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October 2013 edition of Rangi News - the quarterly publication from Rangi Ruru Girls’ School.
Citation preview
COVER
Rangi NewsOCTOBER 2013
The Cultural Concert Samoa | Cycling
Cover info:Dance Company, directed by Hannah Clarkson performing Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend at the Cultural Concert. More pictures on back cover.
3 Leadership
3 News from the Principal
6 Chaplain’s Column
7 Year 13 Samoa Trip
8 Project Blue Sky
9 Around Rangi
9 Boarding House News
10 GATE Coordinators Desk
13 News from Year 7 & 8
16 Outward Bound 18 From the Director of Theatre Arts
20 From the Director of Music
24 Sport
24 Cycling 26 Equestrian 28 Orienteering
29 Community
29 From the Community Relations Coordinator
30 Celebrating Past Students
32 Early Childhood College
32 Preschool News
33 Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association
36 The Cultural Concert
CONTENTS
3
16 20
28 36
COVER
Rangi NewsOCTOBER 2013
The Cultural Concert Samoa | Cycling
Lesley Anderson 1918 - 2013Headmistress, 1969-72
We were sad to learn of the death of past Principal Lesley
Anderson on 16 September 2013 in Taupo. She was in her
95th year.
Miss Anderson headed Rangi Ruru from 1969 to 1972,
at which time she left to care for her ailing father. She was
a small woman with a no-nonsense manner, who set in
motion a great deal of change at the school. This included
dropping the word ‘Presbyterian’ from the school’s name,
rearranging the curriculum, instituting the Founders’ Day service, introducing meet
the teacher evenings, opening a canteen and adding a great emphasis on joining
clubs to broaden the girls’ education. Miss Anderson was also an accomplished
musician and foundation member of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
www.rangiruru.school.nz
7
3www.rangiruru.school.nz
News from the PrincipalEducation goes through phases and
suddenly certain terms or ideas become
‘flavour of the month’, some to the degree
of becoming clichéd, some fading into
oblivion after an initial hiss and a roar
and others proving to have substance
and becoming part of what we do. Some
of these have their genesis in overseas
ideas, some are political, some are
financial and some come about as a
result of good New Zealand educational
research.
Some of the ideas that have faded
have been bulk funding, open plan
classrooms, liberal studies. Some that
have proved themselves and have
morphed into standard policy or
procedures are tomorrow’s schools,
achievement based assessment and
inquiry learning. And of course now
we have the ubiquitous ‘21st century
learning’.
In his book ‘Our Secondary Schools
Don’t Work Anymore”, published in
1998, David Hood looked at what would
be required for schools in the then
next century and wrote “Schools must
become learner centred, not timetable or
teacher or class centred, but centred on
each individual’s learning needs, talents
and aspirations for the future. ….. shifting
traditional concepts of ownership and
dependency away from the system, the
school and teachers to the learner”.
This is something I have touched on
before, but when I go back to Hood’s
book, now 15 years on, I am always
impressed at the relevance and foresight
he showed but also slightly depressed
that it has taken New Zealand so long to
move in the direction he outlines. The
New Zealand Curriculum, which came
into being in 2007, reflects strongly
Hood’s beliefs and is very much centred
on the needs of young people. If you
haven’t read it I urge you to have a look at
nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz.
Student centred learning is a huge
concept and at the very heart of it is
something much more specific, and
which you will increasingly be hearing
about – personalised learning. Actually I
prefer the idea of personalising learning
as the use of a verb, and thus action,
seems more appropriate. The idea of
personalising learning is at the heart
of our philosophy at Rangi Ruru and is
reflected in our strategic framework.
Impressive sounding words are all
very well but they have to be translated
into something tangible, so what does
personalising learning look like?
Maybe I need to start with what
personalising learning is not. It is not
about every girl being able to do what
she wants when she wants. A school is
still a community and it still has to have a
framework in order to operate effectively
for everyone. It does not mean that you
can tailor a course that in the end will be
of no transferable value to you. It is not
about tailoring every lesson to always suit
the individual learning needs of everyone
in the class. It’s not about changing
the rules of deadlines, assignment
requirements, and course attendance.
What it is about is knowing every girl
and what her strengths are. It is about
4 Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.
having classes small enough for teachers
to engage one to one on a regular
basis. It’s about offering options within
a course; it’s about, where appropriate,
arranging a course that might include
multi levelling or using outside providers;
it’s about creating a learning environment
where, within the existing framework
there is sufficient flexibility for girls to
have choice. Above all it is about girls
feeling they are involved in determining
their own learning, in having the
opportunity to be part of the design of
their course.
This requires change. It is a different
way of working, it requires different
planning and operating, it requires a shift
in emphasis. It requires staff to guide, to
facilitate, to teach, but also to stand back
a little.
One of the things that greatly
facilitates a move away from the
‘mass market’ approach is technology.
Technology saves us time (most of
the time!), it is not bound by time and
space, by the walls of a classroom, and
thus it allows girls to learn, to explore
and to collaborate anytime, anywhere
– provided they have the framework.
Technology also allows girls to take
greater responsibility for their own
learning, which is an integral part of
personalising learning.
This year our teaching staff have
spent time on Tuesday mornings
specifically looking at the use of
technology to enhance their ability to
personalise learning for the
girls. This has been known
as ICE time, from our Inspire,
Challenge and Empower
vision, and while staff were
learning there was a very
valuable time for girls to work
with form seniors and in clans.
We are under no illusions
that we have a long way to
go in really personalising the
teaching and learning for our
students, and we are always
mindful that change should
enhance the learning and the
learning outcomes. Down
the track we do need to look
at the timetable, which is a
barrier to some of the things
we would like to achieve, but
we feel people have had to
deal with a lot change over the
last two years, and with new
spaces coming into being next
year, timetable changes might
just be a bit much. Within our
existing structures, however,
some exciting things have
been happening which enable girls to
take more responsibility for their courses
and their learning.
Some staff have been creating
instructional videos on YouTube
and specifically targeted learning
programmes for Scholarship students.
Some give these out through QR codes
for easy accessibility on smartphones.
Some courses, such as Media
and English, are offering a ‘menu’ of
achievement standards within one class
from which girls can choose and design
their own course, depending on strengths,
interests and future plans. In Year 13
Physics students choose to do Medical
Imaging (Internal) or Electricity (External).
Across year levels students are
increasingly able to track their own
FROM THE PRINCIPAL LEADERSHIP
2626 RANGI RURU GIRLS’ SCHOOL GIBSON CENTRE CONCEPT SEPTEMBER 20123
VIEW OF GIBSON CENTREFROM TE KORAHA
| Annual Appeal 2013
Support Rangi Ruru’s scholarships and 125th celebrations by completing and returning the enclosed 2013 Annual Appeal Brochure
Where learning happens: A Year 13 Economics class building a giant jigsaw.
5www.rangiruru.school.nz
FROM THE PRINCIPAL LEADERSHIP
progress, including using visual records
such as photos and movie clips of their
learning.
In some areas students can choose
how they present something – the day
of the essay is far from over but there are
other ways to show learning, just as there
are ways to learn other than sitting at a
desk in a classroom.
In the end it’s about knowing the
learner and her needs and endeavouring
to maximise her experience – and not
only in the classroom but beyond.
Personalising is about all aspects of a
student, all her activities. Schools need to
have a ‘whole view’ of a student, pulling
together the understanding all those
who are involved with a girl may have
of her. Thus we are able to see the big
picture and this is vital if we are to really
personalise the Rangi experience for
her. This is a tall order and one in which
tutors and deans are important. This is
also where PDPs are vital.
This will continue to be a focus for us,
from both a curricula and a co-curricular
point of view. I have seen it operating
well in the past few weeks in the intense
conversations staff have been having
with girls about subject choice, and as we
attempt to create courses that are tailored
to the individual. This is one of the real
benefits of NCEA in that it is so flexible
we can do a ‘mix and match’ for girls for
whom the choices aren’t clear or easy.
Personalising learning isn’t a fad, it
isn’t something that will come and go. It
is research based; it has been around as
a concept for a long time and there are
schools, particularly overseas, that have
done a lot of work in this area. At Rangi
we will build on the strengths we have,
ensuring we don’t throw the baby out
with the bathwater, but at the same time
work to ‘recognise, value and develop the
capabilities of each girl’, to quote the first
of our strategic goals.
Julie MoorPrincipal
I am always humbled by the way Rangi
Ruru embraces its past and recognises
its achievements. Reflecting on the
important role that Te Ao Maori (the
Maori world) plays in the school’s
history it is only fitting that it has its own
korowai.
‘Korowai’ (feathered cloak) is a
highly prized traditional Maori garment,
regarded as a family heirloom, and is an
enduring gift to the school and staff of
Rangi Ruru.
This korowai was commissioned
for the school to be worn at significant
ceremonial occasions such as the
opening of new buildings, the end of year
prizegiving or other celebratory events.
Though traditionally worn by the leader
(in our case, the Principal), it is a gift to
the school and as such it may be worn
by all staff. If a staff member, for example,
graduates with a new tohu (a Master’s
degree, PhD etc) they would be welcome
to wear the korowai at their capping.
The design of the korowai speaks to
the Rangi Ruru papakainga (home base).
The connection to the surrounding
hills, rivers and the sea is significant
as it cements the school’s place in the
community and Canterbury. Maori
legend says that the Maori Chief Tamatea
Pokai-Whenua went to the top of the
surrounding hills and prayed that Ngā
Atua (the Gods) would grant his people
fire as they were constantly ill from the
freezing temperatures and it is from here
that the korowai design begins.
The individual green feathers which
line the top of the korowai recognise
Ngā Kohatu Whakatekateka o Tamatea
Pokai Whenua (the smouldering boulders
of Tamatea Pokai-Whenua) and Ngā
Ngahere (the bush or forest areas) which
sporadically appear.
The brown feathers then start to
descend from the top representing
the tussock covered hills around
Christchurch including Horomaka (the
Port Hills) which eventually meet Te
Patiki Whakatekateka o Waitaha (the
Canterbury Plains) and the lower areas.
Mixed in amongst the shimmering
green feathers are blue feathers which
remind us of the food resources Ngai
Tahu depended on from the rivers, the
sea and bush. We are reminded of the
importance of these resources in a
whakatauaki (Maori proverb) often used
at Rangi Ruru “Ki te manu e kai ana i te
miro nōna te ngahere. Ki te manu e kai
ana i te matauraka, nona te Āo” (To the
bird who feeds off the miro berry, the
forest is hers. To the bird who feeds off
education, the world is hers).
Rangi Ruru Tū Tonu
Maaka KahukuranuiKaiako Maori (Maori Teacher)
Principal Julie Moor wearing Te Korowai o Rangi Ruru
Te Korowai o Rangi Ruru
Te Korowai o Rangi Ruru
6 Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.
Iona
A sojourn on the Isle of Iona in Scotland
working as a volunteer for the Iona
Community sounded like a good way to
spend a sabbatical. It was....every single
moment. Sadly, it has been shortened by
family illness, which recently called me
home. Iona weaves its way around the
heart however, and calls people back.
