6284.

News from the Old Girls’ Association

A Ford. These rides certainly rounded off an amazing fun farm day.

Thanks especially to the country members of The Friends of Rangi committee for all the hard work and planning that made this day a truly memorable experience for all who attended.

Margaret Frampton (Denton), Brenda Webb (Marshall) and Isabel Suckling (Kitson) at the Gibson Girls Lunch


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Rangi News | April 2012