Rangi News | December 2012

The Newsletter of Rangi Ruru Girls’ School December 2012

Kapa Haka performing a Samoan Slap Danceat Prizegiving 2012 in CBS ArenaMore pictures on page 35.

Gold Braid Awards 2012 ................page 2Principal's Prizegiving Address .....page 3Board Report ..................................page 6Chaplain's Column..........................page 7Staff Farewells ...............................page 8Project Blue Sky ............................page 10Boarding House News ...................page 12From the Director of Theatre Arts..page 13

From the Director of Music ...........page 15From the Director of Sport .............page 26Early Childhood College ................page 32Friends of Rangi Ruru ....................page 33Old Girls' Association ....................page 34Prizegiving Photos .........................page 35Top Team Photos ............................page 36

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy break

Creating opportunity, releasing potential, achieving success.

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Gold Braid Awards (presented by the Dean of Year 13, Mrs Lorna van den Ende)

P.T.A. prizes for the Associate Heads of the School:Head of Cultural Activities – Samantha GuestDawson Prize for the Associate Head of the School with Responsibility for Community Service – Miranda HitchingsHead of Form Activities – Sophie LesterHead of Environmental Activities (and the Ian Stephenson Prize for Passion for the Environment) – Claudia ManneringHead of Health – Sarah WadworthHead of Sport – Charlotte AitkenEthel Gibson Memorial Prize for the Head of the House and the McKenzie Cup for Service in the House – Meg FergusonThe Samantha Perkins Memorial Prize for the Head of the School – Cara CrawfordThe Special Award for Perseverance – Hannah CorkeryThe Sophie Savill Cup for Outstanding Sportswoman – Sophia BatchelorThe Prize for Outstanding Performing Arts Student – Samantha Guest (Samantha has been awarded a University of Victoria Excellence Scholarship) The Principal’s Award (for generosity of spirit) – Claudia CathcartThe Dorothy Bates Trophy awarded to a pupil who shows outstanding potential during her years at school (‘reaching for the stars’) – Rebecca Hawkes (Rebecca has been awarded a University of Victoria Excellence Scholarship) Proxime Accessit (and the Rowan Billing Prize) – Harriet MarshallDux (and the Equico Dux prize) – Philippa TrevellaFaletoese Cup and the P.T.A. Prize for the Best All Round Girl in the School – Philippa Trevella

Victoria Butterick

Sarah Wadworth

Samatha Guest

Claudia ManneringSophia Batchelor

Cara CrawfordClaudia Cathcart

Philippa TrevellaHannah Corkey

Sophie Lester

Miranda Hitchings

Meg Ferguson

Charlotte Aitken

Rebecca Hawkes

Harriet Marshall

HEADS AND ASSOCIATES 2013

Head of School - Rosie SloanHead of House - Rosa CrossDeputy Head of House - Biddy ChaffeyCommunity Service - Sarita ChristensenCulture - India AlexanderEnvironment - Lucy McSweeneyForm Activities - Emily BoydHealth - Evelyn SpiersSport - Anna Radovonich CLAN LEADERS 2013

Balmoral - Emma Austin, Sophie PetersenBraemar - Gemma Davidson, Sarah MarshallDoune - Georgie Raymond, Sophie WhelanDunvegan - Dilshi Gunasekara, Georgia NashGlamis - Kitty Eglinton, Tayla WoodStirling - Bex Falconer, Mary Turner

Senior Leaders and Ms Moor 2012


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Principal’s Prizegiving AddressTena koutou Tena Koutou tena Koutou Katoa

Members of the Board of Governors, Staff, Families, guests and students

Before I start I understand that many of you, remembering last year’s ending, are eagerly anticipating just what we might have planned for this year. Actually – we fi rmly believe 2011 was always a special year and the unique ending was fi tting. We would hate to overshadow it! But 2012 has been special too.

Tonight is about the girls. It is a celebration of a year in which much has happened. Each of us, staff or student, has our own moment to remember, the ‘yes I or we did it’ moment, the ‘wow’ moment, or the moment of quiet satisfaction.

‘You’ve got to make those daring leaps or you’re nowhere’ said the Muskrat in The Mouse and his Child – always one of my favourite lines, which I’ve used before but it is always worth repeating and seems particularly pertinent this year.

Tonight is a celebration of daring leaps. Physically, socially, intellectually. Daring leaps into subjects that stretched, daring leaps into new sports, new ventures, higher grades, new environments.

Tonight is a celebration of achievements, big and small, in the classroom, on the sports fi eld and the stage, in ICAS competitions, in the stunning Jesus Christ

Superstar, Psychosis 4.48, the orchestra, in music or jazz festivals, German Oscars, Alliance Française, winter or summer tournaments, Saturday netball. Whether it was on the highways and byways of Malta, in the rugged terrain of the Goldrush and the Coast to Coast or on the slippery slopes of the mud run. It is a celebration of learning not just in the classroom, but at the Sydney Biennale, in Vietnam, Buenos Aires, Anakiwa, the Boyle, Castle Hill, in Northland, New York, Birmingham, Yokohama, Portobello, on the seas in the Spirit trophy and in the air for the physics fl ight. It’s a celebration not only of individuals but of groups. It’s a celebration of a community learning and growing together.

And, like the individuals that comprise it, a school also grows.

In two years’ time we will be celebrating 125 years – which in New Zealand is up there for schools. In that span of years a school has many milestones, but I think Rangi Ruru has had three absolutely game changing moments. The fi rst was when the Gibsons decided to buy the intellectual property of Miss Gresham’s school. It was actually Captain Gibson’s initiative because he needed his daughters to be gainfully employed. The second game changer was the forward thinking purchase of Te Koraha and its land in 1923. How very pleased we were this year to move back into Te Koraha and to open it up more to students. Selling

the school to the Presbyterian Church and the generously sponsored move of St Andrews to this site, were also very signifi cant, but the third most pivotal time is, I believe, now; the period from February 2011 going into the next two or three years as the educational landscape of the school is again changed. In a history marked by ambitious but thoughtful actions, of considered great leaps, this is an opportunity unique in New Zealand – a chance to build on the past and for the future.

There is a cacophony of talk about 21st century learning. We have been living and learning in the 21st century for 12 years now so it’s useful to consider what a 21st century learner looks like. A 21st century learner actually looks like every person in this stadium. We are all 21st century learners and therein lies one of the challenges - there is no one defi nition. There is no fi nite list of attributes. But there is an evolving set of behaviours and needs which often seem contradictory. Independent learner and team player, analytical and creative, self motivated and collaborative, high end skills and generic abilities, a strong sense of self and an ability to move easily among other cultures.

In fact these are not mutually exclusive and what they do all say is that learners are all individuals, there is no one size fi ts all, the industrial style of teaching is not appropriate and fl exibility , adaptability, relationships, skills and learning within context are key elements for our futures.

We at Rangi Ruru have looked at many schools in our journey to explore what Photography ‘Creeping/crawling’ by Bella Senior, Year 13


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works, what has actually been researched in terms of learning outcomes and what is just architectural or educational frippery or the latest fad (and NZ has had a few of those, mostly failed but of course still part of the landscape). We have sought to ascertain what empowers students, what engages them, what taps into their potential and what they enjoy.

Independence has ensured that as we look forward we can focus on achieving something that WE believe, rather than theorists in the Ministry of Education believe, will enhance teaching and learning . And we can build it now, on our site.

One of the great delights of this year has been working with a team of architects who are passionate and knowledgeable about education. The ideas that we had already formed were articulated by them very early on in the process, we found we didn’t have to explain.

Steve Jobs said “Design is a funny thing. Some people think design means how it looks. But of course, if you dig deeper, it’s really how it works”

Our architects understand that we need spaces for individuals, spaces for small groups, spaces for larger groups, spaces for sharing, talking, playing, zoning out, spaces for clans, for project work that takes several weeks and can’t be dismantled, spaces for quiet, for refl ection, spaces for connecting. They understand that being sustainable is important, that learning happens everywhere, that we need to be able to control the heat suddenly here in Christchurch when the February Nor wester comes. They understand that when students enter a particular classroom they are entering a special environment , that staff and students like to personalise spaces, to use the walls, to surround themselves with examples of the learning journey.

We had visited new schools that have rather vast and industrial spaces, accommodating several classes. While they have some interesting features, I do not believe they enhance learning. Rather, if we go down that path, we are in danger of going from the industrial model of delivery to an industrial model of facility. Buildings and facilities are, fi rst and foremost, about the people in them.

The spaces we create are there to serve the learning, to serve the people, and they need to be able to adapt over the coming years to changes we cannot yet envision. Technology has taught us about change that is hard to predict.

We have gone rapidly from a tiny handful of students to over 60% bringing their own devices to school. Many are multiple device people, fi tting the device to the purpose, switching from one to the other. Devices are giving us freedom and versatility and are used for far more than word processing and instant access to Wikipedia.

Cell phones are now regularly used to take photos of whiteboard notes, of homework, to create a visual diary of a project as evidence, to record an experiment , to make a fi lm.

Staff are photographing notes and work to post on ultranet for those who missed the lesson. They are creating video tutorials for revision, and step by step solutions to mathematical problems.

Instant access to the web allows fast access to detailed information, and allows instant clarifi cation and extension of any discussion ‘tangents’ so teaching moments are not lost but enhanced.

Technology has enabled these changes and many more. They are in fact changes that allow greater creativity, a focus on what matters, the content, the discussion, the exploration and the skills rather than on copying notes, writing down the homework. They are changes that allow us to move effortlessly beyond the walls of the classroom. Technology can free us from the tyranny of time and place, and can in fact enhance the role of the teacher, the mentor, the coach, the facilitator.

It is easy to be connected online, to learn by video link, to talk via facebook. But as human beings, face to face feedback or interaction in class, chatting over lunch, listening to others’ views, however different, are vital ways in which we are defi ned as human beings. We are social creatures. We do not want to be isolated, we do not want an environment where everyone is wired, computing, texting. Einstein said the human spirit must prevail over technology. And he is right.

Schools, now more than ever before, have a vital socialising function. The

development of a media saturated, omni -connected society makes it too easy for us to withdraw from real contact with each other, to communicate via something else. The role of the school as a place of human connection, of dialogue, of one to one, of engagement, of fun, of teams and competition, of socialising and of learning about relationships will become more and more important. When Donne wrote the no man is an island he would never have dreamed that those words could have meaning in a 21st century context, where the island could be one created by technology, cutting some off from the real humanity of humans, from the nuances, the body language, the give and take, the stuff of human relationships.

There is a phrase on education, the ‘soft curriculum’, which refers to personal development programmes and all that they involve. I don’t really like that term because to me there is nothing soft about it – this is the very core of learning and living – learning about ourselves, our relationships, and our role in society. If we get this wrong not a lot else will go right. Schools, as gathering places offering programmes both curricula and co curricula, are about personal growth. School hours will change in the future, methods of delivery will change, the subjects will change, but the need to develop interpersonal skills, teamwork, the ability to deal with confl ict, to walk in the shoes of others and to understand difference by hearing about it fi rst hand, the ability to speak, to perform, to debate, to listen, to explore, to push barriers and boundaries, to take risks – these things are at the core of what it is to be human. They are developed in communities.