Containing some of the oldest geological
rock formations on the planet it has an
ancient spirit which has no doubt inspired
many groups of people who washed
up on its shores over the aeons of time.
Notably it is a pilgrimage site because of
Columba, who sailed from Ireland and
set up a community of Christian monks
on the island in 563AD. The large abbey
complex fell into ruin after the monks
were killed by Vikings in the 8th Century,
then was rebuilt in the 12th Century by
Benedictine monks. With the dissolution
of the monasteries in Britain under Henry
VIII, the abbey once more fell into ruin
until the Duke of Argyll bequeathed the
isle to the people of Scotland. In 1938,
the Rev George MacLeod developed a
vision of rebuilding the abbey, as a sign
of hope and rebuilding of community in
urban Scotland. This project became part
of the training of ministers in building
community. Thus was born the Iona
Community. In its modern form it is a
dispersed community of members and
associates reflecting and praying for peace
and justice.
The abbey is now under the care of
Historic Scotland but the Iona community
leases the kitchen and guest rooms,
maintains abbey worship, as well as
owning the McLeod Centre, another
guest house. Each year a residential group
plus a rotating volunteer group live and
work on the island providing a ministry
of hospitality to guests who arrive every
Saturday afternoon and leave each Friday
morning. Daily 9am and 9pm abbey
services provide a structure around which
key note speakers, activities and children’s
programmes are organised. There is also
an outdoor centre called Camas on the
island of Mull, where volunteers work
for the whole season with a range of
young people, schools and people from
disadvantaged backgrounds. As a volunteer
it is richly rewarding to mix with a large
variety of people from all over the world
who come to Iona for rest, refreshment,
renewal or simply for family time.
My particular role was to work in the
community gift and book shop. Not only
was I dealing with guests but with the
thousands of day trippers to the island,
again from all over the world. At times
extremely busy, it was always fun and I
gained the big picture of life on Iona during
the season.
In the small amounts of recreational
time I walked the island, shared in the
community life of the volunteers and
residents and enjoyed making new
friendships. Whilst there were a number
of older volunteers, many young UK and
European people volunteer during their
college vacation or post degrees. They
work very hard and shoulder responsibility
by supporting one another warmly and
honestly. It reminds me of the World
Challenge process some of our students
at Rangi Ruru go through and the way
in which the process and experience
empowers them to exercise leadership and
shoulder responsibility beyond what we
might ever expect. The world is in good
hands.
The experience of living in a
community is a reminder of “the ways in
which we learn by so much more than
cognitive and verbal reasoning” (Alison
Phipps). It is a reminder to us all in the
school community of how academic work
is only part of the experience of educating
citizens of the world. The strength of a
community experience such as is gained
at Iona, is that one mixes with a wide range
of people, again something to encourage
in education and school community
experiences.
Life on Iona was a very sensory
experience. Yes, full of people, a welcome
outward looking Christian ethos,
stimulating conversations but also full
of wind, rain, sun, sea, cloud, stones and
beaches, ferns and heather which made up
the ever-changing vistas of an isle seeped
in time. I am grateful for the opportunity I
have had to work there.
Extract from the Act of Prayer
- Iona Abbey Prayer BookI bring the faith that is in me and the doubtI bring the joy that is within me and the
sorrowI bring the hope that is in me and the
despair I bring the hurts that I carry and the hurts I
have caused.To join these faiths and doubts,Joys and sorrows, hopes and despairs,Hurts carried, hurts causedTo the faiths and doubts, joys, sorrowsHopes, despairs and hurts of my sisters and
brothers.
“...restore in me the joy of your liberationAnd sustain in me a willing spirit ....”
Yvonne Smith (Rev)Chaplain
CHAPLAIN’S COLUMN LEADERSHIP
Cloisters, Iona Abbey
7www.rangiruru.school.nz
YEAR 13 GLOBAL LIVING LEADERSHIP
On 4 July, nine nervous but excited
Year 13 girls set off for Samoa where we
were about to embark on a life changing
experience.
Brimming with anticipation for what
this trip had in store, we landed in Apia
and began our ten day adventure. To
indulge ourselves in a bit of the culture
before we fully immersed ourselves in
the villages of Savaii later on, we took
tours around a culture village and went
around the Robert Louis Stevenson
Museum. Slapping on the sunscreen and
learning to master the tying of sarongs,
we enjoyed learning the basics about
life in Samoa and prepared ourselves for
what the other island had waiting for us.
When we arrived in Savaii we
stayed in Tanu Beach Fales, beautiful
accommodation run by a beautiful
family where we watched culture shows
and were first introduced to breadfruit.
Different and interesting, we all liked to
try the different Samoan foods, from Taro
to Poulsami!
By now we had all adjusted to the
heat and were ready to take on the next
step of our adventure; the homestays. In
pairs we were placed in different Samoan
homes for four days where we ate, slept
and lived with our new Samoan families.
English was limited, but the learning was
vast. We learnt about the importance
of family and many of us realised that
our sheltered and privileged lives were
quite a contrast to those just four short
plane hours away; and we learnt that
everything in Samoa is done for a
purpose. It is wonderful to see a family
all work together and support each other,
from helping with the dishes to learning
a new card game, Samoans share and
encourage each other in a way that many
of us admired. We quickly learnt that it
was normal to be sleeping on a mat, and
luckily we had our mosquito repellent
with us, but we didn’t have anything for
the crowing roosters! Visiting church
with our families was also a huge
highlight, as it was inspiring to see
such a great congregation of people so
enthused and filled with love for God.
During the day we visited the
workplace of Women In Business
Development’s coconut oil. We tried
(our hardest!) to cut open coconuts and
dry them out before we squeezed their
oils out to be sold at the markets. It was
a great experience for us to learn about
work that was done by local Samoans,
and it was quite a contrast to our
supermarket jobs back at home.
Leaving behind cold water bucket
showers and an abundance of volcanic
rocks, we knew we were never going to
forget our new families and there were
many tears when we left. Although we
may be in a different time zone, country
and climate, we will never forget our
time in Samoa as we all learnt to look
outside ourselves and our lives and
immerse ourselves in another life that
has plenty to teach us.
Sarita Christensen Year 13
Making coconut oil for Women in Business Development
Samoa Trip
8 Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.
Project Blue Sky
August and early September has seen a lot of activity on the site with three buildings now in various stages of construction as well as a site being prepared for a fourth.
The Science Centre on Hewitts Road
can be clearly seen with the panels for
the two storey structure erected. The
next stages will be craning the roof
into position and making the building
waterproof.
The Gibson Centre now has the roof
on and all the glass installed with work
proceeding towards the internal fit out.
The foundations for the General
Academic South together with the bridge
which links this building with Science
have all been poured and floor slab
construction is due to start.
The new Music and Performing Arts
Centre which will be situated on Merivale
Lane, is in the final stages of design.
The site has been cleared and work will
commence once final plans are agreed.
The furniture and fittings for these
buildings take a lot of planning and the
school has been heavily engaged in
ensuring the right outcome is achieved.
To view our live feed of the build go
to: building.rangiruru.school.nz
The Gibson Centre taking shape with its roof on and glass installed.
Stewart BarnettProject Manager
PROJECT BLUE SKY
9www.rangiruru.school.nz
Westfield Riccarton, Northlands, The Hub Hornby & The Palms www.silvermoon.co.nz
*Exclusive brands only available at select locations. Go online for details.
Simply beautiful
Around Rangi
Boarding House NewsDuring this term Mrs Cherryn Inteman
has retired. After nine years at Rangi
Ruru she will be missed, especially by
those girls who remain in the House
for most weekends. Weekends will
not be the same without her. Senior
girls in particular have appreciated her
willingness to share the skill of walking
in heels! Along with the contribution
she made to boarding at Rangi Ruru,
for quite a number of years her work
as Conference Liaison Officer helped
to make the holiday hiring run very
smoothly.
Mrs Inteman has decided to move
north to Foxton Beach, where along with
the opportunity to spend time walking
along the beach, she will be near to one
of her sisters. We wish her well.
Term 3 is concert time and this
year’s concert provided us with the
usual showcase of hidden talents. With
22 items, including the annual staff
contribution, the audience was treated
to an evening of fun and enjoyment. The
gold coin entry has enabled us to make
a donation of over $220 to our chosen
charity, Cholmondeley Children’s Home.
The practice exams have given our
girls an insight into what to expect for
the NCEA externals in November and
reminded them just what they need to
work on. It is great to see them working
so hard at their study while keeping
a balance to their lives over the exam
period.
Jude ConnochieDirector of
Boarding
10 Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.
Scholarship Winners2014 Entrance Scholarships
YEAR 7
Academic
Madison Cooper Paparoa Street School
Kareena Singh Elmwood Normal School
Lauren Smith Cashmere Primary School
Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association
Years 7 & 8 Academic Scholarship
Emma Faulkner The Cathedral Grammar School
YEAR 9
Academic
Emilie Aitken Heaton Normal Intermediate
Ruby Blake-Manson Cashmere Primary School
Abby Croot Selwyn House School
Emma Cushing The Cathedral Grammar School
Hannah Davies Rangi Ruru Girls’ School
Vera Goesmann St Andrew’s College
Eleanor Lester Westburn School
Clementine Rose The Cathedral Grammar School
Danielle Rutter Casebrook Intermediate
Karishma Singh Heaton Normal Intermediate
Juliette Ward Selwyn House School
Yang Kun Xiang Cobham Intermediate
Music
Yuna Chon St Margaret’s College
Rebecca Harris The Cathedral Grammar School
Eugene In St Margaret’s College
Rangi Ruru All Round Boarding Scholarship
and an Academic Scholarship
Suzanna Davis Selwyn House School
Nancy S.B. McMillan Boarding Scholarship
and an Academic Scholarship
Samantha Ensor Selwyn House School
Rangi Ruru All Round Boarding Scholarship
Jemima Bell Rangi Ruru Girls’ School
Rangi Ruru All Round
Gabby Dodd-Terrell Cobham Intermediate
Maddy Finch The Cathedral Grammar School
Kasey McGrath Heaton Normal Intermediate
Abby Spencer Cobham Intermediate
Across the GATE Coordinator’s DeskThe school GATE community has been busy this term
and involved in a number of exciting activities which the
students have reported on below. The Philosophy Club
have been to a café style conversation evening to discuss
aspects of power in the world and Jay Sloss also ran a film
evening to promote debate and analysis.
For the first time we had students attend a forensic
camp which proved to be a great success and we had
success at New Zealand Model United Nations with one of
our students being selected to the The Hague International
Model United Nations in December.
It is wonderful to see students involve themselves fully
in a variety of activities and I am pleased to see the degree
of risk taking which goes on as this can sometimes be an
area of difficulty for highly able students.
‘Perfectionism’ can be a problem for students and I have
experienced this myself over the years when I have taught
high ability English classes. Many highly able students go
several years without the experience of making a mistake.
Being perfect, right and smart easily becomes part of their
persona - who they are expected to be and sometimes,
their fear of a less than perfect performance can prevent
them from performing at all.
Classroom teachers, family and friends can help to
moderate this behaviour by praising good thinking and
risk taking as well as a final product which represents these
qualities. You can discuss successful people who have
made mistakes and experienced failure. You may discuss
how failure
affected these
people – was it
their inspiration?
