Principal's Panui - 23 May 2025

Use of time and the Difference between OPIRA and OPIWA

Outstanding performance in the right areas v outstanding performance in the wrong areas

How often do we say, or hear others say I haven’t got time, I’m too busy for something that would seem on the face it to be really important. Are we really too busy? Is it something that will challenge us and make us feel uncomfortable while we struggle to learn something new and useful. If its new and won’t improve who you are and what you can so then saying no makes sense.  If its new and will create long term gains and improvements,  i.e. you being better than before,  then I invite you stop some of the OPIWA and make room for it.

The following approach was created by Stephen Covey’s Time Management Matrix.  I use this when I need to reflect on whether what I am doing aligns with what I say is important. Does my use of time reflect what I say is important. 

WHAT IS IMPORTANT NOW? (WIN) - The main thing is that the main thing remains the main thing.

What you decide and how you decide are personal but at least challenge yourself if you are spending to much time in 3 and 4 or if you elevate things to quadrant one when you don’t need to. The more time you can operate in Quadrant 2 the less things you will have to be reactive with.

Leave time available to operate in Quadrant 2. We all need time to reflect, reset and review how things are going so that better never stops and you don’t just do what you’ve always done and wonder why things that you need to improve on don’t.  This also means don’t neglect those people in your life that matter most.

Rutherford College Study Site.

Over the next few weeks students will be taking part in Literacy/Numeracy Co-Requisite Exams at school. All students should head to the Rutherford College Study Site to get valuable tips and information to prepare for these exams. The Numeracy Common Assessment Activity (CAA ) is a one-off digital exam. Once you have passed this exams, you do not need to do it again. The literacy Common Assessment tasks (CAAs) comprise two assessments, Reading and Writing. You do not need to pass both at the same time. When you have passed one, you do not need to sit it again. Putting some study time in to prepare for these exams is a good idea. The study site has loads of information to help students prepare. The school has homework centres running after school for additional support for any student wanting to extend their knowledge.

School Board Elections - 2025

Every three years all public schools in Aotearoa hold elections for their School Boards, and this is going to happen again in 2025.

The School Board is a key part of our school because they do a lot of important things behind the scenes that while they may not be visible, are really important to keeping our school running. Our School Board write our strategic plan, consult with our community about things that matter, make sure our finances are being spent wisely and ensure that we are giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi within our school. Our board is made up of 5 parent vacancies, the Principal, a staff rep elected by the staff, and a student rep elected by the students.

The board need to appoint a Returning Officer, who is responsible for the running of the election and we have appointed Election Pilot as the Returning Officer for our election and for the election to be provided online. They have been assisting schools with elections for over 20 years and have been the only election provider accredited by the Ministry of Education to provide online election services since online elections started in 2022. Important things like the nomination and voting forms will be sent to you by email directly by Election Pilot. If we don’t have an email address for you don’t stress, because Schooled Election Pilot will send these out to you by post so you don’t miss out.

There are a lot of rules around School Board elections that need to be followed and the main ones are the Education and Training Act 2020 and the Education (Board Elections) Regulations 2022. Your name and contact details will  be provided to Election Pilot to enable them to deliver elections services for our school as required by legislation. They will use your contact details for the provision of election services for Rutherford College only and your details will be deleted 60 days after the election date as required by legislation.

If you have any questions about the election process, then the best people to talk to are the team at Schooled Election Pilot. You can contact the Returning Officer directly on 0800 VOTENZ (0800 868 369) or [email protected].

We will continue to keep you updated through the various stages of the election process, and our election date is 10 September 2025. This is a great time to make sure we have the correct information in our system for you and your family. If you need to update anything, please provide the information via our personal information form.

Class Photos – Thursday, 29th May

Class photos will be taken this Thursday, 29th May. Please see the schedule to know when your class will be photographed.

Important Reminders:

• No make up days  will be available.
• Full school uniform is required.
• Jumpers and jackets must be removed during the photo shoot.
• Please ensure you're following all school guidelines for uniform and jewellery.

•  For more information on the uniform policy, visit: Our website.

What's Coming Up?

19-30 May Literacy/Numeracy Exams
2 June - King's Birthday - School Closed
12 June - Parents Breakfast
16 - 19 June - Cultural Languages Week
20 June - Matariki - School Closed
26 June - School Ball - Early close at 1.30pm and last day of the term
27 June - School Closed

Kia kaha

Gary Moore