We are creating new spaces for our community. We are creating spaces that we hope will be fl exible, comfortable, fun, engaging, functional – and to use the words one of the architect likes, elegant! They are spaces that will enable us to explore who we are, discover what we can do, stretch, develop, take risks, laugh. Project Blue Sky is another daring leap for Rangi Ruru. We are not going back. Lewis Carroll wrote – It’s no use going back to yesterday because I was a different person then. We are a different school now.

As individuals and as a school in the past two years we have faced what we never imagined we would face, we have done


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what we never thought we would do, we have achieved what we never dreamt we could do. We know that we are capable of embracing change, adapting, working together of overcoming obstacles that no crisis management plan would have included. We have learnt we can take leaps, collectively and individually, even if sometimes we’ve had a push that we didn’t expect. And we’ve learnt that we can build on our past to create an exciting future which, as always, has people at its heart.

Ko nga akorangi kei muri, ko nga whakaako kei mua, koina te akorangi o Rangi RuruMany of our recent harrowing experiences has afforded Rangi Ruru valuable lessons to grow from

I’d like to thank everyone, students and staff, for your extraordinary ability to cope with the now and to look ahead, to fi nd creative solutions to new problems, to smile and laugh, to work with commitment and to bring to Rangi Ruru a spirit that is special.

Just as a school takes daring leaps, so too do people. At the end of this year there are some staff who are taking leaps out of Rangi, including Mr Beer, Mrs Lever and

Ms Young, who have been with us for a considerable length of time and have given so much to the school. Fortunately MS Young will continue her equestrian involvement.

But I would like to make special mention of one person. Rowan Billing, who stands overseeing the prizes table tonight as she has done for so many years, leaves us at the end of the year after 37 years at Rangi Ruru. During that time she has been an inspirational English teacher and Head of English and, with a wide involvement in many corners of the school, she has shaped much of what we now take for granted. As Curriculum Manager she has steered the very successful implementation of NCEA and she has overseen all the systems and processes related to subjects, classes, assessment and reporting. It’s diffi cult to overstate the importance of what she has done and the passion with which she has done it. She has seen many changes, she has brought about many changes. She will be missed and we all thank her for a dedication to Rangi Ruru that has been extraordinary. She is proof that we never stop taking daring leaps.

And fi nally to the students sitting behind me, our 2012 leavers. You are taking

daring leaps, to new places, new people, new learning . Einstein said “I have no special talent, I am only passionately curious”. Take curiosity with you wherever you go, because it will keep you learning and therefore growing . We have shared a journey together. Thank you for all that you have contributed to the school, for your hard work, your enthusiasm, your community spirit, for the myriad of ways in which you have been part of the Rangi story.

I began with a quote from a children’s story. They are often the best and most timeless stories, and I shall end with another, one that has been used in assembly this year, from Dr Seuss.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You are on your own and you know what you know. You are the one who’ll decide where to go.”Kia Kaha

Julie Moor, Principal

2012 Dance groups perform at Prizegiving


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Board Report

Parents, grandparents, friends of the school, students, faculty and staff, fellow Board members; welcome to the 2012 prizegiving. It is with some trepidation that I make my inaugural speech as chairman. Last year, in my capacity as simply one of the Board of Governors, I was able to fabricate a late arrival to this equivalent event. For my lack of punctuality I was rewarded twofold, I avoided sitting on the stage but more importantly, I avoided getting wet. Budgets are tighter this year so I have asked Julie and her team not go to the extra distance and involve the fi re brigade.

Be that as it may, I now fi nd myself at the podium delivering a speech. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I am particularly embarrassed by public speaking, or that it bothers me in the slightest to stand before you all. My nervousness is simply that I am not confi dent that I have the necessary professional poise to do such an occasion as this, justice.

I recall my fi rst Rangi prizegiving, leaving the Christchurch Town Hall being quite smitten by the whole event. I was extremely impressed by the very professional and highly developed skits delivered and by the girls’ amazing academic achievements and sporting feats during the year. I am sure this year’s prizegiving will be no different.

You see, the fact is that I am in awe of Rangi Ruru and all that it stands for. Through the efforts of Julie and her staff, the Rangi girls present here today are all so much more self-aware, confi dent and better equipped to face the challenges of the world than I was at their age.

Anyway enough about my own insecurities, let’s get into it.

The challenge for the Rangi Ruru Board this year has been to turn last years’ adversity into an opportunity. Project Blue Sky is the physical manifestation of this. We have been focused on redeveloping the Rangi Ruru campus into one that refl ects international best practice for high performance in girls’ education. As it happens this challenge had actually started at the board table several years prior to the Christchurch earthquake series. The Board was conscious that the campus layout was not optimal for the 21st century requirements of spaces for teaching young ladies.

The recent geological events of Christchurch have given us an opportunity to redevelop, not simply rebuild or as would be normal for most schools in New Zealand, reconfi gure. For the fi rst time in several generations Rangi Ruru is facing an unprecedented opportunity.

Rangi, by choosing to redevelop, has embraced the opportunity to design and create the best possible teaching and learning spaces for faculty and students alike so Rangi Ruru can become the best girls’ school in the world. The re-development will be done in a way that is learner-centric; provides a healthy and safe environment; supports community connections; is aesthetically signifi cant and in keeping with the proud tradition of the School and incorporates and demonstrates sustainability. What we build will incorporate the best of readily available technologies and techniques for teaching and learning in a way that can adapt and evolve for the future.

The redevelopment started in earnest with the choice and appointment of architects. McIldowie Partners of Melbourne have deep understanding of educational design, and particularly their understanding of the design needs of a 21st century school for girls has impressed us. Educational design is McIldowie’s area of specialist knowledge. In 18 years of practice they have only done one project that was not a school. This is in stark contrast to many other architecture fi rms and practices that we considered.

This was also a brave and courageous decision for the board to take as our insurance was with Ansvar, an insurance company that has elected to leave the New Zealand Insurance market. In the process of doing so they requested that their clients enter into an early scheme of arrangement in the event that they may become insolvent. I am happy to report that amidst our insurers’ fi nancial frailty, settlement has now been reached. I am even happier to report that the fi nancial sum settled upon is enough to underwrite the early stages of the redevelopment.

Technology permitting, the board would like to show you, via a virtual walk through, the proposed science and technology block, along with the Gibson Centre.

It is important to understand that the independent school model, or private

school as you may be more familiar with, is an unusual commercial model. They are essentially set up to charge suffi cient fees that allow the school to pay its teachers wages and cover the other running costs. Profi ts that accrue are minimal relative to the assets deployed. They are not businesses that accumulate and retain profi ts to reinvest in their people and their buildings.

They ultimately and fundamentally live or die on the generosity of people who donate time, skills, and money. Time, is contributed by the many volunteers; skills by teachers, coaches tutors and student leaders; money from the parents and the wider Rangi community.

The full redevelopment as proposed will cost in excess of the insurance settlement and prudent level of borrowings. We have stage-planned Blue Sky such that it can be completed over a seven to ten year period. Over this time the board has committed to resourcing the pursuit of donations and dedications from people predisposed to what Rangi Ruru stands for and what it is, an outstanding Girls’ School.

This is an opportunity for this generation of members of the Rangi family to leave their imprint on Rangi Ruru. It needs to be seen in the context, and continuation of, the original sacrifi ce and contribution that the Gibson sisters made in the early 20th century.

We have an opportunity now, as a school community, to create a special teaching and learning environment that motivates, encourages, nurtures and attracts the very best teachers, who can, in turn, continue to help make the difference for this and future generations of Rangi girls.

The responsibilities of a school board are readily identifi ed as setting the strategy, compliance, and thirdly the appointment of the school Principal. Whilst I have spent a great deal of time updating you on Project Blue Sky I would not want you to leave todays prizegiving with the

Prizegiving Address delivered Thursday 6 December 2012, CBS Arena


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possible misconception that we have been so fi xated on the redevelopment that we have not also fulfi lled our governance obligations.

This Board, as with past Boards, believes that Rangi Ruru must provide fi rst rate educational, co-curricular and pastoral care. The Board has a number of subcommittees that are established to oversee the delivery of our strategy. However, this task is made so much easier if the school is fortunate enough to have a high calibre Principal. Ms Moor is such a Principal.

Ms Moor and her management team once again performed beyond expectation over the past year.

The Board undertook a review of Rangi Ruru’s Early Childhood Centre’s operation in the past year. After a full consideration of the way forward for the Centre, it was decided that tertiary programmes could no longer be undertaken by Rangi. As it stood we were the smallest organisation offering tertiary education in New Zealand, and to continue, we would need to deliver to degree level. The impending change

in compliance requirements and the subsequent investment costs of this were likely to make the Early Childhood Centre unprofi table going forward. The decision was made all the harder as Alison and her team of highly dedicated staff were offering an exceptional high quality product. This decision is going to end an 29 year history for Rangi.

This year also has seen the retirement of Rowan Billing after 37 years of employment at Rangi. The Board would be remiss if we did not record our heartfelt gratitude to all that she has done for past and present Rangi girls. We wish her well in her new endeavours.

I must thank too my fellows on the Board of Governors. They often have to balance their day job commitments, to assist and support the school. Our focus through this

Board and Foundation PositionsAt the Board and Foundation AGMs in 2013, some positions will become available by retirement. We welcome expressions of interest from members of the school community. If you are interested in contributing to the governance and support of the school please submit a brief curriculum vitae to the Secretary to the Board, Neil Templeton by 31 January 2013, email [email protected]

year has been on continuing to provide excellent education in a safe environment for your daughters and getting a balance between the redevelopment and staying fi nancially secure. I would like to make special mention of Stewart Barnett, who was appointed as an Honorary Board member to act as the schools agent in all its negotiations with parties involved with Blue Sky. This requires quite a lot of time and certainly a high degree of commercial acumen.

So from me, in closing and on behalf of the school, I would like to bid farewell to another very special group of girls; the class of 2012. May I wish you all the very best for your future.

Thank you

Stuart NattrassBoard Chair

Chaplain’s Column

Christian World Service writes in its Christmas Appeal information, this year:

“It’s a powerful, profound desire. The need for a place you can call ‘my place’.

When the need is met it provides security and hope. In the bible, the book of Genesis speaks of a place to ‘till and keep’ (2.15). Deny this need and the reverse is true. Despair and fear result.

We share some ancestral understanding of land loss. It drove many European ancestors here, while for Maori, land loss is still an issue. Globally, there is a battle raging about who owns land. The equivalent of eight Great Britain’s, that is about 200 million hectares of commonly owned land, has been land grabbed in the last ten years, in Africa, South America and Asia and put into private, often foreign ownership. “

“My place turns into their place, and people go hungry in a world where we grow 50% more food than we need.”

CWS works in partnership with local groups in some of these places to help them confront injustice and fi nd ways to live a sustainable life.

Here in Christchurch two years post-earthquakes we live with the “continuous reminder of the transient nature of humanity” as buildings are demolished and plans are developed for the future. We understand what it is to lose our place at the hands of nature and how important feeling empowered to move forward is in our recovery, both as a city and as individuals. Christmas is a good time to remind ourselves of the deeper understanding of the importance of neighbours, next door and in our community but also globally which we experienced during our time of loss. It is a good time to empathise with our neighbours in Haiti, where the lack of clear legal title has meant very little progress for Haiti’s homeless after their earthquake. CWS works with its Haitian partner to fund programmes to give people skills to rebuild local schools and earn a sustainable living.