It is also useful
to model the
ability to laugh at
yourself and your
own mistakes.
AROUND RANGI
Petra DyerGate Coordinator
11www.rangiruru.school.nz
AROUND RANGI
New Zealand Model United Nations
On 4 July, I departed from Christchurch
with Madison Hughes, Juliet Bruce and
Ms Dyer for the NZ Model United Nations
in Wellington. We were three very
excited young adults but on the plane
we stressed about the resolution and
commented on the interesting flavour
of Cassava chips. The conference was
starting the next day and we could only
distract ourselves by focusing on the
frivolous. We stayed in a hotel off Cuba
Street, which was a short commute to
Victoria University.
On the first day we all congregated
at the University, after losing our way
slightly, and then travelled all round
Wellington in the Amazing Race getting
to know some of the other delegates. We
were absolutely exhausted by the time
it came to the Opening Ceremony in
Parliament by Phil Goff. The second day
of the conference was thrilling! Juliet
represented Togo, Madison, United Arab
Emirates and I represented Lithuania. I
debated many issues including refugee
repatriation and the accessibility to
technology, representing the views and
values of Lithuania. That night we went
to our regional grouping dinners and
being in Eastern Europe, we went to
Istanbul, which served delicious Turkish
food.
During the second day of the
conference we had our last committee
session, mine being biodiversity loss;
then we had a think tank with our
regional groups. We were assigned one
of the sustainable development goals
which will succeed the millennium
development goals which end in
2015. These are primarily to focus on
quality of life, literacy rates, disease and
equality.
My group was assigned ‘how to
decrease child mortality’. We designed
oral rehydration syrups, which would
help children with extreme dehydration
who were going to die from diarrhoea
and other sicknesses. We looked at how
this was going to work on a practical
scale, how we would get funding and
other dynamics. The highlight of Sunday
was the ball where delicious food was
served.
The last day of the conference
was the plenary, which was actually
a resolution about the sustainable
development goals. Many changes were
made to the resolution to ensure the
best possible outcome for each country.
After the plenary, it was announced
whose group won the best solution to
their sustainable development goals.
My group, which consisted of students
mainly from Canterbury won, which
was absolutely fantastic. We were very
proud of each other. Another exciting
announcement of the last day was
The Hague International Model United
Nations Delegates for 2014; this is a
delegation of 22 high school students
from all over New Zealand. I was one of
the very lucky people to be chosen for
this. We travel through Europe and go
to the Netherlands for the conference,
which will be held in January. After a
long day, filled with networking and
yawns we finally left to go to the airport
and back home. We were barely awake
by the time we got home, though we
were still buzzing from the adrenaline
from the whole conference. We had a
fantastic time and I suggest everyone
should go to United Nations Youth
Events; it is a great opportunity!
Grace Collett Year 12
After a hectic and challenging day of arguing, Juliet Bruce, Grace Collett and Madison Hughes are beautifully dressed for the New Zealand Model United Nations ball
240 delegates for the New Zealand Model United Nations outside Victoria University
Kristen College Forensic Camp
One of the most frequently asked
questions when I come back to school is
“What did you do in the school holidays?”
The expected replies are, “I went away
to … and it was lots of fun!” or “nothing,
I just stayed at home.” However when
I was asked, “What did you do in the
school holidays?” I replied, “Oh nothing,
just went to Auckland to solve a brutal
murder.” Like my friends, you are likely
confused. I will explain. Every year in
Auckland Years 7-10 students are offered
the chance to paticipate in a school
forensics camp. The ‘detectives’ have
to solve cases by using reports and
information just like the police do. Even
though it was from 8:30am to 8:30pm it
wasn’t exhausting because we played
lots of games and fingerprint specialists
and lawyers came to talk to us about
their job. At the end of the week, a court
case was held and we had to either
defend or prosecute the suspect. It was
amazing and I highly recommend this
camp to anyone from Years 7-10.
Francesca Logan Year 10
The Canterbury Interschool Chess Competition 7 August
The Chess Club had an enjoyable day
out at Selwyn House, playing ten games
of chess with short breaks for morning
tea and lunch. The B team, comprised
of Clare Lin, Amy Huang, Grace Collett
and Madi Hughes won third place. The
results were close and the Rangi teams
acquitted themselves with integrity and
good sportsmanship. It was rewarding
to see the senior students take
responsibility for the junior girls and to
witness the leadership skills that our girls
so naturally display. I was a very proud
teacher in charge. Petra Dyer
12 Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.
AROUND RANGI
DNA Profiling Visit
On 8 August, 20 Year 11 students and
Mrs Dyer set off to the University of
Canterbury for the afternoon. We
were to participate in a one and a half
hour session about DNA profiling.
To introduce us to the idea, we first
made some models of a DNA strand.
We created the distinct ‘double helix’
using marshmallows, toothpicks and
liquorice. However, to everyone’s
disappointment, we weren’t allowed to
eat it. After that, we all watched as Mrs
Gladwyn (lecturer) created a simple
mixture from which we would extract
DNA. Mrs Gladwyn created ‘pea soup’
from peas, water and detergent. We
then put this mixture in a test tube
with meat tenderiser (an enzyme) and
alcohol. After mixing it around gently,
we were all delighted to discover
we had extracted the DNA from the
peas. After putting the pea DNA in a
container to take home we got into the
real deal of DNA profiling. We were all
taught how to correctly use the micro-
pipettes and practised moving water
from one place to another. Then, in
pairs, we were given four sets of DNA;
one from a ‘crime scene’ and three
suspects of the crime. It was our job
to work out who did it. To do this we
used the micro-pipettes to transfer the
DNA to a container, which contained
a thin layer of gel electrophoresis. We
put this container into a machine for
ten minutes. The machine ran positive
electrodes through the bottom of the
container, which attracted the strands of
DNA. However, the gel prevented some
of the DNA from reaching the other
side, causing bands to appear where
some DNA had stuck. By comparing
the crime scene DNA with the suspects’
DNA, we were able to accurately guess
who had committed the ‘crime’. It was
an incredible experience for all of us to
learn about how DNA profiling is used
in so many different careers and also a
little bit of how it’s done.
Becky Payne Year 11
Philosophy Club
Café Philosophy Evening, 27 May at UnlimitedA delightful evening of Philosophy was
held with students from St Andrew’s
College, Christ’s College, St Thomas’,
Hagley Community College and
Unlimited. The moot was “Are the rich
obliged to help the poor? Redistributing
income (taxation). Is Taxation theft (by
the Government)?”
We also discussed the Libertarian
philosopher, Robert Nozick who argues
that we have certain fundamental
rights that cannot be overridden by the
government. The groups critiqued this
proposition and discussed the right to
an individual’s own labour considering:
Who owns me? Am I owner/proprietor of
my own person? Should the Government
be entitled to (some of) the fruits of my
labour? If I don’t have the sole right to
my own labour, does it follow that the
Government is a part owner of me? If so,
am I a slave, since I do not own myself?
Pizza, Philosophy and Film Evening: 2 July
The Philosophy Club held a pizza and
film evening in early July where they had
a critical discussion of the film Bernie
(2011) starring Jack Black.
The film is based on the 1996 murder
of 81 year old millionaire Marjorie
Nugent in Carthage, Texas by her 39 year
old companion Bernhardt “Bernie” Tiede.
Tiede murders Nugent after growing
weary of the emotional toll of her
possessiveness, persistent nagging and
non-stop putdowns.
The girls were presented with some
challenging and thought provoking
questions including: Is Bernie Tiede
guilty of murder? Manslaughter? Or is
he innocent? Do you think Bernie was
provoked? Can you make someone
lose control of themselves? Was this a
crime of passion? The purpose of this
discussion was to encourage the girls to
look at what motivates people and can
they truly be judged for their actions
based only on a one-sided account of the
outcome?
Jay Sloss Teacher in charge
Becky Wilson, Suyoun Jung and Geeny Moon
Future Problem Solving
The Year 7 and Year 9 Future Problem
Solving girls are frantically learning
facts about Megacities which is the
topic this term and are predicting
potential problems in the future.
The girls had their two hour ‘lock-
up’ on Monday 16 September. They
were given a future scenario and were
required to solve the problems as a
team using the six step process.
This is their first time at future
problem solving for most of the Year 7
girls and some of Year 9. The booklets
were sent away and marked to work
out the National Finalists.
Rebecca Allen Teacher in charge
Did you know you can receive Rangi News by email?If you would like to change the way you receive your copy of Rangi News contact us at [email protected]
13www.rangiruru.school.nz
AROUND RANGI
News from Years 7 & 8
Years 7 and 8 Kapa Haka group take the stage at the Rangi Ruru Cultural Concert
Gyda Heidtke and Alice Newbold at Ferrymead Heritage ParkGirls taking part in a lesson at Ferrymead Heritage Park
Learning is alive and well Term 3 has gone by in a flash with the
girls involved in numerous experiences
and events. The Years 7 and 8 Kapa Haka
group were invited to perform for the first
time at the Rangi Cultural Concert. This is
an indication of the very high level of skill
they have attained. It was an impressive
performance and one which resulted in a
great sense of pride and achievement.
Our current unit in Social Science has
been around Early New Zealand history,
with a particular focus on the 1860’s and
the life of the Central Otago gold miners.
To ensure the learning is authentic, we
visited Ferrymead Heritage Park, where
the girls experienced what it was truly
like to live in that era. As with all good
inquiry units, the learners were able to
lead the learning by their natural interest
and we noted a strong interest in the
early Canterbury settlers. The girls were
praised by the Ferrymead staff for their
considered questions and reflections.
Student Curriculum CommitteeAs part of continuing Curriculum
review, a group of students have been
chosen to represent the other girls on
a Student Curriculum Committee. The
desired outcome is that the girls will
research the New Zealand achievement
objectives and establish some authentic
learning contexts that they would
connect to as learners. They will discuss
with other students, ideas and global
issues that inspire deeper learning at
this age level and connect them to the
objectives. It will be exciting to see where
this takes us in Social Science.
Marine Biology TripA number of Year 8 students left
bright and early for Portobello in
Dunedin. This is an amazing opportunity
for budding Marine Biologists to be part
of some very practical investigations.
Offered as an extension to the Science
programme in Year 8, it is a trip the girls
look forward to greatly. I await with
interest to hear the accounts of the trip.
The girls will cook their own meals… a
few ‘Junior Masterchefs’ in the making by
the sounds of all the menu planning.Chris CampbellLead Teacher of Years 7 and 8
14 Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.
International and Languages Week Earlier this term the International Club
and the Languages Faculty joined forces
again for a great week of international
and language-themed activities.
The week began with a lunchtime
performance from the very talented
Takumi Japanese drum group and
Tuesday saw the return of the popular
Indian henna hand-painting (rapidly
becoming a Rangi International
Week tradition). Tuesday was also an
international-themed mufti day and it
was great to see so many girls really
joining in the spirit of the week with
some fantastic costumes. Well done to
10Jb for being the best-dressed tutor
group and winning the prize of early
entry to Food Day. Other highlights of
the week were making posters to send
to Zululu School, language games and
fun activities, quizzes and, of course, the
much-anticipated International Food
Day, where we had an amazing selection
of food from all over the world.
