WIDE SKYRangi Ruru Girls’ School | Spring 2018

EDITORIALAs one of New Zealand’s oldest and most successful schools, Rangi Ruru has established a proud tradition and heritage. Our name Rangi Ruru means Wide Sky Shelter, and these words are at the heart of who we are as a community. WIDE SKY magazine, is a biannual publication produced by the team at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School to showcase the many achievements and successes throughout the academic year. In these pages we celebrate Rangi today including the thoughts and experiences from our students and staff, and stories of the fascinating and varied lives of some of our Old Girls.

EDITORAL TEAM

The Rangi Ruru Community Relations and Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association TeamsFor information about this publication, to advertise or to update or change your details for circulation, please contact Georgie Wilson g.wilson@rangiruru.school.nz

PHOTOGRAPHY

Ken Baker www.kenbakerphotography.comNed Dawson Planet Hockey MagazineKevin Clarke www.cmgstudios.co.nz

PROOF READING

Rowan Billing, Janet McGiven and Barbara Smith.

COVER IMAGE

International Womens’ Day - Ken Baker Photography

Rangi Ruru Girl’s School

59 Hewitts Road, Merivale

Christchurch 8014, New Zealand

Tel +64 3 983 3700

Email office@rangiruru.school.nz

www.rangiruru.school.nz

Term 1 28 January - School begins - Years 7,9, new students

29 January - School begins - Years 8,10-13

5 April - End of Term 1

Term 2 29 April - 5 July

Term 3 29 July - 27 September

Term 4 14 October - 3 December

DATES 2019

LEADING2 We Know Girls

6 2017 Academic Results

10 Strength in Sisterhood

LEARNING12 NCEA

14 Learning - Life Long

16 Role Models Part 1

LIVING20 Home Away from Home

22 It does take a Village

26 Strategic Career Pathways

28 Student Leadership

29 PTA

33 Gobal Classroom

SPORTS41 Athletics

42 Equestrian

43 Swimming

44 Rowing

46 ART

48 PERFORMING ARTS

50 MUSIC

RROGA52 President’s Report

58 Philanthropy

62 Our Alumnae

70 Reunions

Contents

1

We Know Girls

DR SANDRA K HASTIE - PRINCIPAL

Our younger girls get to see and work with strong female role models in terms of our Senior Leaders. Our programmes focus on the development of teamwork over other qualities of leadership while the qualities of confidence, compassion, and resilience also feature strongly at Rangi.

In a girls’ only school there is space for young women to learn mathematics and science at their own pace. They play the entire range of orchestral instruments, take all of the speaking and leadership roles, can swim and do athletics with each other without the pressures of body image when boys are present. They fully engage in focused classrooms. In fact, in a single-

More importantly the teachers who teach in our school choose to teach girls and are interested in working with them. To be successful we recognise that our girls need more than just a feeling of support. That support must translate into actions geared towards student success. Having a connection to their teachers and their teachers knowing them as an individual is an important part of their emotional development and we recognise this.

As a result of this girls are more likely to consider majoring in Mathematics, Science and Technology compared to girls who attend co-ed schools.

Our younger girls get to see and work with strong female role models in terms of our Senior Leaders.

Through our Rangi Values and their identification of self we see our girls develop an understanding of, and empathy towards, others and we hope that they are empowered to deal with diversity regardless of gender. This determination of self and values is the asset our graduates talk about that helps them to be thoughtful, ambitious, confident but above all caring towards others. These values set down by our founders, the Gibson sisters, 129 years ago are still evident, relevant and seen in the Rangi girl today.

I have had the privilege of teaching

both in co-educational contexts as

well as in single-sex boys’ and single

sex girls’ schools.

Most parents who have raised boys

and girls will agree that there appear

to be specific differences. This is due

to the way in which male and female

brains develop.

Girls enjoy the variety of subjects and events and like many things to be happening all at the same time while boys, on the other hand, prefer a more structured and compartmentalised approach to learning. It is no surprise I am sure that girls verbalise much more effectively than boys, using twice as many words in conversation. They read sensory information more efficiently using all five senses to read situations and moderate their behaviour. They have greater capacity to remember information than their male counterparts and have more highly developed hearing across a wider range of frequencies.

sex environment girls are far more likely to take risks - from the awkward teenager who feels shy about putting her hand up in class, to the go-getting extrovert who desperately wants to play the lead in the school musical.

The effect on overall achievement is clearly evident. In analysing examination results, girls in girls’ schools consistently outperform their female counterparts in coeducational schools. When we look at the 2017 University Entrance results Girls’ schools achieved a pass rate of 77.2% compared with 64.3% across New Zealand for those girls who are in Co-educational schools.

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DR SANDRA K HASTIE - PRINCIPAL

When we look at the 2017 University Entrance results Girls’ schools achieved a pass rate of 77.2% compared with 64.3% across New Zealand for those girls who are in Co-educational schools

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support to all Rangi girls so that each girl can learn, grow and excel.

The Canterbury earthquakes provided unprecedented challenges and opportunities for Christchurch and its communities. Rangi, like so many communities, was significantly affected by the earthquakes and that opportunity was used to develop an enduring masterplan for the campus, which is centred around Te Koraha. And, impressive purpose specific buildings have been built in the first stages of implementing the masterplan.

I would like to recognise the gift that my predecessor, Stuart Nattrass, and the Governors that he led whilst Chair of the Board have given Rangi. Those Governors generously and voluntarily gave their time and current Rangi girls benefit, and future generations of Rangi girls will benefit, from Stuart’s and his Governors’ dedication, foresight, strategic thinking and wise choices following the earthquakes.

As an independent girls’ school, Rangi relies on the generosity of its community for ongoing capital

Board ChairRangi Ruru has a tradition of providing the very best opportunities for its girls, and it is only able to do so today due to the generosity of so many people over the last 129 years. The school was established in 1889 by the Gibson sisters and their generosity and dedication to the education of girls is the foundation on which the school is built.

As a Rangi Old Girl, I am very conscious that the opportunities that I was given at Rangi were due to the generosity of others. First, the generosity began at home with my parents paying my tuition fees. Secondly, I benefited from the facilities at Rangi, which existed due to support from the community, families and individuals. For instance, during my school years, St Andrew’s Church was a relatively new addition to the Rangi campus, and the funding to shift the church to Rangi Ruru in 1987 was provided by Brian Perry’s Family Trust – Rangi girls today still benefit from that generosity. Finally, I benefited from the dedication and support of my teachers and the Rangi staff at the time. One of the pleasures of being on the Board of Governors has been observing that nothing has changed in the sense that today’s teachers and staff are just as committed to giving opportunities and

NICKI CARTER

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investment. I personally believe it is a very worthwhile choice to give to Rangi – the varied and interesting pathways that Rangi girls pursue following their school years is testament to the value of a Rangi education. There are many ways to support the school including: paying the Wide Sky Vision with Fees donation; donating to the annual appeal; including a bequest to the Rangi Foundation in a will; or providing a legacy gift to the Rangi Foundation to enable the school to continue implementing the masterplan. The current Board has reaffirmed its commitment to the masterplan, and future progression of the masterplan. And, the Rangi Foundation is the custodian of funds given to the school to ensure that they are applied for the purpose given and to provide separation from the operational budget.

It is a privilege for me to be on the Board, and to currently be so closely connected to the school. I am excited about Rangi’s future, and look forward to providing ongoing governance guidance to Dr Hastie and the school and also helping steer the school towards progressing to the next phase of the masterplan.

NICKI CARTER

The Rangi Ruru Foundation plays a fundamental role in providing for the school’s future. The Foundation is the caretaker of funds, prudently managing monies raised by and for the school through annual appeals, bequests and other school fundraising activities. Its purpose being to build on the contributions of past generations to look to the future and ensure these funds are used for the purpose they were intended.

Honoured to be currently managing just over $3million worth of funds, the Foundation distributes a percentage of these for the maximum benefit of the school and its students each year.

To date, this year the Foundation has distributed $24,289.50 and supported students and the school through the following grants:

• Towards the travel and tournament costs for several different teams from various sporting codes including our senior water polo team travelling to Dunedin, nine students attending the NZSSXC Champs, the 1st XI attending the Federation Cup in

Whangarei, a student attending the South Island Secondary Schools’ Basketball Tournament and the Years 7 and 8 hockey team attending the AIMS games.

• Towards school hosting expenses for the William Pike Challenge presentation

• Supporting a student to attend the 2018 International Choral Festival in Asia

• Assisting five Years 12 and 13 students who travelled to the International Future Problem Solving competition in the United States of America

• For video analysis software to aid our staff and talented athletes in their various sporting endeavours

The breadth of events and talents of the students and staff at Rangi Ruru never ceases to amaze the Foundation. We thank our donors, past and present, for their foresight and generosity, which enable us to support the staff and these wonderful young women in their pursuits.

STEVE ANDERSON - FOUNDATION CHAIR

About Us

William Pike

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Marisol Hunter 2017 Dux

Level 1 2017 Results National RR 2016 RR 2015Achieved Level 1 100 86 99.1 100Endorsed Merit 32.4 34.7 31.8 30.7Endorsed Excellence 66.7 19.9 64.5 61.4

Level 2 2017 Results National RR 2016 RR 2015Achieved Level 2 97.5 90 98.3 100Endorsed Merit 45.1 26.4 33.9 34.5Endorsed Excellence 43.4 16.3 54.8 44.8

Level 3 2017 Results National RR 2016 RR 2015Achieved Level 3 96.5 84.2 97.3 96.5Endorsed Merit 40.5 27.5 41.8 48.2Endorsed Excellence 41.4 15.6 38.2 24.1

UE 2017 Results National RR 2016 RR 2015Achieved UE 93.90 73.8

2017 Examination ResultsAcademic excellence is at the heart of what we do. Rangi Ruru’s outstanding Scholarship results came only three weeks after NCEA results cemented our position as a standout amongst decile 8-10 and independent schools across New Zealand.

Rangi Ruru girls once again delivered against our longstanding reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading independent girls’ schools. Assistant Principal-Curriculum at Rangi Ruru, Juliet Collins, says the results are very pleasing and not unexpected. “We know our students well and so working alongside them closely means there are no surprises for us or them in these outstanding results,” she says. “To see our girls setting goals, being supported to reach and even exceed them is incredibly satisfying.” Ms Collins also cites ongoing professional learning for teaching staff as being crucial to the NCEA and overall achievements of students.

“Our teachers are outstanding and are constantly involved in professional learning and development,” she says. “When you consider that the jobs many of these girls will have at the end of their education don’t even exist yet you can appreciate how important it is for us as educators to keep ahead of those changes.”

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NCEA RESULTS 2017

Marisol Hunter 2017 Dux

ISABELLA GREGORY - THE ONLY SOUTH ISLANDER TO RECEIVE A PREMIER SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Premier Scholarship Award Winner

More than 9800 students entered New Zealand Scholarship last year across 35 subjects. Of those who sat New Zealand Scholarship, 2413 students were awarded one or more scholarships.

Isabella Gregory (Yr 13 in 2017) was the only South Island student to receive a Premier Scholarship Award and the only one in New Zealand to receive ‘Top Subject Scholar’ in two subjects - Art History and Music.

Thirty two Scholarships were awarded to Rangi Ruru students from the 2017 exams, including five Outstanding

Performance Scholarships, two more than last year and a record number for any school In the South Island. “Well-deserved and inspirational” is how Juliet Collins, Rangi Ruru Girls’ School’s Assistant Principal-Curriculum described the results. “These results are a clear indication of the strength of our academic programme. We were delighted with the outcomes for the girls,” she says. “The Scholarship examinations test high-level critical thinking in addition to specific subject knowledge, and it is important to recognise and reward this combination of attributes.”

2017 SCHOLARSHIP RESULTS Congratulations to our amazing girls, Isabella Gregory and Marisol Hunter who were Proxime Accessit and Dux for 2017.

Isabella Gregory gained four Scholarships, three at Outstanding Performance level. She was also the ‘Top Subject Scholar’ in two subjects - Art History and Music. Isabella received a ‘NZ Scholarship Premier Award’ – the top accolade available and is one of only ten recipients in the country.

Marisol Hunter gained six Scholarships, one at Outstanding Performance level and received an ‘Outstanding Scholar Award’.

Anna Bruce gained three Scholarships, and received a ‘Scholarship Award’,

Charlotte Bowman gained a ‘Top Subject Scholar Award’ in Printmaking for the top mark in New Zealand.

Nina van Pallandt, Zoe Gilpin, Charlotte Bowman, Abigail Williams and Amanda McBride each gained two Scholarships.

Jessica Anderson Music

Charlotte Bowman Painting, Printmaking (Outstanding Performance)

Anna Bruce Drama, Painting, Printmaking

Eden Cotter-Longworth Photography

Kate Donald Drama

Kathryn Ford Painting

Zoe Gilpin Biology, Geography

Isabella Gregory Music, Art History, English (Outstanding Performance), Physics

Marisol Hunter Statistics (Outstanding Performance), English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus

Xiaoling Liu Design

Amanda McBride Painting, Geography

Isabella Pownall Drama

Georgia Reynolds English

Maasa Takahashi Japanese

Nina van Pallandt Painting, Printmaking

Abigail Williams Painting, Printmaking

Chelsea Yu English

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NCEA RESULTS 2017

TOP SCHOLARS, 2017 ISABELLA GREGORY AND CHARLOTTE BOWMANIn the Visual Arts Faculty our girls are repeatedly told “You’re the boss - Kei a koe te tikanga!” With this as our faculty foundation across Art, Art History and Media Studies, students are empowered to think deeply and independently and to have confidence in their own decision making. We encourage risk taking and our students know they will learn more from the least successful aspects of their work, than they will from the successful elements. We believe this pedagogical approach and philosophy is why, again last year, our students received wonderful results, well above national standards. Thirteen of the thirty two NCEA scholarships awarded to Rangi Ruru students in 2017 were to Visual Art Faculty students. They consistently gain around 40% of Rangi’s NCEA scholarships.

Last year Isabella Gregory was awarded Top Scholar in Art History (and Music) and Charlotte Bowman was awarded Top Scholar and Outstanding Performance in Printmaking. Anna Bruce, Nina van Pallandt, Charlotte Bowman and Abigail Williams all gained Visual Arts Scholarships in both Painting and Printmaking, with Amanda McBride and Kathryn Ford being awarded scholarships in Painting, Eden Cotter-Longworth in Photography and Xiling Lui in Design.

Year 11 external results were outstanding with 88% of students gaining Excellence in their portfolio submissions worth 12 credits. These results were particularly pleasing given all students needed to complete the course by the end of Term 3, as folios were due for assessment on the first day of Term 4!

Girls are Empowered to Think Deeply and independently and to have confidence in their own decision making

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NCEA RESULTS 2017

NCEA RESULTS 2017

This speech was made by Head of School Emma Cushing at a Full School Assembly at the start of the 2018 academic year. In it Emma outlines the Student Leadership Team’s philosophy for leading the girls at Rangi this year which is to embrace the ‘Strength in Sisterhood’. “Our goal is for the girls to feel like they have an army of sisters behind them who will always support, encourage, value them.

Kia ora, Nau mai tauti mai ki a Rangi Ruru. Koutou kua ikapahi mai ki tēnei whare karakia, tēnā koutou katoa.

I’m Emma Cushing and it’s an absolute privilege to introduce myself as Rangi Ruru’s Head of School for 2018 and our vision for 2018 – Strength in Sisterhood which is in recognition of our belief that we’re at our strongest when we stand together. Our vision for the year is about embracing the Strength in Sisterhood. We want to build on our already powerful family bond and make everyone feel like Rangi is the

best place for them to be. Our goal is for the girls to feel like they have an army of sisters who will always be there to support, encourage and value them.

I still have to pinch myself that I’m standing in front of you today in the gold braid as a Year 13 Rangi girl. When I started back in 2014 in my brand new uniform and shiny shoes I remember thinking how grown up and sophisticated those gold braided girls used to look. Fast forward five years and I never imagined that I’d have gained 642 sisters, be in the position of Head Girl standing in front of you today and have had the time of my life with these girls. Our school was founded in 1889 by the Gibson Sisters and their legacy of sisterhood is stronger than ever today. This place is

so special, it really is like a family and our community is like no other. We are a real sisterhood.

Our vision Strength in Sisterhood also has an acronym of S.I.S, Sis! So when we see each other in and out of school we have a little symbol we like to do which you will have seen us doing in the video before. It goes like this… “Hey Dr Hastie how are ya? SSSSssss” So to do this you put your hands in a C position, the right on top of the left and SSSsss. We’ll try it on 3 ready 1, 2, 3 SSSSsss!! Ohhh wow, welcome to the sisterhood.

But what would a sisterhood be without the girls in it? Rangi has given me friends for life. We get the opportunity to connect with those

“Our goal is for the girls to feel like they have an army of sisters behind them who will always support, encourage, value them.

IS IN RECOGNITION OF OUR BELIEF THAT WE’RE AT OUR STRONGEST WHEN WE STAND TOGETHER.

Strength in Sisterhood

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EMMA CUSHING - HEAD OF SCHOOL

above, below and in our year group forming unbreakable bonds. Our girls don’t just learn the Rangi values, they live by them: respect, aroha, endeavor and enthusiasm, generosity of spirit and integrity. We are all different, all unique but are all linked back together through the sisterhood.

For me, the Year 13 common room is a constant reminder of how special our girls are. It’s amazing to watch and notice how comfortable the girls feel with each other. The fact that they can have a chat to anyone in the room reflects the unique confidence, kindness and acceptance that Rangi girls have. We look out for each other and no one gets left behind.

So as you can see, this year is going to be about fun, friendship and thriving in the Rangi Sisterhood. We are so fortunate to be able to come to a place as incredible as Rangi and I will treasure the memories I have made here forever.

Head of School Emma Cushing

Head of Boarding Iris Lee

Head of Community Isabella Carter

Head of Culture Holly Evans

Head of Service Eugene In

Head of Sport Ava Morrow

Head of Sustainability Lucy Costelloe

Head of Wellbeing Emilie Aitken

Head of Clan Leaders Alyssa Robinson

STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM

Heads of Balmoral Jessica Miller and Hilary Royds

Heads of Braemar Leah Berquist and Lucy Simpson

Heads of Doune Jane Boyle and Annabelle McCulloch

Heads of Dunvegan Jemima Bell and Prue Lange

Heads of Glamis Kate Boyd and Alice Newbold

Heads of Stirling Alyssa Robinson and Isabella Ullrich

CLAN LEADERS

2019 Open Day 22 March / 11am-4pm

Year 7 – Year 13, Day and Boarding School

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EMMA CUSHING - HEAD OF SCHOOL

Rangi Ruru is committed to NCEA with its flexibility, variety of modes of assessment, equity of access and national platform. During the 15 years that we have been working with NCEA, there have been changes and refinements that have reinforced the quality of the qualification. The NZ Curriculum assessed via NCEA allows the best fit for purpose to prepare our girls for their (as yet unknown) futures. The ability to think creatively, work with others, learn to self-manage, communicate with purpose; these are the attributes and transferrable skills

Overassessment has impacted on the wellbeing of our girls, something we have been aware of for a number of years.