Our Year 10 students and our Years 7 and 8 students have been turning their hearts and minds towards our neighbours here in Christchurch with ‘making a difference’ projects this term. I have been impressed with their willingness and ability to plan and execute small ways to step outside

their own ‘place’ and make a difference to their neighbours both locally and globally.

By the time you receive this we will have celebrated our carol services and wished you the blessings of hope and peace, love and joy. For me, the focus on the Christ child of the nativity story is a reminder of how the mixture of vulnerability and power in a child can move us to be generous and holy not only in our own place, but also by stepping into the place of those who are displaced and seek ways in which to empower and encourage hope.

May you have a blessed Christmas.

Yvonne Smith (Rev)Chaplain

“My Place – To till and to Keep”


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Rowan Billing

How is it possible to adequately express the depth and breadth of Rowan’s contribution to the fabric of Rangi Ruru, a contribution that has spanned nearly four decades!

Inspiring teacher of English, consummate administrator and systems’ analyst, servant leader, Curriculum Manager extraordinaire, entertaining presenter, and verse writer – are things that spring immediately to mind. Her meticulous attention to detail, passion for teaching and learning, astute problem solving and analytical abilities; her wisdom and intellect, and dedication and great sense of fun sum up what she has gifted to our school.

Rowan has fulfi lled numerous roles in her time at Rangi Ruru, from teacher of English, Head of Department, Teacher

in Charge of Horse Trials, to Dean of Form 7, as it was known in the 1980s, and since 1990, she has been an integral part of the Senior Management Team as Curriculum Manager. Throughout her tenure, Rowan has led Curriculum development in the school, established processes for the effective integration of National Qualifi cations and for detailed reporting systems and has worked tirelessly to support and mentor her colleagues through a myriad of major national changes. She has been involved in the appointment of most of the current teaching staff and has a vast and valuable institutional knowledge. Parents have for many years enjoyed her explanation of NCEA at the annual information evenings and her clear analysis of Rangi’s results, something in which she takes huge pride.

We fi rmly believe that Rangi Ruru’s consistently impressive performance in NCEA and Scholarship Examinations is in no small part due to the endeavour and commitment of Rowan Billing. Her passion has always been the girls, and in her role overseeing subject choices and timetabling she has always had their needs as her top priority. She has always gone the extra mile for the girls and staff and will be truly missed.

We wish Rowan a very happy and fulfi lling retirement, with e-books galore and countries to explore. We thank her for her extraordinary contribution to Rangi Ruru. She has inspired, challenged and empowered hundreds of learners, both girls and staff, and it has been a true privilege to work and learn with her. What a legacy she has left.

Rowan Billing is the embodiment of this quote by Lawrence Miller:

“Excellence is not an accomplishment. It is a spirit, a never-ending process.”

Carolyn Murgatroyd

Carolyn was appointed Communications Manager at Rangi Ruru in July, 2002, and quickly established herself in the new role. It is a signifi cant position, involving strategic thinking, marketing, internal and external communications, crisis management, research and an overview of all major school events. Such a challenging position requires a special person, and Carolyn has certainly demonstrated her accomplishment in each of these areas as well as in a number of others. Her passion, intelligence and keen business sense have ensured that strategic networking occurs, business links are developed and all communications, including our signage, are carefully managed.

Staff Leavers Farewell and Thank you!

Clare Flynn 10 yearsTania Morgan 10 yearsCarolyn Murgatroyd 10 yearsBrenda Rowberry 10 yearsLibby Sheehy 10 yearsDeborah Vercoe 10 years

Craig Bradley 15 yearsBarbara Foulkes 15 yearsKate Rivers 15 yearsRoss Widdup 15 yearsJacqui Griffi ths 20 years

Helen Joblin 20 yearsSusan Ogden 20 yearsJudi Hancock 25 yearsAllan Hawes 25 yearsJenny Walker 30 years

Long Service Awards 2012


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The development and careful refi nement of the school’s Crisis Management plan has proven to be one of Carolyn’s signifi cant achievements. The calm, measured way the school community responded at the time of the earthquakes in Christchurch is a tribute to her strategic and solution-focused planning.

Carolyn is an integral member of the senior management team. She is logical and pragmatic, engaging productively in all discussions and decision-making. Highly professional in her undertakings, Carolyn is well-respected by our school and wider communities. She and her small communications team have worked hard to establish reliable and effi cient communications, relationships, events and publicity. The Rangi ‘brand’ is widely respected, due in no small measure to Carolyn’s dedication and commitment.

Carolyn’s well-developed sense of humour has meant that we have all been highly entertained by her over the years. Her research skills are legendary; she devours information avidly but also perceptively, and she epitomises independence of thought. There is nothing Carolyn enjoys more than a problem to solve, it would seem! How we will miss her when she leaves Rangi Ruru at the end of this year to pursue new ventures.

David Beer

David Beer, Head of Chemistry and passionate advocate for science both in theory and in practice, has been a member of the Science faculty for 20 years. Now, David and his wife, Maryon, are making plans to sell their home with its magnifi cent garden, after one last

garden party, and move to Central Otago where they hope to cultivate grapes and enjoy the next phase of their lives. David’s often lively, sometimes literally explosive lessons have delighted Rangi girls over the years as he has sought to extend and enrich their learning.

As an enthusiast for classic cars, as well as 4 Wheel Drive explorations of the countryside, David is the proud owner of an early model MGB GT that has sometimes graced the school car parks. In 2002, David was awarded a New Zealand Science, Mathematics and Technology Fellowship which enabled him to travel to York University, to complete research in ‘Green Chemistry’. He took the opportunity to continue research into his family’s genealogy while in England, so will have plenty of interests in addition to viticulture to keep him busy in retirement. His extensive general knowledge is an asset to his teaching; many a Science fi eld-trip has been enhanced by David’s familiarity with geology throughout the South Island. Go well, David!

Rhona Lever

Rhona Lever, our greatly esteemed leader of the Mathematics Faculty, is about to leave Rangi Ruru for retirement after over 16 years of commitment to teaching and learning. Rhona is a superb mathematician, equally comfortable challenging and extending a Calculus class as she is in motivating a Year 9 class that is struggling to master basic concepts. Rhona’s desire for girls to experience success with Maths is part of the fabric of her faculty and, each year, over 80 girls opt for either Calculus or Statistics in their fi nal year of school, something that is to be celebrated. Rhona

was honoured with the Jim Campbell Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2005, which acknowledged her superior classroom practice and her contribution to mathematics education.

Rhona’s organisational skills and her meticulous planning ensure a collaborative, positive atmosphere within the faculty and this is a positive infl uence on student learning and progress. As a leader in mathematics at both local and national levels, where she has contributed to the development of new NCEA standards, Rhona’s professionalism is very much valued.

Music is also a major part of Rhona’s life; for many years she has contributed to school productions by playing her cello in the school orchestra. Retirement for Rhona will provide more time for her to indulge in music, reading and grandchildren, as well as more travel, no doubt. We will all miss Rhona’s delightful wit, intelligence and dry humour but we wish her a very happy future.

Norma Orlowski

Norma Orlowski has been a versatile member of our Languages Faculty since 2006. Her love of languages, well-travelled background and ability to teach both German and French with equal enthusiasm, mean she will be very much missed by her Languages colleagues. In the staff room, Norma’s warm, friendly and unassuming manner have won her many friends and we will all miss the rich conversations we have had with her over the years. Norma has decided it is time to visit family overseas, to undertake some travel and to explore other areas of interest next year; we will look forward to hearing of her adventures in the future.


10

Over the past period the key focus for the design team has been the Science block and the Gibson Centre, a multi-functional space where the library and technology services will be located. Progress has been good with design documentation for consent purposes and contractor pricing nearing completion.

General Academic and Music and Drama design have also commenced and will follow on.

Resource consent for the fi rst stage has been lodged and further discussions are

View of the Gibson Centre from Te Koraha

taking place with the Council’s Heritage Consultant. It is hoped that this process will not delay progress.

Building consents have also been lodged with the Council for piling and foundation works. Subject to no delays in the consent process, work will commence late December.

Overall, the aim of the project team is to have most construction completed and most of the above buildings in use by the start of the 2014 year.

Leighs Construction have been appointed the preferred contractors by the school and are presently working with the Design team to ensure a fantastic new campus is built in the most effi cient and cost effective manner possible.

It is important to note that the above does not disrupt normal school activity and with this in mind the current Music, Drama and English buildings will remain available.

The school pool has been the subject of a lot of repair strategies to enable the


11

View of the Gibson Centre from The Commons

Interior Perspectives

use of this facility and the school is now confi dent that starting 2013, the pool will be available.

Over the break, the building housing Dance and Media and the Maths/Library building will be demolished. A media classroom will be permanently established in Te Koraha and Dance will move to the newly established ‘hub’ on Rossall Street, where we have moved the spacious Lawn Block and also erected a substantial marquee.


12

Term 4 has seen the Boarding House swinging into the end of year activities. While the seniors are concentrating on their preparation for NCEA exams, the rest of us focus on things a little more community minded.

By this time of the year our girls really have become a little community and are happy to join in the chance to share some time with others. The Years 7 to 9 in particular showed their generosity of spirit during a visit from the staff and children at Cholmondeley Home. This has been an annual event for 20 years and the enthusiasm of all has never waned.

The opportunity this occasion gives our junior girls to interact with and entertain younger children from such a wide range of families, is immense. To see the smiles on faces of visitors and hosts alike brightened our evening. The joy of receiving a gift or being included in

Boarding House Newsgames with the older girls is obvious to us and a pleasure to be a part of.

After lots of fun and games and a tasty barbecue dinner, the tired little ones were bundled back into the vans to head back over the hill, home to bed.

During this year we have been focussing on Virtues; reading one most weeks at Formal Dinner. By giving our girls an opportunity to refl ect on such things as Endurance, Grace, Steadfastness, Helpfulness, Discernment and Forbearance, I believe we assist them in building skills for the future. Following the reading, a sheet giving more details is posted on the wall for those wishing to learn a little more. We can never learn too much about virtues; the thought provoking conversations around the House are a sign of the success of this initiative.

“Forbearance is the greatest virtue. Cover the blemishes, faults and weaknesses of others. Excuse their feelings, bury their weakness in silence...and forgive.” Karunamayi, 21st century guru

Rangi Ruru Boarding staff recently hosted our colleagues from other Christchurch Boarding Schools' to an end of year morning tea. Christchurch schools have a good, productive networking environment and take the opportunity each term to get together to discuss developments and to share ideas. We always fi nd that we learn from one another although generally our issues are much the same.

We wish all the Rangi family happy holidays.

Jude ConnochieDirector of Boarding

Years 7-10 at their Fish and Chip picnic at Sumner Beach 27 Nov 2012


13

Miranda Hitchings and Olivia Abbott performing in Julius Caesar

Year 13 students in 4.48 PSYCHOSIS

Refl ecting on the Theatre Arts for 2012, I am not only astonished at the array of opportunities our girls have had but, more importantly, how they have seized each of those opportunities and attained such extraordinary success.