AROUND RANGI
Christchurch Cultural Festival Our Years 7 and 8 Kapa Haka group
performed at the Christchurch Cultural
Festival at CBS Arena on Thursday
29 August. Rangi Ruru was the only
independent school to be involved with
this Festival that involved primary and
intermediate schools in the celebration
of multi-cultural Christchurch.
Due to other commitments, the girls
only had a small window of time to
prepare for the Festival with only seven
Wednesdays to learn and rehearse a set
of items.
The biggest challenge was the waiata
tangi ki Te Atairangikahu - a lament to
the Māori Queen whom we lost in 2006.
This was a challenge for the girls simply
because all Māori loved her. This waiata
was performed by her own Waikato
Kapa Haka Group so holds a great deal of
emotion for many Māori.
As the girls were leaving the stage,
there were many Māori who were
very quick to acknowledge the Years
7 and 8 rendition of this waiata. One
in particular was an elderly Māori
woman who had tears in her eyes as
she was thanking me for the incredible
performance she had just viewed about
her Queen. For many of our young girls
this was just another day at the office
but I suspect that when they look back
in 10-20-30 years’ time and they will
come to realise just what they achieved
in the CBS Arena that night.
The performance warrants special
thanks to the variety of tutors and
helpers whose commitment inspired
aroha and passion for performing in the
girls; to Rebekah Boyce, Josie Whelan
and Natalie Elms for their commitment
and the time invested in the girls and this
performance.Maaka Kahukuranui
Lucy McSweeney, Liv Rule, Jennifer Kim, Jenny Park and Zaiwen Zhang ready their stalls
Years 7 and 8 perform at Christchurch Cultural Festival
15www.rangiruru.school.nz
AROUND RANGI
SADD ManifestoThe 2013 Health Council created a
manifesto as part of SADD’s (Students
Against Driving Drunk) ‘Manifesto
campaign.’ The campaign is all about
setting the tone and determining the
attitudes and behaviours regarding drink
driving and safety on our roads – our
manifesto is made up of positive and
powerful statements of intent that aim to
reduce harm by creating the right ‘mind-
set’ before we even face risks or difficult
situations.Evelyn SpiersHead of Health
Cantamath 2013Cantamath results from last month’s
hotly contested competitions at the
CBS Canterbury Arena:
Congratulations to our Year 9A
team (Marisol Hunter, Fran Beaton,
Ashleigh Goh, Victoria Dodge) who
finished in third place just one
question behind the winners.
Also the Year 10A team (Kimberley
Gee, Harmony Zhou, Amy Huang,
Sujin Jung) were just one question
off another third place for Rangi
while the other Year 9 and Year 10
teams and the Year 7 and Year 8
teams all performed well finishing
in the middle of their respective
competitions.
Congratulations also to the prize
winners for posters:
Excellence Award – Jessie
Anderson
Highly Commended – Xiling Liu,
Ophelia Pearson Craig BradleyTeacher in charge
International and Languages Week
once again raised over $2,000, which
we will send to Zululu School in Kenya.
This primary school is also supported
by a Rangi Old Girl, Pop Gunson, and
her husband, who live in Kenya and it
is great to have this personal link with
Zululu. The money we raise helps pay the
salaries of two young Kenyan teachers
so that class sizes can be reduced. Only
those primary school children who pass
the national examination are able to
go to high school in Kenya, so a good
primary education is highly valued and
very important. It is exciting to know that
Zululu School will also benefit this year
from the fundraising efforts of another
Rangi Old Girl, Jina Kim. Jina was part
of our International Club several years
ago before she and her family returned
to Korea to live, and she has been very
busy this year fundraising at her Korean
school to send money to Zululu as well –
a truly international effort!
Thank you to everyone who took part
in International and Languages Week
2013, especially those who donated food
and time to make it such a successful
week. We are, as always, very grateful
to Jason and the kitchen staff for being
so supportive and accommodating
throughout the week and special thanks
to the Heads of the International Club,
Jennifer Kim and Olivia Rule, and the
Head of Languages, Greta Diaz Moreau,
for their leadership, organisational skills
and enthusiasm. Thanks to everyone
who came along to the activities and got
involved – it was lots of fun!Helen ScottInternational Dean
Mia Townshend (Year 7) and Masako Aoki (Year 11)
16 Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.
AROUND RANGI
In September 2012 a group of 14 girls
from Year 11 went on a ten day Outward
Bound course. The girls had a great time
and one of the girls, Claudia Sullivan,
wrote the following article on her return.
Another group of Year 11 girls will be
experiencing Outward Bound this year
and leave on 29 September for their ten
day course. They are very excited.Keith MachinTeacher in Charge
We began our Outward Bound
experience by catching the Coastal
Pacific train at 7.00am. We were all very
excited about the ten days of unknown
challenges ahead of us. The start of
our course came quicker than we all
expected; we met Kristy and Alfie our
coaches in Picton and had a quick name
game. We then were told we had five
minutes to get clothes that could get wet;
one thing we had all been expecting were
short amounts of time to get ready!
Our first activity involved us getting
very dirty and by putting mud masks
on our faces. We learned that everyone
seems to live their lives with masks on,
not showing their true selves. By washing
these mud masks off in the sea, we could
be ourselves in the upcoming ten days.
That night we sat around a camp fire and
learned about our watch name; all groups
at Outward Bound have a name, we were
called ‘Hillary Watch’.
With an early and very chilly start,
we were up at 6.00am for P.T. which the
instructors like to call ‘Party Time’, but
we thought it was more like ‘Personal
Torture’! Everyone’s watch has a different
version of P.T. and ours were sets made
up of press ups, sit ups and lunges. This
warmed us up for the full day of kayaking
ahead. We learned how to spot a river
for hazards and how to find good places
to stand where there was easy access to
jump-save a capsized kayak. Some of us
definitely learned how to capsize!
Day three was all about high ropes,
which was a huge challenge for some,
but other girls who were confident were
pushed in alternative ways on the course.
This meant everyone was challenged.
Day four was the tramp. We all started
off in fantastic spirits but the girls at the
front raced ahead and we soon learnt
that we needed to go at a pace which
suited us all. It was a cold and wet day
Outward BoundPTA Father Daughter Barn DanceFriday 20 September
The annual PTA Barn Dance proved very
popular again with fathers and daughters
dressing up in their best barn dance
attire and filling the school gym for a
wonderfully fun night.
17www.rangiruru.school.nz
AROUND RANGI
our cutter. The wind picked up as we
sailed to Double Bay where we slept that
night. We had a rocky sleep on the boat
and the next morning we attempted
to set sail in two knot winds! When we
didn’t sail, we had to row. After a certain
amount of time we became delusional
and started thinking that we were
zooming along!
The next day was our ‘solo’. Solo
but we all got to the top of Mt Dukeshead,
980m above sea level. At the top of the
mountain we cooked some well-deserved
tomato pasta that we all ate incredibly
fast! Leaving Mt Dukeshead the following
day two hours late didn’t help us reach
our goal at the end of the day very easily,
but our team bonded the most this day.
Day six we were at sea! It was a
fantastic change for us all as we boarded
was different for everybody; scary for
some, exciting for others. Through all our
different experiences, we all got the same
thing out if it which was reflecting on our
experience and finding our true selves.
Before we knew it the day we had to
run the dreaded 12 kilometres had finally
come. We set off from the starting point at
7.00am and all ran to the finish line feeling
so satisfied that we had run 12kms. We
had never really enjoyed jumping in
the water, but after the run it was all we
were thinking about, and some of us
even jumped in twice! Once we packed
everything up, and had our leaving
ceremony, it was onto the train and back
to Christchurch. We were all very tired
and ready to have a long shower and
sleep in our own beds!
Outward Bound had been a rewarding
and life changing experience that none
of us will forget. We have all formed great
friendships and have been through some
fantastic experiences together. Outward
Bound has showed us how, when we
think there is nothing left in us, we can
always go that little bit further.
Our group was Madeline Newman,
Hannah Browne, Sinead Foyle, Stella
Stretton, Kate Willis, Megan MacKenzie,
Madison Tait, Alice Butterick, Claudia
Sullivan, Philippa Macfarlane, Georgie
Andrews, Clare Macleod, Olivia Westley
and Sasha Cran.
We would like to thank Kristy and
Alfie our instructors, Ms Moor and Mrs
Brouwer for coming and visiting us, and
Mr Machin who has been an inspiration,
giving us helpful tips on the lead up to
our Outward Bound experience.
Claudia Sullivan Year 12
18 Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.
From the Director of Theatre Arts
Reflecting on the achievements to date
for Theatre Arts this year, one wonders
how we manage to fit it all in. Things
didn’t start off too well, with two girls
who had lead roles in our Sheilah Winn
entry falling seriously ill only a fortnight
before the festival. Unfortunately they
were not well enough in time for us to
enter this year. Thankfully, both girls
are now back to full health. However,
it wasn’t long before we experienced Into The Woods Jr, Stage Challenge, a
trip to the UK, and Romeo and Juliet. More recently the Year 13 evening of
monologues, yet again, demonstrated
the depth of talent our girls have and
their ability to astonish us with their
insightfulness. We look forward to
the upcoming Year 11 production of Passengers by Fiona Farrell.
The Cultural Concert showcased our
dancers in the best possible light, and
The Evening of Dance reinforced just
what extraordinary skills and exceptional
dexterity our troupes have. Our best
dancers will be competing at dance
competition later in the year. For the
first time at The Cultural Concert, we
presented the best of our Speech and
Drama students. What a treat is was to
have these fine, articulate and gutsy
young women perform such thought-
provoking pieces. Congratulations Sylvia
Barnett, Alice Norton, India Alexander
and Evelyn Spiers who all performed with
style and distinction.
Earlier this year, a group of senior
Drama and English students travelled
to London to immerse themselves in
British theatre, literature and history.
Highlights of the trip included an
excursion to Stratford Upon Avon to visit
the birthplace of William Shakespeare
and take in a performance and workshop
at The Royal Shakespeare Company.
Workshops at The Globe Theatre and
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts
further inspired our girls, as did the
AROUND RANGI
Alice Norton’s monologue ‘The Country Wife’
Elite Dance perform ‘Rich Man’s Frug’
19www.rangiruru.school.nz
many performances they attended. One
special workshop was that run by the
National Theatre. There, students learnt
the skills and techniques developed by
the Handspring Puppet Company for the
National Theatre’s production of War Horse. Of course, seeing the production
of War Horse put the workshop into
context. However, the goal was always to
bring that learning back home to share it,
and apply it to our own work. At the time
of writing, the Year 12 Drama class have
taken those skills and applied them to a
production of Bottom’s Tale - excerpts
from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They will perform this piece at
the International Theatre Festival on
Norfolk Island during the school break,
where they will compete against some of
the best adult theatre groups from New
Zealand, Australia and Norfolk Island. We
owe our sincere thanks to the PTA for
assistance with travel expenses.
Next production: Andrew Lloyd
Webber’s Cats. Information evening for
singers, dancers, musicians and stage
crew will be on Monday 14 October.