Wellbeing for Young People’s Success at Secondary School (February 2015) : 19/02/2015

To help address this, for the last three years Rangi Ruru has, at Level 1, restricted the number of credits that any subject can offer. We have not changed the courses, or the learning comprised in them, just the number of credits. This may have

NCEA

The New Zealand Curriculum document was published by the Ministry of Education in 2007. It is an open and broad ranging document, every bit as powerful and relevant today as when it was published. The expansive opportunities for learning in the document put alongside each other the skills, competencies, dispositions and contexts that are considered core to the development of understanding of the different learning areas (subjects). This allows us to interpret the curriculum in a way that suits our students.

We’re committed to NCEA with its flexibility, variety of modes of assessment, equity of access and national platform.

Our students need to apply their learning at different levels of complexity. They need to use knowledge to solve problems, anaylse information, make judgments, think critically and apply this in different contexts. To prepare our girls for their futures beyond school, they also need to learn to be self-directed, reflective and practice resourcefulness. This positions learning, and the application of this learning at the fore, rather than assessment outcomes.

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority oversee assessment outcomes from this curriculum, namely the National Certificate of Educational Achievement.

that will allow for both tertiary success and the flexibility to negotiate their pathway in a global marketplace and to prepare them for world domination. Our students achieve at the highest levels and we remain committed to the pursuit of individual excellence within the framework of NCEA.

However, there is too much assessment. The assessment outcomes (NCEA) have become the driver, rather than the learning (curriculum) being the goal and the assessment a measure of this.

NCEA outcomes, (the Achievement Standards) have driven course construction and have sidelined a love of learning for its own sake.

THE NEW ZEALAND CURRICULUM AND NEW ZEALAND QUALIFICATIONS.

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JULIET COLLINS - ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, CURRICULUM

felt restrictive initially, now it seems normal. And sensible. We have chosen to help students manage their assessment load by limiting the number of assessments available. The question now is, is this enough? The Government has undertaken an Educational review that includes a review of NCEA (link: https://www.education.govt.nz/ministry-of-education/consultations-and-reviews/ncea-review/).

There are six ‘Big Opportunities’ presented for discussion and comment. The first of these:

Big Opportunity # 1: Creating space at NCEA Level 1 for powerful learning.

What? Rebuild Level 1 as a 40 credit qualification – 20 for literacy and numeracy and 20 for a project.

Why? Reduces overall NCEA assessment workload, while giving

A number of schools in New Zealand have made the decision to step away from Level 1 as a qualification all together. By concentrating on a learning programme that prepares students for Level 2 over two years, they are attempting to address wellbeing by reducing assessment stress and positioning rich learning and innovative teaching. Perhaps this is a better response that the suggestions in the NCEA review. Let the conversations continue.

learners a more engaging, relevant qualification, reflecting vital skills, knowledge, capabilities, and attitudes.

Does this go far enough, or does it confuse the over-assessment issue? New Zealand is the exception rather than the norm with three years of high stakes assessment in our Senior Secondary School. At Rangi Ruru our students do not leave school after Year 11 as a rule, and none leave with Level 1 as their highest qualification.

The ability to think creatively, work with others, learn to self-manage, communicate with purpose; these are the attributes and transferable skills that will allow for both tertiary success and the flexibility to negotiate their pathway in a global marketplace.

The NZ Curriculum assessed via NCEA allows the best fit for purpose to prepare our girls for their (as yet unknown) futures.

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JULIET COLLINS - ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, CURRICULUM

Our focus for this year is on ‘Collaboration’ with teachers designing learning opportunities for students around connected concepts or themes, which are explored in multiple learning areas by learners and teachers to deepen learning. This is a particular focus for a number of teachers in Years 7-10.

‘Learning doesn’t happen in isolation’. Te Reo teacher, Connor Matthews explains that the connected learning experience

to see the learners transfer acquired skills in both areas.

Having access to the teaching practice of one’s colleagues; to model and to be modelled to, supports the development of effective and responsive teaching, plus students see the value of collaboration.

‘Now, more than ever, teachers need to see themselves as life-long learners who are adapting to changing needs of students’.

Learning - Life LongNow, more than ever, teachers need to see themselves as life-long learners who are adapting to changing needs of students. To support decisions about learning, on how best to provide a personalised, responsive approach to learners, our teachers are constantly inquiring into the effectiveness of their teaching, and refining and adapting what they do.

Our vision for learning at Rangi Ruru is to provide Inspiring, Challenging and Empowering (ICE) learning experiences that enable students to develop the skills and knowledge to be actively involved, confident global citizens who think creatively, reason critically, communicate effectively and learn passionately throughout their lives.

We affectionately refer to this as ‘being ICE’ed’. This of course, applies to our most important asset, our teachers!

There is a rich professional learning culture at Rangi Ruru, and staff are always exploring opportunities to further develop their knowledge and capabilities to ensure learning is meaningful, relevant and future-focused.

between Te Reo and Science in Year 8, ‘enabled a depth of knowledge and understanding that neither one of us could provide by ourselves’, with Science teacher, Carrie Hartel, celebrating the experience not just for the students‘ who developed a deep appreciation of native plants’ and their significance for Maori’, but for the learning both teachers enjoyed, ‘engaging with a different perspective… helped magnify my understanding’ and it was satisfying

‘ICE time’, school based professional learning time, allows the space for teachers to come together in Faculty or project based teams to review current research and innovations, to trial new digital tools and to share effective strategies. Teaching and Learning practice is constantly evolving, with technologies, transforming the way we all engage when learning. Teachers and students learn along-side one another when deciding on how best to use digital tools.

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MELANIE L’EEF - ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, TEACHING AND LEARNING

This ‘Teaching as Inquiry’ framework or action research model, underpins teachers’ reflection and professional learning. They know what’s working well and why, they experiment and innovate, in response to data and feedback from their learners and their colleagues, and most importantly, they learn from each other by sharing the outcome for learners of their inquiries. Teachers regularly observe learning in their colleagues’ ‘classrooms’, followed by shared reflection and coaching, supports their continued growth.

just about the knowledge gained but more ‘what skills students need to learn to prepare them for their future’. She has greater clarity of what this means in practice. To her colleagues, Tania issues a challenge – ‘to have first-hand experience of completing a qualification’ in this 21st century; strengthening in ourselves, the very skills we know are essential for our students to thrive beyond school. What terrific role modelling!

Engaging in post-graduate study is encouraged. Tania Morgan, Leader of the Languages Faculty, recently achieved her Post-Graduate Diploma in Education with Distinction. ‘… completing this course helped me empathise with what being a learner involves nowadays for my students. Having to juggle the demands…was a challenge in terms of my time and self-management skills. With almost all of my course being via distance learning online, I also had to quickly learn to navigate learning via a digital platform. This did allow me to better understand the different issues (and opportunities) this way of learning presents for my own students.’

Tania considers she is a ‘more effective teacher, approaching teaching from the learner’s point of view.’ It’s not

We are a diverse community of learners, collaborating to ensure everyone’s potential is developed and fueled.

To support decisions about learning, on how best to provide a personalised, responsive approach to learners, our teachers are constantly inquiring into the effectiveness of their teaching, and refining and adapting what they do.

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MELANIE L’EEF - ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, TEACHING AND LEARNING

ROLE MODELS PART ONE

MANAAKI WHENUA, MANAAKI TANGATA, HAERE WHAKAMUA

Five years ago, a Sustainability Philosophy, with specific policies, was developed by Rangi Ruru students and staff, guided by a commitment to care for oneself, each other (across cultures, distances and generations) and the environment.

We kicked off our ambitious initiatives, by displaying three cubic meters of rubbish, including the contents of 128 large black rubbish bags of mixed waste. This was strategically dumped in our main courtyard. As each person slowly walked into assembly, past the mountainous pile, we were shocked into action. It was alarming to witness the vast quantities of waste we were producing on a daily basis! This symbolised the end of an era. We are immensely proud of our changes and progress to date, particularly our 58% reduction of waste to landfill.

Food and Drink To reduce waste, we analysed where it was coming from, and initially made changes to the food and drinks we were selling. Through preparing nourishing meals onsite, rather than buying in highly processed and packaged convenience foods, we have shown our commitment to both

waste reduction and establishing healthy habits. Prior to changes, the Sustainability Council surveyed students and collected alarming data, showing over a third of our girls aged between 11 and 14, were regularly consuming more sugar at lunch time than the recommended daily intake. This evidence contributed to the decision to adopt a water only policy and have the vending machine removed. Styrofoam and plastic products have been replaced by reusable water bottles, biodegradable plates, cutlery and cups. Other items, such as single-use packaged spreads are gone and instead, cut up cubes of butter are provided, reducing waste and costs.

Our healthy food and drink practices have been celebrated nationally. The University of Auckland Food in Schools Survey, School-FERST National Study 2016-2017, outlined our healthy habits as an example of good practice to inspire other schools. We are committed to being mindful about what we make available in our school.

Purchasing Rangi promotes sustainable procurement and procedures, using goods and services of high environmental and ethical standards, from local sources where practicable. Our paper for printing is recycled or produced from sustainably sourced forestry. Printer and photocopier toner cartridges are recycled or reused.

CARE FOR THE LAND CARE FOR THE PEOPLE GO FORWARD

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KATE RIVERS - DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY

ROLE MODELS PART ONE In 2014, Rangi Ruru became a certified Fairtrade School, one of only two in Christchurch, committed to using fair trade products. All eggs are free range and cartons are returned and reused by our suppliers, as are milk bottles. On Mondays, meals are meatless, thus significantly reducing our carbon footprint as a community. These actions have heightened awareness of our responsibilities as consumers to respect our planet and show Rangi Ruru’s strong commitment to the environment, animal welfare and social responsibility.

Carbon NeutralA number of successful student-driven sustainability initiatives, have had great impact and led to Rangi becoming carbon neutral. Extensive calculations were undertaken to establish our school carbon emissions and to consider ways to further reduce our carbon footprint as individuals and as a community. In the year 2016-2017 our school operations, including electricity, gas, and transport/travel for school trips, caused just under 600 tonnes of carbon dioxide to be emitted. Having a detailed picture of which of our activities are the most polluting, shed light on areas to focus on. We continue to work on reducing our emissions and offset through effectively protecting rainforests from logging through Cool Earth. The first step towards the school’s goal of carbon neutrality was awareness. This year we are on track to lower our emissions by a further 5%.

GroundsRangi Ruru’s beautiful grounds bring students closer to the natural world, capture their imaginations and help them learn about environmentally friendly practices and biodiversity. We grow fruit, vegetables and herbs, alongside many, endemic drought tolerant species. In the past three years we have been awarded over six hundred native trees and shrubs through the Paper for Trees programme. A number of these have been planted onsite, to attract bees and native birds, while others have been planted on Banks Peninsula and wider Canterbury region, in many cases, protecting the land from erosion. We have a worm farm and hope to establish a beehive onsite by the end of this year, following a successful ‘Save the Bees’ campaign by the Sustainability Council.

Energy We endeavor to design for, and operate with energy efficiency, using renewable energies and energy conservation strategies. Rangi’s new buildings have sensors and design features built in to conserve energy and we heat our new buildings with solar power.

Planning is currently underway to establish a digester and biogas system to convert our green waste to gas. This will enable us to make energy onsite and to model a sustainable approach, that could be established in other NZ schools to help meet our government CO2 targets. As well as reducing our waste

removal costs, Rangi will produce biogas, thus reducing current gas and electricity costs. In the process, we will also produce digestate as an organic, odorless fertilizer, as an asset.

Transport and TravelStudents and the wider community are encouraged to use healthier, less polluting modes of transport. The school has helped reduce traffic by establishing bus links from communities outside of the central city to school and enabling carpooling networks.

WasteFour years ago, we established source separation of waste, by setting up colour coded bins and an extensive education programme to reduce waste. Thanks to a generous PTA donation, we have set up stations in the Boarding House this year, with compostable, compressible coloured bags. The Boarding House are shifting to greener and better cleaning methods, trialling the use of micro fibre, silver lined clothes for chemical free, non-toxic cleaning.

Last year, our Young Farmers in the Boarding House made an inspiring short film outlining environmentally friendly practices on their farms and at Rangi. They were placed first equal in the national AgRecovery Competition.

Reuse Education around waste reduction is a focus of our Environment Club. Newsletters, demonstrations and talks provide

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KATE RIVERS - DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY

‘wide sky shelter’ and indicates, that from its beginnings, our school has stood for hospitality and generosity. We open our doors to collaboration and have hosted sustainability hui onsite. We believe, bringing people together for a common cause, is a hallmark of sustainability.

Years 7 and 8 students enjoyed a Challenge Based Learning Week focusing on ways to reduce waste. This collaborative learning involved visiting local CCC compost and recycling facilities, making connections, taking action and sharing ideas in the wider community.

We endeavour to practise global citizenship, enriching our educational mission with activities and partnerships that improve both the planet and the lives of people living in other parts of the world. Through service, ICE productions and Young Enterprise, many girls form relationships in the wider community, connect and get involved in sustainable projects. Conservation and sustainable practices are becoming embedded in our everyday life at Rangi Ruru. We believe in the holistic view that our individual wellbeing is connected to the health of the community and the natural environment and every one of us needs to show a strong sense of care and responsibility through our everyday actions.

At Rangi, we believe it is possible to meet the needs of the present

generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. However, to enable this, we all need to change our habits. Sustainability is about the relationship between people and planet and the process that allows Earth’s natural resources and systems to be maintained indefinitely without irreversible damage. Our societies (including economies) depend upon healthy biological and physical systems. At present, we are depleting the resources on which we depend for survival. A sustainable society is one in which people can lead healthy, satisfying lifestyles which are within the capacity of the planet to support.

With our commitment to sustainability education through teaching and day to day practices, Rangi is attempting to reduce our current impact on the earth and prepare students for the future where resources are part of a cyclical process. Our school values and actions, show respect for other people, cultures and the natural world, through an underlying sense of care and responsibility.

We are committed to pedagogy, to developing deep thinkers who have the capacity to understand and respond wisely to the challenges of creating socially and ecologically sustainable societies. We need people across all disciplines who are literate in sustainability principles, who can think critically and laterally, who can work cooperatively, who can think in terms of systems, relations, and connections, and who are prepared to participate and make a difference.

practical advice on how to make your own products without the need for packaging. The Environment Club oversee our extensive Reuse Depot, collecting food storage products, cling wrap, snap lock bags, oral care waste, yoghurt pouches, plastic packaging, coffee capsules, mobile phones, creative junk, hazardous waste, egg cartons and milk bottles, clothes, sports gear and clan gear, bras and togs, medical braces, moon boots, books, stationery, soft plastics. Many of these products are sent to Terracycle to be made into moulded plastic products in New Zealand. In doing this, we build partnerships with the wider community.

Rangi was invited to be involved in the Whole House Reuse project and exhibition at Christchurch Museum. This showcased the stunning objects and endless possibilities of reusing waste. Every part of a house was used to produce artworks.

Upcycling clothing and mending, rather than throwing away, are concepts actively encouraged by the student Sustainability Council. Second hand clothing mufti days celebrate reuse. Awareness and actions have gained momentum and shifted thinking and behaviours, with many staff and students making a sustained effort to make positive changes and establish new habits.

Connections We instill respect for human rights, freedoms, cultures and creative expression through our school values. Our school motto Whaia to te Rangi – suggested by Māori Chief of Rāpaki Pa, Paora Taki translates to

Care for the Land, Care for the People, Go Forward - continued

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Home Away From Home This speech was made by Head of Boarding Iris Lee at a Full School Assembly at the start of the 2018 academic year. In it Iris reflects on her six years living in the Boarding House.

Before I start yarning about anything, I would like to take this opportunity to make it clear who I am. Put your hands up, if you know what Siri is. (you can put your hands down now). For those who don’t, Siri is a talking machine on the iPhone that does a million things such as calling, texting, searching, setting alarms, reading emails, calculating and even beat-boxing. Now, when you spell Siri backwards, it goes like this, I-R-I-S. Yes, that’s right. That is my name.

Now, I would like to start my story. So, if you could have your eyes wide open and pretend that you are listening, it would be much appreciated.

I have been living in New Zealand by myself for almost six years. Now, when I say “by myself”, it means that my family doesn’t live here. In fact, my parents have not been to New Zealand

IRIS LEE - HEAD OF BOARDING

before. They were very brave enough to send their daughter 10,000 km away and keep her there for six years to have a peaceful life. To be honest with you, I wasn’t the nicest sister. I often argued with my brother which only occasionally led to physical contact. By that time, my mum and dad had enough of us, so someone had to go, which turned out to be me. I am not complaining at all about it because I can confidently tell you that I am having an awesome life in New Zealand.

In the past six years, I’ve had so many life lessons and I would like to share a couple of them with you all today.

Firstly, so much is learnt from mistakes we make; whether it is a small mistake like playing hockey inside and smashing the window, (you know who you are), to a big mistake like someone buying $500 worth of rugby tickets from a dodgy website and ending up losing money; if you wonder who that is, she is somewhere in this chapel probably laughing. This person, let’s call her Becky, decided to play hockey

and show us in the room how good she was. She was an amazing hockey player, but the problem was that she wasn’t good at controlling her hockey stick, so the hockey ball, instead of finding the goal, shot off to the side and through the window. However, the point is that by smashing the window, she learnt that playing hockey inside is dangerous and can cause serious damage, and she never played hockey inside again.

Every single person will make mistakes throughout their lives just like Becky, but the most important thing is that we learn from them. It is such an amazing life experience that helps you to deepen your knowledge, discover more about yourself, and help to make better decisions in the future.

However, you will be able to do these only if you are willing to learn and make improvements in yourself. When the same mistake is repeated, it becomes a habit and small mistakes become big. It is good to learn from small mistakes because once they become

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bigger, it may be harder to fix them. So, try to take it as an opportunity to make yourself a stronger, better, and greater person.

The last thing I would like to share with you is that stuff happens. Throughout life, we all have our ups and downs whether you want it or not. Sometimes, you can take it positively, but most the time you can’t, and you question yourself, ‘Why does this happen to me?’.

On the last day of Term 3 break last year, an incident happened in the Boarding House. I was just about to finish packing and my neighbour (Floyd) put her music on. Both of us were singing and dancing not

too crazily but crazy enough to be able to trip on my long floaty pants. Unfortunately, my elbow went right through the wall and into Floyd’s room.

People laughed, but it wasn’t funny at all. I couldn’t hide it because the hole was way too big, so I had to tell someone at the Boarding House. I was embarrassed, and it was humiliating. However, what I learnt from that situation is that stuff happens, and things go wrong. When something bad happens, you have three choices. You can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.

Whatever you choose to do, just remember this, your present situation

is not your final destination. Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come. You can’t change the fact that it happened, but you can learn from it and change your future.

When things go wrong, don’t feel as though you are going through this alone. Let your friends or family help you go through the hard moment with you. It may look really bad at the time, but it may not be once you have people around you. And, girls that is the whole idea of sisterhood; supporting and encouraging your friends, being there for each other and being real sisters to each other.

IRIS LEE - HEAD OF BOARDING

Iris Lee

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It does take a Villagemust be taught, as we all need them. Wellbeing research suggests that a positive education approach will allow our girls to be aware of potential issues but also equipped with approaches that can help them to live life to the fullest, through times of challenge and times of celebration. Wellbeing studies show improved levels of wellbeing, in an education setting, are associated with: higher levels of optimism, better academic engagement and results, greater levels of participation and self-control, less procrastination and fewer levels of depression and anxiety (Robinson, 2016).

