rangi news | july 2012

The Newsletter of Rangi Ruru Girls’ School July 2012

News from the Principal .................. page 3Chaplain’s Column........................... page 5Project Blue Sky .............................. page 7Boarding House News ..................... page 9News from Years 7 & 8 .................... page 9Beyond the Classroom ................... page 10Young Enterprise ............................ page 17From the Director of Theatre Arts.. page 19From the Director of Music ........... page 20

From the Director of Sport ............. page 22From the Community Coordinator . page 30Celebrating Past Students ............. page 30Early Childhood College ................ page 32Pre School News ............................ page 33Old Girls’ Association .................... page 34Cross Country Photos .................... page 35Jesus Christ Superstar .................... page 36

India Alexander plays Mary Magdalene alongside Freddy Faull as Jesus in the combined Rangi Ruru and Christ’s College school production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Creating opportunity, releasing potential, achieving success.

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Open HomeOn Tuesday 7 August we will be officially reopening Te Koraha after extensive strengthening and restoration. Members of our school family and neighbours are invited to join us and have a look around

TE KORAHA OPEN HOME Tuesday 7 augusT 2012, 2:30 - 4:00pm

Te Koraha holds a special place in Rangi Ruru, in the hearts of our school family and is a building which is both architecturally and historically significant to Canterbury. She was badly damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes. After 18 months of restoration, we are thrilled to be reopening this beautiful heritage building and look forward to celebrating this event with you.

A Night at

the Oscars

P a r e n t t e a c h e r a s s o c i at i o n a n n u a l ‘ s P r i n g F l i n g ’

Friday 31 August 2012RAngi RuRu giRls’ school Dining Room

For ticket sales and more inFormation contact [email protected]

black tie eveninglive band - The Funky hoT MaMaS$70 per Single TickeT (18yrs+)

(ticket price includes champagne cocktail, live band, canapes and supper. tickets can be goldsheeted.)

An education beyond the ordinary

boarding and Day. years 7 to 13.


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News from the PrincipalIf you have ever tried to walk across a road in Ho Chi Min City or in Hanoi, you will know that for the uninitiated it can be a terrifying experience. Stories abound of travellers standing frozen on the pavement and of people going a considerable distance to avoid a crossing. Whilst there is no denying that Vietnam has a very high number of motorcycle accidents, given its size and the sheer number of motorcycles, it seems nothing short of a miracle that the roads around the old quarters of its two major cities are not littered with westerners, and indeed locals, who have fallen foul of a moped. Most of the accidents actually come about because of speed, rather than sober people simply running into one another, in what looks to us like a totally chaotic system.

What prevents constant collisions of cyclos, pedestrians, sellers selling from the middle of intersections, buses or cars? Road rules are not immediately obvious but any local will tell you very firmly that as a pedestrian you simply walk out and keep walking steadily. The mopeds, which seem to outnumber people, will dodge you provided they can anticipate your progress. Hence the ‘don’t hesitate, walk at an even pace’ mantra. If you take the time to observe the traffic, from the cyclos to the trucks and the high end fast cars, you will see an uncanny ability to manoeuvre around each other, to cross multiple lanes across traffic on a busy street, to allow for the lady with her twin baskets of vegetables balanced on her shoulders, to let the car through. Horns are sounded, not as a protest, an indignant claiming of right, but as an indication that ‘I’m here behind you’.

Would this happen here? I think not and for more reasons other than custom. Whilst we clearly are more rule conscious, many, but fortunately not all, New Zealand drivers also have a sense of entitlement, a sense of indignation at slowness, things in their way, hesitation by others, a perceived slight. Horns are a reminder to others to move out of the way. Vietnamese drivers, on the other hand, simply seem to look out for one another, give way and make allowances.

To make a leap in metaphor, which may at first glance seem unrelated, but bear with me, there is a growing voice in educational sectors and in various media across the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand that the emphasis over the past few decades on the individual, on individual rights, and on affirming the individual come what may, has not necessarily lead to a better society. We have society where ‘me’ has become more important than ‘we’. There has developed an increased sense of entitlement, and particularly among our younger people.

This issue was taken up by The Listener in an article ‘It’s all about Me’ (May 19 2012) on narcissism, which explored the hazards of over praising, over affirming and over emphasis on ‘being yourself’ and the dangers when a sense of self-worth becomes over confidence. It is an article I recommend, if you haven’t read it.

There is no doubt in my mind that the affirmation of the individual and the building of a feeling of self-worth is an important part of growing up to become a healthy, competent and worthwhile member of society, although interestingly, research does seem to indicate that self-worth is less related to achievement than we might have thought. Nevertheless, a child who is constantly criticized, who is forever striving to please parents or teachers but meets only negativity, who cannot see his or her place in the world as valuable, is a child who I believe is unlikely to lead a fulfilled and happy life. But at the other extreme is the child who has lived in a golden glow of praise even when it might not be due, of affirmation, who has no doubt in her abilities, her skills, her entitlement. Somewhere along the road she, or he, is in for a rude shock, and will she have the ability to deal with rejection, with relationship issues, with failure or uncertainty?

Clearly there is a middle road, and fortunately the majority fall in this area. This is the territory of sensible support, of encouragement, of letting children and teenagers know they are loved despite mistakes or goals not met, of

an awareness that that we are part of a family and society and that individual rights have to be finely balanced with other people and the bigger picture.

There are subtle and even unconscious ways in which I think we allow our children to get an unrealistic view of themselves. I read hundreds of year 6 and Year 8 reports that accompany application forms. Some of these are wonderful, explicit and honest documents, but over the years I have refined greatly the art of reading what is not said, or of seeing the overly positive that actually means something else. I am the first to agree that we must affirm the strengths in our children, but this should not be at the cost of honesty. Children know false or misdirected praise when they see or hear it. They know when their maths needs extra work, or their writing is not up to standard. They and their parents deserve honesty about these things. Some reports I have read do nothing but praise, but when the surface is scratched there is a child who is struggling in several areas. Her sense of self-worth is better served by clear indications about what she can do to improve, by what help will be useful for her, by some honesty so that she is living in a realistic world, while still affirming her hard work and attitude.

We all want to surround our children with a protective shield that deflects disappointment, that offers excuses when things don’t fall exactly in the right way, a protective shield that tries to make things right. Far better surely that our children

Open HomeOn Tuesday 7 August we will be officially reopening Te Koraha after extensive strengthening and restoration. Members of our school family and neighbours are invited to join us and have a look around

TE KORAHA OPEN HOME Tuesday 7 augusT 2012, 2:30 - 4:00pm

Te Koraha holds a special place in Rangi Ruru, in the hearts of our school family and is a building which is both architecturally and historically significant to Canterbury. She was badly damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes. After 18 months of restoration, we are thrilled to be reopening this beautiful heritage building and look forward to celebrating this event with you.

A Night at

the Oscars

P a r e n t t e a c h e r a s s o c i at i o n a n n u a l ‘ s P r i n g F l i n g ’

Friday 31 August 2012RAngi RuRu giRls’ school Dining Room

For ticket sales and more inFormation contact [email protected]

black tie eveninglive band - The Funky hoT MaMaS$70 per Single TickeT (18yrs+)

(ticket price includes champagne cocktail, live band, canapes and supper. tickets can be goldsheeted.)

An education beyond the ordinary

boarding and Day. years 7 to 13.


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grow up learning to deal with life’s bumps, glitches and unfairness. Rather than look for blame and external factors they need to know how to evaluate, to accept these things with grace and a determination to move forward, they need to learn there are times when they will have to concede to others, they might not be the best and that they will have to work with others and put self to one side.

This theme was picked up by our guest speaker, Robyn Moore, recently when she said ‘life’s not fair, accept it’. Her dead cat example resonated with me - some things are a ‘dead cat’, and we can’t as parents or educators change that to make it right. If we constantly try to make things right in our children’s worlds, whether it is about team selection, friendships, class placement, infringements, an Achieved rather than a Merit, even losing a cell phone, we do not teach them to take responsibility, to work through the tough things and we do not teach them that they are part of a bigger picture. Despite the fact they might see themselves as centre stage, and that is a normal part of the development, they are actually part of a cast of thousands.

I believe there is some justification in the growing concern at the effects of the ‘me’ culture. While many of our young people have a well developed sense of

community and of service, there are many who do not. As adults I think we do them a disservice by telling them the world is their oyster if we do not continue the conversation with the fact that a lot of hard work, time and sacrifice will be required to achieve their dreams and that a sense of community and a generosity of spirit is the pearl. Increasingly in these less than ideal times school and university leavers are finding life can be tough and opportunities do not abound. We need to equip them with the grit to deal with this and that grit can only be developed by wise counsel, honesty and a strong sense of values as they grow. Employers want team players, a work ethic that values the job and getting it done, they want creative thinkers, people who see opportunities, build positive relationships, who are self reflective and who accept and indeed grow from disappointment, defeat and obstacles.

As I look around the girls of the Rangi Ruru community I take great heart that many of them in fact do exemplify those attributes and we see this played out on a daily basis in our classrooms, on our sports fields and in our school activities. But it is by no means a given and there are always those who still see the world from a very egocentric position.

I would rather be on the societal road, metaphorically speaking, where the drivers look out for each other, where they are aware of the diversity of road users, where they understand the importance of everyone playing their part, where they do not push others aside than somewhere where legitimate lane changers are closed out, slow drivers and cyclists are unwelcome or just tolerated, where too often the individual seems to think he or she has a right to get to his or her destination first.

This is in no way to detract from the importance of the individual and of the need to develop strong, reflective, caring and focused people with a genuine sense of who they are, with empathy, a sense of responsibility and a sense of community. It is, as always, about balance. As Martin Luther King put it “ An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns...”

Julie MoorPrincipal

On a wintery June day, the last of the Te Koraha chimney pots was put back in place.

The chimney pots and chimneys were damaged and removed after the September earthquake. The replica chimneys and chimney pots are made of lighter materials and are installed to withstand any movements. Only three of the Te Koraha fireplaces remain in use, all with gas fires, in the Principal’s Office, the staffroom (previously the Boarding House Dining Room) and the Board Room (previously the senior sit).

Te Koraha Chimney Pots


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Chaplain’s Column“In the beginning was the One who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God.” (John’s gospel)

Sometimes we get just what we need and that happened at Rangi Ruru this week with the visit of Robyn Moore. I found it a pleasure to have a woman of faith with an earthy sense of humour join us. She was a breath of fresh air to blow away the cobwebs of life in post - earthquake Christchurch, if only for a few hours. Her message on the Power of Words was a blessing and a gift of grace.

The author of the gospel of John addresses the question, “Who is Jesus?” and opens his gospel with the hymn to the word of God made flesh. The identification of Jesus as Logos – THE WORD – highlights the potential of logos to empower, uphold, embrace and generate life. Robyn’s visit was a reminder of how much we take that for granted. There is a divine element to speech that breathes life into us, that is eternal, and which has the potential to shine the light of what it means to be human into the corners of our hearts and minds. It needs a ‘handle with care’ sign on it instead of which we are careless with it, handling the power of the gods as if it were worth very little.

I think of those people who can juggle with fire poi. People who with great skill

and dexterity handle that most fearsome of elements creating patterns of light and extracting from us sighs of “ooh and aah” as we admire and offer respect. We are like those jugglers everytime we speak. We have simply lost sight of the fire we have ignited and the patterns we have created.