The junior production, SHAKE RIPPLE AND ROLL, was a colourful showcase of singing, dancing and acting. There was fantastic ensemble playing for all of the girls involved and a star turn by Alice Norton who was stunning in the lead female role, the wicked Deanna la Domme.

STAGE CHALLENGE gave all Years 7 and 8 students a taste of ‘big theatre’ when they performed their glitzy piece, winning awards for Excellence for Concept, Set and Use of the Stage. What a triumph! Huge thanks to the staff and parents involved, especially Miss Forrest and Miss Clarkson who managed, designed, directed and choreographed the whole project.

At the Regional SGCNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival, the fi ve-minute scene from TITUS ANDRONICUS directed by Bridget Buchan and Sinomi Hood, and a 15-minute excerpt from JULIUS CAESAR were selected to go through to the nationals. At the nationals, JULIUS

From the Director of Theatre ArtsCAESAR won the award for Outstanding Movement and Dance (thanks Miss Clarkson), and individual awards were given to Olivia Abbott and Miranda Hitchings. Over 5,500 students took part in this year’s festival and Miranda was one of only 50 students to be selected for The National Schools’ Shakespeare Production.

Who will forget the senior production, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR?! Not me, that’s for sure. What a delight to work with the team at Christ’s College and see our girls shine in this wonderful production. There were so many wonderful performances, and performances by India Alexander as Mary Magdalene, Georgia Nash as Annas, and Sarah Marshall as Simon will remain indelible.

It would be fair to say that 4.48 PSYCHOSIS by Sarah Kane was not everyone’s cup-of-tea. Nonetheless, this challenging production provided the Year 13 Drama students with incredible learning and won them a raft of prizes at the NZ Theatre Federation festivals, including: Best Production Design and Technical; The Hunter Bell Memorial Trophy for Best Youth Production; The Radford Cup Be st Production of a Drama; The Sir James Hay Memorial Trophy for Best Overall Production.

Other highlights include Year 11 Drama with their moving performance of PASSENGERS by Fiona Farrel, which was deftly directed by Miss Forrest; and the Year 13 Monologues that showed how just how multi-talented our girls really are.

The successes the girls have had were only possible because of an enormous amount of support. My sincere thanks go to Ms Barnett and Mrs Kingsbury who on so many occasions made what seemed impossible, possible. Likewise, Miss Clarkson and Miss Forrest – the backbone of Theatre Arts at Rangi Ruru – who worked untiringly for performances, productions and festivals. It is with great sadness that we farewell Miss Forrest. I know that during the diffi cult months following the earthquake she ensured that Theatre Arts remained vibrant and viable. We are indebted to her.

We look forward to 2013 with a sense of excitement. The junior production, INTO THE WOODS Jr. is already in rehearsal; and the senior production, ROMEO AND JULIET will provide more challenges.

Robert GilbertDirector of Performing Arts


14

2012 has been a huge year for the dancers within the school. The Years 7 and 8 students began the year by being our fi rst entry into the Stage Challenge J Rock competition. Every girl rose to the occasion on the big night as they danced a piece about the importance of letting your individuality shine through. Our seniors took to the stage for Jesus Christ Superstar and seized the opportunity to

Dancedance to the fantastic music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Dance weaved its way into many of the theatrical performances throughout the year including Julius Caesar and Psychosis 4:48 and our dedicated dancers showed off their skills in our Evening of Dance which showcased everything from classical soloists to student choreography. The

year came to a close with a group of our top performers dancing up a storm in Hagley Park with the Christmas in the Park cast; our dancers are a dedicated and hardworking group, which makes us delighted to be offering NCEA credits to our Elite Dance Company in 2013.

Hannah ClarksonTheatre Arts

Our top dancers at Christmas in the Park

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15

The Music Department continued to be a hive of activity during Term 4. The focus in Years 7 and 8 was towards their participation in the Christchurch Primary Schools’ Music Festival at the beginning of the term. This festival is a wonderful celebration of music-making amongst senior Primary and Intermediate school students, fostering both participation and opportunities for all, along with musical excellence and extension for the more able musicians. Our girls did themselves proud and I know enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of this long standing Christchurch tradition.

Senior girls had their fi nal NCEA and Scholarship solo performance assessments, and consequently were practising in every available space in the department as part of their preparation. There were composition assessments due also, meaning that the music department computer and recording rooms were in heavy demand at times.

Two theatre concerts were held, starting with ‘Jazz in the Theatre’ at the end of October. This concert featured our Jazz Band, Jazz Combo (with special guests from Christ’s College) and some of our senior contemporary vocalists. On 14 November we hosted a ‘Spring Soirée’ giving many of our younger musicians a chance to perform – Junior Players, Bellbirds, Recorder Ensemble, Year 8 band ‘Harmony’, plus chamber music ensembles and soloists. Both concerts were well supported and once again demonstrated the variety and depth of music-making at Rangi. Our Junior Percussion ensembles also gave an impromptu ‘fl ash mob’

From the Director of Musicperformance during one of the rare fi ne weather lunchtimes we experienced during Term 4!

Rehearsals for the combined Rangi/Christ’s College Junior production of ‘Into the Woods’ have started and are going very well. Ms Sato is the musical director for this show and she is very impressed with the work that our girls have been putting into their rehearsals. The season will open at the end of March next year – further details to come.

Wednesday morning Chapel performances have continued right through until the end of the year. Thank you and congratulations to all girls who have performed at Chapel; it is a privilege to hear you perform, and we are certainly all in awe of the wide variety of musical talent. A special thanks to our Head of Music, Jasmine Jiang, who took on the task of organising the performances this year.

As I write there are girls preparing for practical music examinations with either Trinity College or the Royal Schools’ of Music, some at Grade 8 level and above; and for the National Concerto Competition – best wishes for these important events. Congratulations to those girls who have already sat these examinations and achieved results that they are proud of. We look forward to hearing the results from the current round of examinations in the New Year.

Resolutions provided poignant and refl ective moments during the Leavers’ Communion Service. Both Carol Services will feature performances by the Bellbirds, Junior Chorale, Recorder

Ensemble, Barbershop group and Resolutions, and Prizegiving will again feature Resolutions, Rangi Sinfonia and the Jazz Band.

My ongoing thanks to the dedicated and professional Music Department staff and team of Itinerant Music tutors who work so hard with our students, both individually and in small ensembles. Without your help and support we would not be able to offer such an extensive and enriching music programme to our girls.

We are farewelling two members of our Itinerant music staff. Mr Mark Hobson, our saxophone tutor, is leaving us to pursue a new music career opportunity in Auckland. Thank you Mark for the all the encouragement and support you have given to your students at Rangi. We wish you and your family well for your new venture. Our percussion tutor, Mrs Roanna Funcke, will be on maternity leave for Terms 1 and 2. All the very best Roanna for the exciting times ahead; we look forward to some photos and hopefully a visit with your new baby, and your return to us in Term 3.

Thank you too girls for all the wonderful music and fun times! To those of you leaving, all the very best. I hope that you have enjoyed your time at Rangi, and that music continues to enrich your life in some way. Season’s greetings to you all, and I look forward to another exciting year of music making in 2013.

Janet KingsburyDirector of Music

Ten Rangi girls have been selected for the 2013 New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra, with four of these girls in leadership positions within the orchestra. Students are selected from all over New Zealand. Congratulations to:Claire McSweeney (Year 10) - violinErica Boyd (Year 12) - viola

New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony OrchestraJenny Park (Year 11) - celloLucy McSweeney (Year 12) - celloIsabella Gregory (Year 8 ) - Principal FluteLynne Ando (Year 12) - Co-Principal Bassoon

Catherine Marshall (Year 12) - bassoonGenny Moon (Year 10) - Principal French HornSiyu Sun (Year 11) - Associate Principal French HornJennifer Kim (Year 12) - Percussion

Additional congratulations to Geeny Moon (French Horn) who has also been asked to play with the prestigious National Youth Orchestra for its 2013

National Youth Orchestraseason. This is a wonderful achievement for a Year 10 student. She will be joining Grace Leehan, who is also in Year 10. Grace plays the violin and was selected

for NYO this year and will continue in it for 2013. Both girls are Rangi music scholars.


16

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Each year Rangi girls are the recipients of many scholarships to universities in New Zealand and abroad. Substantial national tertiary scholarships have been awarded to several Year 13 students for 2013.

These scholarships are an acknowledgement of the focus, hard work and all-round ability of the girls. Some of these scholarships are very substantial and it is wonderful to see so many of the girls being acknowledged in this way. Some girls have been awarded several scholarships from different universities so they get to choose.

Congratulations girls.

Tertiary Scholarships Awarded for 2013*Canterbury UniversityCanterbury University Emerging Leaders’ Scholarship - Brittany ReaCanterbury University Emerging Leaders’ Scholarship - Kestrel RitchieCanterbury University Computer Science High Achievers Awards - Carina Blair

Lincoln University, CanterburyElite Sports Scholarship (Equestrian) - Ellie Braddock

Massey University 2013High Achiever Scholarship (Arts) - Emma Solomon

Otago University, DunedinAcademic Excellence Scholarship - Cara CrawfordThe R & E Seelye Trust Academic Excellence Scholarship - Philippa TrevellaLeaders of Tomorrow Scholarship - Miranda HitchingsMaori and Pacifi c Island Entrance Scholarship - Charlotte FakahauPerformance Scholarship - Alice Hay

University of AucklandThe University of Auckland Scholarship - Brittany ReaThe University of Auckland Scholarship - Philippa TrevellaFaculty of Business and Economics Entry Level Undergraduate Scholarship - Kestrel Ritchie

Top Scholarships Awarded to Rangi Ruru StudentsVictoria University, WellingtonExcellence Scholarship - Rosa BrookeExcellence Scholarship - Claire FordExcellence Scholarship - Rebecca GerardExcellence Scholarship - Sammy GuestExcellence Scholarship - Rebecca HawkesExcellence Scholarship - Miranda HitchingsExcellence Scholarship - Victoria ReaExcellence Scholarship - Tor RobinsonExcellence Scholarship - Hayley RussellExcellence Scholarship - Holly Scott-ListerExcellence Scholarship - Molly Williams

Russell McVeagh School Leaver’s Law Scholarship - Cara Crawford

Price Waterhouse Coopers Scholarship - Brittany Rea

Keliher Economics Foundation Economics Award - Brittany Rea

Hurunui District Council Secondary School Achievers Award – Sophie Black

*These are the Tertiary Scholarships won by Rangi Ruru students that we are currently aware of. Additional scholarship awards are advised throughout the year.


17

Yokohama JogakuinOur sister school, Yokohama Jogakuin had a pleasant visit to Rangi Ruru Girls’ School at the start of Term 4 from Wednesday 17 to Friday 19 October. Students from the junior school in Years 9 and 10 welcomed the girls and brought them into their classes, letting them experience New Zealand school life. The Japanese students were welcomed into our school community and have now made lifelong friends; most buddies exchanged email addresses before the end of the trip to keep in touch with one another.

Yokohama was welcomed by the whole school on Wednesday morning with a Powhiri from our kapa haka group and, later that afternoon they enjoyed a Maori culture session with Matua, absorbing themselves in our indigenous culture.