Building on the wonderful work that was started by the Wellbeing

Committee two years ago, as well as the traditions of community and empowerment established by the Gibson Sisters, the Wellbeing Framework at Rangi Ruru is now differentiated at each level. This allows the needs of each level to be met so that each year your daughter can add to and develop her Wellbeing tool kits. Wellbeing sessions are delivered by tutors in tutor times on Monday and Friday afternoons, but it is something that all staff and students embrace at all times. As your daughter moves through each level of the programme she is able to gain new tools and skills to help her develop and thrive, and her teachers will be able to utilise these as well.

At Rangi Ruru we recognise the importance of Wellbeing as a way of life. Studies show improved levels of wellbeing, in an education setting, are associated with: higher levels of optimism, better academic engagement and results, greater levels of participation and self-control, less procrastination and fewer levels of depression and anxiety

Why is Wellbeing, or feeling good and functioning well, so important? A person’s wellbeing is about many things, including physical, mental, emotional and social health factors, and if we can all help our girls to develop and balance these factors then we can help them to flourish in all areas of their lives. At Rangi Ruru we recognise the importance of Wellbeing as a way of life, and we all play a part when it comes to the Wellbeing of our whanau.

You may read this and ask, “why the great interest in wellbeing now?” There are two key reasons, firstly, a rise in mental illness, and secondly, a new body of wellbeing research. It can be confronting to read current Mental Health Foundation NZ (2017) statistics such as, “more than half of the New Zealand population will meet the criteria for a mental disorder at some stage in their lives.” New concepts are also confronting, such as that of the Fragile Thoroughbred: an able student who has achieved academic success but has not faced, or developed the skills to face, challenges in doing so. (Randolph, 2010). At Rangi Ruru we accept, without judgement, individual experiences with mental health, and feel strongly that the skills of resilience and wellbeing can be taught, in fact

JENELLE HOOSON - WELLBEING

YEAR 7 the focus is on developing relationships and a sense of belonging. This is connected to the Rangi Value of Aroha and the key Wellbeing skills that are focused on are Growth Mindset and developing an understanding of the Rangi Values. The Year 7 tutors provide a wealth of time to engage in conversation with the girls so that a sense of connection and support is created. As just one example of the significance of connection, a 75-year Harvard study recently concluded that “good relationships keep us happier and healthier” (Waldinger, 2017). Digital Engagement, helping students to feel empowered and protected online, is also a key focus for Wellbeing at Year 7 and students have been involved in sessions where they consider how they can develop their best possible ‘online character’, considering positive character traits such as perseverance, empathy, self-control and humility.

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YEAR 9 the focus is on developing understanding of yourself and others. This is connected to the Rangi Value of Respect and at Year 9 the Wellbeing programme is directly connected to the Peer Support Programme, which is delivered by Year 12 students. The Peer Support Programme for New Zealand Secondary Schools, established in the 1980s, has been used successfully at Rangi Ruru for over thirty years. Building on the Year 7 Wellbeing focus, peer support recognises the importance of developing a network of friends and feeling valued, so that students can achieve and develop their social skills. Having Year 12 girls facilitate the groups fosters positive and trusting relationships across year levels. Across the year, peer support groups cover topics including self-esteem, values, understanding diversity, peer pressure, bullying and expressing feelings. Peer support plays a key role in developing an environment where all girls are valued and encouraged, which is just one way in which strong links between junior and senior students are created, thus building a community approach to Wellbeing.

Building on the strong sense of connection developed across Years 7-9, developing inner strength is the focus at Year 10, which is connected to the concept of Wahine Toa, Strong Women. The key Wellbeing skill that is focused on is Character Strengths. The Values In Action (VIA) classification of Character Strengths, led by Martin Seligman and Chris Peterson, draws on the work compiled by a team of over 50 researchers. This study of human character is considered to be one of the most significant contributions to psychology in the last century. Through their research, it has been discovered that the use and knowledge of Character Strengths boosts wellbeing, improves relationships, fosters resilience, and creates supportive strong communities. The VIA survey is one of the most thoroughly validated studies of character in the world, with over 200 published peer-reviewed journal articles related to its findings. The survey avoids focusing on what we like and instead focuses on what we do, and research suggests that it is through the use of our strengths that we move towards flourishing.

JENELLE HOOSON - WELLBEING

The William Pike Challenge Award is the focus of the Wellbeing programme at YEAR 8, which is being run at Rangi Ruru for the first time this year. It involves a focus on physical activities, community service and passion projects. The focus is on exploring your capability and this is connected to the Rangi Value of Endeavour. Researchers at UNITEC have recently evaluated the William Pike Challenge Award concluding that it develops youth in a positive way. According to the study, the award helps students develop ‘belief that they can achieve’ when they try new things and it helps young people build stronger connections with peers, whānau, school and the community. The researchers found that the programme helps young people understand and respond to other people’s needs. In other words, it builds empathy. We are excited to build our involvement with The William Pike Challenge Award in future years.

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YEAR 10 students, as well as staff, are able to discover “what is right with you?” (rather than the more habitual thought of “what is wrong with you?”) using their character strengths to make positive progress at school, at home and with personal challenges. Why not try it yourself? It is a key wellbeing focus for staff this year so feel free to talk to teachers and staff as to how it is supporting their wellbeing, as well as the wellbeing of our students.

Positive emotions and education is the core focus of the wellbeing programmes at the senior level. Sheldon Cohan’s study on the common cold concluded that those with greater positive emotions are you are three times less likely to get sick! Barbara Fredrickson is a leading expert on positive emotions and after thirty years of research in this area has concluded that positive emotions open our minds and hearts, changing our mindsets and brain chemistry, and through positive emotions people become more creative, knowledgeable, resilient, socially integrated and healthier individuals.” Looking after yourself, and also looking after others, connects with the well-established community service programme.

YEAR 11 have spent time looking at Community Service projects, which are connected to the Rangi Value of Generosity of Spirit and the key Wellbeing skill of Positive Relationships. Examples of building positive relationships, which build on concepts from junior years, include Active Constructive Responding - being genuine and interested in others - and the “How full is your bucket?” theory - when you ‘fill’ someone else’s bucket you also fill your own, and therefore both parties achieve happiness. Our girls know that every interaction matters and secure relationships help them to feel protected and able to support others.

WELLBEING

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ideas and needs. Rangi Ruru is committed to Wellbeing and being open to new initiatives, approaches and ideas. We are excited to be a part of the Grow Waitaha Secondary Schools Wellbeing Co-Operative, which has a hui once a term. Through this we are able to share experiences, grow together and develop our cultural responsiveness as a school. It is just one of the many ways in which we can support your daughters to feel good, function well and face their futures with optimism, hope and positivity. It really does take a village to support everyone’s Wellbeing, and we feel positive about the community approach we have developed and will continue to develop in the future.

YEAR 13 is a full and busy year and we feel it is important to allow time for the girls to think about their courses, careers and callings beyond school. At Year 13 the focus is on holding onto the experience of their last year at school. This is connected to the Rangi Value of Integrity and the key Wellbeing skill that is focused on is Sense of Positive Purpose.

A real strength of the Wellbeing programme is that it builds on the fantastic courses that are already on offer. As part of timetabled classes your daughters are encouraged to have a voice when it comes to Wellbeing and to suggest

YEAR 12 builds from the Year 11 programme with a focus on Positive Purpose and Growing Resilience. Researcher and writer, Stephen Post, believes “If there is one great secret to a resilient life of growth, wellbeing and good health, it is in never giving up on giving”. Having developed a growth mindset at the junior level, growing resilience can be developed and discussed to support and manage the academic programme at a senior level. Indeed, all of the Years 11-13 Wellbeing programmes also have a focus on study skills. In 2018, Patrick Sherratt worked with all senior students in Term 1 sharing his expertise in meta-cognitive knowledge and performance psychology.

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she says. “Whether it’s university, drama school or a gap year, there are so many options available and what Crimson does is work with students and families to find all the possibilities and develop a plan on how to get where they want to be. Think of it as traditional careers advice x10. Already we are seeing very positive results for our students.”

Kristen Fox, Crimsons Career Pathway Strategist based at Rangi, says working with students at a Years 7 and 8 level is essential because she believes “getting your head around career and tertiary education options at Years 10 and 11 is too late.”

And one 2016 Rangi Alumnae, Amy Huang, agrees. Working with Crimson Education, Amy was able to gain confidence and perspective about what she wanted to do as far as choosing subjects at school was concerned, and what her options were post-secondary school. “I had never thought about what the opportunities were beyond New Zealand,” she says.

“Crimson kept me focused on where I fitted in from a global perspective, looking at my marks and my abilities. They supported me to see what I was capable of on the world stage.

”Amy is in New Zealand to catch up with friends and family before she starts her second semester at the Rhode Island School of Design or RIS-Dee’ as the students call it.“I am doing a four-year degree and will complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in Industrial Design. It’s pretty full on,” she says. “There’s not much spare time because of the workload which has quite a big self-managed component. Basically, you get out what you put in so I put as much as I can in, as often as possible,” she laughs.

Amy says Crimson were invaluable to her as a support and advisory resource at Rangi Ruru.

“It became clear after I started liaising with our Careers Pathway Strategist that I had the academic results needed to get into the schools I had

In 2016 Rangi Ruru Girls’ School formed a collaboration with Crimson Education which was the first of its kind in New Zealand. The aim was to facilitate the strongest model of support to inform students and their families about education and career pathways beyond high school by supplying around the clock care with a full time Careers and Pathways Strategist, solely dedicated to Rangi students. In addition, Rangi girls have VIP access to global resources, international trips, and personalised roadmaps. Given the vast set of educational goals Rangi girls have both domestically and internationally, Crimson has developed a programme specific to support all girls’ needs starting in those crucial early years.

Dr Hastie says Crimson provides an essential service for students, linking Rangi Ruru students to the world in a way that’s never been done before. “Crimson Education is the conduit to global connections bringing the world to our students and paving pathways for them to contribute to the world,”

CRIMSON EDUCATION

Strategic Career PathwaysCRIMSON EDUCATION AT RANGI RURU Amy Huang

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identified as being best for me and my future but I needed to improve my communication and leadership skills. Without that, it was quite likely I would not have been successful getting into ‘RIS-Dee’,” she says.

Amy reiterates that working with Crimson Education is not “hot housing” or adding pressure to students still unsure about what they want to do as a career or what they want to study at a tertiary level.

“In fact, it takes the pressure off. I felt supported by good, knowledgeable people who were helping me make the decisions, informed decisions. Instead of not knowing what the options were and making choices that were not the right ones for me and could effectively put me on the wrong track.”

Kristen Fox says she “connects people and resources, accessing networks that Crimson has spent many years establishing and keeping up to date.”

“A Year 10 student came to see me and she was very keen to see what the career and study options are around computer coding, robotics and app development. It’s awesome that more girls are interested in things that haven’t traditionally had many females involved but there’s so much more than those three options out there. We started looking at surgical robotics and associated possibilities. Two years ago, there were about 4,000 surgical robots scattered around the world’s hospitals, and they took part in 750,000 operations. That is increasing exponentially. The student was absolutely fizzing and now we will continue working together to get her where she wants to be, subject wise and eventually tertiary study wise.”

Currently, on a pathway of success is Year 13 Rangi Ruru student, Isabella Carter. Bella is a shining example

of someone who has utilised the resources around her to create a team of support. An academic scholar and top athlete, Bella is being recruited by Harvard, Yale, Duke, UCLA, and Stanford, among many other elite universities in the USA.

Wanting to continue her educational journey domestically, Charlotte Gambrill has recently received news that she is a top contender for the competitive PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Scholarship. This scholarship includes a coveted internship, industry mentor, and university financial support. Again, through focused strategy, and a support

team around her devised of both Crimson Education and Rangi Ruru, Charlotte has been able to push forward towards her goals. Long term, Charlotte plans to attend law school and making consistent steps towards achieving that dream.

In today’s society, we may not be able to avoid the reality of competition but we can control our mindset and where we choose to focus our efforts. How we prepare and equip ourselves to put our best foot forward into whatever stadium, literal or otherwise we choose to enter, is important to consider before the final years of high school.

CRIMSON EDUCATION

Kristen Fox and Isabella Carter

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Student LeadershipDeveloping leadership lies at the heart of what we do. As our increasingly interconnected and constantly evolving world changes, we must reflect and re-focus our understanding of what leadership looks and feels like. Our core school values of respect, aroha, endeavour and enthusiasm, generosity of spirit and integrity provide a wonderful foundation upon which to build our programme.

We all regularly demonstrate leadership in our everyday lives, but far too infrequently do we recognise and celebrate it. Struggling to define leadership is common as we often hold our leaders in such high regard and expect them to change the world. At times, we are unaware of the significantly positive impact that our own, seemingly small, actions make. At Rangi Ruru we are committed to distributed leadership, believing that all students have

the potential to thrive. Our aim is for each girl to have the opportunity to further develop her leadership qualities.

A wealth of opportunities exist for students to serve their school and local community. This year’s school theme is ‘Strength in Sisterhood’ and what a sisterhood it is! Comprised of twenty students, the Student Leadership Team has introduced a range of initiatives to encourage girls to step outside of their comfort zone, challenge perceptions and celebrate their sisters’ achievements. The team understand that leadership is about action and setting an example, whilst accepting that failure is part of the process, and, is in turn, an opportunity for further learning. Students are mentored in their roles and further supported by a Senior Council offering advice, constructive criticism and objectivity.

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It is the positive relationship we have with the Staff which in turn raises our value as an Association. The fact that the school includes us in important events such as “Meet The Teacher” evenings, Open Days and other events and gives us the platform to work together is a huge asset to us. It makes us feel valued in the role we have. Being able to support the school in various ways through travel funds, resources and other avenues makes the fundraising all worthwhile.

Within the PTA there are a lot of different roles or groups such as the second hand uniform group, travel fund, wish listers, entertainment bookers, events organisers, parent network, parent education. Examples of these contributions can be seen around the school, in classrooms and during school events (clan flags, recycling bins, drones, camcorders, Sisterhood Screen, display covers for art works to name a few). We have been proud to support our parents through various education evenings (Police Education on Alcohol and

Parents Friends OF RANGI

If we were honest with ourselves, our main reason for joining a PTA is to get to know other parents and to get an extra special insight into how the school is going and running. The reality is a lot more than that! We pride ourselves on working hard to ensure that we support the school as best we can and make decisions that make a difference to the school environment, teaching and ultimately the students.

A key area of the work that we do is making closer connections with our parent and teaching community. We work to ensure that our new families make connections, are settled and feel welcomed. Our role in supporting the school in this is a vital part of our association. It also helps solidify our role in the community as well as ensures that families know that we are more than a wee group that just meet on Tuesdays! Our New Entrant BBQ this year was a huge success and added to this is our Years 7 and 9 social events at the beginning of the year.

In saying that, we are a group that has formed close relationships with each other that we normally wouldn’t have in any other capacity. Each of us is getting to know different people in our group, which allows for making our association with the school stronger and more inclusive. It has allowed every member to get to know more Rangi families from a variety of year levels.

drugs for parents, Jane Davis from The Flourishing Institute) as well as ensuring you have refreshments for the various events and celebrations that the school holds.

Our next major fundraiser is our House and Garden tour on 24 March 2019. We are looking for expressions of interest to help support this event. If you do, please contact Gil Dunn - gmdunn@sorch.co.nz We look forward to seeing you, your family and friends at this event and many more.

JULIE CALDER - PARENT TEACHER ASSOCATION

&

RANGI RURU PTA

HOUSE AND GARDEN TOUR 24 MARCH 2019

Calling all Rangi Ruru family and friends...We are looking for owners of amazing homes and gardens willing to open their doors to the Rangi community for the PTA’s House and Garden tour. Contact Gil Dunn gmdunn@scorch.co.nz

SAVE THE DATE

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them up restricts this completely. Eventually the fleas would become accustomed to this and when the lid was taken off, although they have the potential to jump way out of the jar, they would only jump as high as where the lid previously was. Forcing us to really think about who we are as people, where we fit in the world, and what we want to do with our lives, Marcus’ presentation left us all with a very fresh and different perspective on how to approach life.

After hearing from Marcus, we were fortunate enough to learn from three other wonderful speakers. This

it once. Never underestimate the positive impact you can have on the lives of others. Who are you and where do you fit?” The standing ovation and spontaneous haka were a reflection of how Marcus’ message was received, as explained by Isabella Inkson.

Marcus spoke of his journey through life, and the many barriers he had broken to get to where he is now, comparing the limits and restrictions that we, and others put on ourselves, to the idea of fleas in a jar. They have an immense amount of potential to how high they can jump, but bottling

Twenty-four students were privileged to attend the conference held at Christ’s College and were mesmerised by Marcus Akuhata-Brown, a passionate advocate for change and an outstanding orator, with his powerful message of hope in the face of adversity. Marcus cemented the need to follow one’s moral purpose and to leave the world a better place. He encouraged those attending to have the courage to make good choices and embrace life’s challenges and opportunities. “Your life is really valuable, like a precious coin. You can spend it anywhere you want to, but you can only spend

ISABELLA INKSON - YEAR 12 STUDENT

The Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leaders Conference

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included; Rangi alumnae Kendall Flutey, co-founder and CEO of the financial education platform, Banqer, All Black’s Manager, Darren Shand, and Eliza McCartney, New Zealand pole vaulter. Each spoke about leadership in the world beyond school and in the wider community, highlighting different styles and approaches to leadership. A key message was leading by example and demonstrating to others what you want of them. They also talked about their personal journeys and the challenges they have faced on the way to success, as well as the importance of following your

dreams and passions, taking every opportunity because you seriously never know where it could take you.

The day also featured small group workshops in which we were challenged to reflect further upon leadership. Each group was formed of students from twenty different Canterbury schools. We brainstormed leadership, different styles of leadership and what qualities make a good and bad leader. We also discussed issues that we would like to change not only in the world, but within our communities and schools. I thought

this was definitely a great experience as we got to mix and work with students from the other schools around the region. I learnt a lot from the people in my group, and it was very interesting, listening to and taking in, the opinions and ideas of students from many different backgrounds. This opened my eyes to new perspectives and ways to see the world and its issues. It was really good to understand that leadership and making a difference isn’t always about voicing your opinions and making massive changes, even doing small things can have a positive impact.

ISABELLA INKSON - YEAR 12 STUDENT

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The Sydney Biennale and Vivid Light Festival trip exposes students and staff to ideas and concepts from hundreds of leading international artists, as well as the opportunity to see well known Renaissance works, famous modernist art, large scale installations, moving image, sound works, sculpture, painting, photography and printmaking from contemporary artists.

In June a group of thirty senior Visual Arts students spent three days in Sydney experiencing the Sydney Biennale and Vivid Light Festival. We walked over 60kms visiting exhibitions and installations in galleries and on Cockatoo Island, viewing hundreds of works by contemporary and classical artists representing a wide range of cultures. Many of the artworks and collaborations made us think about our own beliefs and question assumptions. This exhilarating and inspiring experience has had a positive impact on our learning. Evidence of this can be heard in our discussions and seen in the depth of thinking, ideas and concepts being explored in our own artmaking. For many of us, this trip has broadened our horizons and opened our minds to new ideas and possibilities. It has also shown us a world of opportunities and possible career directions in which to take our training in Visual Art.