Many words have been spoken about life by philosophers, theologians, scientists, writers and mystics, to the point where we, in this electronic age, may sometimes feel we have almost reached saturation point. I recently read an article which pointed out that we think this word saturation is a new thing – a function of our modern age – of google and search engines - yet in the Old Testament of the bible, the philosopher Ecclesiastes writes with anxiety and concern at how many words there are to read saying, “of making books there is no end.” Yes we are exposed to words, words and more words through the technologies that are such a pattern of our life, but we dissect, sort, discern and make our way through them searching for the authentic, the meaningful, the words that sing to our hearts, of truth.

As Robyn Moore reminded us the power of the word is one we need to be very aware of. I suggest we need to nurture, cherish and handle it with care.

Perversely we can perhaps do that best when we ensure we have opportunities to be silent. Woe betide me if I come into a class, especially with younger students, and don’t start with quiet time. They claim that ritual and are most put out if they miss it. Logos needs solitude and silence in which to create and breathe new life into our spirits.

Jesus, the Word made flesh, is the Word of compassion, laughter, story, sacrifice, forgiveness and new life. It is gifted to us in our humanity. What we do with that gift is our choice.

The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen its glory, the glory of the One full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

We were thrilled to host Robyn Moore, an inspirational speaker, on 13-14 June, 2012. Robyn is considered to be Australia’s most in-demand female speaker. For over 40 years, Robyn Moore has spoken with professional organisations and community groups across Australia where she has been changing peoples’ perception through “the power of the word”. She entertained and inspired us with her powerful stories and delightful humour. Robyn provided a useful framework for examining our lives, enabling us to be the very best we can be. Her disarmament procedure to deal to the ‘four thieves’ as she referred to them – Cynicism, Resignation, Anger and Procrastination – is a particularly empowering way for individuals to manage challenge. Thank you to all those who took up this opportunity to be nourished by ‘The Power of the Word’.

The Power of the Word - Robyn Moore

Robyn Moore delivered her presentation on “The Power of the Word” to Years 12 and 13 students, staff and parents.


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Stewart Barnett, Terry Mason, Julie Moor, Craig Brown, and Graham Upton.

Rangi Ruru Girls’ School in Christchurch is undergoing a revolution.

After the Christchurch earthquakes, some school buildings were removed and others deemed uneconomic to repair. The school decided, instead of taking the traditional, evolutionary approach and just replacing the buildings it had lost, to take the opportunity to completely review, revise and potentially rebuild much of the school in a completely different shape and form.

‘Project Blue Sky’ is a significant and exciting project, requiring input from many groups and individuals, including the school community, and other specialists in education, environmental planning, engineering and design.

For the masterplan and campus design, the school needed a partner with extensive experience in a range of education design projects. Following an extensive selection process involving architectural and design companies from

Revolution at Rangi RuruNew Zealand and Australia, the school has contracted award winning Melbourne based architectural designers, McIldowie Partners. The McIldowie Partners team, led by Principal Craig Brown, have completed over 20 Master Plans for Independent Schools in Australia and New Zealand.

The Rangi Ruru site, which covers the majority of the land between Merivale Lane, Rossall Street and Hewitts Rd, is the perfect canvas for developing a 21st century school. The size of the site is crucial to the school’s ability to undertake a project of this magnitude whilst minimising the impact on students.

School Principal, Julie Moor says unprecedented opportunities lie ahead for the school community.

“Rangi Ruru is 123 years old and yet we are able to start from a position where we can plan and develop the school environment around the needs of the students using the very latest design and

“fit out”, focused totally on creating the very best learning environment for the next 100 years,” she says.

Ms Moor says Rangi Ruru aims to reshape the school environment for the future, while taking more than a hundred years of tradition and history with them.

“Our history is important to us and yet we are educating girls to live in an increasingly global, flexible and inter-connected future. To meet this challenge we are reshaping our teaching and learning in terms of both how and what we teach, while retaining the wonderful history that is inextricably linked to this site,” she says.

Architect Craig Brown agrees.

“Usually schools add on to current buildings and facilities as the need arises whereas Rangi Ruru is taking a very different approach and is able to redevelop the school site in its entirety. The project team is designing a school environment for 21st century learners,” he says.

Apart from the modern Boarding House and the two heritage buildings on site - the Te Koraha homestead and the St Andrew’s at Rangi Ruru Church - all school buildings are in the mix.

“We are excited about this project for many reasons. The close relationship between Rangi Ruru and the surrounding community as well as the incredible buzz and energy amongst the students and staff, means this is more than a design project; it is an opportunity to be a key part of the life and history of a vibrant school community.”

Craig Brown, McIldowie Partners


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The Rangi Ruru redevelopment project (Project Blue Sky) has gained a great deal of momentum over the past months and whilst still in the planning phase, the time spent on understanding student and staff needs is time well spent. Our desire to build a school where developing the very best educational environment for student learning in the 21st century, is central in our decision making and has required extensive research and discussion with both our community and experts in New Zealand and Australia.

The appointment of McIldowie and Partners as the Project Architects is an important milestone. Based in Melbourne with a partner in Auckland, this award winning practice has more than twenty years experience designing for educational environments. McIldowie and Partners won the Rangi Ruru contract after the school had interviewed a number of architects both from New Zealand and Australia. Their strong educational qualifications combined with their design flair proved a contract winning combination. You are welcome to have a look at their work at www.mcildowiepartners.com.au

Prior to making this appointment, the school visited a number of projects in the educational field that the Mcildowie Partners have been involved in and spoke with school personnel about their performance and ability to understand the needs of the client.

The McIldowie team has begun their work by conducting a large number of interviews and discussions with all key stakeholders in Project Blue Sky, to ensure a clear understanding of the school brief. This, combined with the educational knowledge the architects bring, has allowed sketch design to proceed very quickly and we hope to have these for you to see by the end of July.

Because we are looking at a review of the total campus and not merely replacing those buildings damaged, the sketch design includes all possible buildings for both stage 1 and stage 2 as well as ensuring the landscape design will enhance our heritage buildings, Te

An update from the Project Manager, Stewart BarnettKoraha and St Andrew's Church, as well as a number of protected specimen trees.

The repairs to Te Koraha have continued and this work is now nearing completion. We are certain that when you have the opportunity to visit, you will be impressed with the final outcome.

The next stage is to meet with our constituency groups, including parents and neighbours and develop our final

design. We have a great team of experts all fully focused on that stage.

Insurance discussions continue and a number of you will have seen articles in the paper regarding ASC (previously Ansvar). We continue to work with our insurers on a range of insurance matters, and decisions regarding the restoration or replacement of buildings potentially uneconomic to repair. Please be assured that all Rangi Ruru buildings in use are proven, safe and certified structures.


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Dr Peter Jamieson, Associate Professor & Policy Adviser at University of Melbourne, spent a morning at Rangi Ruru in June, speaking with groups of staff about what we now know about the role of the teaching and learning environment in improved student and staff engagement and learning outcomes.

Dr Jamieson is the Strategic Advisor on Learning Environments to the Provost at Melbourne University and is involved in a range of initiatives to improve the quality of the student on-campus experience.

The workshop was presented as an opportunity to consider that ‘improved learning spaces enhance the experience of learning’ and discussing ideas and ideals around ‘what is a classroom?’ and ‘where and how does learning take place’.

As opposed to traditional models of learning, we propose that learning takes places in many places and in many ways. Every space is about relationships and it both enables and impedes certain behaviours over others. A key proposition of our new school design will be enabling students, staff and community to fully

Rethinking the Learning Environmentbenefit from the new transformable and exciting spaces we are creating.

Dr Jamieson is an educator and has extensive experience in the design and development of new learning environments in higher education. He has created a range of new spaces in libraries and classroom settings with an emphasis on collaborative learning environments. He is currently leading the University of Melbourne’s commitment to the development of learning spaces by

creating a broader understanding of the entire campus as a learning environment; creating formal and informal places where students can learn in non-traditional ways.

Dr Jamieson has undertaken this work at numerous institutions including RMIT, Monash and University of Queensland.

(Please note: our current families will have seen the above information recently in our Project Blue Sky Community Update)

Backgrounder – McIldowie and Partners:McIldowie Partners, Melbourne

McIldowie Partners have a reputation for developing innovative, unique solutions and extensive experience in the design of large, high quality education, community, corporate and hospitality projects. They have a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and a reputation for innovative and lateral solutions for education sector clients.

McIldowie Partners’ Principal and Project Director for the Rangi Ruru Project, Craig Brown, has completed twelve school master plans, as well as dozens of new construction projects, refurbishments and adaptive reuse of educational facilities throughout Australasia. In 2003, he was awarded a Churchill Fellowship for his education work and the achievement of international best practice in Performing Arts Centres for Schools.

McIldowie Partners have completed more than 20 Master Plans for Independent Schools in Australia and New Zealand, and bring this comprehensive understanding of education to Christchurch.

Christchurch’s Rangi Ruru has chosen to sculpt and form an entirely new landscape

by regenerating learning spaces for girls that embrace the evolution of pedagogy. The clear commitment of the school is to adopt a leadership position in sustainability and a caring environment for the individual needs of each student.

“We are honoured to serve the school community and bring a passion and absolute commitment to excellence” said Craig Brown who is an ISNZ Visiting Fellow, a Churchill Fellow and regularly lectures on the development of education and architecture to the peak bodies in our global region. “Rangi Ruru has an exceptional opportunity to embrace proven best practice and to align with the leading edge in learning for girls”.

McIldowie Partners is a balanced combination of three Melbourne based Directors who have established a very special relationship with New Zealand through their work with Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland. Alongside their

partner practice, Upton Architects, they have achieved the aspirational goals from the School’s Master Plan in a series award winning projects over the past nine years.

“In every aspect of the planning for regeneration of Rangi Ruru, we have sensed the strength of resolve at board level, the involvement from the students and the professionalism of the academic staff, all of whom have warmly embraced the changes in learning in this visionary leap forward for the Christchurch community”.

A team of seven architects will be dedicated to the project and will sensitively respond to the issues of the neighbourhood, heritage controls and the constraints of staging to rollout the School’s Master Plan.

www.mcildowiepartners.com.au

“Master Planning is normally constrained by tackling one project at a time, which is like sewing new crops within the boundaries of the old paddocks”.

McIldowie partner and head of Rangi Ruru Project Management Team, Craig Brown.


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Boarding House NewsThis term has seen House staff involved in a range of Professional Development opportunities. Lynne Pearse and I attended the New Zealand Boarding Schools’ Association annual conference in Napier where along with networking with staff from over 50 boarding schools from around New Zealand, we heard inspirational and informative talks from a number of speakers.

Heanre O’Keefe, a Hastings district councillor, a Duffy Books in Homes ambassador, a Flaxmere marae kaumatua and a founder of the U-Turn Trust, inspired and challenged us all with his compassion and tales of life.

I especially liked his belief that love is the most powerful force on earth and that we need to promote the idea by telling those close to us that we love them more often, that we need to choose to see the good in people and that to have a sense of humour adds to and enhances our mana.

Dr Tom Mulholland, the founder of the Healthy Thinking Institute describes himself as an Emotional Architect, who designs tools for people to change their attitudes, and their lives. He showed us how Healthy Thinking improves

attitudes, behaviour and performance and that by switching attitudes we are able to build happy, resilient kids.

Terry Fleming works in youth mental health and is a member of the Adolescent Health Research Group at the University of Auckland. She is passionate about supporting parents, schools and communities to be there for teenagers and to be effective in growing healthy, vibrant, challenging and resilient young people.