Auditions for Cats - 6 February 2014.
Robert GilbertDirector of Theatre Arts
AROUND RANGI
www.catsthemusical.school.nzMusic by Andrew LLoyd webber • bAsed on “oLd PossuM’s book of PrActicAL cAts” by t.s. eLiot
BY aRRanGement with oRiGin ™ tHeAtricAL on beHALf of tHe reALLy usefuL GrouP LiMitedcats loGo tm © 1981 tHe reALLy usefuL GrouP LiMited
c o m i n G i n 2 0 1 4 ! c h r i s t ’ s c o l l e g e & r a n g i r u r u G i r l s ’ s c h o o l
P r e s e n t
India Alexander’s monologue ‘Verbatim’ Concordia performing Titanium
Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.20
AROUND RANGI
From the Director of Music
Life in the Music Department during
Term 3 continued at its usual frenetic
pace. Some girls have been involved
in almost every event, somehow
managing to keep a sense of humour and
perspective despite sickness and some
very long days.
The Jazz Band and Combo had
a busy start to the term. After some
intensive rehearsals during the Term 2
break the band gained a Silver award
and the Combo a Bronze at the CPIT
JazzQuest competition. Four days later
the groups travelled to Blenheim for the
annual Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival
where they gained Bronze awards. The
most valuable learning at this festival
happened during the masterclass and
many gigs that the bands had at various
restaurants, clubs and cafés in the
Marlborough region. For a few days the
girls experienced life as professional
musicians, an experience that is very
valuable not only in terms of their
playing, but also in their personal and
social development. Huge thanks and
congratulations must go to the band
Director Michael Lawrence, and combo
Director Nanako Sato for their dedication
and inspirational work with the girls.
The newly formed Show Choir,
‘Concordia’, participated in the Voices of
Canterbury Show Choir festival at the La
Vida Centre. This was a day of workshops
and performances, where the girls
learnt much about the art of singing and
dancing. The event was well supported
by a range of choirs from Christchurch
Secondary Schools – thank you to
Nanako Sato for supporting this group in
their work towards the festival.
The Cultural Concert, held in August,
once again was a highly successful
evening featuring a wide range of
performing artists – Dance Companies,
Jazz Band, Resolutions, Barbershop,
Rangi Sinfonia, Chamber Music,
Concordia and a new and successful
initiative, four Drama monologues. We
also heard a live performance of Siyu
Sun’s evocative musical response to the
movie Clip ‘The Exchange’, see www.
youtube.com/watch?v=74VSbkvt-zE.
Congratulations to all the performers,
but also to the Head of Culture, India
Alexander and her very efficient and
capable team, for the superb organisation
behind the scenes.
Resolutions continued to put in many
long hours of evening and weekend
rehearsals towards their preparation
for the BIG SING Finals, held this year
in Dunedin. As part of the preparation
the girls performed some of their
programme in the Transitional Cathedral
in a concert featuring four Christchurch
choirs and two of the Auckland choirs
the night before travelling. This was
a wonderful occasion and was one
of the first performances, to a packed
house, in this stunning new building.
It was an honour for the girls and their
director Helen Charlton to be selected
to attend the prestigious National
Finale, which showcased the very best
18 secondary school choirs in New
Zealand. Resolutions came away with
a Bronze award, giving performances
that showed a total commitment to, and
understanding of, the text. The girls learnt
much through the opportunity to be
involved in this event, and were excellent
ambassadors for Rangi in every respect.
Their performances may be viewed at
www.r2.co.nz/20130829/ - there are
two recitals (total of six performances),
scroll down the page to Rangi Ruru Girls’
School - Resolutions.
Our percussion ensembles have been
very busy rehearsing this term under
Resolutions performing at the Cultural Concert
21www.rangiruru.school.nz
AROUND RANGI
the expert guidance of percussion tutors
Rachel Thomas and Roanna Funcke.
In order to provide a performance
opportunity there was an evening of
‘Rhythm and Song’ early in September.
This was a highly successful and well-
attended occasion, where our junior
percussion ensembles, along with
the Junior Chorale and Junior Jazz
Ensemble, performed with much panache
and style. It was great to hear such talent
amongst our junior students, and we look
forward to hearing them develop as they
move through the senior school.
The Rangi Sinfonia participated in
the 2013 Secondary Schools’ Orchestra
Festival on 16 September. This festival is
an annual non-competitive event, with
the aims to raise the standards and profile
of orchestral playing in Christchurch
secondary schools, and to give students
a positive performance experience
without the pressure of competition. The
Rangi Sinfonia performed a challenging
programme with distinction and
enjoyed hearing and supporting the
other orchestras who participated in
the festival. It was wonderful this year
for Year 12 student Amy Lee to have the
opportunity to conduct the orchestra.
A new initiative for Christchurch was
the ‘Strum, Strike and Blow’ Festival –
an event featuring ukuleles, marimbas
and recorders. Over 800 primary school
children took part in this event at CBS
Arena on 18 September, with our recorder
ensemble being asked to be present
as leaders and mentors. The girls were
featured in the evening Gala Concert
performing a specially written piece for
them by Christchurch composer Richard
Oswin. Congratulations and thanks to
their tutor, Genny Long, for her amazing
support of recorder playing at Rangi and
in other Christchurch schools.
Our Barbershop Quartet, Fourtissimo
(India Alexander, Sophie Copplestone,
Greta Diaz-Moreau and Alice Norton),
attended the National Barbershop Finals
in Hamilton and achieved 7th place. The
girls were excellent ambassadors for
Rangi and gave stunning and engaging
performances. My thanks to Amelia Davis
for so ably mentoring these girls.
The Rangi Players and Bellbirds, along
with the Years 7 and 8 Dance Company,
enjoyed a lovely outing to perform at Kids
in Town, this year held at the Museum
in Rolleston Avenue. It is great that this
performance initiative has returned to
Christchurch after a break following the
earthquakes. Our girls really enjoyed
the opportunity to show their talents to
the supportive audience who attended
- thank you to Marg Buchanan, Genny
Long and Hannah Clarkson for their work
with the girls.
As well during this term there
has been the usual Itinerant Music
performance evening, Primary Schools’
Music Festival area rehearsals, and
performances at Chapel services, in
addition to senior examinations. Plenty to
keep everyone very busy.
CongratulationsAll girls are to be congratulated for
some stunning performances this term. I
know that many are currently preparing
for or sitting music examinations, with
some girls working towards Grade 8 level
or higher – I look forward to hearing the
results as they arrive.
The following girls deserve special
mention:
Congratulations to Lucy Anderson and
Isabella Pickering in 7Fs, and Lydia Fay in
8Al who have successfully auditioned for
the Senior Choir in the 2013 Christchurch
Schools’ Music Festival. The girls attended
intensive rehearsal sessions during this
term in preparation for performances on
every night of the three-night festival held
in CBS Arena late in October.
Congratulations to Year 9 music
scholars Isabella Gregory, Grace
McKenzie, Anna Bruce (also Year 9) and
Pauline Ward (Year 11), who successfully
auditioned for a role in the children’s
chorus of the New Zealand Opera
Company’s performance of Benjamin
Britten’s Noye’s Fludde (Noah’s Flood).
In addition Year 10 music scholar Sarah
Pride, along with India Borelli and Lily
Li (both Year 9) were recorder players in
the orchestra. This one act opera was
performed on Saturday 21 September as
part of the Christchurch Arts Festival in
the Transitional Cathedral.
Further congratulations to Alice
Norton, Year 12, who has been accepted
for a place in the Christchurch Youth
Choir. And also again to Grace McKenzie,
Year 9, who won the Christchurch Branch
of the Registered Music Teachers’ of
New Zealand Young Musician of the
Year contest recently. The contest was
adjudicated by one of the visiting Trinity
College examiners from London. Grace
performed two works on the piano and
was awarded first prize of $400.
My ongoing thanks to the Music
Department staff and dedicated team of
Itinerant Music tutors who work so hard
with all the various co-curricular groups.
Without your help and support we would
not be able to offer such an extensive
and enriching music programme to
our girls. My best wishes to you all for
a well-deserved Term 3 break – time to
recharge in hopefully some lovely spring
weather in preparation for a busy Term 4.
Janet KingsburyDirector of MusicAmy Lee conducting the Sinfonia at the Cultural Concert
22 Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.
Speech and Drama
English Speaking Union (Canterbury) Scholarship In the English Speaking Union
(Canterbury) Scholarship, Rangi Ruru
old girl Harriet Wise came 1st, India
Alexander came 2nd and Poppy Stowell
(another Rangi old girl), Sylvia Barnett
and Emma Strack all received Very
Highly Commended. Harriet Wise will
be representing Christchurch in the
Young Performer of the Year Contest in
Invercargill in October.
Millie Osborne won many awards. They
are:
Comedy Cup and 1st in the Open
Comedy Class
Winner of the Open Solo Improvisation
Best Female Performer over 14 years
Most Points overall in the 16 -19 class
(shared the Yates Family Trophy)
2nd in Prepared Bible Reading
2nd in Dramatic Extract
2nd in Test Poem
2nd in NZ Poetry and Prose
2nd Reading at Sight
Livvy Pride entered and won the Own
Selection Poem in her age group and
came 2nd in the Prepared Prose Reading.
All the girls who entered the Speech
and Drama Competitions achieved
highly.
ATCL results:Annabelle Williamson, Gemma Davidson
and Emily Reid sat ATCL Communication
Skills and India Alexander, Evelyn Spiers
and Timmie Cameron sat ATCL in
Speech and Drama. We will not know
their results for a while yet as they are
moderated in London.
Ten girls sat grade exams. Out of the
ten, eight achieved Distinction.
They were:
Brittany O’Rourke, Rebecca Gooby
and Rosalie Wilkinson all in Grade 6
Speech and Drama.
Kiera Horton-King achieved
Distinction in Grade 7 Communication
Skills.
Millie Osborne, Emma Strack and
Sylvia Barnett gained Distinction in
Grade 7 Speech and Drama.
Alice Norton received Distinction in
Grade 8 Speech and Drama.
Sylvia Barnett gained 97%, Brittany
O’Rourke achieved 95% and Alice Norton
got 93%.
Lynn WilliamsSpeech and Drama teacher
2012 Speech and Drama resultsAn apology is extended to the students
of Mrs Helen Fraser for the accidental
omission of their results from the
school magazine. Congratulations to
the following students, they deservedly
achieved at the highest standard
in the senior Speech New Zealand
examinations in 2012.
Students who achieved Honours or
above in 2012 Speech and Drama exams:
Grade 5:
Meelha Lesinski Mod. 1 Honours;
Maddison Berquist Mod 1 Honours.
Grade 6:
Lucy McLeod Mod 1 Hons Plus; Mod 2
Honours; Mod. 3 Hons Plus. Sophie Allan
Mod 1 Honours.
Grade 7:
Madison Tait Mod 1 Honours; Mod.3
Honours. Emily Tasker Mod. 1 Honours.
Grade 8:
Rosie Sloan Mod 2 Honours; Mod. 3
Honours. Maisie O’Donnell Mod. 1 Hons
Plus; Mod 2 Honours; Mod. 3 Hons Plus.