Enormous thanks to the staff involved in this wonderful opportunity. Ngā mihi!

The Sydney Biennale and Vivid Light Festival Trip

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES

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RANGI’S INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES Here at Rangi Ruru students are lucky enough to be be able to take part in some amazing international exchange programmes. We currently offer exchanges to Japan, India, the United States of America, England and Argentina. We are also in the process of setting up an exchange to a school in France for students who are studying French – this will start from next year.

All of the above exchange programmes are reciprocal ones which means that students taking part in these programmes also host their partners when they come to Rangi on exchange. This year we have been fortunate so far to have hosted students from King Edward VI School for Girls, Yokohama Jogakuin, Annie Wright School and Unison World School, India. The students from Colegio Pestalozzi will come here on exchange at the start of next year. All of the students who have come here on exchange so far this year have been warmly welcomed into our school community and as Dr Hastie has told them, have become “Rangi girls”. I know I speak for all of us in saying it has been great having these students here to add to the cultural diversity we have at Rangi. It has also been wonderful hearing their lovely accents around the school!

THE GLOBAL CLASSROOM

TANIA MORGAN - EXCHANGE CO-ORDINATOR

192 PAPANUI ROAD, MERIVALE I 03 355 2200 I MERIVALE@HOT.CO.NZThe best holidays are created together.

House of Travel Merivale in partnership with Rangi Ruru.Simply mention Rangi Ruru when you book with us and it will help provide sponsorship dollars for the school.House of Travel Merivale has been in business in Merivale for 29 years, we are committed to providing outstanding advice and service, our knowledge and expertise will ensure you get the best holiday at the best value.

COME IN AND MEET THE TEAM AT HOUSE OF TRAVEL MERIVALE OWNED AND OPERATED BY BETH YATES & ANNIE CROMBIE

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JapanIn March Ruby Moore and Tamsin Mills went to stay with two lovely host families in Japan, and attended Yokohama Jogakuin, Rangi Ruru’s sister school. Although neither Ruby nor Tamsin knew much Japanese, they said that this didn’t stand in the way of them learning a lot, both in terms of personal independence, and also cultural perspectives. While in Japan, they did lots of great activities, such as dressing up in kimono, visiting Mt Fuji, Tokyo SkyTree, and of course DisneySea. They also ate many interesting foods like tapioca, dango and hamburg, as well as eating at a sushi train, and going out for dinner with their new-found friends.

Ruby said that her host family was another huge positive for her, as they were all so kind and made such an effort to use their English skills, and teach her a bit of Japanese. “They were also so generous, always making sure I was happy, taking me to do amazing things, and I had a lot of fun with them. I never realised how quickly you could become close to someone, such as Nanako and I have. I’m very glad to have such a great friend, and it’s been my favourite part of this experience getting to know her.”

AmericaIn April Jemima Porter and Meredith Seeto travelled to Washington State in the United States of America. They stayed in Tacoma which is a small city about a 45 minute drive from Seattle each with a different host sister and family and went to Annie Wright School. They said they started as complete strangers but over time they became such good friends, not only with their host sisters, but with other girls at the school. They were very grateful for the many amazing opportunities they were given while at Annie Wright including going to Prom, going to Seattle, the Spring Fair, joining the track team, trying new foods and baseball games just to name a few things.

Meredith said, “I originally signed up for this exchange thinking “it’s going to be like the movies” and in some ways, it was but there was a whole lot more to it that we didn’t realise until we experienced it. There was so much about America we didn’t understand such as the school system or the difference in language and accents. I would recommend going on an exchange to everyone because it is such an eye-opening experience.” She would recommend this exchange to those who aren’t familiar with another language but still want to challenge themselves in an unfamiliar environment while making new friends.

EnglandIn mid-January while everyone else was still enjoying their summer holidays, Harriet Fletcher and Brooke Taylor left for the cooler temperatures of Birmingham, England where they were on exchange at King Edward VI High School for Girls for five weeks. While there the girls were taken by their host families to some amazing places - Warwick Castle, Harrods, Trafalgar Square, the London Bridge and Stratford and were even lucky enough to go to Paris and see the Eiffel Tower, Arc De Triomphe, Notre Dame and many, many more!

Harriet said that deciding to apply for this exchange is probably one of the best decisions she has ever made. She said she has taken so much away from this experience. “This exchange has taught me so much about independence and it has provided me with an insight into how people live differently all over the world.” She also said that she has made so many amazing, unforgettable memories and knows that she will treasure these forever.

2018 EXCHANGE TRIPS

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IndiaI thoroughly enjoyed my time in India. I was also fortunate to travel with an amazing teacher and a group of close friends.

Witnessing and living amongst Indian culture was eye opening as different aspects shocked me, coming from a New Zealand background. Simple things such as the different hierarchy levels throughout India, including the school, different mannerisms and the way many people are forced to live. Although I had been told to expect things such as these, it was still very different in real life. I feel like this is one of the many benefits I have received from this exchange, a better sense of how many millions live their everyday lives.

I enjoyed travelling through Delhi, Agra and Jaipur while witnessing many famous places. The Taj Mahal was utterly amazing on appearance but I think the main thing I loved about it was the background story and its connection to the Red Fort. It’s incredible that all the detail is hand carved and the knowledge they had about architecture all those years ago.

I found it amusing the number of people who took pictures of us or with us, I was not expecting to be so ‘new’ and ‘different’. While in India I noticed specific cultural and religious beliefs that they generally follow. I have also realised I disagree with many of these beliefs. This is one of the struggles I experienced while on

this trip. Learning to accept that this is the way they choose to live, even though I cannot see why they would.

While being in the school it was interesting the differences there were compared to Rangi Ruru. For example, the way they communicate between each other and between themselves and the teacher.

A massive part of this exchange that I enjoyed was getting to know so many new people who live in a different country. For anyone doing this exchange in the future, I would recommend trying and experiencing as many different things as you can, as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This exchange has been invaluable on so many levels and I’m incredibly thankful to everyone who helped me take part.

Charlotte Gray

ArgentinaIn July Lucy Johnson and Rio Sloss went on exchange to Colegio Pestalozzi in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As Lucy said, the idea of travelling to a completely new country where everyone spoke Spanish was a bit daunting to say the least, but she was also really keen to experience a different lifestyle, gain independence, and improve her own Spanish skills. “Little did I know, my time in Buenos Aires would not only help me to develop all of these skills and grow in more ways than I thought possible, but it would also (as cheesy as it sounds) lead to new friendships that I’m sure will last a lifetime.”

Over the three weeks Lucy and Rio spent in Buenos Aires, they were lucky enough to experience the Argentinian lifestyle with their host families, see a lot of beautiful places, and eat a lot of amazing food. From Salt fields to high-rise after high-rise buildings to croissant-like pastries called medialunes, Argentina truly had it all. Both Lucy and Rio could not have imagined that they could form such deep connections with either the city or the people in it within such a short time. Lucy said, “I’m unsure if this is because of the open and bubbly people, the vibrant culture, our unique experiences, or the unforgettable raspberry covered chocolates and glazed medialunes! By the end of our three weeks in Argentina, I can honestly say that both Rio and I were left wishing we could have stayed for the rest of the year.”

2018 EXCHANGE TRIPS

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INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES

Thank you to our sponsors for making

this trip possible

B u i l d i n g S u p p l i e s

Photos courtesy of Ned Dawson / Planet Hockey Magazine

Sixteen hockey players from Rangi Ruru Girls’ School spent two weeks on a tour of Europe In April.

Director of Sport, Jo Fogarty, says after a massive fundraising effort and a lot of hard work, the group thoroughly enjoyed the competition which saw them play top club teams in the UK, Netherlands and Belgium.

“Experiences like this are key to extending our players horizons beyond New Zealand, so they experience first-hand the rigours of international competition,” she says. “We were delighted to have visited some of the best hockey nations in the world, learning the insights and local knowledge both on and off the hockey field.”

The girls won the majority of their games on tour and such is the talent and depth in the squad that when they played the Royal Antwerp U19 team, the score was 10-1 to Rangi. “After the match we all came together for dinner and a few games with a bit of dancing to finish off the night. The Belgian girls were awesome hosts and we were able to trade some of our tops with their playing strip which was very special.” Jo Fogarty says the Rangi girls embraced every game, every opportunity to learn and enjoyed the experience playing these top club teams. “We are all constantly learning,” she says.

The girls were also in London for ANZAC being part of official commemorations with other Kiwis and Londoners alike.

European Hockey Tour

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INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES

several the players and be part of question answer session hosted by Irene Van Dyke and Eric Murray.

However, our main goal was to attend the sporting events themselves. We able to attend Athletics, Rugby Sevens, Gymnastics, Springboard Diving and Wrestling. Some of the students were also got the opportunity to view events of their choice including Beach Volleyball, Hockey and Netball. Watching Valerie Adams and Eliza McCartney compete in a packed athletics stadium was a truly special occasion and being part of the crowd to see both our Women’s and Men’s teams win gold in the Sevens Competition was a magical way to finish our time in the Gold Coast.

Much of our trip could not have been possible without the support and generosity of David Williams. David is a Rangi parent and part of New Zealand Olympic Travel. We cannot thank him enough for his help in enabling us to get such amazing accommodation and access to the athletes themselves.

Often it is difficult to express the enjoyment and learning that comes from a trip such as this, but we hope we have conveyed a small part of what was the “trip of a lifetime”.

In April this year we had the privilege of taking 24 senior students, three parents and three staff to the Commonwealth Games for eight days. The trip was the culmination of three years preparation and planning and ended up being the “trip of a life time”. The objectives of the trip were twofold. Firstly, we wanted to enable our Level 2 and 3 Physical Education students to get a first-hand experience of a world class event and to meet both the athletes and the media. We hoped this would assist them in their assignments and possibly scholarship later in the year. Secondly – to enable our students to gain a true understanding of the commitment and dedication it requires to be a top-ranking athlete.

We had the wonderful opportunity to stay in QT hotel in Surfers Paradise which also doubled as NZ House. As a result – we had first hand viewing of all the medal ceremonies, media interviews and the enviable privilege of personally meeting with ex Olympians, world ranked athletes and media personalities. It became the norm to have breakfast surrounded by politicians and ex and current NZ athletes!

As part of the trip, the group also attended a high tea event with the Silver Ferns. We got to eat and converse with

PE Tour to the Commonwealth Games

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CHARLOTTE GRAY Class of 1987, Board memberWhen I was a student at Rangi Ruru I had little idea of the support that past students and families of students had provided to make it the incredible school that it was. I was probably too busy enjoying the friendships and making good use of all of the opportunities that Rangi presented. I give to Rangi now because I feel privileged to have had the amazing start I was given. In my day it was a place of endeavour with a strong sense of humour thrown in and I’m glad to say the outlook hasn’t changed. I believe that giving to girls’ education is so important and I’m proud to continue the tradition of supporting Rangi Ruru for the next generation.

BARB SMITHStaff since 1995Barb Smith this year received an Honours Award for Service to the School Community/Administration and Support at the Independent Schools New Zealand Conference in June this year. As a valued and passionate member of the Rangi community Barbs admits:

“I feel very humbled by being able to work in such a great environment, with wonderful staff and students. Rangi is my second family. I give to Project Blue Sky, it’s my way of giving back, to help this wonderful school move forward.”

CLAIRE MACKINTOSH Class of 1955Claire Mackintosh began at Rangi Ruru as a form one student back in 1955 and returned as Head of Science in 1969. Claire’s incredible work with Rangi continued as a board member in 1984 and then as chair for the Centennial Celebrations in 1989 and later as the first Director of Development.

Available to girls in Years 7-13 this fund allows girls to delve deeper into self leadership, be inspired and put their leadership into action.

“I see so many leaders coming out of Rangi Ruru,” she says. “I see a real empathy, collegiality and collaboration in women leaders especially which is what adds to our strength as a gender.”

Claire and her husband are regular Rangi Ruru donors and this year contributed to the new Mana Wahine Fund, it’s a “perfect fit” as she describes it.

Every Gift Has a StoryAs we honour and celebrate the legacy left by generous and passionate people who have gone before us, we need to turn our heads towards building our own legacy for future generations. Rangi Ruru relies on the support of its community to help prepare for this and to ensure the Gibson sisters’ vision continues to soar. Every dollar donated to our school makes a genuine difference in continuing our legacy and maintaining our position as one of New Zealand’s leading girls’ schools and we thank you for this.

In 2018, through our Annual Appeal, The Future is Female, we ask for your support for these special projects:

Stellar Music Programme, offering music scholarships and grants and enhancing the current music programme

Mana Wahine Fund, enabling us to nurture and support student leadership development, Principal’s Koha, allowing us to support our current families during times of hardship

Behind every gift there is a story and so we asked some of our wonderful Rangi Ruru family to share their reasons for giving.

GIVING

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GIVING The future is female20

18A

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UA

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PPE

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sisterhoodgirlbossRangiforLife

familycommunity

unity

We Know Girls

‘Being generous in spirit is a wonderful way to live’ – Anon.

I believe in what you do and would like to donate to The Future is Female - Annual Appeal 2018*

Full Name

Address

Email

Phone

I would like to make a regular donation(please contact Emma Taurua, Director of Community Relations on 03 983 3747)

I would like my gift to support

Principal’s Koha Fund $

Mana Wahine Fund $

Stellar Music Programme $

Please do not include my details in the published list of donors for 2018. I wish to remain anonymous

Payment Options Cheque made payable to Rangi Ruru Girls’ School

Online at www.rangiruru.school.nz/annual-appeal

Electronic Banking:06 0801 0008184 00 ref: AA18 and your name

Credit card Visa Mastercard Amex

Name on card

Card number

Expiry

Signature

To support Rangi Ruru Girls’ School Annual Appeal 2018 please go to www.rangiruru.school.nz/annual-appeal to electronically donate or complete in the attached form and send it back to Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, 59 Hewitts Road, Christchurch 8014

* Rangi Ruru Foundation is a registered charitable trust and all donations over $5 may be eligible for a tax rebate. A tax receipt will be sent for all donations.

The future is female, and as we enter a new era of philanthropy in New Zealand girls schools, we want Rangi Ruru to be at the forefront leading the way.

In 1889 the Gibson sisters established Rangi Ruru with the vision to provide the very best education for girls. The School is constantly striving to build on that vision, providing scholarship opportunities, delivering personalised learning programmes and providing the quality of buildings and facilities that match and support the exceptional education the girls receive, and we need your support to do this.

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Sports

SPORTING NEWS

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AthleticsAlways an exciting start to the year, the school Athletic Sports took place on a perfect day at Christ’s College. Colour, noise and fanfare mixed with outstanding individual performances made for a wonderful introduction to school life for our new students, and a reminder for the old of all that we love about being a Rangi girl. Congratulations to everyone who took part, either as part of an individual event, a relay, or in one of the many clan events. Laughter, connectedness and competitive spirit are what this day is all about.

SPORTING NEWS

2018 CHAMPIONS Years 7/8 Champions1st Meg Edwards2nd Lily Greenwood3rd Skye Somerville

U14 Champions1st Lily Pringle2nd Lillie Rayner3rd Emma McCusker

Junior Champions1st Amelie Spinks2nd Chloe Hughes3rd Beth Hunter

Intermediate Champions1st Meredith Seeto2nd Lydia Robinson3rd Chloe Berge

Senior Champions1st Brittany Wang2nd Isabella Carter3rd Grace Fissenden/Eugene In

Congratulations to Brittany Wang who also broke the school senior record in the Triple Jump. The previous mark of 10.89m was set in 2008. Brittany jumped 11.12m! Awesome!

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EquestrianRangi Ruru have competed at Interschool events in several disciplines, with our riders, Zoe Reader, Hannah Margison and Isabella Bolton, runners up in their grade for the March Polo Tournament.

Leah Zydenbos and Lily Buckley were South Island Champions for Mounted Games. The Gold Dressage team of Luca Swale, Imogen Morrison, Olivia Goodwillie and Siara Harmon were 5th in the Canterbury Interschools, with Luca winning both her classes.

Our Gold team of Annabelle Jones, Imogen Morrison, Isabella Wyllie and Emily Smith were 5th in the Canterbury One Day Event and won the Turnout Competition.

At Equestrian Day, Rangi Ruru won both the Equine Clinic Trophies – Challenge and Dressage. Sally McPherson and Lucy Moffatt won the Senior and Junior Unity Trophies.

There have also been some special individual results during the year. Sally McPherson represented NZ in Texas in the Western World Cup.

SPORTING NEWSSPORTING NEWS

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Years 7/8 Champions1st – Lily Greenwood2nd – Chloe Martin3rd – Milly Gallagher/Hannah Piper

U14 Champions1st – Sophie Hickey2nd – Aggie Weston3rd – Neve Morrow

U15 Champions1st – Leila Rhodes2nd – Eve Weston3rd – Emma Schroder

SwimmingFew schools hold their swimming sports as a whole school event, yet this is something we pride ourselves on. Although we do split the session into two in order to cater for the whole school, the clan spirit gets going and comparatively we get a significant number of girls in the water. As with the athletics there is noise, colour, clan spirit and impressive performances. Here are our champions from the day:

U16 Champions:1st – Samantha Vance2nd – Lucy Howden3rd – Holly Allred

Senior Champions:1st – Eugene In2nd – Leah Berquist3rd – Kasey McGrath

SPORTING NEWS

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Top NZ Girls’ School Third year running at Maadi Cup Rangi retained their title as the Top New Zealand Girls’ School in rowing for the third time running at the Maadi Cup Regatta this past season. It was close though, with the blue and golds beating Waikato Diocesan Girls’ by just one point as the regatta wrapped up after a week and weekend of heats and finals. Rangi won three gold, three silver and a bronze medal in the Maadi Cup regatta. Rowing coach Mark Cotham has paid tribute to all the rowers and coaches who he says have worked incredibly hard this year and delivered another intense and ultimately successful rowing campaign.

Mark says the title was sweetened by the selection of Isabella Carter who was selected to trial for the NZ junior squad and four other Rangi rowers (Millie Knight, Amber Williams, Alice Graham and Emma Stephens) were selected to trial for the South Island U18 crew set to race against a North Island equivalent. Both Milie and Amber made the team. Congratulations to both girls. Amber captained this team to success in both the eight and coxed four events.

Studholme Developments Ltd

RANGI RURU ROWING

POWERED BY

SPORTING NEWS

BRADMAN

BACCHUS

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Extension learning opportunitiesAll Level 3 Painting, Printmaking, Design and Photography students submit for scholarship. In Art History and Media Studies separate scholarship classes for interested students are offered. These classes are as much about extending learning as they are about exam preparation. Over the years, these after school sessions have been run collaboratively with Christ’s College. Our girls also attend the University of Canterbury Scholarship days.

Art exchanges provide further extension learning opportunities. In 2017, our Year 10 Art students connected with Al Khor International School in Qatar, with both Art Departments working on a co-constructed project, based around concepts associated with identity and whakapapa. It was great to see videos of the students discussing our works at an exhibition in Qatar and for us to exhibit their works in our school gallery. By seeing the values and beliefs of others, our girls learnt a great deal about themselves. Projects such as this are enriching and provide an opportunity to reflect on our own culture.