She highlighted the need for good role modelling for our students, reminding us that they will learn much more from what people do than what they may say. It is most important that we spend time with our young ones to help them in making the tough decisions that will impact on so much of their lives and that we provide structures to enable safe behaviour where necessary.

Boarding Schools’ conference enables us to visit at school boarding houses around the country and on this occasion we were able to spend time at Iona, Woodford and Napier Girls’ School. We all have something to learn from the way things are done in other places. Lynne and I have

returned with many ideas to share with the rest of our staff and with the girls.

All the House management and Years 12 and 13 girls attended one of the sessions with Robyn Moore recently. Robyn is an inspirational speaker brought to the school after rave reviews from Meg Ferguson, Head of House and Cara Crawford, Head of School. They had been particularly moved by Robyn when she spent time at the Leaders’ conference in Sydney in January.

We are now looking at ways to put into use in the House some of the ideas we have taken from this amazing speaker including looking at things as though it was the “first time”. Robyn works with a number of charities including the Make A Wish Foundation and as a voice over artist she is also the voice of Blinky Bill who tells us “we are extraordinary”.

To top off all this developmental learning we have had Dr Alex Bartle speak to the entire House about the importance of good sleep.

Jude ConnochieDirector of Boarding

Petra Law, Jocelyn Bradley and Ashleigh Goh with their winners’ medals and plaque

On the 5 June 2012, 73 different teams from schools around Christchurch gathered in the Chisnallwood Intermediate School Hall for the Years 7 & 8 section of the ODT Spelling Quiz. We all found our correct tables and sat down to wait for the quiz to begin. After sitting around for 15 minutes or so the host went up onto the stage where all the judges were sitting and introduced herself to the competitors and audience. The quiz lasted about an hour and contained all sorts of spelling exercises. Spelling words, unjumbling words, finding things in the dictionary and guessing words from clues were just some of the things we had to do. At the end we had to wait for a while before they told us the results. There was a tie for 3rd place. The teams involved had to do a tiebreaker, instant death. In the end because the teams were so good two teams ended up getting 3rd place, one of the Cathedral Grammar School teams and one of the Chisnallwood Intermediate teams. Second was a Heaton

News from Years 7 & 8The ODT Spelling Quiz

Intermediate team. Finally they were about to announce 1st place. First the host told us what score the team had. It was 100%. We waited in nervous silence. She finally said the team name. It was Rangi Ruru 2. That was our team. We went up to the stage and received our medals and

other prizes. We were so excited. We had to stay after all the other teams had left to have our picture taken. We received medals, a plaque and Paper Plus book vouchers.

Petra Law, Jocelyn Bradley and Ashleigh Goh


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There are many advantages in having a range of clubs in the school that cater for the more academic interests of our students. The clubs are self-selecting so that any student with a particular interest is welcome to come along regardless of ability – this helps to break down the elitist tag often associated with GATE. What really counts are enthusiasm and a willingness to be involved. The clubs also provide a great opportunity for like-minded students to interact with others regardless of year group, an opportunity to compete and an opportunity to challenge ones thinking and toy with ideas in a relaxed and inclusive environment.

Our clubs (Chess, Philosophy, FPS and Creative Writing) have continued to draw

Beyond the Classroom - GATEgood numbers of students. This year we are entering three teams in the Christchurch Girls’ Chess Championships and our Future Problem Solvers from Years 7 and 8 continue to hone their skills, working towards competition level.

It was really disappointing this term that two of our enrichment activities – the overnight Astronomy trip to Mt John and the trip to UC to witness the transit of Venus - had to be cancelled due to the snow. However, we still managed to get along to the Dr Julie Arliss (University of London) GATE student conference and enjoyed hosting author Frankie McMillan who facilitated a very worthwhile workshop for our enthusiastic Year 7 and 8 writers.

Mr Jay Sloss with co-leaders of the Philosophy Club Bella Ivos, Bridget Buchan and Hannah Crampton

Future Problem Solving involves a process of six steps. The first step is researching, then finding challenges, identifying the underlying problem, finding the solutions, reviewing these and writing the best ones out in detail. The researching stage involves finding out all we can about a possible futuristic scenario. In doing this we try to isolate problems and then the challenges and finally the underlying problem – the U.P. This underlying problem is the one thing that appears in all the challenges for example it might be Stress. Once we have isolated the problem we begin to find solutions. Because the scenarios are always set in the future the judges are looking for solutions which are original and futuristic. When we have written our solutions we review them as a team and then rank them. We then decide

Future Problem Solving

Future Problem Solvers: Georgia Reynolds, Jocelyn Bradley, Penny Dray and Ella Eberhardt with FPS coach Sue Williams

on the best solution to the problem and write it out in great detail before sending everything off to the judges for marking. Future Problem Solving requires critical and original thinking. Even though it is challenging we have a lot of fun and

enjoy working together as a team under the guidance of Ms Williams. I would recommend it to anybody in Year 7 who’d like to have a go next year.Jocelyn Bradley (Year 8)

Our day began with the question: “Does time really bend?” We then explored this question from every conceivable perspective: Cosmic, scientific (light years, space time), physical (hours, minutes, days), psychological (“Time flies when you’re having fun”).

Throughout the day we continued to question and challenge our ideas and beliefs. We grappled with the big issues – the difference between reality and experience, quantum physics, time travel and consciousness. This session on consciousness was one of the most interesting and thought provoking. The question was put to us “Does a snail have

GATE Student Conference a consciousness”, compelling us to re-think the place of animals and robotic machines in society. How could we tell the difference between a lack of response and having no response at all? We were also encouraged to consider the ethics of euthanasia and to question whether patients in a persistent vegetative state lacked the presence of consciousness or not.The day finished with a philosophical debate. The moot was “This house believes that the portrayal of sexual practices undermines human relationships and is of no value to society”. It was very interesting to hear students from a range of different schools present their sometimes

opposing arguments. We all agreed that this was the most exciting part of the day. It provided some heated exchange, some controversial ideas, many laughs and a positive end to our day.

The conference was an enlightening experience, giving us a unique opportunity to explore such big issues with other like-minded students from a number of different schools. We would definitely recommend it to future students and would like to thank Mr Sloss and Ms Ogden who made this entire experience possible.

Hanseul Nam and Madison Hughes (Year 11)

Sue OgdenCoordinator Gifted and Talented Education


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Last year I took part in the ‘Deep Thought Programme’ at Otago University where I took part in an investigation of the physical processes that occur in an estuarine environment like the Otago Harbour. My team was chosen to represent New Zealand at the annual APEC Future Scientist Conference which was held in Semarang City, Indonesia in April 2012. The theme of the conference was ‘The Science of Water’. All five of us, along with our mentor Steve Cutler, travelled to Indonesia and took part in a wide range of activities during our five day stay. On the first morning we presented our poster entitled ‘The Physical Properties of the Inner Otago Harbour’.

After our presentation we were split up into teams of seven for another project. These teams consisted of mentees from different countries and put our

APEC Future Scientist Conference – Indonesiacommunication skills under pressure. We were given a water resource such as a lake and were required to construct a model of a house that used its resources, such as a lake, sustainably as well as producing a PowerPoint presentation to show the processes that this system would implement. We created an original, efficient and sustainable system using the natural resources surrounding our house, incorporating different methods of water purification and recycling. In the presentation ceremony at the end of the week, my team won a gold medal for our water sustainability project with our house.

Over the last two days of our trip we, the mentees and mentors, were taken touring around Semarang. We travelled to Borobudur which is a temple located just out of Semarang. I particularly enjoyed

this trip as the ancient architecture and history were amazing. In addition we travelled from Tuntang to the Ambarawa Train Museum on a wood fuelled steam train which was over one hundred years old. We also visited the Sidomuncul Traditional Herb Factory which is situated just out of Semarang on the way to Borobudur.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Indonesia and would like to sincerely thank Ms Moor, Ms Ogden, Steve Cutler, The Otago University Marine Studies Centre, The Royal Society of New Zealand, Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association and APEC Future Scientist Conference for their contributions to my trip and allowing me to participate in this incredible opportunity.

Courtney Hill

Courtney Hill (front right) with fellow teammates at the APEC Future Scientist Conference in Indonesia

Rangi Ruru French Team Triumph

Members of the winning French speaking team: Victoria Helms, Kestrel Ritchie, Nekita Gulati and Olivia Humphrey

On April 24 Rangi Ruru participated, alongside other Christchurch schools, in the Alliance Française French Speaking Competition. The Year 11 girls had to answer a series of questions in front of the judges and talk about pictures that were presented to them. For the Year 13 category, the students had to give an audio visual presentation in French on the topic of ‘New Challenges Facing Human Rights in the 21st Century’. Rangi Ruru got some outstanding results.

Astrid Knaggs placed 1st in the Year 11 category and Kestrel Ritchie placed 2nd in the Year 13 category. Hanseul Nam also performed very well and received a high placing. In the junior category, Excellence awards were given to Nekita Gulati, Victoria Helms, Sophie Lee and Olivia Humphrey. These excellent results also meant that Rangi Ruru won the Best School Cup for the year which was just fantastic.

Congratulations to all the girls.


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Victoria Robinson – Tor won a Special Certificate of Merit and $100 book voucher in the Rodney Walshe Annual Ireland Essay Competition 2012 for outstanding essay writing in her essay “Pangur Ban”. This award was a great achievement as entries to the competition are received from throughout New Zealand. The Award was bestowed by the Consulate General of Ireland.

Courtney Hill – Courtney was part of a team of five students from the South Island chosen to represent New Zealand at the annual APEC Future scientist Conference which was held in Semarang City, Indonesia in April, an outstanding achievement.

Brittany Rea – Brittany was asked to give an address at the ANZAC day Papanui RSA ceremony. Brittany gave a moving dedication to the Maori soldiers of WW1, carried the women’s wreath and helped to lead the parade. Brittany found this to be both a humbling experience and a great honour.

Brittany Rea addressing returned servicemen and their families on ANZAC day at the Papanui RSA.

Congratulations to:

On Friday 25 May, Rangi students were fortunate to have Brie Mathers come and give an inspirational talk during Chapel, about issues facing teenagers in the world today. She focused particularly on the effect media has on young people, using examples from her own childhood. Brie was able to draw out the overall message “love the skin you’re in”, by pointing out the ridiculousness and sheer impracticality of the picture that advertising presents, by using students as models for her ideas. These concepts

‘Love the Skin You’re In’ Youth Week Tour – Brie Mathers

Girls take to the stage as Brie Mathers discusses how to love the skin you’re in.

were also conveyed throughout the session using video.Accompanying Brie was Jazmine Heka, a student passionate about conquering the current global issue of child poverty. She spoke for several minutes on the extent of the issue and about what she was trying to do to overcome it, mainly through petitions. The talk finished with Brie performing a hip hop routine, which she had written to further enhance what she had spoken about. Megan Kivell


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On 19 and 26 April a total of nine Years 12 and 13 girls were able to donate blood.

Rangi Ruru supporting the Blood ServiceThe blood these seniors contributed could save up to 27 people’s lives.

Mia Hofsteede, Harriet Marshall, Tor Robinson, Isabel Robertson, Vikki Ogilvie and Rebecca Martell

The start of this year has been very busy with many exchange students coming and going. At the beginning of the term, Jess Blackwell and Rachel Rountree hosted the students they had stayed with in Argentina last year. Hayley Russell and Bridget Buxton kindly hosted two additional students. Micaela Capri, Catalina Telerman, Agustina Castanos and Elizabeth Heinrich all reported that they enjoyed their 4 weeks here at Rangi.