Lucy McLeod and Maisie O’Donnell
were both nominated for a scholarship
for Excellence in the use of Language
and Communication.
AROUND RANGI
life & disability
23www.rangiruru.school.nz
Strong Interest in 2014 Equestrian Programme
Enquiries continue to come in as we
prepare to accept students into the
new academically linked Equestrian
Programme for 2014.
To date girls from around the South
Island including Blenheim, Invercargill
and the West Coast, have pre-enrolled in
the new programme
Director of Equestrian, Pippa Young
says that she has been overwhelmed by
the response.
“There has been a tremendous
amount of enthusiasm and support
for the programme – not only from
prospective families but from current
girls interested in learning to ride or
develop their riding skills,” says Pippa.
The opportunity to link equestrian
skills and interest in animals with
academic achievement has been a strong
draw card.
“For those keen to pursue a career in
the equine industry, enjoy their riding or
compete at any level, this programme is
providing girls with a real advantage in a
hugely competitive field,” says Pippa.
Our current eventing squad of
developing riders have also impressed
at the recent Canterbury Interschools
horse trials at McLean’s Island with three
quarters of the team jumping double
clear rounds in cross-country and
showjumping.
International students have also
been very keen to get involved with the
programme and take advantage of the
opportunity to learn to ride. It has been
an exciting time for two new girls from
Thailand who jumped into the saddle for
the first time recently.
Farsai Powthong says that when
she was young she loved watching
people ride horses but there were no
opportunities to learn to ride in Thailand.
“I tried once but I had a very busy life
in Thailand. I have to study for tests and
homework so I don’t have time for horse
riding,” Farsai said.
Farsai added “On holidays I would
see lots of people riding horses along the
beach and it looked very cool. But I have
the problem that I cannot ride a horse.
I don’t know how to. So when I came to
Rangi, I decided to do what I really want
to do and I found that it is very fun.”
Fellow student, Tinting
Alongkornwuttichai shares Farsai’s
enthusiasm, adding “Horse riding’s very
good, I enjoy it very much. It is very
exciting being given the chance to learn
to ride and I have already had my first
lesson.”
If you are keen to learn more about the Equestrian Programme contact Pippa Young on 03 983 3700 or [email protected] for more information.
AROUND RANGI
Maddy Tait (Year 12) competing at the Canterbury Interschools’ Horse Trials on her horse, Island Road
24 Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.
Term 3 is the business end of the
winter sports season, with all teams
vying for semi-final and final spots, and
tournament teams gearing up for their
chances on the national stage.
A huge congratulations to all girls in
all teams and all representatives over the
winter. We are so proud of you and the
contribution you make to Rangi sport
and the Rangi profile. Congratulations
on your successes and your efforts. At
Rangi, we cover such a wide spectrum
of different sports and we always
perform well. Also, a huge thanks and
acknowledgement to our coaches and
managers who give up many many hours
of their time to work with, guide and
support our girls. As the saying goes.....
we couldn’t do it without you!!
Here are the round-ups of various
sporting competitions and Tournament
week:
BadmintonBadminton has kept a fairly low profile at
Rangi in recent years. With the exception
of a few experienced badminton players,
it’s been a sport that girls have signed up
to socially and formed their own teams.
This year has been no different with
eight teams entered in the Wednesday
competition in both the Senior and
Junior grades. However, that may all
change with the support of staff member
and ex-New Zealand player, Chris
Campbell.
Starting with some lunchtime
coaching this year, the intention is to
build on this next season. The A team
will also be trialled for next year and this
approach, combined with some expert
coaching, might see an increase in the
uptake of badminton by our girls.
BasketballTwenty-one basketball teams are not
easy to co-ordinate, but it did happen
week after week for the 18 week winter
season. Well done to all teams who
never defaulted over the season, who
made finals, and who always walked
off the court with a smile! Basketball’s a
great game and a wonderful way to be
competitive while having fun with your
mates.
Senior A and Junior AOur top two basketball teams
competed very well in the A grade
competitions in the Friday night
competitions.
The Senior A’s finished the season in
5th place with a comprehensive win over
Burnside High School in their last game.
Unfortunately, after being undefeated
all season, the Intermediate A team went
down in a tough encounter to Rangiora
High School in the Intermediate A final.
The Years 7 and 8 team played in
their Friday night final and went down
after a big fightback in the second half of
their game against a Merrin school team
which was mostly made up of boys. Our
girls played extremely well in a game that
resembled a rugby match more than a
basketball match at times!
In Tournament Week the Senior
A team continued their development
and after three wins and three losses
finished a very respectable 7th in the
South Island Championships. They are
a team that has improved all season
and with considerable depth, all players
contributed very well. They now head to
the National finals in Palmerston North
in the term break and we wish them all
the best.
South Island AIMs Basketball Tournament
On 21 August, the Years 7 and 8
Basketball team went to Cowles Stadium
for the South Island AIMs Basketball
Tournament. We were all very nervous
when we got there because we knew that
we were playing Heaton - possibly one of
the strongest teams. Heaton scored the
first goals but we came back in the last
few minutes to end in a draw. We were all
so happy because we weren’t expecting
that outcome. Our team played five more
games that day, which seemed to be a
lot easier, and won them. The next day
we returned to Cowles Stadium for finals
day. We won the first two games, but
then we had to play Ashburton A. We
were very nervous because they had not
lost any games at that stage. When we
started the game they were scoring lay
up after lay up and we were down by ten
with four minutes to go. We persevered
and just kept on getting steals and ended
up tying with them. We were so excited,
but then realised we had to play Heaton
again. It was a very close game but this
time we lost by two points. We came
third overall, but we were very happy
with this result. We really enjoyed this
experience and thought we improved
over the tournament.
Jessica MillerYear 8
Congratulations to the following girls
chosen for:
Canterbury Basketball U15:
Jess Miller and Annie Doig
Allstars Basketball:
Jess Miller and Lydia Fay
Cross Country Results of CPSSA Cross Country:Isabella Carter – Year 8 Independent
Schools’ Team = 1st
Isabella Inkson – Year 7 Independent
Schools’ Team = 1st
Millie Macalister – Year 7 Independent
Schools’ Team = 1st
Congratulations to Isabella Carter
who was selected for the Canterbury
Intermediate and Primary Schools’ Cross
Country team to race at an inter-regional
cross country race in Nelson on 26
September.
CyclingAs we come close to rounding up the
season, we reflect on some fantastic
results from our Cycling team as they are
preparing for the upcoming New Zealand
National Secondary Schools’ Road Race.
We have had a successful year of
inter-secondary competition at Tai
Tapu. We had ten very keen girls biking
out there each week to race in the time
trials, hill climbs and scratch races.
All the girls have worked hard in their
respective grades and have had regular
and consistent placings in the top five.
Currently our small team of ten sit 4th
in the overall standings, 2nd in the Girls’
Schools’ standings. This is an amazing
result given the huge numbers of 30
riders in the leading team.
The girls recently returned from yet
another great tour in the Cuddon Two
Day Cycling Tour, scratching names
onto the cups for the 3rd year in a row.
Ava Morrow won every race in her U13
Sport
25www.rangiruru.school.nz
SPORT
Girls grade including the TT, Hill Climb,
Criterium and the road race. This was a
repeat of her efforts at the South Islands
earlier in the year. She will definitely
be one to watch out for. Chloe Jenkins
rode hard in her U15 group, placing in
the top half of her field in every event.
Rose Marshall-Lee fought hard in her U17
group, placing 2nd in her TT and in the
top ten in all other events. In the U20 Girls
grade Maddy Long and Eloise McIntyre
rode hard in their events, with Tessa
Jenkins and Charlotte Hand placing in
the various races. Tessa placed 3rd in her
TT and 1st in the Crit, giving her a placing
of Second in the Tour. Charlotte placed
1st in the TT, 3rd in the Crit, and 2nd in
the Hill Climb to be the overall winner of
the U20. It was awesome seeing both our
girls on the podium.
All the girls have fought and trained
hard, had fun and completed another
strong season that the team can be
proud of. The Cycling team is going from
strength to strength and will be looking
to finish the season on a high at the
Nationals.
Anton MogridgeCycling Manager
South Island Secondary Schools’ Road Cycling Championships
On 13 and 14 June while most
other people were off relaxing on their
holidays, the Rangi Ruru Cycling team of
nine girls, a small but very select group,
threw on their layers of thermals and
jackets and brought out the umbrellas
to race at the South Island Secondary
Schools’ Road Cycling Championships.
The weather wasn’t on our side on the
first day of the 3.3km Individual Time
Trial with a frost and light rain but this
didn’t stop the girls. Two especially
outstanding results from the Individual
Time Trial were Ava Morrow, a new
member of our cycling team taking Gold
in U13 Girls’ and Rose Marshall-Lee also
taking Gold in U16 Girls’. The weather
cleared slightly for the Team Time Trials
in the afternoon in which we entered
three teams, our Junior team gaining
bronze and one of our senior teams
consisting of Charlotte Hand, Tessa
Jenkins and Gabby Gray taking Gold for
the second year running by 36 seconds.
Unfortunately the weather the following
day for the Road Races deteriorated and
the girls had a new experience of racing
in rain and hail! Ava Morrow won another
Gold medal in the U13 Girls’ after a gutsy
effort riding away from the bunch in the
terrible conditions. Chloe Jenkins and
Rose Marshall-Lee also topped off their
performances with a Bronze medal each.
In the Open Girls’ Race Tessa Jenkins had
an impressive race where she rode away
from the bunch with a fellow competitor
and gained a well deserved Silver medal.
Gabby Gray also had a great ride in
the competitive Open Girls’ Road Race
throwing many aggressive attacks. It was
a very successful weekend for the Rangi
Ruru cycling team which put us 2nd in
overall points out of all the schools which
was a great achievement considering we
have one of the smallest teams!
Charlotte HandYear 13
26 Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.
SPORT
EquestrianThe Canterbury Interschools’ One Day
Horse Trial was held recently at the
National Equestrian Centre at McLean’s
Island (fortunately before the gales
closed most facilities in that area!) Rangi
Ruru eventing squad is in development
phase at present with riders on new and
young mounts establishing themselves.
The team of Anna Robertson, Maddy
Tait, Christy Harris and Stefanie Nicholas
acquitted themselves well with all riders
at the top height going double clear in
the cross-country and showjumping
phases, and although two had time
faults, the team was still well placed and
can be proud of their achievements.
Pippa YoungDirector of Equestrian
FootballCongratulations to the 1st XI Football
team who travelled to Dunedin to
compete in the Southern satellite
tournament during Tournament
week; sixteen teams compete in this
tournament over four days.
The first two days saw our team
with easy wins against Southland girls
(4-0), St Hilda’s (8-0) and Taieri College
(7-0). Wednesday is always the business
end of the tournament with crossovers
and semi-finals and it was during our
semi-final match that the wheels fell.