ART

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The faculty is grateful for the opportunity to have inspiring speakers and artists in to work alongside students. The Artist in Residence programme is supported by the Foundation, with artists working in the studio and classrooms for twelve weeks each year. We have been fortunate to have some of New Zealand’s most prominent artists as residents at Rangi. Currently, we are delighted to have Bronwyn Taylor as our resident artist. As a lecturer at the School of Fine Arts and College of Education at the University of Canterbury for many years, Bronwyn is an absolute asset to have at Rangi. She is contributing in inspiring, challenging and empowering our girls. Her large, energetic drawings will be exhibited this November.

In our faculty, like any whanau, we care and respect each other, and the environment. We have very high expectations and firm boundaries. Added into this mix, we always aim to establish a sense of fun and a culture where there is a love of learning.

Comments to staff from leavers and their parents at the end of last year reflect these values:

“Thank you for believing in me, when I didn’t believe in myself” “I have learnt to focus on the positive things in life, thanks to my time in the Art rooms”

“Thanks for insisting I think for myself and question assumptions. It was hard sometimes, but worth it!”

“I appreciate the way you gave me the space and confidence to be comfortable with who I am”

“Thank you for seeing our daughter, for understanding her and for not trying to fit her into a mould. For allowing her to work at her own pace, in her own way. For inspiring her, challenging her and encouraging her with humour and kindness”

Artist in Residence

ART

Our ‘In Short’ student film night takes place each year in Term 4. This, and our One Day Art Display, are a great opportunity for the wider community to see student learning. Make sure you have 6 November in your diary! Bring your friends and family between 9am-4pm. Learning from all year levels will be displayed, including portfolios, films, Shelter magazine launch and exhibitions. We hope you can join us!

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PERFORMING ARTS - JANET KINGSBURY AND PETER RUTHERFORD

West Side Story Senior Co-production 2018

years after its Broadway premiere in September 1957, one of the biggest musicals of all time. It is timeless - a story that has always been relevant and continues to resonate. Based on Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is set during the tense turf war that emerged on the streets of 1950’s upper-west-side Manhattan Island between street gangs of the children of immigrants, and the more recent Puerto Rican immigrants. It is a story that explores

the themes of love, hate, hope and fear through the eyes of teenagers who are desperately trying to find their place and purpose in society as they navigate the ever-growing complexities of the world they live in.

West Side Story tested us all in so many ways, but what a triumph for all the approximately one hundred and thirty students who were involved. The growth and development of the on-stage

The bi-annual Rangi Ruru/Christ’s College co production left cast, crew, orchestra and the production team in a dream-like glow of exhaustion. More than three thousand people saw West Side Story over only four evenings, with overwhelmingly positive feedback for the extraordinary performances, music and technical accomplishments.

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PERFORMING ARTS - JANET KINGSBURY AND PETER RUTHERFORD

characters, along with the development of characterisation through both dance and music throughout the rehearsal period and ensuing performances, was simply extraordinary. This enormous depth of talent, hard work, resilience and professionalism every step of the way ensured that the students were part of production that will long be remembered as one of the highlights of a long association between the two schools.

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countless accolades. Success is about being the best version of ourselves that we can be in any given context, considering all of the variables both within and beyond our control that occur at any given time. Success is about having courage and being resilient when things don’t go the way we would like them to. It is about

music students have received this year. And yes, of course we are very proud of the groups and individuals who have received them. But these recognitions do not define who these talented young women are and do not define success.

I can think of two examples of events this year that stand out as being highly successful. West Side Story – the combined Rangi Ruru/Christ’s College senior production – was an outstanding success. There were no prizes or awards to be won. The ‘prize’ was seeing an extraordinarily talented team of students and staff working together over a long period of time to overcome massive challenges and create something that was memorable and moving for all members of the company and audience.

And secondly - the Jazz Band. In a rebuilding mode this year, with several new junior members, the girls worked hard, and pulled together as a team

MusicWHAT DEFINES SUCCESS?

Enjoying success is something we all aspire to, across all contexts and stages of life. It is very easy to define oneself as being ‘successful’ when a competition is won, a gold medal is awarded, a major academic award is achieved, a leadership role is received – all tangible and ‘measurable’ to some degree.

JANET KINGSBURY - DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.Albert Schweitzer

However, only the smallest percentage of those who aspire to these ‘accolades’, and others, actually achieve them. The vast majority do not. Does that mean that most of us are not successful, and are therefore failures?

Success is not about winning, being the best, being in the limelight, receiving

learning to fail, and about finding the good in the learning opportunities that are gifted to us through ‘failure’.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill

I could provide a long list of awards, prizes, and accolades that Rangi

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Home Assistants for Seniors

helps seniors to live confidently in their own home,enabling them to continue experiencing the “joy of life”

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to have one of the best Southern Jam experiences in several years. This was not at all about the awards they received – but about the teamwork, the sense of pride, the strong bonds of collegiality and friendship that have been formed, and about the joy that the girls brought to themselves, and others through music.

There are many other examples both collective and individual that will no doubt spring to mind. Success is the culmination of effort, hard work and resilience. Success comes from experiencing difficult times, learning to keep going after each perceived ‘failure’, and being open to new ideas and learning alongside others - and above all to be happy with each step of the journey. This is what will bring true success.

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” Albert Schweitzer

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community. Years of prudent financial management mean we are able to help the school in this way and we will continue to do so while still ensuring that the capital funds are future proofed.

I inherited an extremely able and willing committee from past president Jo Dodgshun last June when I became president. With a (not so) secret nickname of the fountain of knowledge, Jo’s ongoing help and advice (at all hours) have been invaluable to me as I learn the ropes and, as is expected, put my own stamp on it.

I’m grateful to my stalwart committee for giving up their time voluntarily and engaging in robust discussion at the monthly meetings.

For me personally it has been of huge benefit to learn the ropes from committee member Cindi Crooks. Under her expert guidance we now have a new improved template for minute taking and recording meetings. She has also been coaching

I became a committee member in 2009 on a whim. I’d thoroughly enjoyed the reunion forty-years-on, 1968, and appreciated the tremendous amount of work done by the RROGA committee at that time led by President, Dr Deborah Errington. I felt like I should give something back.

But wait... there’s more... I didn’t simply enjoy the reunion, I had also had a transformative moment that weekend. School years are tricky. Those four years see you at a vulnerable stage, where friendships are lost and gained over the most trivial of things. Egos rule. And they have to. There were, quite frankly, girls attending that I hadn’t liked. At all. They probably felt the same way about me. But guess what? When we met up, all that stuff was gone. We reconnected warts and all, thoroughly delighting in our lives and families.

“Hey Jo, I might join the Old Girls, and lend a hand.” Jo looked pleased

FELICITY WILLIAMS - RANGI RURU OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

and a bit relieved. Being the Pres wasn’t on the cards!

So here I am, ten years later halfway through a two-year presidential term. How did that happen?

RROGA has two main purposes and my personal mission statement reflects these. The first is to foster conviviality and positive social interactions between old girls through the various social functions that are held during the year. Every positive interaction we have with a fellow human being makes the world a better place. Never underestimate the value of a smile, a shared reminiscence or a future dream. The reunions continue to be wonderful examples of this.

The second purpose of RROGA is to oversee the disbursement of monies out into the Rangi community in a way which benefits as many students as possible. During the last financial year $31,560 was distributed by way of scholarships, prizes and capital contributions back to the Rangi

President’s Report TĒNĀ KOUTOU KATOA. NAU MAI, HAERE MAI!WELCOME EVERYONE! LET’S REFLECT!

Felicity Williams

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“In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it’s wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices.”

- Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, pray, love: one woman’s search for everything

important, the one that stands out for me is the “G”.

Generosity of spirit — service to others, compassion, tolerance, unselfishness.

We will continue to uphold these values as we serve the Rangi community.

I joined RROGA because I wanted to pay back the committee for enriching my life through the reunions. And to pay back Rangi Ruru for the education I received there. But as writer Elizabeth Gilbert says, it’s all about going forward, and saying thank you on a daily basis.

Felicity Williams 25 June 2018

me in the basics of meeting protocol. (I’ve enjoyed it, Cindi, especially the Sunday brunches where conversation may stray from bullet points to Fitbit.)

We are sad and grateful to farewell Jenelle Hoosen as our Board representative. Sad because we will miss her quiet positivity and insightful contributions, while grateful for her dedication and consistent committee membership for the past ten years. I’m delighted to introduce and welcome Charlotte Gray as the new RROGA Board rep.

I’m working on an increased web page presence for the Alumnae. Hopefully recording the committee online with photos and a brief bio will enhance our profile in the Rangi community and encourage others to give some time to the causes we support. “See us to believe us!”

Two subcommittees have been formed. The first of these is a Finance Subcommittee which will be responsible for consolidating our

investments and also formulating an investment strategy. Thanks to Susie Foyle for her excellent grip on things and her patient explanations. The committee hopes to have this completed by the end of 2019.

The second subcommittee is a Ball Subcommittee, with regular monthly meetings to discuss the nuts and bolts of running this large event — once again remembering we are all volunteers, I express my gratitude to this group as well.

Lastly, I want to say how important the Rangi values are in defining how the committee operates in the community. While all of these are

FELICITY WILLIAMS - RANGI RURU OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

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RROGA Committee 2018-2019PATRON

Helen Kitson (Robilliard)

PRESIDENT

Felicity Williams (Walker)

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Joanna Dodgshun (Kitson)

VICE PRESIDENTS

Rebekah Thomas-HiddlestonCindi Crooks (Hunt)

HON ACCOUNTANT

Susie Foyle (Good)

MINUTE SECRETARY

Janet McGiven

BOARD NOMINEE

Charlotte Gray (Bashford)

SAVE THE DATES

Up and coming dates for your diary

Gibson Afternoon Tea Friday 23 November 2018

Leavers’ Ball Wednesday 5 December 2018

Bowls Tournament February 2019

Tennis Tournament February 2019

Annual Golf Tournament Monday 18 March 2019

Bridge Tournament Tuesday 28 May 2019

RROGA AGM Monday 24 June 2019

2019 REUNIONS

1-2 March 2019

It is your School Reunion this year if you were in

Form 3 in 1949, 1959, 1969, 1979, 1989, 1999.

Join the Rangi Ruru

Alumnae Page

Please get in touch!

COMMITTEE

Amanda Dick

Helen Tait

Elizabeth Wright (Sharpe)

Robyn Cartwright (Good)

Helen Dunn (Bonifant)

Abby Thomas-Hiddleston

Mandy Brazier (Dowling)

Steph Withell (Brown)

Nikki Harkerss (McBrearty)

We would love to hear from you, contact us rroga@rangiruru.school.nz

RANGI RURU OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE

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Welcome to the families who are part of our growing legacy Current Student Mother Grandmother Great Grandmother Great Great GrandmotherKate Bailey Angela Joy Bailey

(Reeves)Megan Bayley Annabel Clare AllisonPaige Beardsley Melissa Beardsley

(Landrebe)Hannah Berrill Karyn Mary Berrill

(Johnson)Janine Johnson (Smith) Biddy Smith

(MacDougal)Annabel Cargin Anna Cargin (Craw)Maggie Craw Ena Jull (Fleetwood)Billie Edwards Catherine MclaughlanSophie Fulton Norna Fulton

(Woodhouse)Charlie Gaiger Julie Ann AndersonGeorgie Gaiger Julie Ann AndersonBella Gardner Kate Gardner (Ewart) Pamela Ewart (Maskew) Helen Maskew (Thomas) Mary Thomas (Jameson)

Lauren Graham Jennifer Graham (Donald)

Sophie Haley Susan Elizabeth Haley (Wood)

Kate Harding Justine Harding (Fright) Jennifer Fright (Ladd)Elysia Holdsworth Kathryn Anne

Holdsworth (Hughes)Julia Holmes Jessica Jones (Ferrall)Minnie Johnson Anna Felicity Meyers Rosemary Murray (Bain) June Meyers (Stewart)Lucy Leech Lyndsey Leech (Aitken) Joy Aitken (Smith) Ada Smith (Thomson)Kate Manderson Sarah Manderson

(Wood)MiMi McLachlan Sandra McLachlanIzzy Melhuish Bridget Melhuish

(Holderness)Joan Agnes Holderness (Cuningham)

Isabel Michael Marie Jean Michael (Ludemann)

Lucy Moffatt Jan Moffatt (Hartnell)Olivia Moss Alexandra Henderson

BlairLilly Okey Rachael Okey (James)Lily Parkinson Philippa Rose Christine Rose (Rhind) Barbara Rhind

(Nicholson)Lily Pringle Lucinda Pringle (Hilson)Anna Richmond Francesca Richmond

(Cox)Sophie Sidey Penny Sidey (Harper) Prue Harper (Moore) Mary Moore (Thomas) Mary Thomas (Jameson)Emily Smith Sonya Anne Smith

(Johnston)Daisy Summerfield Allison Margaret

Summerfield (Judd)Millie Trusttum Mary Lee Trusttum

(Cresswell)Annabel Walker Joanna Walker (Shaw)Isabella Wyllie Nicola Elizabeth Wyllie

(Pearce)

FAMILY MATTERSRANGI RURU OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE

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Erin Reeve

satisfying to see the reconnections and friendships – the most valuable antiques are dear old friends!

The bridge and golf days ran remarkably well, and it is also nice to work with our friends at St Margaret’s on these events – the enthusiasm and direction from our wonderful volunteer organisers always blows me away.

The Leavers’ Ball was a sharp contrast from the previously organised one I had done in September (prior to starting at RR) and it is great to see the ‘new’ Old Girls welcomed to the fold by the Committee. I am excited to work with the committee for the upcoming Leavers’ Ball onsite in 2018 and I have no doubts it will be a wonderful event.

The London Old Girls’ event was a personal highlight and I am thankful for the support given to me by RROGA to attend this event and the professional development tour after. I look forward to future discussions around ideas that have come out of this and found that the best information I discovered was that the RR Alumnae model is working well.

I wish to thank Felicity, Jo and Rebekah for all their hard work and putting up with my endless questions, and a huge thank you to Jude Connochie who took the role on in between Rachel’s departure and my starting. Jude is a huge fountain of knowledge and I would have been lost without her.

Whaia to te Rangi – Seek the heavenly things.

Update: Erin Reeve resigned as the RROGA Administrator in July. We wish her all the best.

Administrator’s Report

Firstly I wish to thank the Committee and Old Girls for their support in my first eight months as RROGA administrator. It has been wonderful to work with and meet so many of you. RROGA benefits from the hard work and enthusiasm of the Executive Committee and I have enjoyed meeting weekly with Felicity to ensure that constant communication is upheld.

The last eight months have been both busy and interesting. I am sure that in selecting some highlights I run the risk of missing other events and communications that have been held prior to my appointment but I do wish to thank outgoing Administrator Rachel Vavasour for all her hard work and contribution to RROGA.

The Reunion Weekends in both November and March have been great opportunities for Old Girls to come back and see how the school is looking post-earthquake and I have been delighted to work with Felicity Williams and Rebekah Thomas-Hiddleston on ways to increase attendance at these weekends. We look forward to implementing some of these ideas soon. The weekends are always so

ERIN REEVE

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Leavers’ Ball 2017Welcoming a class of extraordinary young women into the Old Girls’ Association is one of the highlights of the year for the Committee. The Leavers’ Ball provides the opportunity to say farewell to school days and to look forward to the next step in these young lives as the girls shake hands with the Principal and then the President of the Old Girls’ Association. The Presentation remains a formal part of the evening which parents and girls continue to appreciate.

The Wigram Airforce Museum turned into a Ballroom requires considerable creative thought: the lights, the band, the food, the excitement (and the shoes) all helped make this event a wonderful and memorable evening.

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Over the course of the last year, these include:-

The Rangi Ruru Capital campaign $20,000 (The fourth such donation of five)

*The Years 7 and 8 Old Girls’ Scholarship $8,000*School prizes awarded at Prize giving $1,310*Gibson Webb Exhibitions $2,250Assistance for Leavers’ Ball Tickets $1,050Christchurch City Mission, Women’s Night Shelter $100 (President’s donation)

Camp Quality $40 (In memory of our long-serving committee member, Robyn Burke)

Since Balance date :-

Grant for London Alumnae Event $4,000SOAR Sports Programme $2,000 (includes the Golf donation of $500)

*denotes a yearly grant.

PhilanthropyThe Committee of the Rangi Ruru Old Girls Association has always been a strong advocate of supporting the school, its pupils and alumnae in the most generous way it can. Our first committee set it out very clearly in the Constitution.

1.1.1 to offer such scholarships, bursaries or exhibition to girls at the School, as funds permit;

1.1.2 to make donations towards School activities, and improvements of the buildings and grounds of the School as the Association sees fit;

Over the 95 years of its existence, through the prudent and wise investments from our treasurers and accountants, the capital base of life membership funds, legacies, fund-raising and donations has been built up to enable the Association to grant a variety of scholarships, bursaries, exhibitions and donations to a large number of recipients, both within the School and in the community.

Two very special funds are named for their benefactors – The Gibson Webb Exhibitions and the Alison Kay Sports Awards. Rather than a donation to one cause, the Association chose to invest and grow these bequests using the interest to benefit many girls. This way we are also able to honour and remember the donors every year.

The Gibson Webb exhibitions are named after the Gibson sisters who founded Rangi Ruru, and Betty Webb, a past President and Patron of the Old Girls’ Association. These are awarded each year by the Rangi Ruru Old Girls Association to direct descendants of Old Girls in their senior years at Rangi. The awards are made to girls who show outstanding endeavour and citizenship. These are girls who have maintained a sound level of academic achievement, and also demonstrated qualities that make the school and the community a better place in which to live. These qualities might include courtesy, reliability, persistence, sensitivity to the needs of others, as well as strengths in academic, sporting or cultural areas.

The Alison Kay Exhibition is named after Alison Kay who started at Rangi Ruru as a boarder in 1930. She was a very keen netball and tennis player who also took part in lifesaving. Alison died in 2017 and left a generous bequest to the Old Girls’ Association. Together with her family, the decision was made to invest the monies using the interest to assist sportswomen.

Applications are sought from elite sportswomen, either currently at school or alumnae, who wish to receive assistance to further their sporting careers.

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My sincere thanks for the RROGA Alison Kaye Bequest, awarded to our SOAR Programme in 2018. As you will read, the funds have been used to benefit and support a diverse range of areas within the programme.

Four girls were funded to receive Mental Performance coaching with Paula Rule, our Mental Performance coach. These girls have gone on to represent the school at National sporting events, with one girl named in a national age-group representative squad.

Three individuals and two sports teams (approximately 30 girls) have attended a nutrition seminar, receiving dietary information and support from our sports dietitian Jess Moulds.

And, with the bulk of the funding we are in the process of purchasing a new video camera, for the purpose of capturing video footage of our key sports teams during competition. This footage is downloaded into a video analysis package and used as a teaching tool. We currently have three teams (approximately

36 girls) utilising the video analysis programme, and with the addition of a new camera we will have the ability to extend the learnings to more of our talented teams.

This funding has enabled me to extend the reach of the programme to positively impact a larger group of deserving, and hard-working Rangi athletes. I can’t thank you enough for this acknowledgment of the SOAR Programme and its potential to make a difference.

Jo Fogarty, Director of Sport

KōwhaiJan Chaffey’s paintings celebrate the essence of the natural world. In the case of the work ‘Exilio’, received into the Rangi Ruru Art Collection on 10 August, the Kōwhai. This work is one from a series, collectively titled ‘Exilio’ painted in 2015.