In mid-January, Meg Thompson and Pauline Ward left for the cooler temperatures of Birmingham, England where they were on exchange at King Edward VI High School for Girls. Meg and Pauline had some amazing experiences there and in return recently enjoyed hosting their partners, Zoe Newman and Ewa Matthews, (despite our unseasonally cold weather).

Earlier this year we also had two visitors from our sister school Yokohama Jogakuin in Japan. Mana Kojima (partner of Laura Marriott) and Miho Ishii (Gabby Hearn) made a fine contribution to the life of the school. Laura and Gabby also enjoyed their time at Yokohama Jogakuin earlier this term. Caitlin Mackenzie and Claudia Cathcart will also go to Japan these coming holidays for two and a half weeks to catch up with their partners who were here last year. This return trip

Exchanges

had to be postponed last year after the natural disasters that occurred in Japan.

As usual, we have had students involved in the German exchange and we enjoyed the company earlier this year of Nina Dahmen, Miriam Lange, Toni Sander and Nora Mommsen. Their partners, Katherine Gooby, Carina Blair, Gini Green and Claire Ford, were on exchange in Germany during our last summer holidays.

This year has also seen the continuation of our new exchange with the Spence School in New York City. Towards the end of Term 1 Elizabeth Schweitzer (partner of Geena Loke), Helena Shannon (Tandia Molina) and Sara Davis (Flora Poole) visited us from this school.

From left - Zoë Newman, Meg Thompson, Ewa Matthews and Pauline Ward. (Zoë and Ewa are from King Edward VI School for Girls in Birmingham).

Sara was returning a visit from Flora to the Spence School last year. As Geena and Tandia reported after their time in New York, this exchange provides opportunities for both sets of students to enjoy very different but enriching cultural experiences.

It has been really interesting to hear all the different accents and languages round the school and we have been impressed at the way many of these students, especially those for whom English is not their first language, have spoken in Assembly. I am sure that many younger Rangi students will have been inspired to try out for one of these exchanges in the future.

Tania MorganExchange Co-ordinator

The New Zealand Blood Service requires 3000 donations per week to supply the Blood Banks in our hospitals and with blood only lasting for 35 days, the need for new donors is always constant. Rangi Ruru has a strong relationship with the Blood Service and every year a group of seniors give up their time to donate blood. Donating blood is truly a lifesaving activity and with the on going support we receive from Rangi Ruru we can continue to save peoples’ lives every day.

For people that are interested in donating blood they can view the Blood Service website www.nzblood.co.nz or contact 0800GIVEBLOOD: Danielle Herrick, Donor Recruiter.


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On 5 April, twenty-two Years 12 and 13 students and three teachers left their everyday comforts of home to experience a trip of a lifetime. We flew to Singapore where we stayed overnight in the transit hotel before flying a further two hours to Ho Chi Minh City the next morning. We all had different expectations of what Vietnam was going to be like and we weren’t disappointed. The heat along with the large number of people were the main things that struck us as we entered this magnificent country.

Our first experience in Vietnam was being driven out to the Cu Chi tunnels where we explored the tunnels that the Vietnamese lived in and fought from during the war. We were surprised at how many people could fit into one room underground. For afternoon tea we tried many tropical fruits such as dragon fruit and paw paw, as well as drinking many small cups of hot tea. On our way back to Ho Chi Minh City we were amazed at how many scooters there were and how many people they could fit on each one. The following day we left our hotel early to beat the heat of the day. We visited the reunification palace, which was given this name after the Americans withdrew and Vietnam was no longer divided into the north and south. After lunch we bussed out to the Mekong River, and then hopped on to the first of several boats. At the first island we visited we tasted coconut lollies and some of us held a 16kg python snake! We then made our way to the homestay where we settled into village life. It was a great experience to see how people live on the other side of the world.

Our next stop was Hoi An, which was a favourite for a lot of us. Hoi An was untouched by American bombers during the war and therefore contains important architectural treasures and an urban lifestyle, which we all loved. A highlight while we were there was the cycle tour to the beach where we got to stop and partake in the way locals grow crops and experience their unique farm life. The next day we travelled to My Lai to learn about the My Lai Massacre which occurred in March 1968. This was when American divisions carried out a massacre of 504 civilians at My Lai to the everlasting shame of the US army. As students we saw first hand the effects of war on today’s societies in Vietnam. We then moved onto Hue, which has been celebrated as Vietnam’s centre of culture,

Vietnam Articleeducation and religion. In Hue we visited an orphanage which gives shelter to disadvantaged children, including homeless or disabled orphans and Agent Orange victims. We were all moved by the voluntary mothers and nuns who care for all the children. We saw, the stability these children are getting from this care; they are now supported with a higher education and stable jobs. That night we were entertained with an imperial dinner and show. We dined on exquisite dishes that would have been served to previous emperors, a very appropriate celebration for Ms Hooson’s birthday!

Next stop was the capital of Vietnam; Hanoi. This is where the inspirational leader Ho Chi Minh spent his last remaining days during the war and where his body is preserved in a mausoleum, which we visited. While in Hanoi we visited the night market which sold practically everything and was crowded with people. We got a chance to practise our bartering skills at this market which was something that we all improved at throughout the trip and thoroughly enjoyed. We then travelled to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Halong Bay, which was amazing. Kayaking around part of the bay and through limestone outcrops to another part of the bay was a great highlight for all of us. We stayed on a very nice boat overnight and enjoyed a twelve course meal. The time and preparation they put into the decoration

Off to the homestay at the Mekong Delta

of the food is incredible; we were served spring rolls in a decorated chicken made of pineapple and carrots! Halong Bay is a significant geographical landmark that shows the different landforms found in Vietnam and how they contrast to what you find here in New Zealand.

We then flew further north to Dien Bien Phu where we were interested in learning more about the site which hosted one of History’s best planned battles in the first Indochina war against the French; a highly important part of Vietnam’s history prior to US involvement. We visited the enemy encampments, secret Vietnamese tunnels and bunkers as well as a memorial site for fallen soldiers. This was an incredibly

At the site of the My Lai Massacre


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Some of the Year 13 students try our farming Vietnam style

interesting place as we were able to see where some of the battles took place and this gave us a greater idea of Vietnam’s struggle for victory. That night we enjoyed a traditional performance from a local black Thai tribe. After experiencing their songs we were invited to sing the New Zealand national anthem and perform the school haka. After flying back to Hanoi we headed to a rural area; Mai Chau. Our first night here was a homestay in a traditional stilt house within the white Thai minority village. Our living conditions were very different from our comfy beds at home with only a thin mattress on the floor, a blanket and a mosquito net. While in this area we walked around the local villages observing their farming methods and way of life. The next day was our 30km cycle tour of the surrounding villages where we got a chance to look at a bamboo chopstick factory before cycling back in 35 degree heat.

After an amazing eighteen days of experiencing a country totally different to ours we arrived home to a cold and quiet Christchurch. We would all like to thank the school and the staff that accompanied us on this trip, as well as our wonderful guides Nhan and Nghia, for such a great opportunity that gave us memories that we will never forget.

Written by Georgina Turpie, with input from Vic Butterick, Kate Macfarlane, Rosie Sloan and Kitty Eglinton.

Rosie Sloan is interviewed for radio at Dien Bien Phu.


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With gloomy weather forecast, the Year 10 classes of 10Hn and 10Ss prepared for their outdoor camp early on Tuesday 5 June. Sleepy with extremely large packs tilting us in all directions, we packed up our vans and began our journey to Castle Hill, all of us not really looking forward to the prospect of team bonding in the forecast snow.

The novelty of the one and a half hour car trip soon wore off and we were eager to arrive, despite the cold. Once we were through the Castle Hill village and down the swerves of the gravel track, we were met with the view of a large and cosy looking wooden lodge. We then unpacked our packs, split into our four groups, mine heading off to Cave Stream with reasonable haste before the weather closed in. Within the first ten minutes of arriving at the remote location down the road, our feet were so numb we couldn’t feel the pain of the icy water gushing around us. We continued to battle our way upstream in silence apart from the occasional scream from classmates that had fallen on the hidden rocks with only

our flashlights to illuminate the long dark cave. After about half an hour the 500 metres were up and sunlight spilled into the cave and we could see our way back to the vans.

7am Wednesday girls began shouting with excitement and shortly after everyone had seen or heard about the 60 centimetres of snow that had fallen overnight. Later in the evening we braved the cold once again and the now metre deep snow for a snow man making competition. Let’s just say that dumping people in the snow was far too tempting and the snow man idea was abandoned.

After lunch on Thursday we took turns alternating between making snow glasses out of cardboard and building our snow mounds. The plan was to have a few people from each group who were silly enough to want to sleep in a snow cave, sleep in the one their group made. We began to build them by packing down the already existing snow by everyone stomping on it as hard as they could. We then stacked our packs

as high as we could and shovelled snow into a huge pile over top of it, frequently packing it down with our spades. By then our mounds were stable enough to dig in and pull out our cold packs. With our job almost completed we hurriedly chipped out more of the interior, smoothed it over and set a tarpaulin over the floor to protect us from the cold snow. Leaving the mound to frost over we warmed up inside preparing for the cold night ahead. With layers and layers of clothing, snuggled deep in our sleeping bags we talked ourselves to sleep, squashed but having fun. The next morning sunlight filtered into our mounds and moaning and groaning, stiff from the hard ground we crawled out of our mounds to the cool morning air. Having great experiences like these in the snow reminded us that even if plans go wrong there are positives not just negatives. Even though doing more activities would have been great we had awesome fun in the snow and I’m sure all of us will remember this great opportunity for the rest of our lives.

Becky Wilson

Building snow caves at Castle Hill

Castle Hill – Year 10 Camp


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2012 has once again seen an enthusiastic group of Years 12 and 13 young entrepreneurs keen to try their hand at establishing and running a business venture of their own creation. Four teams have entered the fray, with a staff mentor assigned to each team to act as a guide on the side.

The programme of various challenges has been attacked with much verve, excitement and high expectations, all of which have been applied to weekly team meetings and extensive research into products. So far, the challenge has required the establishment of a company name, design of a logo, adoption of a product, submission of a weekly set of company minutes and the production of a business card.

A family meeting/afternoon tea on a Sunday afternoon early in Term 1, attended by parents and representatives from all teams, proved to be a pleasant event, and provided parents with the opportunity to hear and see just what their daughters were embarking on in the YE programme for the year. All appreciated seeing the timeline, realising the commitment involved, taking in the learning opportunities and benefits gained by their daughters.

And then came the Dragon’s Den…

In preparation for this, YE Canterbury organised a training session at UC in the last week of Term 1. It was impressive that all four of our teams attended and

their demeanour, dress and focus were a credit to them

The CEOs who have the responsibility of co-ordinating their teams and passing on communications, have done a mammoth job exceptionally well and this was rewarded recently at the Dragon’s Den, held at CPIT, where all four teams were recognised, three with awards and one setting an exemplary representation of Rangi Ruru in their presentation.

Below are the teams and their respective awards:

1in4Product: A safety whistle

Directors:Amelia Leath – CEO and FinanceRebecca Hawkes – Design Bridget Buchan – Marketing & SalesVicky Ma - Communications

Award received for Presentation

C.A.R.E. – a Year 13 teamProduct: A ‘Box of Joy’ for young children in hospitalDirectors:Brittany Rea – CEOKate Sheridan – Design Georgia Osmers – Finance Shannon Smith – Marketing & Sales

Victoria Rea - Operations/ProductionPhotographed as exemplary representatives of their school

Flatpack Farming – Winners of Dragon’s Den on the night!Product: A utility pack for the back of ATVsDirectors:Sophie Green – CEO and FinanceLizzie Bridges – Design, Marketing & SalesAnnabelle Williamson - Operations/ProductionEmily Tasker – ICT and CommunicationsAwards received for Marketing, Presentation and the Overall Winner award!!