In classes, the girls had many questions to ask about how we live in New Zealand and managed to communicate very well, however sometimes charades and drawing had to be used. The most diffi cult thing for Rangi girls, I believe,

was asking the Yokohama girls what their life in Japan was like and choosing to break through the language barrier.

There were two groups, A and B, which switched at lunchtime meaning that the Rangi girls Yokohama buddies were with them either morning or afternoon. However, on Friday, all partners had a lunch with a mixture of Japanese and New Zealand foods. This was a pleasant way to end the visit and a nice way to get to know the other Yokohama girls.

By coming to Rangi, the Yokohama Jogakuin students were enriched with New Zealand culture. They all vastly improved their English speaking skills and gained friends for life. Rangi girls experienced the Japanese students’ politeness and learnt some lessons from this too. This visit is defi nitely one of the most exciting and enjoyable times of the year for the junior school.

Jacqui Frizelle, Year 10

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18

Beyond the Classroom - GATEMost highly able students and many gifted students are happy and well-adjusted. They fl ourish and engage fully with the life of the school, taking advantage of the many opportunities that come their way and forming lasting, positive friendships within their year group. For others, however, their experience of school can be markedly different. It is estimated that 20 to 25% of gifted students have social and emotional diffi culties, about twice as many as in the general population of students. Gifted youngsters are more

prone to heightened moral and emotional intensity and are sensitive to what they perceive as “parental and school expectations, perfectionism, and deep concerns about societal problems”.

Another problem that can face gifted youngsters is a sense of isolation. Often these students do not relate well or share the interests of their “age appropriate” classmates. Because their interests are often regarded as quirky, gifted students can be unfavourably labelled as “nerds”

and school, rather than being a place to celebrate, becomes a place to endure. As a school we have a responsibility to try to provide an environment that nurtures all our students. We need to be fl exible, to encourage risk taking and most importantly, we need to be mindful of and rejoice in difference. Helping our gifted students isn’t a “bonus or optional extra; it’s a professional obligation”.

Sue OgdenGATE co-ordinator

Year 8 Marine Biology Trip – NZMSC, Otago PeninsulaAfter several weeks of anxious waiting and last minute packing, 16 students from Year 8 fi nally boarded two minivans for our much anticipated trip to the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre in Portobello, Dunedin.

Following a 7 o’clock rendezvous outside Te Koraha, we set out on our seven hour journey! Although we had several fresh air breaks on the trip down, getting out at the tourist park was defi nitely a relief; so much so that we all ran off to our cabins without realising that we didn’t have any keys to get in.

Settling into our cabins and quickly changing into Marine Biology suitable clothes, we emerged half an hour later ready to begin our learning programme at the NZ Marine Studies Centre.

We felt nervous when we arrived at the centre and met the staff who would be our tutors for the next few days but gradually we relaxed as we became immersed in our programme “Sea-ing is believing”. For the next few days we dissected squid, conducted painstaking experiments, went out to the deepest part of the harbour on

a research vessel, and learnt about the rigours of scientifi c investigation.

The trip was an amazing experience and we learnt so many valuable things. This really was the opportunity of a lifetime, and we were all so glad we were able to take part in it. It taught us so much that

we wouldn’t have fully appreciated in the classroom. Thank you so much to Ms Ogden, our wonderful organiser (not an easy job!) Mrs Brettell and Mr Stephenson for continually putting up with us, and generally helping so invaluably. It was a great trip to be a part of.

Ella Eberhardt and Penny Dray, Year 8

Congratulations to Madison Hughes and Jenny Park (Year 11)Despite only being in Year 11, Madison and Jenny undertook and successfully completed a Level 3 independent research project in Social Psychology. The assessment analysing a piece of psychological research was worth six credits. A great effort by both girls.

Congratulations to Tor Robinson (Year 13)Tor has received more creative writing success. She received the Editors Choice in the 2012 NZ Poetry society awards.


19

The theme for this year’s Marine Biology trip was “Making sense of the marine world aids survival and enriches lives”. To do this we travelled down to Portobello where we got to get up close with the marine life in Dunedin Harbour. As soon as we arrived at the Marine Studies Centre on the Otago Peninsula, we were right into the programme. One of the fi rst things we did was to go out on a research boat where we collected samples to bring back for later use. It was great seeing all the different equipment they used. We learnt how to conduct robust experiments on different species of marine life including stalk-eyed mud crabs and apricot sea stars, which we found fascinating. We had heaps of fun in groups where we set up our own experiments to do with variables and species that we were interested in. Although we learnt so much about what’s in the waters, we also discovered that there is an entire world out there that we haven’t even started to understand. Another thing that we found interesting was going out to the estuary and collecting samples of the sand and sea life at low tide, high tide and halfway in between. The programme was full and very challenging at times but we came away with a greater appreciation of the Marine world.

Jemima Alison and Phoebe Robinson, Year 10

Year 10 Marine Biology Trip

Who Knows How LongIn the corner of our skythere is an offi ceWe wait there in the mudand the sky tucks itself away.Where we go only thegrass minds, thenforgets as we draw away.There he sits in the cornerthe desk aligned withbookshelf and cabinet.Stories condense onwallpaperrun into andthrough the moon.The crossword of the dayholds his mindmore than our muddy shoes.We wondered whether he wouldremember.

Tor Robinson (Year 13) Winner of the Editors Choice in the 2012 NZ Poetry society awards

Tor Robinson, Year 13, Painting


20

Over the summer break Madison will complete a tutorial programme and then sit a further Selection Exam in February 2013. After this a New Zealand team to compete in the 2013 International Biology Olympiad will be chosen.

We wish Madison well in this very prestigious competition.

Rebecca Allan, Megan Blackwood and FPS coach Sue Williams.

On Friday 2 November, Ms Allan and a very excited Megan Blackwood (Year 7) travelled up to Auckland for the National fi nals of the Future Problem Solving competition. They met up with Coach Sue Williams and the other 250 fi nalists from throughout New Zealand and began their preparation for the ‘lock up’ which would start the next morning. Megan competed in the Individual division and the topic for the competition was ‘Trade Barriers’.

On Friday night all competitors were invited to the opening ceremony where they could participate in a number of activities including making a fl ag based on previous topics. Saturday was a big day for Megan. She spent two hours in ‘lock up’ where she grappled with a new FPS scenario which related to an imaginary car company. In the afternoon she was involved in preparing a dramatic presentation related to solutions to problems. On Sunday the students performed for an audience of enthusiastic parents and coaches and eventually the

Future Problem Solving Successjudges announced the winners of the various divisions.

Megan gained 1st place for her division as an individual. This was an outstanding achievement especially as this was the

fi rst year Megan had taken part in FPS. As a result of this great win Megan will head over to the USA in July 2013 to compete in the Worlds.

A stunning achievement!

NZ International Biology Olympiad (NZIBO) Congratulations to Madison Hughes who has been selected to move into the 2nd round of the NZIBO selection process. In August, students from throughout New Zealand entered the selection process by completing a two hour examination and, as a Year 11 student, Madison’s inclusion into the next round is a great achievement.

From the girls who sat the ICAS Mathematics Competition in August we have some great results.

Special congratulations go to Isabella Gregory, Year 8, who gained a High Distinction, placing her in the top 1% of candidates.

ICAS Mathematics results 2012There were 16 girls who were in the top 10% of entrants, and gained Distinction:

Year 7: Megan Blackwood

Year 8: Jessie Anderson, Ashleigh Goh, Alex Summerfi eld

Year 9: Kimberley Gee, Karen Hu, Amy

Huang, Sujin Jung, Lucy Na, Chanel Sullivan, Harmony Zhou

Year 10: Suyoun Jung, Julie Kim, Clare Lin

Year 11: Madison Hughes, Hanseul Nam

We congratulate all the girls who entered for their efforts.


21

Year 10 Social Sciences Field TripOn 29 November 2012, all of the Year 10 Rangi girls were given a chance to take a tour around our closed city, the Red Zone, as part of our Social Sciences fi eld trip. For most of us, it was the fi rst time seeing and remembering the destruction and damage done to our city, as the Red Zone is not open to the public. There were several trips made throughout the day as Red Bus could not fi t all of us on at once. As the third group, 45 Rangi girls got onto the bus fi lled with excitement and curiosity about the sights that we were soon to come across with a guide from the Canterbury Museum.

As part of the tour, we fi rst went past the white chair memorial for all the victims of the February 2011 earthquake. There were 185 different white chairs laid out to remember the 185 lives that the quake took. Even though these chairs showed something sorrowful, I felt that the white colour of the chairs brought a sense of hope and new beginning to the dull and dusty area that has now been cleared.

From there we travelled through the Red Zone looking at both old and soon-to-be-demolished buildings and new buildings already being put up. We saw the foundations of the Cardboard Cathedral and the gap at the CTV site. We also saw the restored New Regent Street and the Isaac Theatre Royal with the whole middle section missing! We watched Twinkletoes work on the Holiday Inn (a ‘dirty demolition’ because of the aftershocks) and we saw the remnants

of the Farmers building. We also came across other historical buildings hoping to be saved such as the Provincial Chambers and Trinity Church. Along the way we found out many interesting facts about our city such as 4500 cars were left inside the Four Avenues and had to be towed out after the February earthquake and that rescue workers had to fl ood the basement of the Hotel Grand Chancellor with concrete to stop it leaning, and potentially taking out other buildings in the area. Fifteen luxury cars were buried under concrete in there!

By the end of the bus tour, we had all learnt something new and different. Overall, the Red Zone Red Bus trip was a fantastic way to end Social Sciences for 2012.

Our thanks to Ms Scott for organising the trip and our teachers Ms Secker and Mr Sloss (and others) who came with us on this journey. We recommend all Cantabrians take the trip as it is a great way to see progress being made in the Red Zone.

Suyoun Jung, Year 10


22

The theme for the Year 9 dance was ‘I Wish I Was’ and was chosen from a voting poll throughout Year 9. We decided that it would be a good theme considering that you could dress as anything you wanted! The dance was organised by our Year 9 Dean, Miss Frew and the Year 9 dance committee. Each of the dance

Year 9 Dancecommittee members was given a job to do, including: cost, decorations, drinks/food, music, and to create the themed photo backdrop. The dance was held in the gym and as we walked inside, it was covered in stars, fairy lights, streamers and glitter! There was a wide variety of different costumes and it really showed

peoples' creative sides! Overall we had such a fun night and it was worth the effort we put into it. The music, lights and decorations all worked really well and we had such a great night!

By Charlie Rose and Genevieve Lacey-Metcalfe


23

This year the Languages Faculty was really excited to present their talent and culture in Rangi’s second Languages Cabaret on Wednesday 12 September. Over Terms 2 and 3, a number of languages classes dedicated some of their class time developing an item to perform in the show. The variety of acts this year was outstanding; there were many talents including acting, singing, dancing and much more. The audience was able to experience cultural aspects from the fi ve languages taught at Rangi: Maori, French, Spanish, German and Japanese. Some highlights of the night were the Year 10 French fashion

Languages Cabaret 2012parade, “Défi lé de Mode” and the Year 9 advanced Spanish role-play about a disaster restaurant, “El Restaurante Desastre”. It was a great opportunity for students across all year levels to work together to create a memorable night. A lot of commitment was put in by the students who performed in the cabaret, as well as those who helped with stage management, presentation, decorations and technology. The night wouldn’t have been a success without the help of the languages teachers who gave their time and effort to helping all the classes prepare their cabaret items. We were also extremely lucky to have three assistant

teachers with us who offered their skills in preparing students and making fantastic props. The night was a huge success with a full audience who were immersed in cultures very different to their own.