Jan’s gift to the school captures the spontaneity and energy of the plant, bursting forth in broad, bold gestures. However, the real message is about the fragility of New Zealand’s native flora, and the imperative to preserve and value this wonderful natural gift. Jan is an expert in Kōwhai, growing the eight New Zealand varieties on her hillside property in Tai Tapu. Her artworks detail the delicate, calligraphic forms in pen and ink and the dynamic ruggedness of the tree in oil paint.

‘Exilio’ literally means emerging into existence – to spring, to leap, to burst forth. The kōwhai flowers essence is

evoked in expressive brushstrokes and vibrant colour. Rangi Ruru is thrilled to receive this major work, generously presented by Jan.

Jan Chaffey, Juliet Collins, Felicity Williams, Jo Dodgshun

Alison Kay was an avid sportswoman when she attended Rangi Ruru from 1930-1939.

Through her generosity by way of a bequest, the Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association is delighted to offer an exhibition to be used to financially assist present girls or alumnae who are involved in any sport at an elite level.

Please email an application to: s.smith@rangiruru.school.nz with details of your sporting achievements and aspirations by 20 February 2019. The exhibition will be awarded by 20 March 2019.

The Alison Kay ExhibitionApplications invited

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RROGA ScholarshipsRROGA President Felicity Williams talks to the recipients of various RROGA Scholarships

Hannah Macfarlane, boarder, says:I was very surprised, but honoured when I found out I had received a Gibson Webb Scholarship. I’m in Year 12, and I’m studying chemistry and biology, alongside art and stats and English. I also take part in Young Enterprise, we have devised a project selling metal straws and I’m really loving the skills I’m acquiring through the production and marketing of these. I do a lot of sports; in winter; netball and basketball, and in summer; volleyball and water polo. I enjoy everything at Rangi, the strength in sisterhood, it’s a family and it pulls us all together.

“A ship in port is safe but that’s not what ships are built for.”

Hannah is photographed in front of “Landscape with Tree” by James Cousins upstairs in Te Koraha.

Ella Joblin says: I was a bit shocked when I found out I’d been awarded a Gibson Webb. I wasn’t expecting it. I’m still exploring my options for 2019. I’m thinking of a Batchelor of Communications and Media at either Canterbury or Ara. I like the designing side and the marketing, I do textiles and business studies at Rangi and I really enjoy those. In my spare time I’m really into fitness and health. That might also play a part in my future with Sports Management.

I’ve loved the friendly inclusive environment at Rangi, I’m grateful that I come to such a lovely school every day.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can do that, you can make anything happen.”

Ella is photographed in front of “Untitled” by Philippa Blair upstairs in Te Koraha.

Annabelle McCulloch says:I was surprised but very grateful to receive a Gibson Webb scholarship.

I’m most likely heading down to Otago next year to study law and commerce. I take accounting and economics at school and I’ve always wanted to do law. My parents say I’m a good arguer so maybe that’s going to be a strength! In my spare time I do lots of sports; netball, basketball, and in the summer, tennis. I’ve loved my time here. It’s an amazing culture to come into, the little extra things like themed weeks, the school vision, strength in sisterhood. I’ll carry those with me forever.

“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.”

Annabelle is photographed in front of “Australian Dancers” by Alan Pearson upstairs in Te Koraha.

GIBSON WEBB RECIPIENTS

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Charlie Gaiger says:I was very excited to receive this scholarship because I really wanted to come to Rangi. I’m in Year 7 and I really enjoy learning different languages; we do Te Reo and Japanese in Year 7; and then Spanish and French in Year 8. Languages open up different paths and give you opportunities. I play hockey in the winter, and I swim in the summer. I just finished reading ‘The Secret Garden’, it was good, so many different scenes and so much imagination. I also like maths, maybe I’ll be an architect. I enjoy everyone accepting each other at Rangi, and the respect that we all show each other.

Charlie is photographed in front of “Mitosis 11” by Maurie Angelo upstairs in Te Koraha.

Jessica Hickling says:I’m in Year 8 and I was very, very excited to receive this scholarship last year, because I’d been studying so hard for it. I really wanted to come to Rangi. It’s a great school, I’ve made so many friends and I’m learning so much as well. I enjoy English, particularly creative writing. I would like to be a writer one day. I like the fact you can make up things and take the story wherever it wants to go. I love dance and drama as well. I like maths, algebra in particular. It’s complicated but it all makes sense once you understand it. I have fun doing it. I’m a Harry Potter obsessive, but at the moment I’m reading ‘The Land of Stories’, there’re six in the series now.

Jessica is photographed in front of “Untitled” by Don Peebles upstairs in Te Koraha.

RROGA YEARS 7/8 SCHOLARSHIP

YEAR 7 ENTRANCE SCHOLARSHIPS

Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association ScholarshipThe Rangi Ruru Old Girls’

Association scholarship

provides $4,000 per annum,

credited against tuition fees,

for two years. The student

awarded the Rangi Ruru Old

Girls’ Association scholarship

will be the daughter of a

Rangi Ruru Old Girl.

Applications for Scholarship

2020 will be available from

April 2019.

Scholarship registration starts

at the beginning of Term 2. All

applicants must complete an

application for enrolment and

scholarship registration form

and will then sit examinations,

Years 7 and 9 only at school.

A fee of $100 applies. All

pre-enrolled girls will be sent

scholarship information and

registration forms.

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OUR ALUMNAE

The Extraordinary Things You Do

GREEN JERSEY SPRINTER

Rebecca Wardell 1992-1995

Better know to the peloton as Bec, our resident power athlete spent her early athletic career jumping hurdles. After a couple of seasons, she realised she was also pretty good with heavy balls, sharp sticks, high jumps and running fast in a straight line. The transition to heptathlon was the obvious choice for an athlete that can do it all. In 2008 Becs lived her dream of representing New Zealand at the Olympic Games; running, jumping and throwing her way around the Birdsnest in front of 80,000 people.

Becs graduated with a degree in Engineering, but it was her passion for the Olympic movement that lead her to a job with the New Zealand Olympic Committee and soon after,

the International Olympic Committee. Her most recent role had her living in South Korea as the Senior Planning and Coordination Manager of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. She has spent the last few years travelling to the lesser known countries of the world, and on

weekends has been known to conquer the Swiss mountains and the highest passes of Peru and Bolivia by bike. An all-rounder on the track and all-round over achiever in life.

Along with Bec’s ability to engage her fast twitch before anyone else in the peloton, she is also the older and wiser member of the team. Her passion for arrivals and departures and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets makes her the obvious choice for her designated role as ‘head of strategy, visas, route planning and navigation’, essentially our ‘Director Sportif’. If we end up in Sweden, we know who to blame.

Instagram and Facebook @thelongwayhome.nz

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Alexandra Stewart1986-1990A natural leader and business woman, Alexandra Stewart has spent the majority of her career leading marketing strategy and creative thinking within the Engineering and Manufacturing industries. Proven at developing business ideas, diversifying brands and broadening market reach, it was a natural move for Alexandra to launch her own company.

New Zealand born with career experience in the Australian and UK markets, Alexandra married her strategic mind and entrepreneurial instinct with her passion for her home country to found Antipodean Luxury Travel in 2016.

The company is built on two key foundations; to promote travel from Asia to New Zealand and to provide unique experiences exclusive to Antipodean Luxury Travel clients. Alexandra’s deep ties in the local community, personal network and on-the-ground partnerships make this possible. Alexandra found a niche in the highly-saturated travel market, taking advantage of the rise in demand from Asian travellers for more luxurious and interactive travel experiences in further afield destinations. Antipodean Luxury Travel is the only travel specialist in Asia to focus solely on the Antipodes, New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific.

Alongside Antipodean Luxury Travel, Alexandra supports several philanthropic causes across the arts, education, health and animal welfare. She is a trustee of Christchurch Charitable Trust, Christchurch Art Gallery and a member of the New Zealand Agribusiness. Alexandra has a Masters of Design from University of Technology, Sydney, a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from University of Canterbury and Executive Business Programme from Stanford University, USA.

ANTIPODEAN BIOSingapore-based, Antipodean Luxury Travel designs highly personalised itineraries and unique travel experiences within New Zealand, Australia and South Pacific, for its guests. An Antipodean holiday embodies a more unique and immersive style of travel tailored just for you, your family or your company. With our extensive local knowledge and on-the-ground network, we work with selected partners to connect our guests with the experiences that create lasting memories. At Antipodean, we take the time to understand all of our guests’ needs, curating personalised itineraries filled with authentic experiences that exceed expectations.

Antipodean Luxury Travel 51 Shelford Road, Singapore, 288441Phone+6583161293enquiries@antipodeanluxurytravel.com

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sample a taste of home with New Zealand wines and New Zealand food. It wasn’t long before the reminiscing about Rangi began especially seeing our girls resplendent in their uniforms, some with that coveted “gold braid” and their collection of badges on their blazers. We concluded the evening by showing our Annual Appeal video and with the promise that it wouldn’t be too long before we would come back to visit!

What was evident was that the love for their school was still apparent today and, judging by what this group of women had and were still achieving in their lives, Rangi had definitely played an important part in this.

On 24 April Erin Reeve, Dr Sandra Hastie and the touring Hockey Development Squad had the opportunity to meet up with some of our alumnae in London at New Zealand House. The views of 360 degrees across London were breathtaking and the girls were excited to meet and share about their hockey tour and life at Rangi. It was a wonderful evening and, with the opportunity for our alumnae to

London Alumnae Event

Bridge DayTUESDAY 22 MAY 2018Christchurch Bridge Club was the venue once again for the annual St Margaret’s and Rangi Ruru Bridge Tournament for 2018. With excellent players, great prizes, a superb lunch catered by Lizzies and a selection of over 30 raffle prizes, the day’s play was bound to be the success that it was.

The Alumnae Associations are very grateful to the Christchurch Bridge Club for the use of their facilities and to Fitzroys who are so generous with sponsoring prizes.

Winners on the day wereEast/West 1 Jill Gillespie and Jane Ferguson2 Olwyn Forbes and Robyn Dawson3 Ann Hamilton and Suzanne Shand

North/South 1 Heather Waldron and Janette Chatterton2 Pam Rundle and Maggie Johnston3 Kathryn Kerr and Jenny Wilkinson

EVENTS

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Gibson Girls’ Luncheon WELCOMING CLASS OF 1953 - 24 FEBRUARY 2018Celebrating 65 years since their 3rd form year, the Class of 1953 graduated into the Rangi Ruru’s Whaea Ora. This delightful event reconnects inter-year friendships.

The Helen Kitson Function room, beautifully decorated with blue and gold flowers, reverberated to the clatter of knives and forks as Gibson Girls’ and the Whaea Ora girls ate their way through a delicious buffet luncheon prepared by Chef Jason.

The Annual Combined Old Girls’ Golf Tournament was held on Friday 16 March at Harewood Golf Club. Again the weather was in our favour as strong winds were forecast to arrive.

We had a field of 39 – 18 Hole players and 11 – 9 Hole players, which included nine new players. It is always a challenge to get new golfers and I wish to thank those who gave up their valuable time to participate, including Dr Sandra Hastie, Principal of Rangi Ruru and Gillian Simpson, Principal of St Margaret’s.

A “decorate your hat” competition was the theme for this year’s tournament. This competition was won by Anne Ott (SMOG parent), with a beautiful colourful hat.

The winners of the RROG competition were:The Betty Murray Cup for Best Gross: Ali McQueen - 90The Armstrong Cup for Best Net: Nicky Ecroyd – Net 69The Ellece Royds Salver for Best Stableford: Karen Munro – 41 pointsThe Helen Kitson Putting Spoon: Ali McQueenParents and Friends Cup: Ginny Bolderston

Special thanks also goes to SBS for providing prizes for golf winners.

The date and venue for next year’s tournament is Monday 18 March 2019, please contact the RROGA administrator if you are interested in joining us for this fun day.

GET INVOLVED come and playThe annual tournaments and competitions are open to anyone who has a Rangi Ruru connection: past pupil, past/current staff, parent of past or current pupils and friends of the School.Please contact Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association Administrator rroga@rangiruru.school.nz

Golf Tournament 2018I wish to thank the team that helped make this tournament a successful day: Ali McQueen (RR), Helen Joblin (RR), Margaret Black (RR), Erin Reeve (RROG Assoc.), Felicity (RROG President), Ruth Cooper

(Craighead), Victoria Gibbons (SMOG), Mandy Steel (SMOG) and Wendy Groves (SMOG). I also wish to thank Craig Mitchell and Neville Bamford from Harewood Golf Club for hosting our tournament.

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Melissa Pattinson

Andrea Hopping

Melissa Pattinson (née Eder) 2004-2007

One of my school memories is: I remember doing Textiles and we were each creating a pair of pants. Mine were a hideous green and blue denim material and I called them ‘power pants’. My mum had a good giggle at that name, I couldn’t understand why at the time!!

I spend my time with: My three children currently, having been out of the work force for four years since having my second. I have three sons Max (10), Malachi (4) and Xavier (1). When I fell pregnant with Max I studied towards my Bachelor degree (while I was home with him) and then when I graduated we started preschool together! Work for me will be just around the corner I’m sure, but for now being home with my boys is so precious.

Favourite quote: “Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it yet.” (Anne of Green Gables/ L M Montgomery)

Grace Collett 2010 - 2013

One of my school memories is: Learning the Balmoral clan chants in Year 9, especially dynamite - I still remember them very vividly! The clan spirit Balmoral had while I was a pupil has stood out in my memory. Also, the

first time I went into Te Koraha for my Year 12 classics class with Ms Ogden, it felt almost taboo to have classes in the recently restored building post-earthquake.

I spend my time: I work fulltime in Wellington as a solicitor doing Family Law litigation in Wellington.

Favourite quote: “Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” Robert Frost

I am recently engaged: Partner’s name - Gerard Friel

Prue Groffman (Parsons) 1955 - 1959 as a boarder

One of my school memories is: Mid-night feasts when we used to hide food, even a pavlova, under the floorboards of the dormitory, then rouse ourselves silently in the middle of the night, terrified we’d be caught and severely punished. We’d gather round a single torchlight to enjoy our guilty pleasure, but occasionally we were caught, usually by Miss Wilson.

I spend my time: I live in Wiltshire, a glorious part of England in beautiful countryside yet in easy reach of London, Bath, Oxford and Salisbury. This is a marvellous summer, ideal for entertaining al fresco, visiting famous gardens, seeing outdoor sculpture

exhibitions, theatre-going with friends and “wild swimming” with my three grandchildren - all of which we’ve enjoyed so much.

Best of all in the last fortnight was a visit from my dearest school friend, Jacqui Nevell (Purchase). Together we reminisced about our boarding years and laughed over my collection of letters written to my family from school.

I am married to Gerald, have two marvellous sons and three grandchildren all of whom now live in England.

Andrea Hopping (Bryant) 1990-1994

One of my school memories is: Flying – as I was being tossed into the sky, for ‘Clash of the Clans – Toss the Clan leader”

I spend my time: It’s a fairly busy, but finely tuned ship of balancing work as a Landscape Architect and life! If you don’t find me at home, work, gym, dog park, running or biking, at school and associated activities, you are likely to find me breathing as I stop to read a recipe book or I sketch while sitting in the sun.

Favourite quote: “We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.” Mother Teresa

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Charlotte Brynn

I am now a mum - Baby’s name: James (11) a true teacher and protective big brother of Thomas (6) who is into absolutely everything physical; both get involved and help me in garden and kitchen and love to build.

I am recently married: My partner Andrew Hopping works in his family business, Montreux Furniture.

Sara Thompson (nee Spiers) 1994- 1998

One of my school memories is: Rowing – Winning the Maadi cup, endless training and the wonderful friends made from it, a lot of whom keep in regular touch with me today.

I spend my time: Looking after my three gorgeous children (Charlotte, Oscar and Georgia) as well as working in the science team for Danone Nutricia as a dietitian.

My husband Luke and I moved to Wanaka four years ago where we have been farming as well as enjoying the skiing, lovely mountain bike tracks and general outdoor life!

Jocelyn Wood (Needham) 1945 - 53

One of my school memories is: A memory of transition - as a young boarder having afternoon tea with the Gibson family, Miss Farquharson playing The Golliwogs Cakewalk on the staffroom piano, a modernised uniform and classrooms that progressed from the stable block to a temporary marquee to a new building in 1951! All very happy days with good friends I still see when I visit New Zealand from Melbourne.

I spend my time: I’m lucky enough to indulge my love of travel and photography. I play golf and bridge increasingly badly, cycle, attend

Charlotte Brynn 1979 - 1984

Rangi gave me the tools I needed to rise to the top of my field.

This year I was named in the list of the top 30 women open water coaches and mentors in the world by the World Open Water Swimming association. In addition to coaching and mentoring others I continue to complete marathon swims around the world, from swimming 28 miles around Manhattan Island in NYC to crossing the 20 mile Catalina Channel in California.

Hoping that in sharing, other women and the next generation of Rangi Ruru grads can be inspired to rise to their potential too, we all have the ability to excel!

Jane Moody (Flatman) from 1968 in Form 1

One of my school memories is: The fun of May Day and doing a big conga line around the school.

U3A and keep track of my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren on both sides of the Tasman.

Favourite quote: “From quiet homes and first beginning, Out to the undiscovered ends, There’s nothing worth the wear of winning, But laughter and the love of friends.” Hilaire Belloc

I spend my time: After my husband died seven years ago I got a five year ancestral work visa for the UK and have spent two stints working as a live-in carer for the elderly and travelling alternate months in Europe. I have walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain and the chemin de Puy in France..both 700 odd kms. My biggest thrill was trekking to Everest Base camp last October. I was due to go back in June but have my first grandchild arriving in September so I am back selling real estate with Bayleys (residential now in Christchurch instead of North Canterbury). Am happy to share my working in UK experiences with anyone that wants info

Favourite quote: “I love those who can smile in trouble.” Leonardo da Vinci

Amy Griffiths 1991

One of my school memories is: So many, one of my favourites is singing along to Counting crows in our 7th Form Common Room having a blast, the dances were definitely highlights and our camps 3rd Form to Castle Hill best memories ever! xx

I spend my time: Being a mum/step mum (fun blended family), I am a Home solutions consultant @ PDL by Schneider Electric (you may see me in House magazines from time to time), Love caravanning in our pop top favourite location - Kaiteriteri, we have just built a house and last year I completed an Interior design diploma.

Favourite quote: “Sometimes you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory”

I am recently engaged: Got engaged on my 40th on Mystery Island to my amazing man Nigel Green.

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Katie Britten (Truesdale) 1996-2000

One of my school memories is: Being welcomed with open arms on first visit to the Boarding House and meeting my high school best friend Eve Mackay - the stage was set!

I spend my time: Full time Mother of Three. Part time Jewellery Designer. Sometime Philosopher.

Favourite quote: “We are the masterpiece of our own creation.”

I am a mum: Beau Britten born 19/10/2017, Aria Britten born 10/01/2016, Cleo Britten born 04/01/2009

I am married: Sam Britten

Katie Britten

Stewart (Senor Estuardo!), and taking part in all activities and sports.

I spend my time: Project Managing the design of stadiums and venues in London (a busy and rewarding career), travelling all over Europe and the world (my favourites so far are Hawaii, Greece, Dubai, Paris and Edinburgh), and making the most of all London has to offer with my boyfriend, friends and workmates.