After disposing of Mountain View College
(6-0) in the morning, the team went
into the semi against Avonside Girls’,
the tournament number one seeds
and our nemesis. We have a history of
close games against this team and this
match was no different. In the hail (no
excuses) and with our heads full of the
NZ women’s player in the opposition, the
team went down 4-3. The girls always
played well but in this game Avonside
just played better. It would be untrue
to say that the girls were not absolutely
gutted to lose this game, especially
after having just won the prestigious
Christchurch U18 Club grade competiton
the Saturday prior. They really had hoped
to win in Dunedin and playing the other
top team in the semi final did seem a bit
daft. However, they eventually moved on
from the defeat and went on to finish in
3rd place with a 5-0 win over Craighead.
All in all a brilliant season for a talented
young group of footballers.
Congratulations to Phoebe Murray,
Rebecca Wilson, Lucy Graham, Una
Foyle and Laura Grigg who have all
been selected for age-group Canterbury
sides. This bodes well for our team in the
future.
Jo FogartyDirector of Sports
Gabby Gray
27www.rangiruru.school.nz
SPORT
Gymnastics Congratulations to Mia Townshend (1st)
and Molly McGurk (5th) for their results
in the CPSSA Rhythmic Gymnastics
competition in the Year 7 novice grade.
Also in competitive Rhythmic
gymnastics, at the Otago Champs,
Annaliese Graham came 3rd overall
in the junior international grade. Her
apparatus placings were, 1st in ribbon,
1st in hoop, 2nd in ball and 3rd in clubs.
Hockey The 1st and 2nd XI competed in the
new secondary school competition run
by the Canterbury Hockey Association.
Throughout the season, players
developed new skills and improved as
teams. The 2nd XI lost a hard fought final
2-0.
Three teams participated in the
Canterbury Secondary Schools’
sport competition on Monday and
Wednesday. This provided a good level of
competition for a wide range of players.
The 1st XI finished in 8th place at
Federation Cup. They lost a hard fought
quarter final against St Cuthberts, losing
on a penalty stroke competition.
The 2nd XI finished in 7th place at the
2nd XI national tournament. They had
many close games against other top 2nd
XIs.
Again in 2013 many players gain
representative honours.
Canterbury U21 Kirsty Nation
Canterbury Regional U18 Kirsty Nation, Anna Radovonich, Evelyn
Spiers
Canterbury Association U18 Kate Willis
Canterbury U18 Development Alex Clark, Sophie Radovonich
Canterbury U15A Jess Gunn
Canterbury U15B
Danielle Ackland, Phoebe Spiers, Margot
Willis, Annabelle Wilson
Girls chosen for Canterbury Primary HockeyCanterbury Development Isabella Inkson
Canterbury Development non travelling Reserve
Kate Edwards
Canterburys B’s
Emma Stephens, Lucy Simpson
Canterbury A (Collier Trophy team)
Hilary Royds, Claudia Reid
NetballThe second half of the netball season
has been a busy time for our netballers.
From South Island Tournaments, to the
Craighead Junior Sports Exchange for
our Years 7-10 teams, a skills session with
the Tactix players and representative
duties, let alone regular Wednesday and
Saturday netball competitions, there has
been a lot of netball.
The Senior South Island Secondary
Schools’ Tournament was held in
Christchurch this year. Played at Hagley
Park, the tournament is the highlight
of the netball calendar for the Senior
A team. After two days of play the
girls were playing beautiful netball
and looking for a strong finish to the
tournament. Unfortunately, play didn’t
go their way on Wednesday and the
girls finished the tournament in 9th
place. As disappointed as the team
and management were at this finish,
the season has had several positives
with success in both the Supernet and
Saturday competitions.
The 9A and 10A teams competed in
the South Island Junior Tournament in
the July holidays. Played in some great
conditions, the girls played some tough
games, with the 9As finishing 8th in
Division 2 and the 10As finishing 7th in
Division 2. This tournament continues to
be an opportunity for the junior players
to experience top level netball and all
that goes with competing in a multi-day
tournament.
Following on from the junior skills
sessions with Maree Bowden earlier in
the season, the Years 7 & 8 and Senior
A-C netballers had the opportunity to
develop their skills with two sessions
led by Tactix players. This opportunity
was well received, particularly for
the younger players who relished
the opportunity to meet some local
netballing stars.
Congratulations to the Rangi Ruru
A, B, C, D, E, I, J, K, O and T teams
who made quarter and semi-finals in
the Saturday club competition. It was
excellent to see the strength of our senior
netballers, reflected in the representation
of Rangi teams in the U19 Div. 1 and Div.
2 finals, as well as the U17 Div. 1 and 2
grades. Particular congratulations go out
to the Rangi B, D and I teams on their
successes, winning the U19 Div. 1, U19
Div. 2 and U17 Div. 1 grades respectively.
At this time of the season it is also
important to thank the people who help
Rangi netball function. Special thanks to
our Club Umpires – Alice Williams, Caitlin
Rains, Nicola Blue, Maddy Richards,
Georgia Thomson and Georgie Staples
– without whose help, we wouldn’t
be able to enter teams in the Saturday
competition. Congratulations also to
those girls who increased their umpiring
knowledge through taking part in the
Whistling programme, and in particular
to our Year 10 netballers, Jaimee Millar,
Gabi Newman, Nicole Smith and
Giovanna McLaughlin for achieving their
Gold umpiring badge. Special mention
should also be made of Georgia and
Maddy for achieving Level 1 qualification.
It is great to see so many girls getting
involved in netball.
Throughout the season Pauline
Shannon has been offering support
to our student coaches and has been
impressed with the enthusiasm and
28 Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.
SPORT
desire to learn which the students have
shown. It’s not easy to put your hand up
as a student coach so our sincere thanks
to those who have taken on this task.
Importantly, a huge thank you to all our
coaches – it’s impossible to offer netball
at Rangi Ruru without you.
And so the 2013 season comes to
a close. For some teams it has been a
tough season, for others there have been
lots of successes. Whatever camp your
team sits in, we look forward to seeing
you back next year. With plans already
underway to identify and recruit coaches
and develop off-season training, 2014
promises to be another exciting year of
netball at Rangi Ruru.
OrienteeringThe recent Spring storm closed Karaiki
Forest so the long distance event at
the Canterbury Schools’ Orienteering
Festival has been postponed until Show
Weekend. Fortunately the sprint event
still went ahead on 14 September at
Ferrymead Historic Park.
Our Junior Girls’ Championship
team consisted of Siena Rapley, Marisol
Hunter and Kathryn Ford. Kathryn is
new to orienteering and only had time
for a couple of training sessions before
the event so did amazingly well to get
around the course on her own and in
great time.
Results for the championship sprint
course:
Marisol Hunter 1st
Siena Rapley 4th
Kathryn Ford 6th
Rangi Ruru is currently sitting in 2nd
place just five points behind the leaders.
Final placings will be known after the
long distance event in November.
Additional congratulations:A huge congratulations to Gabrielle
Gray who has been extremely busy
over the past month competing for the
school and for New Zealand, in three
different sports. Gabby placed 3rd in the
U19 Women’s section at the the National
Lucy Gordon receiving one of her Gold medals at the South Island Secondary Schools’ Champs.
Siena Rapley at Canterbury Schools’ Orienteering Festival
Marisol Hunter 1st place for Champion sprint course
Secondary Schools’ Duathlon champs
in Taupo. She then went on to represent
New Zealand at the Australian Secondary
Schools’ Cross Country champs in
Tasmania, finishing a very creditable 30th
AND she flew home from this to join the
1st XI Football team in Dunedin for the
South Island Football tournament, where
the team finished 3rd. Not to finish there,
she is off to Palmerston North at the end
of the term for the Nationals Secondary
Schools’ Cycling Champs. Outstanding!
Well done to Chloe Jenkins, who
also competed at the national Secondary
Schools’ Duathlon Champs. In the U14
section Chloe finished in 9th place. Chloe
followed this up with a 3rd placing at
the National Road Cycling Champs in
Auckland in the Time trial.
A huge congratulations to Hanna Malloch who has made the ‘Long List’ for
the upcoming Commonwealth games for
Gymnastics.
Lauren Stapylton-Smith came 2nd
recently in the CPSSA Competitive
Gymnastics Step 6 competition.
Awesome results by Lucy Gordon who
had two 1sts and a 2nd at the South Island
Secondary Schools’ Swimming Champs in
Blenheim during the July holidays.
Isabella Carter was named in the
Canterbury Country U48kg Rugby team.
Congratulations Isabella.
Catherine Marshall went to Australia
in the July holidays and came 15th
in the Individual foil at the Australian
championships. She was also a member
of the Women’s Epee and Foil teams that
came 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Recently, the Rangi team of Catherine Marshall, Sophie Kelly and Francesca Logan attended the Canterbury
Secondary Schools’ Championships
and came 1st. Catherine was first in the
Individual Women’s Foil at this event and
Sophie was 3rd.
Congratulations to Mari-Clare McLaughlin for making the Canterbury
Primary Netball team, and Breanna Hodges for making the Independent
Primary Schools’ Netball team.
Congratulations to the Years 7 and 8 Waterpolo team who placed 6th
from 12 teams in the weekly waterpolo
competition. For a team of very new
players, this is a fantastic result.
Year 8 team: Isabella Carter, Ava Morrow,
Pieta Hansen, Jess Miller, Ella Neale,
Claudia Reid
Year 7 team: Millie Macalister, Isabella
Inkson, Lauren Stapylton-Smith, Kate
Edwards, Jemima Porter, Isabel Newman.
29www.rangiruru.school.nz
COmmUNITY
Community Relations Coordinator
Amelia DavisCommunity
Relations
Coordinator
This issue of Rangi News contains the 2013 Annual Appeal
brochure. This year we are asking our community to support
just two things – an increase in funding for scholarships, and
the 125th celebrations.
By giving to the Annual Appeal scholarship fund you will
be directly supporting a girl who would not otherwise have the
benefit of a Rangi education. As a member of our community
– whether as a student, parent, or staff - you know first hand
the impact of a Rangi education. Many girls of limited financial
means would love to have that chance too. The scholarship
fund will ensure this can happen for girls with academic and
all-round ability.
The 125th celebrations are well into the planning stages.
There are many exciting events planned including a gala
concert, building openings, a market day and fun student
activities throughout the year. Giving to this appeal would
provide funds to be used, at the Principal’s discretion, to
support these celebratory events.
Please do take the time to read the appeal information.
On another development
note, the new-look Legacy
brochure has been
completed. Some people
call this the bequest
brochure; and often
a gift to Rangi Ruru is
made on the settlement
of an estate. However,
anyone at any age, can
think about their legacy.
I would encourage you
to do so at earlier life
milestones – even the
very first time you make a
will. The Legacy brochure
will be at future Rangi
gatherings for you to
peruse, and take a copy if you wish. If you would like
the brochure sent to you directly, please contact me on
03 983 3744.
The +3 Leavers event held in July in the Boardroom of Te
Koraha was a lovely evening. Attended by well over half the
year group, and a smattering of their parents, this was a chance
for our recent past students to catch up before embarking on
their next adventure. Many thanks to Georgina Craigie, 2010
Head of House and Phoebe Clay, 2010 Head of School, for
inviting their classmates. Leavers of 2011, it is your turn next
year – start spreading the word.