Flatpack Farming have since been offered opportunities to market their Flatpack through well-known companies, some with international possibilities!

WELL DONE, Flatpack Farming!

OracleProduct: A charm bracelet

Directors:Jess Minehan Fitzgerald – CEOJennifer Kim – Design

Viv Lapping – Finance Jess Minehan Fitzgerald and Becky Hider – Marketing & SalesBecky Hider - Operations/ProductionEmma Kittelty – Communications

Award received for Marketing and One of top 3 entries for Business Card Design

We can be very proud of the mettle of the girls involved in Young Enterprise this year – they are totally committed, keen to work effectively in their respective teams on their particular jobs, confident to seek help when a query arises and appreciative of any help given.

Young Enterprise is certainly fun and immensely rewarding for all girls who take the plunge for the year!

Jacqui GriffithTeacher-in-charge of Young Enterprise 2012

Young Enterprise

Anika Bayly, Emily Tasker, Lizzie Bridges, Annabelle Williamson and Sophie Green.


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On Wednesday 4 April, six girls from 9Fi met Prue Langbein from Radio New Zealand in the boarding house to record our book reviews on the Young Adult finalists for the New Zealand Children’s Book Awards

We were all very excited to be on radio but we felt very nervous too because we didn’t know what it was going to be like. However, after Prue kindly reassured us, our fears of being on radio were proven to be unnecessary.

While the first girl went in for her recording, the rest of us waited outside in the lounge area and practised reading our reviews to each other. The books themselves were very interesting and unique. I was especially surprised at the diversity within the collection of novels. They ranged from the strongly Maori themed science fiction, Sacrifice, by Joanna Orwin to Ant Sang’s graphic novel, Shaolin Burning, which was set in ancient China. I had thoroughly enjoyed reading my books and couldn’t help but flip through a few pages of my friends’ books as well after hearing their reviews.

Recording Book reviews for Radio New Zealand

When it was my turn to be recorded, Prue patiently took me through my review and helped me work out the tongue twisters I had unintentionally included. Fortunately, I only had to go back to the start of the sentences to correct my mistakes.

I found that the recording technology was much simpler and more straightforward than the bulky machines I had imagined and the experience was not at all as intimidating as I thought it would be. In fact, with Prue’s friendliness and encouragement, it was very enjoyable.

All of us were especially delighted when we found out that we could keep the books that we had reviewed and were all very thankful to Prue, Radio New Zealand and the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards for this experience.

Our reviews can be heard on : http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/storytime-treasure-chest

Amy Huang 9Fi

Harmony Zhou and Prue Langbein

Ruby Matheson of 10Sk was chosen to represent Rangi Ruru at the regional finals of the Secondary Schools Burger Competition. The sponsor was Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

The Year 10 Food Studies course all prepared their own burger at school to try and be chosen to represent the school and there were some great flavour combinations.

Ruby prepared a Moroccan Lamb Burger which had a red pepper sauce and a dressing of mayonnaise, aioli, pesto and Moroccan spice. The burger was served in a wholemeal bun with spinach, chargrilled red pepper and alfalfa sprout. Ruby coated the lamb mince pattie with the Moroccan spice - this was something she had done in another Moroccan dish which gave it great flavour!

The standard was very high at the regional competition and although Ruby is not off to the Nationals in Auckland, she did us proud!

Antoinette Searle

The Secondary Schools’ Burger Competition


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The first half of the year has been especially busy for Theatre Arts. Hot on the heels of the Christ’s College / Rangi Ruru Junior production of SHAKE, RIPPLE AND ROLL, came JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. The auditions for SUPERSTAR were held over Waitangi Weekend. It was especially gratifying to see so many girls turn up well prepared and organised for their audition. Needless to say, competition for the role of Mary Magdalene was intense. However, with the roles of Annas and some of the priests, plus Simon and some of the apostles opened up for girls, there were plenty of opportunities for individuals to shine. The quality of talent ensured that the Rangi Ruru girls were cast to their strengths and this was borne out during the season of the show.

Talent alone can only get you so far. The discipline and self-management that our students demonstrated over the months of rehearsals was something to behold. Whether onstage, in the orchestra, in lighting, stage-management, stagehands, makeup, or wardrobe, the Rangi Ruru girls acquitted themselves in a manner that professionals would be envious of. The professional attitude of students, in all areas, manifests itself in a polished production. In the end, I’m sure most will agree, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR was one of those special productions.

From The Director of Theatre ArtsThe Years 7 & 8 girls had a blast at Stage Challenge and due to their outstanding efforts, gained awards for Excellence for Concept, Set, and Use of the Stage. Congratulations for a fantastic effort from all of the girls and to Miss Forrest and Miss Clarkson who guided and crafted a very fine performance.

This year’s Regional SGCNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival was held during the four days leading up to Easter. We entered two pieces: a five-minute scene from TITUS ANDRONICUS directed by Bridget Buchan and Sinomi Hood, and a 15 minute excerpt from JULIUS CAESAR. Both of Rangi Ruru’s entries were selected for the regional final Showcase, and ultimately to represent Canterbury at the National Festival over Queen’s Birthday weekend. Hayley Russell was also selected in the music composition part of the festival.

The 20 girls who attended the National Festival had a wonderful time. They were able to see two theatre productions, including a discussion with the cast and creative team from one, and a back-stage tour of Downstage Theatre. They participated fully in the festival classes and workshops taking advantage of all of the wonderful learning opportunities. Both performances (Titus Andronicus and

Julius Caesar) had made improvements since their earlier performances and both were outstanding. It is extremely difficult even to be selected to attend the national event and, once there, the standard is exceptionally high.

I am thrilled to report that JULIUS CAESAR was awarded ‘Outstanding Use of Movement or Dance’ - a great result for Sammy Guest who choreographed the opening and Hannah Clarkson who added the final polish. Cash prizes were won by Olivia Abbott (as Casca in Julius Caesar) for Best Actor not in a Leading Role, and Hayley Russell who won 3rd place for Music Composition Inspired by a Shakespeare Play. Finally, Miranda Hitchings (Cassius in Julius Caesar) was selected to attend the National Schools’ Shakespeare Production (NSSP) to be held in Auckland in September. From there, she has the chance to be selected to go to The Globe Theatre in 2013.

I was thoroughly delighted with the quality of all of our girls’ work, but mostly I was proud of the way each of them represented our school and our province, as they always conducted themselves with grace and dignity.

Robert GilbertDirector of Theatre Arts

Stage challenge was a great experience and I know all of the Intermediate enjoyed it too. It was really fortunate that we had the chance to take part in stage challenge this year and we hope that the future Intermediate girls can have this experience as well. We all performed for eight minutes and out theme were true colours and to always be yourself. Our colourful costumes reflected our emotions. This experience helped us bond really well, meet new people and find each others strengths. We were very lucky that we had all the wonderful staff and couldn’t have done it without them. After a hard day of practicing and then performing we ended up winning three awards.

Molly Senior

Stage Challenge

Backstage at the Stage Challenge


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Term 2, as usual, has been an exceptionally busy one for the girls involved in music. Once again the Music Department became a second home to many girls who seemed to spend all their time here rehearsing, composing, attending classes and music lessons, or just ‘hanging out’.

The term started off with the Jazz Band and Junior Chorale performing at Open Day. This was the first performance for both groups for the year, and was an opportunity for visitors to Rangi to hear these groups in action.

The combined Rangi/Christ’s College production of Jesus Christ Superstar was the main focus during the first three weeks of the term. Rehearsals were long and intensive, but all the hard work paid off with audiences being treated to stunning performances over the five night season. Congratulations to all students who were

involved in any capacity. This was a real team effort with much learning along the way, and of course lots of fun was had by all and many very special memories created.

For music students there was no time to relax once the show was over, as the BIG SING Regional Choral Festival was on May 30/31. Resolutions and the Junior Chorale participated in this. There were a large number of choirs performing and a very high standard overall. Both choirs are to be commended for their hard work in preparing for this festival which is a real celebration of choral music in Canterbury Secondary Schools.

Two days later we had three groups competing in the Regional Rockquest competition. It is several years since we have had Rangi girls participating in this competition, and thanks must go to Ms Sato and the ITM staff who

encouraged the girls to enter and supported them in their preparations. We were delighted that a Year 10 duo, Frame (Georgia Saunders and Tess Epton) was selected for the Canterbury Regional Final. Congratulations girls on your achievement, and we look forward to hearing more from you in future years

Warmest congratulations to Hayley Russell, Year 13, who was selected as a national finalist in the SGCNZ/Morrison Music Trust Shakespeare Music Composition Competition. She travelled to Wellington over Queen’s Birthday weekend, where she was presented with 3rd prize overall for her composition titled ‘And Tomorrow’. This piece was inspired by Macbeth, the scene in which Macbeth hears of the news of Lady Macbeth’s death and hence the famous ‘Tomorrow’ speech.

From the Director of Music

Stage Challenge 2012


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percussionists, titled ‘Pantheon of the Gods’

Auditions for Year 9 Music scholars were held during June, with music staff being very impressed with the high calibre of all the applicants. Congratulations to our new Year 9 Music scholars, we look forward to welcoming you to the Department in 2013.

Girls in the Years 7 and 8 music groups have been keeping busy as well. Several have auditioned for the Christchurch Primary Schools Festival, and await news on the outcome of their auditions. The Bellbirds and Junior Players gave a lovely lunchtime concert in the Theatre at the end of May, and are looking forward to a Soirée sometime later in Term 3 or early Term 4.

In addition to all these events we have continued to enjoy a wide variety of music performances every Wednesday morning in Chapel, organised by Jasmine Jiang, our Head of Music. These performances are not only valuable experiences for the performers, but also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the diversity and richness of musical talent that we have at Rangi. The term finishes off with the usual Itinerant Performance evening in the Chapel, plus a concert featuring music performed by our three Percussion Ensembles.

Next term promises to be just as busy, with Southern Jam and CPIT Jazz Festivals for the Jazz Band, the Orchestra Festival, a benefit concert for recent old girl Bryony Gibson-Cornish (who is moving to New York in August to study viola at the Julliard School of Music), NCEA Solo Performance assessments, Christchurch Primary Schools Music

We were delighted also to hear that Jasmine Jiang, Year 13, received a Commended award for her composition ‘Will We Ever’ for SSAA choir and piano, which she entered for the 2012 SOUNZ – NZCF Composition Competition. This competition was adjudicated by highly regarded Christchurch composer Dr Philip Norman, who said of Jasmine’s composition “…a moving and expressive reflection on life in Christchurch in the aftermath of the earthquakes. Jasmine’s is a simple song without being predictable and has a depth of musical character that set it apart from the other tonal entries”.

The next major event of the term was the NZCT Chamber Music Contest. This year Rangi had eight groups entered, with Rangi girls represented in a further four groups out of a total of 64 groups. The week before the contest Rangi groups were to perform to each other and parents in the Theatre – however the snow meant that this concert was cancelled. However, in true Rangi fashion the groups rallied and performed to each other in a more informal context after school the day before the contest.