Favourite quote(s): “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted”. Aesop.

“People shouldn’t mistake kindness for weakness, sometimes the kindest women are the fiercest warriors.” Anon.

I am neither a Mum, nor have I been recently married, however I’ve attached an image of us GOING to a wedding, which is just as good, right?

Rachel Kelly (nee Whiteside) 2003-2008

One of my school memories is: The many rowing camps to Twizel, late passes, Rangi fudge, the hectic run to the cafe when the smell of bacon was detected.

I spend my time: Teaching in the community I live in - Governors Bay,

Gabrielle Fuller

Rachel Kelly

Gabrielle Fuller 1999 - 2005

One of my school memories is: There are so many! Being the first Year 11’s to have a common room (behind the old school hall near the English block), and subsequently ruining it for the years following us by not being old enough or responsible enough to keep it clean. There was a specific time I forgot about a cream bun in my locker for two weeks and it was definitely beyond edible when I finally found it and threw it out - sorry everyone! I loved being with my friends in class, Spanish class with Mr

being a mum, gardening, spending time with family and friends

Favourite quote: I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. “The good and the bad all leads you to where you’re meant to be”.

I am now a mum - Baby’s name: Imogen. Imogen will turn two years old in November and we will welcome her brother, Fergus, into the world very shortly after.

I am married: James Kelly. James and I got together just after I finished at Rangi. We married in 2015 down at the beautiful Lake Benmore.

Lizzie Bridges 2009 - 2013

One of my school memories is: I will always remember the time that my classmates ran away from Mrs Rowberry in PE and had her chasing them round the whole school. I was a bit of a character at school, always pushing the boundaries slightly. Chapel was the best when the form class on duty would choose “Be Still My Heart” as the Wednesday hymn and another amazing thing about school was being able to raid the

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canteen without your parents finding out until the next month when they receive the bill.

I spend my time: These days, I have graduated from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Commerce Majoring in Supply Chain Management and Global Business and am now on a graduate programme for future leaders at New Zealand’s largest transport company. I really enjoy this and these days I still find myself using all of the skills I gained from Mr Mills drilling knowledge into me during Economics.

I spend much of my free time socialising with friends, spending time with my puppy Riley and renovating my wee home (slowly but surely).

Favourite quote: “Look at people for who they are, and not what they are.”

Catherine McArthur (nee Belton) 1969 to 1973

One of my school memories is: Oh so many - how to choose? Porridge for breakfast. Double period of Shakespeare with Miss Ridley when the outside air temperature reached 40 degrees. Boarders’ dances with the fellas from St Andrew’s College and Christ’s College. Sneaking out to see the movie “Love Story” on the pretence of having a dental appointment. Maths with Mrs Wily who was inspiring in her enthusiasm and all covered in chalk dust in the process.

doing that! I am now a mum, having produced two sons - a doctor and a juggler, one living in Australia and the other in China. Two years ago I moved from Christchurch to Raumati Beach on the Kapiti Coast where I love the lifestyle - and the beach. However, I’m still doing some contract work as an Executive Assistant to the CEO of a large organisation in Wellington.

My favourite quote is, “Follow your heart but take your brain with you.”

Angela Gordon (East) 1992 - 1998

One of my school memories is: Getting to 6th form and Mr Ockenden changing from a scary teacher to a cool one, and enjoying his class, while avoiding his cigarette breath, sorry Mr O.

I spend my time: Creating moments of ‘joie’ for people at Joie.co.nz and juggling our children, Ollie 8 and Sophia 6.

Favourite quote: “Be who you are and say what you feel for those that matter won’t mind and those that mind don’t matter.” Dr Seuss

Sara Souter 1983-1988

One of my school memories is: There are so many good memories it’s hard to choose... but competing for chocolate fish in physics with Mr Farrelly has to be one of them.

I spend my time: Juggling family time in rural Australia with enjoying my fabulous new dream job as Group Medical Officer for Virgin Australia Airlines based in Sydney. First female in Australasia to head an airline medical unit... here’s to increasing that head count for women in aviation. Go girls!

Favourite quote: “Wherever you are... be there.” (unknown source)

I spend my time: Being a GP in Rolleston and a palliative care doc at Nurse Maude Hospice. Gardening. Being a Gran to three little people.

Favourite quote: “Life is short - don’t waste it”. The final line of a friend who sadly died in his fifties and before he did he wrote his own funeral.

Clare Ansley

Lizzie Bridges

Clare Ansley (nee Grimmett) 1962 to 1964

My memories of school are of having a lot of fun slightly to the detriment of my studies. But they were good days and gave me a solid grounding for the rest of my life. I’ve always been proud of say that I went to Rangi. My girlfriend Kathy Goddard and I used to borrow bikes and ride up to the Merivale shops every Monday to buy fish and chips and a raspberry bun for lunch. Once we went to Adams Bruce in the city after school (in our uniforms) and had a caramel sundae - we got into a lot of trouble for

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Reunion speechLast term I wrote a short play based on a popular fairy story for a group of 6-year-olds.

And often when you engage in the writing process, words stay around to haunt you long after the rehearsals and performances.

I’d like to share the words with you — in the hope that they might in turn haunt you somewhat as well.

“Put on your good clothes Go to the palace. Make the best of it.”As I look around — I see all of us gathered here for a weekend of celebratory memories. We pretty much have our good clothes on — after all we want to impress people we may not have seen for some time.

But as with all stories — there’s a subtext. Today — at this moment in your life —

What are your good clothes really?

Oh, sure they are outer wear — but what about inner wear? What are the good clothes we wear on the inside?

The smile you give to a stranger as you walk around Hagley Park, even

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if the dog annoys you, the time you take to compliment a little child on nice manners, that little extra interaction with a neighbour that you don’t often see.

Wearing your good clothes in post-earthquake Christchurch, is about looking inside yourself and finding new depths of emotional generosity.

Go to the palace. Ok, we all know life is a journey, but for most of us aiming for a palace is a little ridiculous. There’s a global shortage of princes . . . so unless you want to be part of a harem . . .

And there are certainly no palaces In Christchurch at the moment.

Or are there?

A suburban cafe with a friend that you visit next week can be a palace, so can a family wedding in a country hall, or a child’s birthday party in the backyard.

A palace can be as close as tomorrow or as far away as next year. It is also right now where we are sitting to celebrate.

It’s any place that we approach with expectation, with enthusiasm or maybe with trepidation. Not to say you shouldn’t take the risk and journey there anyway. Opportunities can abound in unexpected places.

Make the best of it.No one can say that over the last decade in Canterbury we have not made the best of it. The need to problem solve has seen us indulge in extremes of lateral thinking we didn’t think existed.

We experienced over 10,000 earthquakes, we grew, according to psychologists, in resilience and determination. Most of us may have preferred a different route to achieve self-growth.

The yellow blazer that Felicity is wearing was donated to the archives by Alison Kay, whose generous bequest to the Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association in 2017 has resulted in a sports fund in her name. The blazer would have been purchased when Alison left school and became a member of the Association. She would have worn it for playing club or other sports, especially tennis.

So, don’t save your good clothes for a

special occasion — wear them every

day, on the outside and on the inside.

Find wonder and beauty in whatever

palace you enter.

Take up the “make the best of it”

challenge and find out how it can

transform not only your life but the

lives of others around you.

Now let me finish by putting the lines

from ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ by the Brothers

Grimm in context.

Once upon there was a miller who had a beautiful daughter. He couldn’t stop bragging about her. One day he went to see the king.

“I have a daughter who can spin straw into gold,” he said. The king jumped up, excited.

“Bring her to the palace at once!”The father went home.

“Hi dad, had a good day?” said the daughter.“Um, I told the king you could spin straw into gold,” he said.“Dad you BIG nitwit,” cried the girl, “now what am I going to do?”“Better put on your good clothes,” said the miller, “go to the palace. Make the best of it.”And of course, being a clever girl, she succeeded.

70 years on luncheon - 3 November 2017

And so, will we.

Felicity Williams President RROGA

Reunion Chapel Service 4/11/17

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Class of 1947

Back row: Lynette Taylor, Helen Cranfield (Watson), Judy Robertson (Haslam), Judy Kennedy (Patterson), Sheila Clarke (Fraser), June Leggett (Bradbury), Nancy Beale. Front row: Jan Graham (Gillies), Eerie Cusack (Monro), Elizabeth Lake (Cholmondeley), Desley Armstrong, Gillian Miles (Tribe), Valerie Poynter (Kear).

CLASS OF 1957Back Row: Robyn (Messenger) Page, Barbara (Milliken) Jordan, Ann (Willis) North, Lis (Ramsay) Eliott, Virginia (Gilbert) Mayo, Pauline (Jamieson) Campbell, Vickki (Parsons) Salkeld, Diana (Penney) Griffiths, Mary (Armstrong) Farrell, Sue (Reeves) Scott. Middle Row: Bronwen (Freer) Chandler, Marcia (Johnston) Roberts, Trish (Reynolds) Mitchell, Linda (Lyttle) Pascoe, Heather (Inwood) Howden, Lynne (Rudkin) Thompson, Jacquie (Franklin) Nicoll, Jillian (Franklin) King, Jill (Stevenson) Newton, Corrine (Tarling) Crawley, Wendy (Aitken) Shattky, Lesley (Brown) Anderson, Christine Goode, Annette (Ferguson) Williams, Beverley (Stonehouse) Britton. Front Row: Lynley (Mangin) Rowney, Sue (Charman) Benseman, Jan (Wilson) Spinetto, Anne (Barnett) Kyle, Judy (Dunkley) Derrick, Jan (McCurdy) Wilkins, Kay (Aspinall) Kean, Lois (Molland) Margesson, Christine (Graham) Abbasi, Valme’ (Gardner) Slooten, Christine (Monk) Graham, Juliet (Erber) Campbell, Lindsay (Hignet) Stollery

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CLASS OF 1967Back Row: Gill Priest (Black), Jane Turner (Ballard), Janet Johnstone, Anna Guild (MacKenzie), Pam Cain, Pauline Harris (Bain), Viv Urquhart, Jenny Williams (Streeter), Judy McBride, (Bishop), Nicola Hillary (Freeborn), Denise Vivian (Risely), Margaret McCaw (McLay), Ann McCully (Darling). Middle Row: Julie Turner, Pauline Image (Gray), Pip Stevens, Susan Mansbridge (Rutherford), Ruth Berry (Bascand), Judith Rutherford, Margaret Gibb (Doig), Lindsay Couzins (Thomas), Julie Saddler (Tyson), Glenis Priddle (Skinner), Moira Atkinson (Rutherford), Marilyn Masefield (Stanbury). Front Row: Brenda Scott, Jane Duncan (Etherington), Marilyn Herbert (Miller), Charmaine MacKenzie (Nicholls), Sally Clark (Butcher), Carolyn Leech (Smart), Christine McMillan (Johnson), Nicola Brieton (Galilee), Jill Davis (Woodham), Penny Wilson (Scott), Heather Kirkwood (Hobson), Elizabeth Rutherford (Coe), Helen Robertson

CLASS OF 1977Back Row: Gaye (Ridgen) Bruce, Pip O’Loughlin, Suzy (Warren) Wanklyn, Fiona McCrostie. Third Row: Janine Lay, Rosie (Palmer) Hope, Valerie (Dawson) Sandston, Dianne (Murray) Jones, Jo (McGowan) Verdellen, Suellen Scales, Anna (Coates) Leggat, Helen (Stokes) Jagger, Jo Steel, Liz (Bain) Lovell, Jane Mahoney. Second Row: Debbie (Brunt) Haywood, Annemarie Tilling, Susan McAllister, Prue Harman, Robin (Clarkson) Mulligan, Susie (Good) Foyle, Sally (Glenday) Bruce, Angela (Bonniface) Whitley, Caroline Kyle, Sue (Holmes) Macdonald, Janeen (Jowers) Donaldson, Kathy (McLean) Murray. Front Row: Janine (Clasper) Kitchen, Tricia (Boyd) McDonald, Sue Beecroft-Finlay, Alison (McKenzie) Shaw, Gwyneth Graham, Jane (Fincham) Northcote, Sue Howden, Andrea (Cuttle) Clarke, Debbie (Atkinson) Visser, Jenny (Hill) Duncan, Sonja (Carr) Le Lievre, Belinda (Bradbury) Wood, Jann (Howden) Booth

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CLASS OF 1987Back Row: Janine Clarkson, Anna Turner (Innes), Rebekah Fraser (Gunn), Catherine Cattanach (McCaw), Virginia Ensor, Jane McClure (Cameron) Lisa Conroy, Kirsty Rundle (Clark), Melanie Trolove (Bailey), Lucy Redfern (Fairbairn), Anna Oberndorfer (Lightfoot), Yvette Tucker, Kirsty Willis Hedgcock (Willis), Emma Farrell (Lowry), Lucy Hunter-Weston (Ewart), Anna Sandall, Nicky Walsh (Landrebe). Front Row: Jane Logie, Rewa Nolan (Epstein), Ruth Chapman-Smith (Chapman), Jane Campbell (Kennedy), Amanda Judd, Sophy Weenink (Deans) Deborah Luisetti (Wilson), Catherine Meltzer (Karabevicius), Nicky Loe (Simpson), Charlotte Malone (Walker), Gabriel Evatt (Kemp) Pip Dalling (Leslie), Rachelle Conolly (Smith), Genevieve Lazenby (Willis), Liz Beaglehole (Jones), Wilhelmina Wooff, Catherine Goodson, Emma Menzies (Hart), Charlotte Dunning (Bain), Fleur Keeley

CLASS OF 1997Back row: Penny Butters (Reed), Libby Baxter (Kingscote), Serena Dey (Hamilton), Emma-Jane Paterson (Reese), Rosie Driver, Jane Sutherland (Little), Hannah Brand, Jasmine Aldwin (Mcllraith), Breidi McLeish (Ross), Ellen Peterson (Field), Jasmine Percasky, Bonnie Denson, Harriet Hutton, Amy Nixon, Jessica Parkes, Katie McSweeney, Georgina Wallis (Cartwright), Kimberley Barnett (Cook), Gemma Chuah (Knight), Meredith Mildenhall (Woolley) Zanny Boyd, Sarah Stevenson. Front row: Annabel Wigley, Charlotte Steetskamp (Smith), Lucy de Latour, Amelia Rennie, Hannah Barnett (McMillan), Charlotte Griffiths (Paton), Emma Reynolds (Goldsworthy), Frankie Paulo (Mortimer), Katy Brown (Talbot), Anna Thomson, Kate Stewart, Karyn Lynch (Anderson), Sophie Hall, Rachel Robertson (Claridge).

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TRENZSEATERINTERIOR DESIGN

NEW ZEALANDAUCKLAND - 80 Parnell Road, +64 9 303 4151

CHRISTCHURCH - 121 Blenheim Road, +64 3 343 0876QUEENSTOWN - 313 Hawthorne Drive, +64 3 441 2363

INTERNATIONALENQUIRIES - benlewis@trenzseater.com

www.trenzseater.com

Facilities for Hire

Our facilities are available to be hired outside of school time, including afterschool, nights, weekends and term breaks.For bookings and enquiries contact Eddie Cropley on 03 9833703, facilities@rangiruru.school.nz.

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We talked about the old uniforms which had to be “on the knee”, the navy-blue woollen togs with in-built bra cups which were so laden with water once we dived in to the pool they sagged down around our knees much to our embarrassment, hair styles, gloves and panama hats, being a school girl in the 60s and fun things we did. In the words of Queen:

Fifty years ago, our year group joined Form 3 at Rangi. Fifty years . . . how had that happened? It was hard to believe. In our hearts most of us felt like nineteen-year olds yet here we were discussing our children and grandchildren. So much had changed in those years yet so much remained the same. The noise made by forty-two Rangi Old Girls’ catching up with one another, talking, laughing, reminiscing. It was wonderful to meet together. Everyone felt the same. Gracious Te Koraha once home to the boarders in our group commanding the centre of the school. Familiar faces and a sense of family. We had spent at least four or five years with these “girls”.

We remembered the Form One and Two block which, in spite of the Canterbury earthquakes, still exists, the French teacher we had who wore the same houndstooth suit and trendy boots all the time, the Cottage field, our principals, Mrs Patrick and Miss Anderson, the stable block being demolished and carrying desks and chairs out of those class rooms, the building of the “new” Gibson library.

“We were back in the old days, long agoWhen we were kids, when we were youngThings seemed so perfect, you know?The days were endless, we were crazy, we were youngThe sun was always shinin’, we just lived for fun.”

Of course, we worked hard too and with the foundation that Rangi helped us build, we have carved out careers and enjoyed sharing the directions our lives had taken.

The Gibson Centre proved the perfect venue for our Friday evening catch up and set the scene for Saturday and the pleasure of listening to our year group member and Rangi Old Girls’ Association president, Felicity

Williams, speak in the chapel. We sang the School Song with a catch in our voices and enjoyed the beautiful organ accompaniment by John Dodgshun, the husband of one of our year group. Wandering through Te Koraha and the wonderful new buildings mixed past with present as we enjoyed morning tea and wound up our catch up over lunch in the

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“new” Boarding House. Principal Sandra Hastie spent time with us and excited us with her discussion on recent achievements by present day girls. We recognised what is encompassed in a modern day school, and life-style, and the progress that comes with technology which the girls of today and the future are both challenged by and appreciate. Rangi is definitely flourishing.

The best part of our reunion weekend was that we now have a full list of contacts for our year group so we are able to maintain contact and can keep our group together. Thanks to the RROGA for the opportunity and to the convenor, Briget Chatterton (Turner), and her team for such a heart-warming occasion.

Rosemary Whyte (Blackwell)

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70 Years on Luncheon2 MARCH 2018What a wonderful group of old girls! With a superb meal from Chef Jason, of baked salmon, salad and fresh fruit platters, this meal was memorable for the sense of history that imbued it and for the laughter and memories. It’s a small world isn’t it — President Felicity Williams found out that Margie Perry had in fact been a student of her late father’s at Christchurch Teachers’ College. So not only old memories revived, but the discovery of new ones!

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CLASS OF 1948Standing: Alisoun Butt (Hight), Lyndsay Lay (McLaughlin), Jennifer Syme (Gadiner, Alison Chaffey (Weir), Jan Chaffey (Pram), Pat Manning (McKerrow), Ariane Martelli (Walker), Marie Moncrieff (Brown), Margie Perry (Free). Seated: Winsome Lane (Smee), Adrienne Lambie (Anderson), Lyndsey Harrow (Alston), Sue Ridgen (Wood).