Rachel Rountree, Year 13,Head of Languages Activities

Whina Brett, Year 11 Abbie Sprott, Year 12 The hosts Olivia Abbott and Margeaux Frizelle are both wearing dresses designed by Margeaux

News from Textile TechnologyIn Vogue Fashion Show

This year Margeaux Frizelle, Year 13, incorporated a fashion show as part of her year’s work for the Fashion Fabric and Design NCEA Level 3 course. The fashion show was an evening to showcase students' textile projects on the catwalk. The main focus of this event was to celebrate the success of individual student work from Years 7 to 13. The Helen Kitson Function Centre provided

an excellent space for a fashion runway. As guests arrived they were greeted with a glass of bubbles and chocolate, with entertainment provided by the school jazz band. Fairy lights twinkled in the dim room as spotlights lit up the catwalk – the main attraction. Margeaux and I hosted the evening by introducing each year group and their projects to the audience.

The fi nale of the evening saw the present Year 13 students speak about the project they had chosen and worked on throughout the year. The feedback from the audience was incredibly positive, with some hoping to see more school fashion shows like this in the future.

By Olivia Abbott, Year 13


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As a new authentic learning experience, the Year 10 Textile Technology class undertook the opportunity to design and make t-shirts for children who attend Ngaire Larcombe Kidsfi rst Kindergarten in Wainoni. As a class they initially discussed all the knowledge they would need to be able to complete the task. This included fi nding out important considerations for children’s clothing; techniques used to construct t-shirts and the various methods of applied design. One of the most important tasks

Year 10 Textile Technology

Bella Brown with Te Ana in her t-shirtJemima Allison and Felicity Prendergast talking style

was to interview their stakeholders, the individual children. This involved visiting the kindergarten to meet the children and ask them questions to fi nd out the individual child’s favourite activities and style preferences; they also took their measurements. The next four weeks were incredibly busy for the students as they designed and put their skills into practice. To meet the deadline of delivering the t-shirts, some students came in after school and even at the weekend. On 11 September, the students

delivered the t-shirts to the excited pre-schoolers. For some this was a highlight of the task, with comments in their evaluations such as “the best part for me was giving my t-shirt and seeing her face light up.” During this unit of work I witnessed girls develop competencies and skills, but in particular that sense of community and generosity of spirit was evident throughout and of which that they can all be proud.

Jane O’Callaghan, Textile Technology teacher

The Flatpack Young Enterprise team, represented Rangi Ruru at the National Yong Enterprise Awards in Wellington on Tuesday 4 December. The team, consisting of Sophie Green, Emily Tasker, Elizabeth Bridges, Anika Bayly and Annabelle Williamson, has enjoyed huge success during the year as they developed their Flatpack - a heavy duty storage bag to fi t on the back of a quad bike. Their intense commitment to the development of their Flatpack was further rewarded in Wellington with the team winning the Ministry of Youth Development Award for Innovation as well as the MOVAC award for growth potential. The fi ve girls delighted the staff and parents present with their professional appearance and presentation. Rangi Ruru can indeed be proud of these students!

Flatpack Young Enterprise Team


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News from Years 7 & 8St Kentigern School for Girls-Corran Sport and Cultural Exchange

A group of 26 girls and 3 staff went to St Kentigern School for Girls-Corran on 4-6 September. This was the second Sport and Cultural exchange with the Auckland School, and the girls keenly fundraised towards the cost of their trip. The Theatre Sports and Debating teams were chosen through trials which senior students ran, and the Years 7 and 8A Basketball team and a combined hockey team were also involved.

The group fl ew to Auckland and were billeted by the SKSG-Corran girls. The next morning the group joined the school at their Chapel Service. Debating (won by SKSG-Corran) and Theatre Sports games followed. These were very entertaining and played in front of an enthusiastic audience of junior classes. In the afternoon we went to St Kentigern

College for the hockey game which Rangi won rather convincingly. The last day began with the basketball game at St Kentigern Primary School. This was a new sport for the SKSG-Corran girls, and while their skills improved, Rangi managed a comfortable win. After farewell speeches and the exchange of gifts and badges, we left our hosts and visited Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World. The girls enjoyed the experience of seeing sharks, stingray and penguins up close, and they were treated to stingray, eel and tropical fi sh feeding sessions.

The host families made

our girls very welcome and evening entertainment included visiting Auckland landmarks such as the Sky Tower. We look forward to hosting the SKSG-Corran girls in 2013.

Helen Joblin

Presenting our funds to the SPCA

This term, Year 7 participated in an Inquiry Based Learning project, or IBL for short. It all began when both classes huddled together in 7Fs tutor room, where we were challenged by the statement written in bold lettering on the whiteboard, “Girls can’t make a difference.” This drew a very strong reaction from the girls and we set out to prove it wrong.

We were then randomly allocated working groups by the teachers. Our fi rst task was to present a power point proposing why we should fundraise for certain charities. Initially, we nominated The Iran Earthquake Appeal because we all empathised with their plight. However, it was diffi cult to contribute money to this cause because The Red Cross was unable to link directly to it. It

Inquiry Based Learning Project (IBL)then became clear that supporting animals in some way was a popular choice. In the end, we nominated the SPCA. This had 100% support from the girls, because we wanted to physically hand over the money after working so hard to raise it.

The next step was to decide how we were going to fundraise. Mrs Foulkes and Mrs Holdsworth suggested we hold a market day. After considerable debate we decided on the catchy name “Market Mania.” Once it was settled that a market day was the best way to raise money, we set to work making our various projects. Parents were enlisted to help us bake and create our products; these ranged from baking to selling trinkets.

On a cold, bleak Tuesday we set up our stalls and managed to raise $475.60. “Dunk the teacher,” proved a popular

activity, with Mr Sloss good naturedly being on the receiving end of several wet sponges!

After all our hard work, we bundled excitedly into three shuttles to present the money we raised to the SPCA. They kindly showed us a slideshow explaining the role of the SPCA and then followed this with a guided tour, where we saw dogs, cats and sheep. I know I wasn’t the only girl tempted by the gorgeous little faces we saw. Sadly, there was no spare room in the shuttles for extra passengers.

Year 7 all worked hard during the IBL and we learnt a lot from this experience. We now know that every little contribution helps, but most of all we learnt that, “Girls can make a difference.”

Anna Doak, Year 7

Katherine, Grace and Jemima all set

Lily, Zoe and Charlotte Market in full swing!


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And, in the blink of an eye we fi nd ourselves at the end of another whirlwind year of sport and action here at Rangi. Who can believe it was a whole ten months ago I was writing about Athletics Sports and Summer Quad, and preparing the Cross Country girls for our wonderful trip to Malta?! Where has the time gone?

SportTerm 4 has come and gone in a fl ash, with a summer sports season that feels like it has ended just after beginning! The senior girls had a brief four week season which saw them compete in touch, tennis, futsal, kickboxing, archery, lawn-bowls, rowing and volleyball. The junior girls had an extra week of games and were slightly busier with a Waterpolo competition and the Canterbury SS Junior Volleyball champs.

Zonta Awards 2012Rangi was well represented at these awards once again this year, with our athletes taking out the Overall Winners Award in two of the six Categories presented on the night. To be the only school to take out two of the awards was an absolutely outstanding achievement. Congratulations to all our fi nalists. You all deserved to be there.With over 200 athletes nominated for the Zonta awards, to be named as a fi nalist was in itself an outstanding achievement.

Award for the most outstanding individual achievement by a young sportswoman and a young sportsman specialising in one sport. Girls Winner - Sophia Batchelor (Swimming) Highly Commended - Rosa Flanagan (Cross Country)

Awards for the most outstanding team of young sportswomen and sportsmen or mixed team. Girls Winner - Rangi Ruru Cross Country & Road Race Team – Rosa Flanagan, Annabelle Vincent, Libby Vincent,

Lucy Allison, Philippa Trevella, Gabrielle Gray, Kate Macdonald, Lauren Beckett Finalists - Rangi Ruru Multi Sport team – Alice Hay, Claudia Mannering, Libby Masefi eld

Award for the most valued contribution to a team by a young sports woman or sportsman who is not eligible for nomination in Categories 4 or 6. Finalist - Anna Radovonich (Hockey and Basketball)

Award for the best all round young sportswoman and young sportsman who has achieved in more than one sporting code Finalist - Kirsty Nation (Cricket and Hockey)

Zonta introduced a new category in 2011 for the Best Individual in each of the sports offered by School Sport Canterbury. Rangi had a signifi cant number of girls nominated in this category, with the following girls selected as the leaders within their sports: Cross Country/Road Race – Rosa Flanagan Cycling – Alice Hay Swimming – Sophia Batchelor

Congratulations to the following girls for their achievements since the last edition of Rangi News:Three of the Year 7 girls made the Touch Canterbury U13 Girls’ Squad, after weekend trials. Jess Miller, Pieta Hansen and Isabella Carter. Selected for the U15 Girls was Taylah Thompson, and for the U15 Mixed, Goldie Harding and the U17 mixed Sophie Radovonich. Congratulations girls.

SPORT HIGHLIGHTS TERM 4

Profi le: Charlotte Rozen Charlotte Rozen (pictured) with all the ribbons and trophies she has won during the year.

The large cup is from the Marist Albion netball club for the most conscientious player of 2012 in the KiwiAble netball team for athletes with special needs.

The swimming trophy is for the Canterbury swimmer of the year from Special Olympics, in recognition of Charlotte’s improved performances over the past three years.

The ribbons and medals are all for swimming and are from Canterbury ribbon days and South Island regional competitions.

In the Mid-Canterbury ribbon day in October, Charlotte won the 50m freestyle mixed A grade fi nal against some very strong competition from some excellent male athletes. She has also twice been a member of the victorious Canterbury freestyle relay team at the Dunedin regional games.

In 2011, Charlotte competed for Rangi Ruru at the South Island Champs in Dunedin, winning the 50m backstroke in the AWID (Adults with Intellectual Disabilities) category.

Congratulations Charlotte!


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Bowls Abby Pedersen and Abby Allison head to the National Secondary Schools’ Bowls Championships in Hamilton this weekend. To get to nationals, the girls played as a pair at local then regional qualifi ers where they earned the right to represent Canterbury in the Women’s Pairs. Secondary Schools’ Bowls is growing in popularity and 72 bowlers from around the country will take part in the competition. Abby and Abby will compete against twelve Women’s teams from around New Zealand in a three day competition of round robin play. The best of luck to Abby and Abby as they head away for what will be an exciting and challenging opportunity for them to represent Canterbury and Rangi Ruru at a national tournament.