I note with interest that Georgina is now working as
the pastry chef at the award winning Riverstone Kitchen.
Apparently she gets a number of Rangi visitors, most recently
Ms Moor en route to the Big Sing in Dunedin and Mrs Barnett.
Assorted students also pass her way, many returning from
‘checking out’ the University of Otago. Be sure to say hello to
Georgina on your next jaunt to Oamaru – just not on a Tuesday
or Wednesday when they are closed!
The next Fireside Chat is in the Ohoka area on Tuesday
29 October. It is being kindly hosted by Claire and Shaun
Maloney, and their daughter Hannah (Year 12). If you know of
anyone who would like to know a little more about Rangi, and
would like to meet the Principal and current parents, please do
let me know.
Catherine Hair and Nicole Chin at the +3 Leaver’s event
Catherine Shields and her parents Brent and Julie
30 Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.
Celebrating Our Community
Melanie Camp (1992 – 1996)
A year into the job, Melanie Camp is
revelling in her role as Associate Director
of the Court Theatre.
Melanie most recently directed
the Court production ‘The Great Art
War’ and, as part of the Christchurch
Arts Festival, the New Zealand Opera
performance of ‘Noye’s Fludde’ which
involved seven Rangi students - Pauline
Ward, Isabella Gregory, Anna Bruce,
India Borelli and Grace McKenzie in the
cast and Sarah Pride and Lily Lee in the
orchestra.
Melanie says the foundations for her
career in the theatre were laid at Rangi
Ruru under the guidance of then drama
teacher Kerry Fitzgerald. She says she
was “a bit shy” so spent most of her
time behind the stage rather than on
it. Her interest in things backstage was
fostered further when a visiting English
professional stage manager spent time
with the school drama department.
At Canterbury University, Melanie
quickly signed up with DramaSoc. “ I
even got up the courage to do some
acting and enjoyed it,” she says. But it
was the off-stage side of theatre that still
held most fascination.
She stayed in Christchurch after
completing her BA in English, working as
a Collections technician at Canterbury
Museum and pursuing her interest in
amateur theatre with the Elmwood
Players after hours. During that time
she directed numerous plays such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Dresser, The Importance Of Being Earnest, Richard III and the musical Hair.
In 2007, Melanie headed to Wellington
to take up a job as Collections Manager
at Te Papa. “But the theatre wouldn’t go
away,” she says. Any spare time was spent
involved with productions at Stagecraft
Theatre. “I thought, ‘what am I going to
do with the rest of my life?’ I really want
to make a go of this.” So she applied for
a Masters of Theatre Arts (Directing)
through Toi Whakaari (New Zealand
Drama School) and Victoria University,
was accepted and her passion became
her career.
Melanie spent her Masters internship
back in Christchurch at The Court,
working with and inspired by director
Ross Gumbley through the post-
September quakes. She flew back to
Wellington the Sunday before the
devastating one in February 2011.
She says the Court Theatre’s rapid
resurrection on its new site in Addington
was astounding. “It really got to me.
That the first public building to get up
and running was a theatre! I thought
‘people want this, people need this…this
is essential!’ I knew I wanted to work at
the Court. It was the right time and the
right place.”
Melanie moved down from
Wellington with her partner, an actor
and singer who shares her love of things
thespian, to take up the position of
Associate Director at the Court Theatre
last October.
“This is where I want to be,” she says.
“There is a real buzz.”
Melanie already has a long list of
directing credits to her name, from
the first act of David Mamet’s Boston
Marriage while still at Toi Whakaari
to a highly acclaimed production
of Hamlet. Last year she directed
the successful Wellington Summer
Shakespeare season of Twelfth Night as well as Immaculate and Gameplan, which was performed at the Young
and Hungry Festival of New Theatre.
Earlier this year, Melanie directed Groundswell: Stories from the Quake by Elizabeth O’Connor at Court
Theatre Pub Charity Studio.
She has another production
coming up at The Court’s Forge
Theatre at the end of October: a New
Zealand play, Postal, by Lucy O’Brien.
31www.rangiruru.school.nz
CELEBRATING OUR COmmUNITY
Sophia was a member
of the New Zealand
U21 netball team which
won gold at the 2013
World Youth Junior
Netball Championships
in Glasgow last month.
Sophia, who plays
goal attack but can also
cover as wing attack,
had a successful season
with the Canterbury
Tactix this year, starting
in ten of the games.
She came in as a
replacement player
for the Tactix in 2010
before heading south to
play for the Southern Steel the following season. She returned
to Canterbury and the Tactix in 2012, although she spent a lot
of that season injured.
A netball star throughout her days at Rangi Ruru, Sophia
was part of the champion New Zealand Secondary Schools’
team in 2009 and 2010 and has been a member of the
New Zealand U21 team since 2010. She also played for the
Canterbury NPC team which achieved back-to-back victories
in 2010 and 2011, and in 2011 made the tournament team.
Between her provincial and national commitments, she still
found time to coach a junior team at Rangi.
Sophia went to Glasgow confident of the team’s chances.
“We’re all on the same page, and we all want to win the World
Cup, so it’s going to be our focus,” she said before they left. The
team produced a strong finish to beat defending champions
Australia 52-47 in the final. It was the first time New Zealand
has won the title since 2005.
Sophia is not playing in this year’s national provincial
championship, instead opting to take some time out after the
world championship to travel around Europe.
U21 coach Janine Southby described Sophia as “a player for
the future”.
Ball skills run strongly in the Fenwick family. Sophia’s
sister Harriet Fenwick (2003-2008) played basketball for the
New Zealand Junior Tall Ferns at the Australian U18 National
Championships while at Rangi Ruru.
Sophia Fenwick (2006 – 2010)
Compiled and written by Sue Allison and Amelia Davis
Please contact Amelia Davis [email protected] if you know of a past student success that needs celebrating.
Transition Girls’ Morning Tea On Wednesday 25 September, the school dining room
opened its doors for the annual Transition Girls’ morning
tea. This year forty five attended, and after catching up
with friends and acquaintances, listened to the Business
Manager, Neil Templeton, discuss building progress around
the school site.
Marie Moncrieff (Brown), Adrienne Lambie (Anderson and Margie Perry (Free)
Ann Bell (Dysart) and Pat Manning (McKerrow)
Desley Armstrong, Erie Cusack (Monro) and June Leggett (Bradbury)
32 Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.
Rangi Ruru Early Childhood College We are pleased to report the outcome
of the External Evaluation and Review
visit that was undertaken by NZQA
evaluators in June, as notified in the
last Rangi News. The College received
confidence statement ratings of ‘highly
confident’ in education performance and
also in ‘capability in self-assessment.’
This outcome of the highest possible
EER rating is recognition of the team
effort in ensuring the teaching and
learning context and delivery of
study programmes meet stakeholder
requirements. The EER reports for
tertiary institutions are published on the
NZQA website for public viewing on:
www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/
external-evaluation-and-review/
Regretfully the College’s long-standing
Nanny Education qualification will not be
offered in 2014, our final year of operation
and delivery of the Diploma of Teaching
(ECE) qualification. Unfortunately there
were insufficient applications for a
viable intake for the Nanny Education
programme next year. For the College,
this marks the end of an almost 30 year
era as a key provider of nanny education
for in-home employment in New Zealand
and overseas. In the next edition of Rangi
News we will share with the community,
the historical journey of the qualification,
which was first delivered in 1985 to 20
students. The final student year group
enrolled in the Diploma of Teaching (ECE)
programme will complete their study
requirements in 2014.
Alison StevensonDirector
Rangi Ruru Preschool NewsThe Preschool offers a stimulating range of experiences
for the children, including additional programmes based
around children’s interests, such as Playball and music
sessions.
During this term, the children have had an opportunity to
participate in an age appropriate weekly music programme
with teacher and music specialist, Sandy Watson. The
sessions are aimed at integrating a variety of music and
movement ideas using activities that involve all the senses.
The sessions are fun and interactive and include listening to
music, playing and creating. The children are also learning
to write, read and play simple notation on unturned and
tuned percussion instruments. They are also learning simple
graphic notation to write down their ideas before moving
on to performing their creations. Several children are also
learning the violin, ukulele and piano in individual lessons.
The methods used for this instruction include Suzuki, Karl
Orff and Susan Paradis.
The aim of the specialist music programme is to help
develop children’s awareness of music in an enjoyable and
creative way. At the same time children are building and
developing their skills, knowledge, appreciation and love of
music.
Vanessa PauleyHead Teacher
46 Rhodes Street, Christchurch preschool.rangiruru.ac.nz
• for children aged 2 to 5 years• operating under a full day licence • quiet location • flexible hours• offering 20 hours ECE
Rangi Ruru Pre-school is a small community based centre:
03 983 3757
Music specialist Sandy Watson with several young students participating in the music programme
EARLY CHILDHOOD COLLEGE
33www.rangiruru.school.nz
RANGI RURU OLD GIRLS ASSOCIATION
RROGA
A large number of Old Girls attended the
RROGA AGM this year. We celebrated 90
years of the Old Girls’ Association and
took the opportunity to thank Deborah
Errington (Teale) who stood down as
President. Deborah has done a great job
over many years. Liz Lovell (Bain) took on
the role of President.
The RROGA is working towards
establishing a website and Facebook
page to keep in touch. RROGA is hosting
the Reunions over 9 and 10 November,
the Leavers Ball on 6 December and is
looking forward to hosting a Cocktail
function early in 2014 to celebrate the
125th year of Rangi Ruru. This busy
committee is always looking for new
members or helpers for their functions.
If you wish to get involved email Liz –
If you’d like to update your email
address or any other contact details that
we hold please contact addresschanges@
rangiruru.school.nz
Reunions for 2013 will be held 9 and 10 November20 years on (Year 9 1993) Organiser: Hilary Walton (Blackmore) E:
30 years on (Form 3 1983) Organiser: Lara Vivian E: laravivian@xtra.
co.nz
40 years on (Form III 1973) Organiser: Louise Smart (Anderson)
50 years on (Form III 1963) Organiser: Ali McQueen E: a.mcqueen@
rangiruru.school.nz
60 years on (Form III 1953) Organiser: Jane Sullivan (Gilbert) E: jane.
70 years on (IVB1 or IVB2 1943) Organiser: Hilary Sutton
For any enquiries, contact Hilary
at school on (03) 983 3700 ext 828 or
Students pictured outside Te Koraha, 1946
Liz Lovell (Bain)RROGA President
34 Inspire, challenge, empower … that’s the Rangi spirit.
It’ll take a fair bit of practice, but trust us, getting that fi rst jumbo jet off the ground will be a great feeling. And it’s just one big moment you can look forward to as an Air Traffi c Controller. It’s an exciting, rewarding career for which attitude and aptitude are important and we’ll give you the qualifi cations.
Become an Air Traffi c Controller!
Check out our website now for videos, tests and games,
and all the info on what’s involved and how to apply to become an ATC.
www.airways.co.nz/atccareers
Scan the code to see if you’ve got what it takes.
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35www.rangiruru.school.nz
The Face of Uncertainty, Photography by Anna Bruce, Year 9
All the girls decked out in their clan colours for the clan singing competition on Friday 27 September