All groups performed to a very high standard, resulting in our most successful contest ever. Eight groups overall are recalled to the Regional Finals – and this year there were three Rangi groups recalled, with Rangi representation in a fourth group. Congratulations therefore to:

Sol Contrasto – Amy Lee, Grace Leehan and Sarah Vergeer (Burnside High School) – regional finalists, and awarded Highly Commended overall.

Amy Lee – a regional finalist in her Pettman Academy group Trio Poeme, awarded Highly Commended overall, and gaining selection for the National Finals.

The Hamburg Trio (Grace Leehan, Jenny Park, Siyu Sun), and Rebound (Jasmine Jiang, Jennifer Lee, Madeleine Long) - regional finalists.

Millis Follain – Sarah Pride, Geena Loke, Harriet Marshall, Lucy Glass, Olivia Humphrey, Kate Willis, Rebecca Willis – winners of the Adjudicator’s Choice award.

Mactet – Emma Maciaszek, Bella Senior, Geena Loke and Jeremy Flett (Middleton Grange School) winners of a KBB Music award for the best wind group.

Amy Lee - on the premiere of her composition for two pianos and four

The Hamburg Trio - regional finalists in the NZCT Chamber music contest. From left - Grace Leehan, Siyu Sun, Jenny Park.

Festival preparation, Years 7 - 10 Chapel service… I look forward to updating you on these events in the Term 3 Rangi News. Rather a lot to fit in!

There are a number of girls who have achieved in other areas in addition to those mentioned above:

Congratulations to Jennifer Kim, Jasmine Jiang and Madeline Long, whose group ‘Rebound’ won the Open Percussion Ensemble section in the Canterbury Provincial Brass Bands Association competition.

Congratulations also to Amy Lee, who has been invited to join the 2012 NZSO Conductor Training Programme, in Wellington during the July holidays. She will have conducting workshops with the NZSO Principal Conductor Pietari Inkinen and his conducting assistant Kerry Jago.

My thanks yet again to the Music Department staff and dedicated team of Itinerant Music tutors who work so hard with all the various co curricular groups. Without your help and support we would not be able to offer such an extensive and enriching music programme to our girls. To the girls – all of this would not be able to happen without your hard work, enthusiasm and willingness to be involved in such a wide range of music groups. Thank you for your dedication, hard work and wonderful sense of humour, helping to ensure that there is never a dull moment in the Music Department. I hope that you all find some time for rest and relaxation during the July holidays.

Janet KingsburyDirector of Music


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It is always great to start the term with a bang, and holding the school Cross Country on day three constitutes this! Over the holidays, watching the ground works being carried out in North Hagley Park we thought we were going to have to look for an alternative venue to hold this year’s event. But fortunately, the detours needed were minor and the girls probably didn’t even notice the deviation in the course.

From the Director of Sports

Cross CountryThis year was no different from others in terms of the wonderful running on display by so many of our girls. Not only were the girls who recently returned from Malta outstanding, but there were many other significant performances. Abby Williamson was superb in the Junior Girls’ race, heading off Libby Vincent to win this race. Libby also ran well finishing in 2nd spot and was closely followed across the line by Rose Marshall-Lee. In the Year 9 Race, Goldie Harding showed her athleticism winning comfortably ahead of Gabi Newman 2nd, and the Willis twins – Rebecca and Margo who finished 3rd and 4th respectively. In the Years 7/8 race Chloe Jenkins, Isabella Carter and Alex Summerfield crossed the line within three seconds of each other, with Jessica Miller (the first Year 7) only two seconds back. The Senior girls were superb to watch and we are just so lucky to have such a talented group of young women as “running” role-models for the rest of the school. As has become a familiar sight over the past year, Rosa Flanagan shot off to an early lead and increased this over the 3km distance to win by over 45 secs. Second place was hotly contested between Gabby Gray and Annie Vincent, with Annie eventually crossing the line in 2nd place, one second ahead of Gabby. Pip Trevella (the first Over 16.5 year old) had the next fastest time and was closely followed by Lucy Allison. Cross Country is alive and well at Rangi Ruru. Congratulations to all the girls who took the challenge and ran the distance. Here are the top 12 places in each section:

Year 7 & 8 Results Chloe Jenkins 13.15Isabella Carter 13.16Alex Summerfield 13.19Jessica Miller 13.21Pieta Hansen 13.45Phoebe Spiers 13.47Lucy Simpson 13.48Hilary Royds 13.49Flossie van der Pol 14.14Hannah Loeffen-Gallagher 14.16Emma Hewitt 14.16Annie Prendergast 14.32U14 ResultsGoldie Harding 12.02Gabi Newman 12.28Rebecca Willis 12.29Margo Willis 12.50Margo Flanagan 13.07Danni Ackland 13.17Millie Mannering 13.30Amy Huang 13.54Nicole Smith 14.18Holly Reid 14.28Zoe Swift 14.54Caitlin Rochford 14.57

U15 Results Abby Williamson 11.23Libby Vincent 11.40Rose Marshall-Lee 11.54Becky Wilson 12.26Lucy Hutchison 12.52Jemima Allison 12.56Aimee McMaster 13.13Jacqui Frizelle 13.23Caitlin Heale 13.30Phoebe Robinson 13.31Kiera Horton-King 13.57Romana Bell 14.05

U16.5Rosa Flanagan 10.06Annie Vincent 10.53Gabby Gray 10.54Lucy Allison 11.33Kate Macdonald 12.02Lauren Beckett 12.26Lucy Minehan Fitzgerald 12.42Kate Willis 12.52Stella Stretton 12.53Georgie Andrews 13.43Tandia Molina 13.45Emily Boyd 13.57

Over 16.5 ResultsPip Trevella 11.14Cara Crawford 12.48Rebecca Gerard 12.57Zoe Berryman 13.06Olivia Thomson 13.19Rosa Cross 13.38Holly Brown 13.50Charlotte Aitken 14.11Hilary Munro 14.12Kate Elliott 14.14Erica Boyd 14.14Jess Minehan Fitzgerald 14.49

The Rangi Cross Country marks the beginning of the Secondary Schools’ Winter Running season and the first event on the calendar for all Canterbury Secondary Schools’ is the Road Race, held each year on the pathways around North Hagley Park. All girls’ teams run 3km, with the Senior Boys race 5km.Rangi usually takes a large contingent to this event, with it being so close to school and this year was no exception. Take a look at our fantastic results:


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U14 JuniorGoldie Harding – 8th Abby Williamson- 3rd

Rebecca Willis – 10th Libby Vincent – 7th

Margo Willis – 22nd Rose Marshall-Lee – 10th

Gabi Newman – 25th Rebecca Wilson – 16th

Margo Flanagan – 30th Jemima Allison – 18th

Danni Ackland – 33rd Lucy Hutchinson – 21st

Nicole Smith – 36th Jacqui Frizelle – 29th

Amy Huang – 37th Amy McMaster – 32nd

Millie Mannering – 40th Phoebe Robinson – 41st

Team Result: 4th Team Result: 1st

Intermediate SeniorRosa Flanagan – 1st Pip Trevella – 1st

Gabby Gray – 3rd Rebecca Gerard – 11th

Annie Vincent – 4th Zoe Berryman – 12th

Lucy Allison – 6th Cara Crawford – 14th

Kate Macdonald – 11th Olivia Thomson – 24th

Lauren Beckett – 18th Rosa Cross – 26th

Tandia Molina – 29th Kate Elliot – 27th

Georgia Andrews – 32nd Charlotte Aitken – 28th

Lucy Minehan Fitzgerald-38th

Team Result: 1st Team Result: 1st

Many of the same names feature in this race as in the School Cross Country but it is also wonderful to see other names appearing in prominent Canterbury events.

Following the Road Race was the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Cross Country Champs. This year saw the event back at Halswell Domain, after last year’s race at Hagley Park. The course at Halswell is fantastic and a real test for all runners. Many of our girls were scared off by the thought of running a “real” cross country course after Hagley Park, so it was a small but very talented group who took part in this event. As with the Road Race, Rangi was dominant in all sections and it was really interesting to see how times and places changed amongst the team on the different terrain, compared with the road race. Here are our results from the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Cross Country:

U14 JuniorGoldie Harding – 10th Abby Williamson – 3rd

Rebecca Willis – 11th Libby Vincent – 6th

Gabi Newman – 14th Rose Marshall-Lee – 11th

Margo Willis – 16th Rebecca Wilson – 14th

Danni Ackland – 34th Lucy Hutchinson – 22nd

Team: 2nd Jacqui Frizelle – 30th

Team: 1st

Intermediate SeniorRosa Flanagan – 1st Pip Trevella – 1st

Annabel Vincent – 3rd

Gabby Gray – 4th

Lucy Allison – 6th

Kate Macdonald – 9th

Lauren Beckett – 12th

Team: 1st

Rangi has really stamped a name for itself now with distance running and we are extremely proud of the efforts of all the girls. For those who train hard all year it is wonderful to see you all reaping the rewards for your efforts. You thoroughly deserve the accolades. For those who compete to “have a go” or

Pip Trevella holding both the Canterbury SS Cross Country and Road Race Cups. She is standing with Bill Grogan, the Regional Sports Director.

to make up the numbers you also deserve to be acknowledged. Entering in these events makes you stronger and more confident as a runner AND it takes numbers to make up a team. So well done to all of you!

To end the Cross Country season for the school team a select group of ten runners recently attended the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Cross Country champs in Auckland. The event was held in fine conditions on a beautifully laid out course at St Kentigern’s College. More than one of the girls was heard to say they wished they went to that school! Apparently, it was just idyllic, and the course a real Cross Country course that would test all runners. Obviously, someone forgot to tell Rosa Flanagan this as she tore up the field, leaving all in her wake on the second lap and crossing the finish line in 1st place, 46 seconds ahead of the next fastest runner - a phenomenal achievement in her first year as a senior runner. Rosa’s performance not only gave her the Gold medal and helped her team win both the three and six person teams events, but she was also named in the NZSSAA Cross Country team to compete in the Australian Championships in August. Congratulations Rosa. You are a runner with an exciting future. We wish you luck.

Joining Rosa in the Senior Girls’ race in Auckland, and also performing exceptionally well were Gabby Gray (16th) and Pip Trevella (19th) who helped secure the Three Person team Gold, and Annie Vincent (22nd), Lucy Allison (28th), and Kate Macdonald (58th), who rounded out the Six Person team. Lauren Beckett (87th) was our seventh runner in the team and sadly missed out on a medal but ran well for Rangi. Other than the results, what is amazing about this group of girls is that all but Philippa will be back next year, with three of the girls – Kate, Lauren and Lucy having another two years in this grade. This bodes well for the future.

Joining this group in Auckland was a strong but small group of runners in the Junior Girls’ race. Abby Williamson was our top finisher in this event, coming home in 22nd place. Libby Vincent was 43rd and Rose Marshall-Lee was 61st. Whilst these girls didn’t place, they all ran exceptionally well. The field was large and strong and as young juniors, two of the team will be eligible to run in this section again next year. The third runner will be a welcome addition to the senior team.


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10am – Race over! We have just finished what for many of us has been the biggest race of our running careers. One by one we crossed the finish line, red faced and gasping for breath. We know it was close, but have we done enough for a medal? 10.30am - Unofficial results go up and we have just beaten France in a count back for 3rd place. There is screaming and hugging. All our hard work has paid off and we may return home with bronze medals around our necks but we have to wait for the confirmation of the official photo finish results.