CheerleadingAll Star Cheerleading Rock’n’Cheer Nationals Earlier in the year, my team, The Jaguarz, and other Christchurch cheerleading teams travelled up to Auckland to compete in the All Star Cheerleading Rock’n’Cheer nationals. My team came 1st out of Senior Level 3 and were Grand Champions in our level also.

A few weeks ago on the weekend of 27 and 28 November, Christchurch teams went to Auckland again and competed in the All Star Cheer’n’Dance Rave International Competiton. I entered the individual competition of senior ‘Cheerleader of the Year’ and came 1st. I also entered the tumble competition which was against girls who were in the New Zealand cheerleading team and came 3rd.

Our team, The Jaguarz, came 3rd in Teen Level 3. The following weekend, on 2 November, two Christchurch teams fl ew to Brisbane along with many other New Zealand teams to compete in the Australian Majors Competition. Unfortunately, a girl in my team got stitches in her leg the day before we left and during a practice run, before my team was due to compete, they split and she

was in a lot of pain. My team had to do the routine with one less person which meant we lost points because of the ratio of people stunting (throwing people in the air) and not stunting. The music skipped somehow during the routine so we were allowed a re-run at 9pm, which was 12am New Zealand time. As our team is mostly younger girls who were very tired, we weren’t competing at our best due to the time change.

The routines we perform are 2 min 30 seconds long and are made up of tumbling, stunts, jumps and dance. My individual routine was 1 minute long and consisted of everything but stunting. Cheerleading requires a lot of strength and fl exibility; it is a sport we do competitively, and not for the cause of ‘cheering’ on teams.

Annelise Thompson in Year 9 and Harriette Logan in Year 10, were in another Christchurch team called the Cheetahz who were undefeated at their two competitions this year in Auckland.

If anyone wants to join cheerleading they can call 0800 CHEERLEADER.

Zoe SprottYear 11

Cycling

Rangi Ruru cycling team at the Secondary Schools Cycling nationals

L-R Marc Prutton (coach), Rose Marshall-Lee, Alice Hay, Tessa Jenkins, Charlotte Hand, Gabby Gray, Chloe Jenkins and Anton Mogridge

On the 28-30 September six girls from the Rangi Ruru cycling team went up to Manawatu for the Secondary Schools’ Cycling nationals.


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This is a prestigious event with girls and boys teams from all over the country competing in three different races over three days.

We had one team competing in the Team Time Trial U20 girls, consisting of Alice Hay, Charlotte Hand, Tessa Jenkins, Gabby Gray and Rose Marshall-Lee. Given that the racing in South Island is aimed at individual events, whereas North Island teams train for the TT events, the girls had a hard task ahead of them. They had an awesome ride and came 3rd in the country, gaining a Bronze. It was a fantastic way to start the nationals!

The following day the girls had the Road Race; some of these fi elds had up to 97 riders, so it was pretty hectic.

Rose was fi rst to ride U15, coming 26th of 56 riders (her fi rst year of competing).

Chloe Jenkins rode 6th in her grade!

In the U17’s, Charlotte was 5th, Tessa 7th, Gabby 11th

Alice rode in U20’s, gaining Silver

Final day saw the points race, with plenty of crashes which our girls all avoided thankfully!

Chloe again gained 6th, U14

Rose a 5th, U15

In U17, Tessa 4th, Charlotte 11th, Gabby 29th

Alice gained a 2nd, another silver, making the podium three times overall.

The girls were buzzing at the end of day. Overall the schools are ranked on their placing, not the number of riders. Some of the big Auckland Schools have 20 plus riders. Rangi went to the Nationals with six riders and came 5th overall beating massive schools in the process, and were three places ahead of Villa.

The girls were absolutely stoked, and stuffed!

Anton Mogridge

GymnasticsHanna Malloch - has been selected in the NZL Australian Youth Olympic Team as one of four women gymnasts to compete in Sydney in January. To be successful gymnasts, train approximately 49 weeks of the year and normally train between 18 and 25 hours per week. Hanna is a member of her club’s senior squad and has had a very successful year. At NZL Nationals in October, Hanna was 2nd in the

All Round Junior International grade, which led to her selection in the AYOF Team. Hanna is also a member of the NZL Junior Women’s Team which has been named as a fi nalist in the 2012 Sport Canty Young Sports team of the Year category, due to their success at the Pacifi c Rim Championships in Everett in March this year. Well done Hanna. We will defi nitely be looking out for you in the future.

Polo

L to R: Georgia Burrows, Sophie Abbott, Victoria Butterick, Sophie Black and the Australian team.

This has been an amazing polo week with competition against Australian players from Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. We had the novel, but not-to-be -recommended experience, of playing in the rain at “Waireka” on Thursday. Our Gold team played four hard chukkas, with some great polo skills being shown; terrifi c teamwork kept us within 2 goals of the higher-ranked Australians.

Our team members, Sophie Abbott, Sophie Black, Victoria Butterick and Georgia Burrows have worked hard to build a team game over several years and have been extensively praised for all they have achieved. All the riders have several ponies and play Club polo as well.

Yesterday Rangi Ruru capped off a good polo season with Gold showing their class to win the “A” grade competition, Blue won the “B” grade and White showed their potential for the future. The Most Valued Player “A” grade award went to Georgia Burrows.

Surf Life Saving Olivia Mason (Year 8) competed at the NZ Surf Lifesaving Pool Champs in Wellington recently.

She had a very successful weekend winning two gold, two silver and one bronze medal.

Competition was tough with 41 girls in her age group

Olivia’s results:NZ title Gold U14 Mixed 4 x 50m Medley Relay

NZ title Gold U14 Mixed 4 x 50m Obstacle Relay

Silver U14 100m Patient tow with Fins

Silver U13 50m Rescue Medley

Bronze U13 Brick carry

Congratulations Olivia!


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Tennis The Secondary Schools’ Tennis Championships have been taking place each Wednesday at the Cashmere Tennis Club.

We had a team of 11 competing included the following girls:- Brogan Maoate, Zoe Berryman, Iljse Erasmus, Gemma Davidson, Rebekah Hider, Maddy Tait, Anna Robinson, Lucy Allison, Gabriella Hearn, Margot Willis and Anna Cochrane. Unfortunately Jess

Ottowa had to withdraw due to injury so Jess and Brogan were unable to defend their 2011 tittle.

Results to date:• Brogan and Zoe played off for the senior singles plate which

Zoe won.• Lucy won the Special plate in the intermediate Singles and

with Gabriella won the Special plate in the doubles.• Margot and Anna Cochrane will play for the Year 9 Doubles

Championships on Wednesday they meet in the semi-fi nal of the singles to be played on Tuesday so Rangi will have one of them contesting for the upcoming title.

These games have been good experience for our players challenging for places in the senior A team for next year.

In the regular Wednesday teams’ competition our Junior A team of Maria Milkina, Caitlin Rochford, Christina van Til and Brittany O’Rourke won the Year 10 Competition, playing up a grade. A great result. They are all promising players.

Congratulations to Anna Cochrane who won the Canterbury Year 9 Tennis Singles.

VolleyballJunior Volleyball was busy this term with six teams playing in the weekly competition and our Junior A team preparing for, and competing in, the Canterbury Junior Champs. Unfortunately,

for the members of this committed team, the competition at the championships was fi erce and the team were only able to come away from the three day tournament with two wins, fi nishing a disappointing 12th place. With fi ve of the team still available for next year’s Junior team it is hoped that the experience gained from the tournament will be a good benchmark from which to develop their game further. The girls

in the team were: Georgia Galbraith (Captain), Evie Burdon, Cilla Penny, Georgia Thompson, Madison Richards, Anna Maria Tulia, Hannah Kilduff and Annaliese Thompson.

WaterpoloTrying to keep the sport active, we had hoped to pull together a team to attend the South Island Junior Waterpolo Tournament in Invercargill at the end of November, but sadly, with too many other sporting commitments by the girls, we were unable to get the numbers needed to make this happen. It was heartening, however, to have this group of girls continue to attend the weekly practices and get stronger and more competitive each week in the local schools’ competition. We are hopeful this group will form the basis of a more competitive team in the senior competition in Term 1 next year.

A huge thank you must go to the Eglinton girls, Kitty and Lottie for their invaluable support coaching both the Junior and Years 7 and 8 levels.

YachtingOn Monday 19 November Emma Stenhouse and Olivia Humphrey attended to Junior Schools' Regatta at Mount Pleasant Yacht Club.Olivia came 2nd in the Optimist Fleet (from 12 Opti’s). It was a very close race!Emma came 1st in the Open fl eet in her Starling, fi nishing fi ve minutes before the 2nd boat.It was a lovely day of racing, with a gentle easterly and we enjoyed it very much!Olivia Humphrey and Emma Stenhouse (Year 10)

Years 7 & 8 SportISSA Championships The Rangi Ruru Years 7 & 8 Athletics team recently competed in the ISSA championships held at St Andrew’s College. The girls achieved very well in several events, and some will travel to Ashburton to compete at the Canterbury Primary Athletics Championships on 5 December.

11 year olds: Pieta Hansen - 2nd 60m Claudia Reid - 3rd shot put Pieta Hansen, Lucy Simpson, Claudia Reid, Hilary Royds - 2nd 4x100m relay

12 Year olds: Emma Hewitt - 1st discus; 3rd high jumpIzzie Evans - 1st shot putIsabella Carter – 2nd 1200m Annabel Prendergast – 3rd 60m and 100m Jess Miller – 3rd long jumpAnnabel Prendergast, Izzie Evans, Isabella Carter, Emma Hewitt – 3rd 4x100m relay

13 year olds:Flossie van der Pol – 2nd 100mFlossie van der Pol, Phoebe Spiers, Chloe Jenkins, Alex Summerfi eld - 1st 4x100m relay

Anna Cochrane


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Water PoloThe Rangi Years 7 & 8 Water Polo team recently won the C grade competition for Canterbury Years 7 & 8 Water Polo League. The team has been coached by Lottie Eglinton, assisted by Kitty Eglinton, and has made tremendous progress this year.They were able to show their skills in the fi nal against St Marks (mixed team) in the fi nal which they won 4-3.

Results of Canterbury Primary Schools’ Summer Tournament:The Quikhit and Tennis teams played in their competitions on Wednesday 21 November and had a most successful day. The Quikhit is a modifi ed cricket game for girls, and the team won all of their games. The newcomers improved their skills as the day progressed. There were many wickets (bowled, caught, and run-outs) while the batters managed to hit an occasional four.

The Year 8 Quikhit team - Back: Jayne Barclay, Molly Senior, Izzie Evans, Emma Hewitt, Front: Isabella Gregory, Phoebe Spiers, Alex Summerfi eld, Hannah Loeffen-Gallagher

The tennis team played well to come

3rd in their competition. They won their section and played

Karen England and Caitlin Wilson

In September I received an uncommon request from Caitlin Wilson, a daughter of an old girl, (Karen England 1974-1980). She wondered could she possibly attend Rangi Ruru for the day to experience what it was like to be a Rangi girl. She wrote,

“My mother is an Old Girl of your school and has good memories and friends from her days at Rangi Ruru. I would like to

From the Community Relations Coordinatorexperience school life in Christchurch and think it would be interesting to compare it with my school in London”.

