Principal's Panui - 01 August 2025

Kia ora te whānau o te Kotuku

NCEA Changes

You may have seen recent media coverage about proposed changes to the national assessment systems. These developments come as no surprise to us, as we have been anticipating shifts based on earlier signals from external agencies. At Rutherford, we have been proactively preparing for such changes, shaping our professional learning and curriculum development with these possibilities in mind.

Our current cohort of students can be confident that they are receiving a coherent course of study right through to NCEA level 3 at Rutherford College. There has been  a great deal of commentary in the media about NCEA's flaws but very little has been said about schools, such as ours, maintaining high standards and ensuring our students graduate with a legitimate qualification.

I am confident that, with the skilled and dedicated team we have in place, our school is well positioned to adapt to the adjustments currently being discussed.

Further details will be shared as they become available. In the meantime, you can read the Ministry of Education’s information. What matters most is that schools are given the necessary time and resources to implement these changes effectively. I look forward to receiving more guidance from both the Ministry and the Minister of Education, providing the framework and support needed to achieve a smooth transition within the proposed three-year timeline.

Thank you to our Parents and Careers Team

A huge thank you to the many parents and caregivers who came along last night to meet with our teachers. It was a very successful evening, with productive and positive conversations that will be of real benefit to our students.

I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate our outstanding Careers Team, who organised an impressive 27 presenters for the Careers Expo. These providers offered valuable information to students and whānau about subject choices, career pathways, and future opportunities as they make these important decisions.

The hall was alive with energy as students and parents engaged in thoughtful discussions. Many providers commented on how impressed they were with the quality of the questions being asked—clear evidence that our students and families had prepared well and shown genuine interest in understanding how to achieve their goals.

Students have until 14 August to choose their subjects for next year. 

Property Update

The Admin building is on time to be opened early in term 4 this year. This means we will now move on to the first phase to the upgrade of the existing admin building, turning it into a students services centre. This first phase will be the remodelling of the offices for the Deans and our counselling services. These expected upgrades are due to commence November this year and be completed by the end of March 2026. 

Quote for the Week

The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a person's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher. 

Thomas Huxley

Essentially each rung of a ladder represents a step forward — an achievement or challenge that prepares us for the next. If we become too comfortable at any stage, we risk stagnation and miss the chance to reach our full potential. In other words, Tohea, to strive for personal excellence.

Board Elections Update

Nominations for the Parent and Staff Elections closed on 6 August at noon. Our Returning Officers have advised that they have not been able to confirm the full list of candidates for our parent roll due to a sudden influx of last minute nominations throughout New Zealand. Each nomination has to be manually verified, hence the time delay. However the good news is we have had a lot of interest in the elections and we will be going to a vote. Voting information will be sent out by 13 August to parents who have email addresses and by post to those who don't have emails logged in the system. For people who receive a paper copy they can vote by scanning the unique QR code on their form and vote online, or they can tick the boxes on the form and return it to the school office.

What's coming up?

18 August - Prefect Applications Open
19 August - Student Trustee Nominations open
22 August - Rutherford Day Assembly 11-1pm. Students will be released early at 12.30pm.
25-29 August Winter Tournament Week
29 August - Mid Term Break - School Closed

Have a good weekend

Gary Moore