12 o’clock. The bomb is dropped. Official results confirm New Zealand 4th, one point behind France in 3rd place. We struggle to hide the disappointment from our faces. After a huge build up to this one race, it is all over and we came up just short of a medal. The same thoughts run through everyone’s heads. What if I’d just passed one more person?

But was this race really a disappointment?

Of course it is medals that we aim for and there is no better feeling than to stand up on that podium but there is also so much more to competing at a World Championship event or for that matter, any sporting event.

This experience was not just about the race, but about the friends we made, the fun we had, the lessons we learnt and the memories we brought home with us.

This event broke down the barriers between cultures, languages and religions. For those 15 minutes, every runner had the same goal, to give everything to this race.

The Olympic style experience of international racing was inspiring and we got a real sense for what it is like for elite athletes competing at Olympic and World Champs level. It gave us a taste of the potential we possessed and encouraged us to strive for that next level.

All elite athletes retire; every All Black becomes an ex-All Black. They don’t remember every game they won or what the scores were, they remember the people they met and the experiences they had.

A huge thank you to Donna Beckett for travelling with the team to this event. You looked after the girls beautifully Donna, and the parents and school are exceedingly grateful.

Well girls, the School Cross Country season is over for 2012, although I know many of you will still continue to run and compete for your clubs over the remainder of the winter. For the Malta team its been a long Cross Country season and you will feel ready for a break. Enjoy your Hockey, your Cycling, your Football, your Netball and all the other winter sporting activities you are or would like to become more involved in. If nothing else, you will be fit! Congratulations on a memorable season.

World Schools Cross Country Championship – Malta 2012I do not intend to say too much about the trip to Malta as several of the girls have written a wonderful speech which says it all, but what I would like to say is how proud I was to have been a part of something so fantastic and what wonderful ambassadors the seven Rangi girls were, not only for their school, but also for New Zealand. In fact all of the 24 young people on the trip were amazing, motivated and motivating young people. For 11 days they lived, ate, trained and hung out together and at all times they were outstanding. As far as the race went in Malta, the Rangi girls couldn’t have raced any harder or given any more than they did. To finish 4th as a team, just one point behind France in 3rd, was gutting but amazing at the same time. There were 21 teams in the race and we beat 17 of them! No other NZ Schoolgirls’ team has finished higher than 4th. And to Rosa, who ran in the Individual girls’ race, she gave it everything and to finish in 5th place and be the first NZ’er home was superb. So I make my public congratulations to: Rosa Flanagan (5th in Individual race), Gabby Gray (9th in School race (ISR)), Pip Trevella (10th ISR), Annie Vincent (16th ISR), Kate Macdonald (36th ISR), Libby Vincent (39th ISR), and Lauren Beckett (62nd ISR). You were a credit to yourselves and your families; thank you for running fast enough to allow our team to be selected!

Rangi Ruru in Malta - by Annie VincentFollowing our success at the National Secondary Schools’ Cross Country Championships in Ashburton last year, our Junior Cross Country Team of myself, Libby Vincent, Pip Trevella, Kate Macdonald, Gabby Gray and Lauren Beckett (Lucy Allison was part of this team also but did not travel) were selected to represent New Zealand at the World Schools’ Cross Country Championships in Malta this March. There was also a Boys School (New Plymouth Boys’), a Girls Individual Team (Rosa Flanagan ran in this) and a Boys Individual Team, selected. The trip started with six days in London to acclimatise, train at Hyde Park and explore the sights. In Malta, the week started with the Opening Ceremony where we met athletes from the 23 different competing countries. There isn’t a lot of chat between countries as everyone is nervous about racing the following day. There are four races, two for boys, two for girls. A boys’ and a girls’ school race where each country has a team of six athletes, and a boys’ and girls’ Individual Race, including athletes selected from schools from anywhere in that country. March 27 was race day! Over a year of hard training and preparation has come down to this. The training no longer matters; it’s all about the next 15 minutes.

Libby Vincent, Gabby Gray, Annie Vincent, Lauren Beckett, Kate Macdonald, Pip Trevella and Jo Fogarty.


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My Malta Experience - by Rosa FlanaganAn experience I will definitely never forget is the one time when I was standing nervously at the start line of the most important race so far in my running career, the World Secondary Schools’ Cross Country Championships in Malta. I had emotions racing through my mind and was thinking to myself that the race I had been training hard for, for about one year, was right in front of me waiting for me to attack it. I had to pinch myself that it was actually happening; my dreams of representing my country had finally come. As my other five team mates from around NZ and I were walking to the start line, we suddenly all began crying. We were all so overwhelmed at the crowds of people and the total atmosphere of it all and of course feeling rather nervous as this was the biggest race any of us had experienced in our lives. Once the starter gun was fired there were no more emotions running through the mind; I was focused on running and finishing the race.

From this race, I have learnt that you have to forget about things around you and just run the race as you would run any other race. You shouldn’t have to run it any differently because you are in Malta and racing different girls from around the world. The course we ran was about 3.5km and was flat with many corners to turn which made it a very fast competitive race.

Overall I got 5th which I was very pleased about and I knew I gave it everything I possibly could; my fuel tank sure was empty by the time I crossed the finish line. It was an amazing experience racing against other girls from around the world and I have met a lot of new international friends. We were all very pleased when the race was finally behind us, as we had a lot less pressure on our shoulders and could relax and have a good, fun time together.

Years 7 & 8 – Independent Schools’ Cross Country champsCongratulations to the following girls in Years 7/8 who participated in the Independent Schools Cross Country Championship. The competition was fierce between the Independent Schools’ with Rangi girls trying their hardest but just not able to get themselves up in the top placings. The course at Hagley Park South was hard and fast and there were some outstanding displays of running. Here are the names and places of our competitors:

11 Year Olds 12 Year OldsIsabella Carter – 8th Alex Summerfield – 9th

Jessica Miller – 14th Chloe Jenkins – 14th

Hilary Royds – 15th Flossie van der Pol – 21st

Lily McKenzie – 28th Phoebe Spiers – 24th

Sally McPherson – 31st Emma Hewitt – 27th

Team Placing: 5th Team Placing: 4th

Canterbury Intermediate Schools’ DuathlonOn Wednesday 10 May, Intermediate School students: Lucy Simpson, Jessica Miller, Izzie Evans, Isabella Carter, Claudia Reid, Chloe Jenkins and Alex Summerfield competed in the Canterbury Intermediate Schools’ Duathlon held at the Ruapuna Raceway. The course was a 2.0km run, 9.0km bike and a 1.0km run. Our team did extremely well, all placing within the top 20. It was a great race to compete in and we all look forward to the other races coming up throughout the year. Chloe Jenkins, Year 8

12 yr olds:Chloe Jenkins = 9thAlex Summerfield = 10th11 yr olds:Claudia Reid = 12thJess Miller = 17th Izzie Evans = 19th Isabella Carter = 20th 10 yr olds:Lucy Simpson = 12th

Jess Miller

Claudia Reid


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Athletics SOUTH ISLAND ATHLETIC RESULTS 2012Thirteen girls attended these Championships in Nelson over the weekend of 31 March - 1 April together with Mrs Rowberry and cook, Helen Rains. Two parents were also there to give their help and support which we thank them for very much.

We won three titles:Rosie Elliott Junior High Jump(Rosie was also 4th in the 200m final and 5th in the 100m)Abby Williamson U14 3000mGeorgia Galbraith Jun Javelin

The following girls made the final eight for their events:Lucy Allison 2nd Int 1500m and 5th in the 800mEvelyn Spiers 2nd Int HurdlesHannah Maloney Int 2nd Int Triple Jump and 4th Long JumpGoldie Harding 2nd U14 1500m and 7th DiscusSassy Borrius–Broek 2nd Jun Long JumpMaddy Long 3rd Int Hurdles 6th 200mRose Marshall–Lee 4th U14 U14 800m and 6th 400mMegan Rains 5th Jun Shot putRebecca Willis 5th U14 Triple and Hurdles and 6th in JavelinSarah Donald 7th Senior JavelinLucy Allison, Rosie Elliott, Abby Williamson and Rose Marshall-Lee 3rd 4 x 400m RelaySassy Borrius-Broek, Rosie Elliott, Maddy Long, and Hannah Maloney 4th Int RelayRebecca Willis, Golie Harding, Abby Williamson and Rose Marshall-Lee 6th U14 Relay

BasketballBasketball is once again the largest participation sport at Rangi, with 24 teams across Years 7 – 13, all playing in the Friday night competition.This year is the first time our Years 7/8 teams have played in the Bishopdale competition and under the leadership of parent, Sarah Corkery and senior students Tina Papahadyjis and Tessa Peck, they are really progressing well.Within the Secondary Schools’ competition the vast majority of our teams would be considered social. However, we have endeavoured to provide coaches for as many of these teams as possible and whilst the girls are out there each Friday night having fun with their mates, I am sure they are all still learning a few skills.Our Senior A and Intermediate A teams are playing in Division 1 of their respective grades and both teams have started well. The Senior A’s are sitting 3rd in their pool with the Intermediate A 2nd equal at this stage of the competition. What has been obvious is the rapid improvement in play from both teams as weeks go by and we look forward to further gains as the season progresses. The Senior A team will travel to Dunedin in Tournament week for the South Island zonal tournament with the aim of qualifying for the Nationals in Nelson in September.Congratulations to Meg Thompson – U15A, Jessica Miller – U12A, Annie Doig – U12B. These girls have all made Canterbury Representative Basketball teams.Jo Fogarty/Craig Bradley

CyclingWe have just completed three weeks of inter secondary competition at Tai Tapu being somewhat intermittent with the weather, but nonetheless, some excellent racing. We have ten very keen girls biking out there each week to race in the time trials and scratch races. Alice Hay, Charlotte Hand, Gabby Gray and Tessa Jenkins have all earned themselves a place in the A Grade section and have been riding hard every week. The rest of the girls are scattered amongst the other grades and working hard to get maximum points for Rangi in each race. All looks good for the coming season!

During the year there have been some stunning results at local and national level racing. At the Canterbury Champs, Alice Hay won the 70km U19 womens’ road race and gained 2nd in the U19 women 15km time trial, one second off first. Charlotte Hand came 2nd in the U17 women 15km time trial and gained 4th in the 35km U17 women road race. Tessa Jenkins also placed a fantastic 4th in the U17 women 15km time trial seeing the Rangi girls all placing in the top five of their respective groups.

At the 2012 New Zealand Club National Champs, we saw the girls gaining respectable results that put them against the best of the best. The 15km time trial was up-hill and straight down, turn around and back up again. The road race was 28km laps of non-stop hills and no flat, a tough course that suited our riders. Alice Hay place a 7th in the U19 women 15km time trial and 3rd in the 87km road race U19 women. Teams were announced shortly after and Alice has been selected to go to Canberra in the New Zealand U19 Womens’ Road Team. This is a fantastic opportunity for Alice and really cements her commitment to cycling at a professional level. Other results included Charlotte Hand 9th in the U17 Women 15km time trial and 19th in the 47km road race U17 Women. Finally, Tessa Jenkins placed 29th in the U17 Woman 15km time trial.All in all, a fantastic start to the season with I am sure many more highlights to follow.

Equestrian – DressageRecently the Rangi Ruru GOLD and BLUE dressage teams met at McLean’s Island for the Inter-schools’ Dressage Competition.

The Rangi GOLD team were the outstanding winners of the competition. Sarah Wadworth was also the winner of the Dressage Salver for highest individual scores at top level and Belinda Field-Dodgson had the highest combined scores at second level. Well done girls!

