Read the latest news from Rutherford College
Kia ora koutou,
Senior Assessment Update: Important September Dates
September is a busy and important assessment month for our senior students, with Literacy and Numeracy CAAs followed closely by the Year 11–13 Derived Grade Exams.
Literacy & Numeracy CAA Resits
For students who still need to achieve the Literacy and/or Numeracy CAA, this is their final opportunity to sit these assessments in 2026. Caregivers of students who need to resit have already been emailed.
CAA dates:
Monday 7 September: Years 10–13 Literacy – Writing
Friday 11 September: Years 10–13 Literacy – Reading
Friday 11 September: Years 11–13 Numeracy
Monday 14 September: Year 10 Numeracy
These assessments are digital, so students need to bring a fully charged device. Students sitting Numeracy also need to bring a calculator. Students who passed their CAAs earlier in the year do not need to resit them.
Year 11–13 Derived Grade Exams
Monday 14 September: Study leave for Years 11–13
Tuesday 15 – Tuesday 22 September: Derived Grade Exams
Attendance at all scheduled exams is expected.
Derived Grade Exams are particularly important because they provide the stored evidence we may need if a student is unable to sit an NCEA external examination in November because of illness or another significant event. If there is no valid stored grade available, the school may have no grade to submit to NZQA.
The majority of our Derived Grade Exams are digital. Students should bring a fully charged device unless they have been told their exam is on paper. Charging outlets are not available during exams. Students should also bring their own calculator when required.
Students must be in full school uniform whenever they are on site and should return home to study after completing their exams. Catch-up exams will only be available for valid absences, such as illness or an official school activity.
Year 10 students taking Year 11 Maths may, with parental approval, take study leave on Thursday 17 September and on the morning of Friday 18 September before their exam. Please record this absence in advance through SchoolBridge.
NCEA External Exams
The NCEA external examination period runs from:
Tuesday 10 November – Friday 4 December
If your child is sick or affected by a significant event on an NCEA exam day, they should stay home and you should contact the school immediately. We can advise you about the NZQA Derived Grade application process and the evidence required.
Helping students prepare
One of the best ways we can reduce exam stress is to encourage students to start preparing early and study in short, regular sessions rather than relying on last-minute revision.
Effective revision requires students to actively retrieve and use what they have learned. Creating flashcards, completing practice questions, making quizzes or graphic organisers, and testing themselves are much more effective than simply rereading or highlighting notes.
Exam timetables, study advice and subject revision summaries are available at study.rutherford.school.nz.
This is a demanding few weeks for our senior students. Plenty of sleep, good routines and regular preparation will go a long way towards helping them approach their assessments with confidence.
Hearing Screening – 22-24 September 2026
Free Year 9 Hearing Screening is taking place at our school as part of Listen Up, New Zealand, a national programme by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Foundation. This quick, simple, and non-invasive check can identify early signs of hearing loss.
The tests will take place across on 22-24 September. Students will be called out of class for approximately 15-20 minutes for the test.
This is an ‘OPT OUT’ initiative so if you do not wish to be part of this programme, please ensure you indicate this on the link below.
Parent/Caregiver Information & Registration Opt Out Link
Student Representative on the School Board
Nominations are closed and voting has begun. Our candidates are:
- Yehya Al Hakeem
- Emma Chase
- Cassie Chen
- Sebastian Li
- Nova Maslen
- Hamish Singh
Students can now vote for their candidate by logging into SchoolBridge and clicking Student Voting. Voting closes 11 September. Results are declared 17 September.
Prefect Applications
Applications for our 2027 Prefect Team have now closed, and we were delighted to receive an impressive 84 applications from students eager to take on a leadership role at Rutherford College.
The high number of applicants reflects the enthusiasm and commitment of our students to contribute to our school community and make a positive difference in 2027.
The next stage of the process will see Year 12 students and staff voting for up to 24 prefects. Voting will take place on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 September.
Senior Drama Show - Radium Girls 9 & 10 September, 7pm
This term, Rutherford College students will take audiences on a powerful journey through one of history’s most extraordinary fights for justice with their production of Radium Girls.
Inspired by the true story of a group of young women working in radium-dial factories in the 1920s, the production explores what happens when ordinary people are confronted with extraordinary circumstances. What begins as an opportunity for these young women to earn a living and build a brighter future soon takes a devastating turn as unexplained illnesses begin to emerge.
Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/BFEH
Rutherfordians from the 1970's
Just a friendly reminder about our upcoming 1970s Rutherford College Reunion! 🎉
Come along for an evening of catching up with old friends, making new ones and reminiscing about your Rutherford days.
🎶 Live band 🍻 Bar onsite 🍴 Light food available to purchase 🎟️ Tickets: $20 per person, including one free drink.
We’d love to see you there and help bring the Rutherford community of the 1970s back together!
This event is aimed at pupils and staff who attended during the 1970s. No dress up required. Partners, family, friends are welcome to join you at this event.
Don’t miss it — we hope to see you there!
https://www.trybooking.com/nz/BEXF
School closed - 4 September
A reminder school is closed tomorrow for Mid Term Break. Have a good weekend.
Ngā mihi nui
Rozanne Donald