CLASS OF 1958Back Row: Jenny Dodd (Nelson), Janice Ford (Crombie), Hilary Wilson, Vicky Williamson (Begg), Ellen Loader (Murray) Adrienne McNab (Gaffney), Diane Ross (Moyna), Keren Mitchell (Gardner), Helen Marieskind (Free), Robyn Simmonds (Purchase), Pat Pritchett (Rennie), Katherine Hill (Sheppard), Judy Johnson (Gardner). Middle Row: Judy Smith (Fisher), Denise Harley (Hall), Adrienne Preston (Simpson), Julie Riley (Armstrong), Wendy Cookson (Cannon), Nicky Tutt (Nurse), Janet Parslow (McCallum), Geraldine Aitken (Andrews), Annette Moller (Le Lievre), Katrina Studholme (Reed), Margaret Duke (McKinney), Claire Mason (Ferguson) Vicky Cooper (Milliken). Front Ro: Diana Bates (Bruce), Denise Sandall (Smith), Sarah Turbott (Oakley), Beverlene Black (Urquhart) Gillian Saunders (Read), Alison Reekie (Stalker), Lois Colley (Franicevic), Bridget Notley (Vincent), Heather Morrish (Johnston), Josephine Ullrich (Lee), Jennifer Withers (Maddren), Margaret Beyer (Moore), Jan Grover (Foster)

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CLASS OF 1968Back row: Sara Black, Helen (Walters) Burns, Briget (Turner) Chatterton, Kate (Williams) Hamilton, Jill (Alexander) Miller, Sandra

(MacMaster) Taylor, Lindy (Dowling) Cowles, Jenny (Maskew) St George, Jenni (Galloway) McDougall, Mandy (Dowling) Brazier,

Edith (Kidd) Cromie, Felicity (Walker) Williams, Mary (Blair) Bremner. Middle row: Sue (Clephane) Haydon, Suzanne (Avery) Ash,

Philippa (West) Yates, Susan (Johnstone) Hilton, Jane Dickson, Robyn (Marr) Dymock, Gabriella (Novak) Beck, Paulette (Idiens)

Shearer, Kathie (McLachlan) Frost, Jenny (Black) Alexander, Judith (Black) Young. Front row: Belinda (White) Callaway, Julie Harris,

Caryl Evans, Barbara Strack, Rosemary (Blackwell) Whyte, Judith Cain, Joanna (Kitson) Dodgshun, Alison Tait, Christine Chambers.

CLASS OF 1978Back row: Katherine Quigley, Sarah Bell, Anna Lissaman, Anna Wattereus, Fiona Bersani (Mackenzie), Avril Woollcombe (Heard), Ginny Clark (Wadworth), Carine Clitheroe (Moorhead), Philly Taylor (Chamberlain), Ginny Lovrich (Douglas-Clifford), Jane Alloway (Maddren), Kirsty Chamberlain, Caroline Thomson (Bonner). Middle row: Michelle Smollett (Foster), Lynda Ball (Logan), Anna Raymond (Kennedy), Katherine Bonner, Lea Perillo (Houghton), Janet McGiven, Sue Mills (McIntosh), Pamela Hancox (Brunie), Bronwyn Reed (Chant), Juliana Hilson, Diana Priestley (Northcote), Mary Davison, Angela Sullivan (Matheson). Front Row: Carolyn Williams (Andrew), Bridget Brustad (Loe), Andrea Martin (Cust), Sally Wright (Cooke), Prudence Lane, Bridget Alexander, Libby Coull (Carey), Robyn Heard (Johnston), Libby Hilder (Thomas), Rebecca Stewart (Reid), Sarah Mayo (Maddren), Kate McRae, Cathy Neave, Helen Watson.

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CLASS OF 1988Front Row: Mandy Mehlhopt (Dowie), Rose Selwyn (Johnston Walker), Susan Rowe, Rachael Wyllie (McDonnell), Sarah Thompson (Sidey), Michelle Clemence (Yorston), Deirdre Columbus, Amanda Dick, Danielle Dun (Jenkinson), Kate Victor (Smith), Kate Whithear (Colthart), Rebekah Haycock (McMillan), Jolie Thomas (Hammond), Middle Row: Kate Prangnall, Miriam Erber, Rebecca Aitken, Angela Jermyn (McLennan), Gina Elcock (McJorrow), Charlotte Johnson (Martin), Melanie Abbott (Souter), Nicole Moreham, Georgina Hunter (Lee) Third Row: Penelope Edgerton (McKenzie), Belinda Ranken (Hale), Sarah Croton (Pickering), Andrea Tucker (Lill), Pip Anderson, Kirsty Frew (Beasley), Liz Evans (Hays), Rebecca George (Skelton), Katherine Armour, Carlena Sneesby Top Row: Fran Budd (Dakin), Amanda Louden (Wigley), Kate Clarke (Anderson), Kirsty Robertson, Nina Broomfield, Susan Milliken, Kate Harper (Paterson).

CLASS OF 1998Back row: Melissa Donnithorne, Miranda Sinton (Morrow), Jenni Callaghan (Smith), Laura Perston (Bellaney), Nicolette Le Cren, Jessica Henderson (Walker), Jenna Ingram (Brown), Georgie Gane, Adele Murphy (Duke), Pip Renshaw (Masefield), Emma Peterson, Natasha Anderson (Ferguson). Front Row: Amelia Dunbar (Guild), Kate Ivey (Paterson), Alice Bonifant (Calder-Baxter), Sarah Thomson (Robson), Jenna Dwan (Harris), Emma Rose-Allison, Jodie Divett (O’Callaghan), Nikki Wright (Hooper), Emma Tait (Cowan), Pip Broadbridge, Clare Cini (McAlpine), Mary McKenzie (Lemon), Kim Enosa (Craig), Sarah Harding (Mills).

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130 years ago, a family of remarkable sisters found themselves in less than satisfactory financial circumstances. The solution to their situation led to the establishment of Rangi Ruru Girls’ School.

Captain Frederick and Mary Gibson were the parents of a large close-knit family of eight girls and three boys. The family placed great value on education and when the family’s fortunes suffered in the economic downturn of the 1880s, Mrs Gibson and the older girls supplemented the family income with teaching and private pupils. When family friends, the Gresham sisters, wanted to sell the goodwill of their small private school, (we would think of it as a ’dame school’ today) Captain Gibson ‘saw an employment opportunity for his many daughters’.

While still only twenty years old, and with the assistance of her sister Alice and their mother, Helen Gibson took on the responsibility of running this new venture, Miss Gibson’s Private School for Girls. The school opened in 1889 with

eighteen girls between five and sixteen. Within two years the school had outgrown the original house in Papanui Road and the family bought land and built a larger house on the corner of Webb Street. This was to be both school and home for over thirty years.

Few families today would be prepared to put up with the demands of boarders, pupils, and classes in their home, but the Gibson sisters had been schooled well, particularly by their mother to be educated, strong minded, and dedicated women who were prepared to put the needs of their pupils and family before personal want. The school became the family’s life, as Ethel, Ruth and Winifred joined their mother and sisters in teaching and domestic roles. With good connections and this strong family ethos, the school roll grew. The school was very much in the business of educating families as younger sisters (and brothers) were enrolled, and in time daughters and grand-daughters.

Johnann Williams

FROM THE ARCHIVES

The History of Rangi Ruru

PART ONE THE BEGINNING

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What’s been happening?

Our 2017 AGM was held on August 11 (after being postponed because of flooded roads) and was preceded by a pleasant luncheon at Mia Flora in Winchester. The Branch decided to give a donation to the Stellar Music Programme at the School. Fiona Troon then gave an interesting talk about her trip to Russia and the Baltic States.

A luncheon was held in March at Cafe Mes Amis in Orari.

The 2018 Branch AGM was held on July 27 at Verde Cafe in Geraldine and we were pleased to have Felicity Williams, RROGA President, and Erin Reeve, Administrator, as our guests. Our members always enjoy hearing news of the School and the Old Girls’ Association.

Contacts: South Canterbury, Denise Kenny (McLaine), Ph 03 693 8481, kennydl@xtra.co.nz. Wendy Cookson (Cannon), Ph 03 686 0842, colinandwendycookson@gmail.com, Mid Canterbury, Philippa Yates (West), Ph 03 308 7644, yates_family@xtra.co.nz, Jenny Williams (Streeter) 03 308 2081, tricroft2@gmail.com

Back row: I McKinnon, F Troon, W Cookson, J Ellis, N Callaghan, A Bell, D Kelland, R Nattrass, J Williams, M Kendall-Smith.

Front row: V Body, D Kenny, A King, A Lambie.

MESSAGES FROM THE BRANCHES

SOUTH/MID CANTERBURY BRANCH REPORT

This group meets once a year at Christmas.Contact: Barb Hay (Shacklock) 021 545 1900 or 021 110 9690 haybarbaraq@xtra.co.nz

NELSON/TASMAN/WEST COAST

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Auckland old girls taken at our mid winter afternoon tea held at the Garden Cafe at Palmers Orakei Garden Centre at the bottom of Remuera on 15 June.

Seventeen girls were present with apologies from seven who were mostly travelling overseas! We had a very happy get together with heaps of laughter and reminiscence.

We announced to the girls that the Auckland branch had presented a shield for a music prize in the name of our oldest member Helen Saunders who is living in the Selwyn Heights rest home and is now aged 102. She is as always delighted to see us when we visit. She was very thrilled and quite overwhelmed when we showed her the prize for the school.

It is named The Helen Saunders Annual Award for Song Writing and we also gave five treble clef awards for keep sakes for the next five annual winners. Our ambition is that this award will acknowledge the fact that Helen composed the school song and her husband Lin Saunders composed the music so that the current girls at school can appreciate the history of the school song.

Our Christmas Luncheon is held at McHugh’s on Cheltenam Beach on the last Sunday in November each year and is a very popular event which is always well supported by our old girls.

If anyone would like to join us my contact is 021 646993. We would love to welcome more old girls.

AUCKLAND BRANCH REPORT

MESSAGES FROM THE BRANCHES

A very pleasant lunch was held for a small group at Birdswood Gallery near Havelock North in March. This year we had a similar lunch on 26 September and hoped to attract some of the younger Old Girls who live in Hawkes Bay.

We were all very sad to learn of Margie Dick’s (Murie) passing in July after her long and brave struggle with failing health.

Our Hawkes Bay RROGA group is still in existence due to Margie’s enthusiasm and her untiring effort for approximatey 20 years organising regular gatherings. MaryAnn Harding and myself share the organising of our HB group.

Contact: Bindy Headifen p.headifen@outlook.co.nz

HAWKES BAY/POVERTY BAY BRANCH REPORT

I have been the Chairperson for Rangi Ruru Old Girls’, Waikato, since starting it about 30 years ago, but have now retired to Auckland to be nearer family.

Sue Milner has graciously taken over from me and will now be your go to person for this area.

I have loved meeting and being involved with members over the years. I wish everyone well and the best of health — Judith Baker.

Contact: Sue Milner randsmilner@gmail.com

WAIKATO/BAY OF PLENTY BRANCH REPORT

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MARRIAGESSophie Hurley (née Spiers) Old girl from 2004-2008. Recently we got married on 16 March 2018 in Wanaka! I also had twin Rangi old girls in my bridal party Meg Montgomery and Julia Watherston. Now living on a farm station up the Turakina Valley near Taihape and working remotely for NZX.

Ruth Edwards

I attended Rangi from 93-98. I married

Lukas Nelson on 2 June 2018 in Casper

Wyoming USA!!

Brigid McKevith

Recently married Cliff Brown

Sophie Hurley

Ruth Edwards

Peg Moorhouse

BIRTHDAYSPeg Moorhouse

The Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association would

like to congratulate Peg Moorhouse (Class

of 1929).

Peg turned 101 on 10 July and is still

very active in her damask weaving - she

is currently working towards designing

a hanging for the Professional Weavers

exhibition in 2019.

WELCOME TO NEW BABIES Genevieve - daughter to Penelope and Owen Foster (nee Munro)Harriet - daughter to Penny Gallagher (Lemon)Beau - son to Katie and Sam BrittenFelix - son to Brigid McKevith and Cliff Brown

Genevieve Foster

MILESTONES

Josephine Flint Jones 1929Joy Robertson 1930Janet Moore 1931Betty Sulima Rogaczewski 1932Anne Hunt 1933Jean McWha 1935Janet Holm 1936Cynthia Balfour 1939Joan Hindin 1939Janet Lawrence 1939Janet Parsons 1939Cynthia Scott 1939Hilda Speight 1939Jocelyn Bradshaw 1941Dorothy Fletcher 1941Cynthia Gilkison 1941Diana Ball 1942Judith Callaghan 1942Judy Collie 1942Yvette Hughson 1942June Chartres 1943Susie Sandall 1943Valerie Hedley 1945Berris Barton 1946Wendy Boag 1947Margaret Deans 1947Elizabeth Mayes 1947Joanna Wilson 1947Pauline Hurley 1948Sally Macdonald 1948Gilly Wederell 1948Gendy Brown 1950Felicity Hilson 1950Alisoun Masters 1950Josephine Baker 1951Anne Dingle 1951Joy Skjellerup 1951Margaret Wallace 1952Carol Hart 1954Helen Straubel 1954Gail Buckley 1956Margaret Johnston 1959Margie Dick 1961Robyn Burke 1962Fiona Herriott 1972Sarah Birdling 1985Ginny Grant 1994

RECENTLY DECEASED

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This service was celebrated when she was made a life member in 2010. She did not stop there and was actively advising federation and associations right up until her last weekend when she reluctantly reneged on national conference in Auckland.

In 1995, Robbie joined the Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ committee and remained on it for the rest of her life serving as President for two of those years. She helped pioneer the official decade reunions in their present format, and remained closely connected with the success of these over the years. The unofficial constitution expert, Robbie was instrumental in keeping the RROGA Constitution up to date over the last 23 years. Robbie continued to support Old Girls’ activities, whether it was helping usher at the Leavers’ Ball, washing up the dishes after the annual bridge tournament or serving food at the annual reunions.

In 2003 Robyn’s passion for childhood enrichment took her on yet another community service driven adventure as she joined the Christchurch chapter of Camp Quality. She quickly rose in ranks from Companion Coordinator to Regional Manager and in 2014 she became the Christchurch Regional Trustee on the Camp Quality NZ Board. Robyn’s commitment to children was without question as was her commitment to Camp Quality, the campers and their families. As a

key contributor to the Camp Quality restructure and future direction planning, Robyn never lost sight of the vision of fun, hope and happiness for children living with cancer and very much lived by the ethos ‘no one can do anything about the quantity of anyone’s life, but all of us can do something about the quality’.

Robbie liked to let others shine. A mentor to many, she always did what needed to be done but never wanted the spotlight. She liked to think of herself as a rebel who bucked the system, yet her ability to use words deliberately and precisely led to her evolution as a constitutional expert. Throughout her life she wrote and edited many constitutional documents for several organizations. A self-styled rebel who thrived on order and process, her book, “Making Consensus Work,” explored ways of reaching decisions in a way that all can live with. The epigraph at the beginning of the book is a true reflection of Robbie as we remember her, “May we have the patience to listen and the courage to speak.”

Robbie was a wise and loyal friend to those who knew her. She is survived by parents Audrey and Brian Moore, brother Greg Moore, husband David Burke, four children Simon, Chris, Pip and Sarah and her now seven grandsons.

On Sunday, 26 November, 2017, Robyn (Moore) Burke, loving wife, mother of four children and nana to six grandsons, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 68. Robyn was born on 22 March, 1949 to Brian and Audrey (Day) Moore. She attended Rangi Ruru Girls’ School where she was a Prefect and gained a B Bursary and Award of Merit in Lifesaving. Rather than taking on a more traditional role once leaving school, Robyn pursued her interest in science, working as a technician and then junior lecturer with Professor Walker at the School of Forestry at Canterbury University. On 15 May, 1971, she married David Thomas Garrett Burke. Together they purchased a small market garden on Selwyn St before moving to a larger property in Bowenvale Avenue, where they still have a family home and gardens. They raised two sons, Chris and Simon, and two daughters, Pip and Sarah.

It was always Robyn’s intention to return to the workforce after having children, but while on maternity leave and with the encouragement of David she discovered Playcentre - where she found a welcome home away from home and an unexpected yet rewarding career. Robbie’s Playcentre journey was very much steered by taking on the challenges of inefficient systems. A self-admitted rebel at heart she did not hesitate to challenge rules when they seemed arbitrary and without sense. After Robbie’s third child went off to school, she went on to join the Canterbury Association Committee of Management. At the time, there were a lot of unspoken rules at the Canterbury Association – and Robbie challenged and broke many of them, setting the tone for her nearly 40 years as a part of the Playcentre family.

ROBYN (MOORE) BURKE

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pollution-related bodies, such as the Clean Air Council, the Clean Air Society for Australia and New Zealand, the NZ Association for environmental Education, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Action on Smoking and Health.

Her hard work did not go unrecognised. She was awarded an MBE for services to the environmental movement in 1988 and Environment Canterbury awarded her the Outstanding Contribution Award in 2004, for her work for clean air and environmental education in the Canterbury region.

Education remained important in her later life and Janet returned to the University of Canterbury in her 60s to complete a Masters in History. She studied her grandfather’s farming generation, leading to her first book, “Nothing but Grass and Wind,” in 1992. In the following years she published another on early New Zealand surveyors and a third on interesting characters from the country’s past.

She was a keen genealogist and it seemed nowhere was too far to fly to visit a cemetary and photograph the headstones. The works earned her the 2005 A C Rhodes Memorial Award from the Canterbury History Foundation; in the same year she became the first woman appointed an honorary member of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors.

Janet’s son Peter said his mother was a vegetarian in the late 40s and

50s, when this was ‘hardly in the NZ vocabulary’. She studied astrology by correspondence and was a keen advocate of alternate medicines and therapies. She managed her food intolerances by pretesting meals with a pendulum.

She was unconventional and ‘proud to have defied her stolid farming roots,’ he said.

A pianist from childhood, Janet studied classical singing as an adult and often sat down to play some Schubert or 1960s folk music. ‘She could tolerate some quieter Led Zeppelin, and was known to exercise to Saturday Night Fever,’ Peter said. Non-fiction books were read voraciously and her pet peeve was people whose only topic of conversation was their children.

Janet was a keen climber and tramper since her time in university tramping clubs in the 1940s. Her honeymoon was spent climbing in the Austrian Alps, and she later completed the major South Island tramping tracks more than once.

Her back-country experience enabled her, as an 11-year-old volunteer at the Canterbury Museum, to index their alpine photographic collection, as she recognised the peaks and passes. She was a member of the Alpine Club for 69 years.

Janet and Helge lived in Christchurch until displaced to Wellington by the earthquakes. She is survived by five of her children, Michael, Niels, Andrea, Paul and Peter.

JANET HOLMJanet Holm was an environmental activist long before it was mainstream. She was a vegetarian before most people knew the meaning of the word, she relentlessly campaigned for clean air in Christchurch and she was awarded an MBE for her environmental work.

Janet was unconventional and proud, and was considered a woman of character and eccentricity. The 94-year-old North Cantabrian died at Bob Scott Retirement Village, Lower Hutt on July 14.

Janet was born in Christchurch in 1923, the third child in the Morse family. Her childhood was spent at Barcaldine, a farm near Waiau, where her main teacher was a set of ten encyclopaedias. Later she attended Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, where she was Dux in 1940. She studied English and philosophy at The University of Canterbury and completed her degree at Victoria University in Wellington.

After a short first marriage and the birth of a son, Janet married Helge Holm in 1953. They settled in Hanmer Springs, where Helge built and operated the Shining Cuckoo guesthouse. The pair had five children and were married for 65 years.

In 1966 the family moved to Christchurch, where Janet decided to take action against the city’s winter smog. She was an active member of the Clean Air Society, at times as secretary and president and fought for greater controls over chimney emissions and for the removal of lead from petrol.

Janet travelled to Stockholm in 1942 as a representative to the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. Over the years, she was active in numerous health and

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