Caitlin is thirteen years old and in Year 9 at Putney High School in London. For the day she was buddied with a fellow Year 9 student, Pia Peterson. Caitlin’s fi rst New Zealand class ever, was NZ Sign Language with Maaka Kahukuranui – what an introduction! Catching up after her visit she said Rangi was similar to her school in London, and that everyone was so very nice. She liked the classes she took, although thought that our seniors were terribly disadvantaged by being in uniform.

I did notice that her name badge was scrawled with names of girls and Facebook requests; so it might be a longer association with Rangi girls than she fi rst anticipated.

Another Old Girl happening was the Decade Reunion morning tea which I had the pleasure of attending. The absolute

highlight was meeting Kathy O’Malley nee Goddard (1962 - 1964) and Clare Ansley nee Grimmett (1961 – 1964) from the fi fty years on reunion group. Published below is a photo of their 5th Form class, 5G. You will notice that no teacher is present, and in fact this photo has not seen the (offi cial) light of day before.

Kathy and Clare told me that their class was being so impossibly silly for the photographer that their teacher walked off ‘in a huff’. The photo below is the fi fth take; note the broad smiles on the faces. As punishment the photo was withheld from the girls and their parents. At the end of their school career in 1964, Clare and Kathy showed great initiative by visiting the photography studio and ‘sweet-talking’ two copies of the photograph from them.

And yet another Old Girl is featured on this page, Josephine Flint Jones nee Chester (1927 – 1933), the eldest Gibson girl present at the recent Gibson Girls’

Villa Maria in the semi-fi nal where the lost, but beat Ellesmere College to win third place. The team comprised Jemima Bell, Claudia Reid, Amelia Bryden, Isabella Watson.

At the time of printing the Rangi Super Touch team and the Athletics team are both competing at their respective Nationals. We wish both teams all the very best of luck and look forward to celebrating their successes in 2013.

Canterbury Primary schools Athletics ChampionshipsA team of 8 travelled to these Championships in Ashburton on December 5th after qualifying at the Independent Zones Sports Day early in November.

ResultsThe 13 year old relay team won their heat and the fi nal in fi ne style (Phoebe Spiers, Annabel Prendergast, Alex Summerfi eld, and Flossie Van der Pol. ) Flossie also won her 100m heat and was 2nd in the fi nal.Isabella Carter was 8th in the 1200m 12 year old.Emma Hewitt was 4th in the 12 Year old Discus with a personal best throw.Pieta Hansen won her 11 year 60m heat and was 5th in the fi nal.Izzie Evans did her personal best Shot Put and was placed 12th in the 12 year old.These were great results as there was up to 36 competitors in each event The team had a successful day under extreme Nor West weather condition.Well done GIrls.


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Kathy Goddard and Clare Grimmett 3rd row, fi rst and second from left respectively. Josephine Flint Jones nee Chester

Morning tea. When I asked how she kept such a sprightly 96 years, she told me her father had advised her to eat porridge for breakfast, plenty of fruits and vegetables at meals, and nothing in between. Josephine travelled with her daughter Robin from Sydney to join us.

Thanks to Claire Mackintosh who fi lled in some details from my last Rangi News column. Mavis Reese, not only taught at Rangi Ruru but was also an Old Girl. Her association with Rangi lasted from being a student in 1913, to the end of her teaching at Rangi in 1942. That is quite

a contribution! The painting she gifted is called Elms in Hagley Park.

I had promised to release the bequest brochure with this edition of Rangi News, However I am stuck on the concept and name of a ‘bequest society’. The society (or clan, or circle or group) is Rangi’s way of showing our appreciation for your gift. It will also gather together like-minded people for events and celebrations. Inspired name suggestions are welcome.

On Friday 23 November, the school dining room opened its doors for the annual Gibson Girls’ morning tea. They were the girls at school during the principalship of the Misses Gibson. This year fi fty-eight attended, and after catching up with

Gibson Girls’ Morning Teafriends and acquaintances, listened to the Principal, Julie Moor, talk about future plans for the school.

Amelia DavisCommunity Relations Coordinator

The Gibson Girls enjoy catching up over morning teaBetty Lang nee McFarlane (1934 – 1938) and Rana Taylor nee Stewart (1941 – 1944)

We have recently changed the way we deliver Rangi News to our International community. Thank you to those who have let us know how they prefer to receive Rangi News. Unless you selected to continue receiving a hard copy, all future editions will be emailed rather than posted to our International community. If you have any queries please get in touch with Nicki Tipa at [email protected]

Change to Rangi News International mail


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Diploma of Teaching 2012 graduates

Diploma of Teaching Year 1/Nanny Education students

Certifi cate in Infant and Toddler Mental Health teachers.

The College and Pre-school staff, Julie Moor and guests from home-based early childhood services joined with students, family/whānau and friends to mark the end of the academic year at the College’s 28th graduation ceremony on Friday 23 November, at The Aurora Centre. Seventeen students completed their studies for the Diploma of Teaching (ECE) and 24 (including diploma students), were awarded the Rangi Ruru Certifi cate in Early Childhood Education and Care, incorporating the NZ Certifi cate in Nanny Education. Ten teachers completed requirements for the Certifi cate in Infant and Toddler Mental Health qualifi cation. A pleasing number of our teaching graduates have already secured employment in early childhood education and care services, both within Canterbury and beyond; all with their chosen age group of children.

At the graduation ceremony this year, we shared a message about education as shaping both our identity and our future. The experiences we have encountered during 2012 continue to re-shape our destiny, as we move forward in what are still unpredictable times for education across the spectrum in our city. Staff commended the graduating students who have persevered through on-going challenges and changes, displayed tenacity and maintained a professional demeanour and commitment to their beliefs and goals to complete successfully an early childhood qualifi cation.

New Zealand Certificate in Nanny Education (Level 5)- a one-year programme recognised internationally.

A career to many opportunities

We are a small friendly college with a big international reputation. Our college is set in spacious grounds close to the centre of Christchurch and we have wonderful facilities, including an on site pre-school, technology centre and fitness centre.

The Year 2012 from Rangi Ruru Early Childhood College

Accept

46 Rhodes Street, Christchurch E: [email protected] W: http://preschool.rangiruru.ac.nz

for children aged 2 to 5 years operating under a full day licence quiet location flexible hourswe offer 20 hours ECE

are a small community-based centre located at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, and employ fully qualified teaching staff. Our quality staff ratios and programmes provide children with diverse learning pathways and opportunities in small, intimate groups.

Places available now03 983 3757

Rangi Ruru Early Childhood College enters another period of change; at the end of 2014, the institution will close, on the 30th anniversary of operation as a tertiary private training establishment. As student numbers diminish over the next two years, and the Diploma of Teaching (ECE) programme phases out, staff and students will retain the same spirit of commitment and united sense of community that has been, and still underpins the College’s philosophy and approach to teaching and learning.

Alison Stevenson and staff


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This year is nearing the end for us again at the preschool and we have had another busy year with the children. We have again had student involvement from the Rangi Ruru Early Childhood College and we were delighted to see many of them graduate on 23 November. The children have really enjoyed having the students on placement and the students have gained a lot of practical hands-on experience.

Beth and Becks, two of our teachers, have been invited to speak at a conference for teachers in the North Island on 1 December, about some of our innovative practices here at Rangi Ruru. Their presentation looks at the way children

Rangi Ruru Preschool Newsbring their own learning identities to the shared learning experiences that we have in our centre. We will illustrate how these identities weave complex layers of participation as the interactions between friends infl uence the learning that occurs. Beth and Becks will link much of our work with the educational research of Professor Graham Nuthall (The hidden lives of learners), who worked in Illinois and at the University of Canterbury. His research in classrooms in New Zealand discovered that just because a teacher was teaching, it did not mean that students were learning. This research also showed how children learn in the classroom, and in particular, how infl uential the world of their peers was on their learning.

The children have continued with their playball sessions this term and our popular music sessions with Sandy, our music teacher, have been a highlight for the children. Recently one of our parents came and showed the children a dissection of a sheep’s heart as the children had been looking at the human body; and another parent provided the children with a human skeleton to join together. From the commencement of 2013, the centre will operate a programme for children on Friday afternoons.

We wish the community a happy festive season.

Meri Kirihimete

From Vanessa, Beth, Becks, Jacki and Di.


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The Rangi Spring Fling “A Night at the Oscars”, held on Friday 31 August, was a resounding success with 140 guests who enjoyed the beautiful canapés prepared by Jason Burrows, danced the night away to the Funky Hot Mammas and were able to sample a wee tot from the Brave Heart Whiskey Bar staffed by Whiskey Galore. The guests were greeted at the beginning of the night by two very handsome Gold Oscar models and ushered into the event down a red carpet. There was a very successful Silent Auction held with some amazing prizes being won. The night raised approximately $12,500.

The PTA are about to donate a large sum for the purchase of the grande marquee and the Night at the Oscars helped raise funds for this donation.

Thank you to all the wonderful people who make up the Rangi Ruru PTA, your hard work and on-going dedication to the school is deeply appreciated.

L to R: Marianne Browne (Laidlaw), Judy Callaghan (Macbeth), Margaret Cannon (Cadness), Sheila Dunbar (Hutchison)

Those attending Reunion Weekend at the end of October had a wonderful sense of positivity and seemed very pleased to catch up with their old friends and their school. We are very grateful to the year group organisers who tried to track down every person from their year. Three year groups were coordinated mainly by volunteers from Nelson, Wellington and Hawke’s Bay and two groups were coordinated by volunteers from Christchurch. These volunteers are all busy people and prove the saying about asking a busy person if you want to get something done. Despite the pressures

RROGAon them, these people were very effi cient and pleasant to work with. Please take a moment now to do some maths and check whether your reunion might be coming up. If you were in Form IVB1/IVB2 or Form 3 in 1943, 1953, 1963, 1973, 1983 or 1993, then your reunion year is 2013. Your year of birth probably ends in 9 or 0 and your current age probably ends in a 2 or 3. Someone commented that it is a “push-pull” situation where you calculate when your reunion is and contact us if you haven’t heard anything about the reunion details by 31 July. We rely on some generous people to work

on contacting their year group so also consider whether you and some friends could do that together.

Lunch for the 70 Years On group was again held in Te Koraha’s Boardroom after lengthy repairs. We recognise this gathering as a very special occasion.

At the time of writing we are fi nalising arrangements for the Leavers’ Ball which is organised by members of RROGA Committee to mark the Year 13 girls becoming our youngest members. This is our second Leavers’ Ball at CBS Canterbury Arena which has suffi cient space for us to continue most of the traditions of previous years in a very special atmosphere.

In 2013 we have set dates for two events so far to mark in your diary.Tuesday 5 March 2013 is Gibson Girls’ Lunch. Invitations will be posted by the committee.Tuesday 28 May 2013 is the combined St Margaret’s / Rangi Bridge to be held at Crockfords.

Best wishes for a safe and happy Christmas and 2013 from RROGA Committee.

Contact person: Hilary Sutton, RROGA Administrator.Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Phone: 03 983 3700 ext 828

The Rangi Ruru PTA with the Oscar models

PTA

Spring Fling

Prizegiving

59 Hewitts Road, Christchurch 8014

Top Team 2012A celebration of the year and competition between tutor groups

Documents

Rangi News | December 2012