The winning team: Sarah Wadworth, Sophie Abbott, Bonnie Farrant and Belinda Field-Dodgson


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Football Update:2012 was always going to be a busy year for our 1st XI Football team. In December 2011, this team was given the green light to travel and compete in a tournament in Brisbane in 2012 July school holidays, so the season started in February! Under the tutelage of a structured “old-school” coach, Red Gordon, the team has been working hard at improving and developing their skills and their fitness. For the first time in many years the team qualified for the Premier Girls’ grade in the secondary competition which is exposing the team to a stronger level of competition. To date the Rangi team has been up for the challenge with two losses, one win and one draw. Additional to this, the team is also playing in the club competition on a Saturday, and are currently winning the 16th Grade competition. Following on from the tournament in Brisbane, the team will continue to work towards their Satellite tournament in Dunedin in September.

This year also, we have a structured team setup with our 2nd XI team. This is the first time we have had a coach AND assistant working with a developing team of aspiring footballers. Thanks to parent Thom Craig and University student April Williams we have a group of girls learning and developing their football skills which will hopefully stand some of them in good stead next year for 1st XI team selection.

All in all, Football is in great spirits and the culture of the sport is really growing within the school.

A huge thank you to the 1st XI parents and supporters who helped organise and support the successful Fundraising Quiz night for the trip to Australia. Overall, the night raised $9,300 which will go towards the cost of the trip. This was an outstanding achievement for one evening. Well done.

Jo Fogarty

GymnasticsRHYTHMIC

Olivia Rule, Anna Novis (coach), Briee Robinson, Lucy McSweeney

Open C Grade - 2nd Olivia Rule, 3rd Briee Robinson, 4th Lucy McSweeney Years 11-13 Group - 1st Aliena Gray, Bex Falconer, Sarita Christensen, Kirsty Nation, Charlotte Hand Club A grade - Harriet Dishington 7th Well done to rhythmic coaches, Anna Novis and Harriet Dishington, for preparing the girls for this event.

ARTISTIC Celine Evans - Step 8 - only competed in floor event due to injury, but looked good.

Celine Evans preparing for floor event at the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Championships on Monday 11 June.

Hockey2012 is very exciting for Rangi Ruru hockey as there are a number of girls within the 1st/2nd squad who have made representative teams: Charlotte Worner (mid fielder), Evelyn Spiers (wing half) and Kirsty Nation (Goal Keeper) are in the Canterbury U18 A Hockey Team; Kate Willis (striker) in the Canterbury U18 B Team; Anna Radovonich plays a very important role in the U18 A Mid/South Hockey team also.

Rangi hockey is very privileged to have an ex New Zealand Black Stick, John Radovonich, as the Head coach. His hockey knowledge is invaluable and contributing to the growth and development of Rangi hockey over the different levels. As U15 Canterbury trials are still taking place, we have a number of young talented girls trialing over the next few weeks. Danielle Ackland, Alice Luxton, Margot Willis, Rebecca Willis, Jess Gunn and Rebecca Skurr all show potential and are developing new skills within the programme. We are very fortunate to have the coaching support of talented players such as Tom Mouldey, Jenny Storey, Hayley Aburn and Mathew Crake all offering such fresh and new skills to enhance young developing hockey girls within each team. The structure and transparency of Hockey at Rangi are also fantastic and can be seen in the enthusiasm shown by the players throughout the different years. Rangi hockey truly is a community like no other.

Charlotte Worner

Mountain Biking

Claudia Mannering, Charlotte Aitken, Gabi Newman and Chloe Jenkins

The Huxster Canterbury SS Mountain Biking Champs was held at McLean’s Island earlier in the term. Claudia Mannering, Charlotte Aitken, Gabi Newman and Chloe Jenkins took out the team relay competition.


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Mud Run – 2012Sunday 17 June saw 82 Rangi girls throw themselves, by choice, into freezing mud…for fun!?! The Deputy Principal could not believe her eyes when she came out to Motukarara Raceway to support the girls in the annual Mud run, only to find they were beside themselves with excitement and joy at lolling around in the mud! Whilst she was revolted by what they were doing, she was hugely taken by the wide and varied array of different outfits worn by the 21 Rangi teams competing. We had babies with dummies in their mouths and bottles around their necks, monsters in plastic masks, “Kitchen Babes” in aprons and poly props, fairies, and Bananas in ‘skimpy’ pyjamas!!! It was minus five degrees when the first teams arrived so the level of commitment to the event was outstanding. The focus of the event is on having fun with your mates and this was certainly evident from the faces of all the Rangi teams. The fact that our teams came 1st, 2nd and 3rd was irrelevant in the larger scheme of things, although the commitment by the Muddy Marvels to return from the National Cross Country champs the night before to defend their 2011 Mud Run title, does warrant a mention. So it’s back to school with the piece of wood with the barbed wire wrapped around it. Hope the Principal doesn’t catch her stockings on it again this year!!!

Well done everyone who dressed up and took part on Sunday. You are delightfully bonkers!!!

NetballTwenty-one Rangi Ruru teams are involved in the Saturday Christchurch Netball Competition this season, ranging from Year 8 teams to the Senior A team. Some teams faced enormous challenges in the first round of games, finding it tough to

Happy as pigs in mud

Rangi girls cheer on their team mates

win a game. To those teams who have battled during the first six games, congratulations on never giving up! It has been wonderful to hear opposing teams speaking highly of our Rangi girls, particularly noting their positive attitudes in the face of some big losses. The current round should offer some more evenly matched competition.

Many of our teams finished middle of their section but some particular highlights of the first round include the K (10A) team finishing 1st and the Senr C and G (11A) teams finishing 2nd in their sections. Well done girls and coaches.

An exciting development this season is the appointment of Tania Hoffman, Canterbury NPC coach, in a coach and player development role. Tania started at the beginning of term two and has become a familiar face at the school courts and on the sideline at Rangi games. Tania’s role includes working with our coaches to ensure they are supported and can offer quality coaching to the teams they are working with, as well as a focus on upskilling players with the introduction of strength and conditioning for targeted teams. Throughout the season to date Tania has also been offering skill development sessions for players and it has been great to see the girls taking up the opportunity to develop their game.

Finally, congratulations to girls who have made Christchurch Netball Centre representative teams this season – Holly Brown (U17), Ali Doig & Kate Macdonald (U16), Evie Burdon (U15), Romana Bell and Libby Vincent (Invitational U15).

Good luck to everyone for the rest of the season.

Mandy Anderson

RowingSilver medal winners at Maadi in the U16 four: Coach Nigel Atherfold, Georgina Andrews, Megan MacKenzie, Lucy Hutchinson, Georgina Lawrence and Alice Williams as cox

One rower from this very successful crew, Lucy Hutchinson, was named to trial for a South Island team. After an erg test and seat racing, Lucy was chosen to compete in two South Island crews, the eight and top pair. The crews trained in Twizel for three days then travelled to the North Island and stayed at St Peter’s school in Cambridge. Her pair was 2nd and the eight not only won, but beat the North Island crew by the largest margin ever.

Rowing is a Summer Sport and we encourage our rowers to participate in winter sports, however, Chris Newman has been offering an optional program for the rowers and has had up to 20 girls rowing at Kerrs Reach on Sunday mornings.

RugbyThis has been a year for rebuilding, with a large number of girls playing rugby for the first time. Under the joint captaincy of Flora Poole and Sophie Black, the team has made considerable progress. Rangi Ruru 1st XV plays in the Division 1 Senior Girls’ Competition and there are simply no easy games. Given the number of ‘newbies’ in the team, it is really pleasing to see the improvement in the performance of many of the girls. Emma Wilding, Grace Lundy, Alice Satterthwaite and Hannah Mackenzie have been to the fore, with new girls Lucy Partridge and Emma Subtil showing their class. Of course Sophie Black, Charlotte Fakahau and Flora Poole have been outstanding, as


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you would expect, as former Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Representatives.

Flora Poole has been selected to train in a squad of talented young players who are preparing to represent New Zealand in the Olympics in Sevens Rugby. This is a fantastic achievement for a schoolgirl who also plays for the Sydenham Senior Women’s Rugby team on Saturdays.

With the talented Caitlin Heale and Kristy Havill starting to find form after early injury setbacks, the team’s performance is sure to take a turn for the better. After a strong showing in the pre-season Sevens, Rangi Ruru 1st XV is looking forward to winning half its games in the first round of the competition. Having lost its first three games against the top three teams, it is time to make the most of their opportunities against the less successful teams in the top division.

John Mills

TennisAfter winning the South Island Tournament the middle of March in Timaru, the ‘A’ Tennis girls went on to Auckland for the National Schools’ Championships. Only two teams from the South Island are eligible and a further six from the three North Island regions get to compete in this event. It is difficult to even qualify for the Championships.

We finished 4th after a close match (2-2) against St Peter’s of Cambridge just losing by one set on a count back.

The team won 6-0 against both Waikato Dio and Wanganui Collegiate showing them to be the superior South Island team; and they were 2nd in their section. They then had to play the eventual winners St Kentigern College of Auckland and although they lost 6-0, they put up a great fight against the top girls in the country.

Special thanks must go to Ali Maoate, Viv Ottawa and Captain, Brogan Maoate, for their management of the team and to the Sports Trust for their assistance in financing the trip.

Brenda Rowberry

Congratulations to the following girls for their achievements:

Catherine Marshall attended the NZ U17 Championships in Dunedin 14 April. She fenced well, finishing 5th, just above middle of the field. She lost her last direct elimination bout by one point to a much more experienced, although not necessarily better, fencer from Wellington. It was a real tussle and Catherine stuck with it to the end. If she had won that bout, she would have been in the medals. Congratulations Catherine.

Canterbury Cricket has announced the intake for the fifth Girls’ Junior Academy. The Canterbury Girls’ Junior Academy 2012 will include Gabrielle Gray and Kirsty Nation. As well as assisting the player’s development through specialist skill sessions, the Academy will also focus on mental preparation, fitness, nutrition and other key components to assist with maximising their potential. This is a wonderful opportunity for our most promising young players. They will receive intense expert tuition from the very best coaches which will provide the players with the opportunity to reach their maximum potential. Well done girls.

Hilary Munro had a very successful Waterski Nationals at Kai Iwi Lakes in Northland over Easter. She made the U17 girls slalom final, qualifying as top seed. She then won a bronze medal in the final in terrible weather conditions. She also won a bronze medal in the U17 Girls trick final, giving her a bronze medal overall for her age group.

In the Open Women’s trick she also managed to qualify for final. Despite being one of the two youngest competitors in this event, Hilary managed to win a bronze medal with a score of 3270 points, only 30 points behind the silver medal position.

This was topped off by Hilary being named in the New Zealand team to compete at the AAO (Asia Australasia Oceania) championships in Korea in August. The AAO’s are an open championship, which means Hilary will be competing in Open Women’s against skiers of all ages. She is one of six skiers named in the team, and is very excited to have been selected. We wish her all the very best in Korea.

Congratulations to Flora Poole who has been selected to be part of a Regional Rugby Sevens Squad, earmarked for future Olympics or World Championship Rugby Sevens. Flora is an extremely talented Rugby player and selection in this squad is testament to this. We wish her all the best in her quest for future success in Rugby.

A couple of weeks ago at the Athletics Canterbury end of season awards, Rosa Flanagan was the recipient of the following awards: Athletics Canterbury Road Runner of the Year, Athletics Canterbury Distance Athlete of the Year and Athletics Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Non-Stadia Athlete of the Year. These are all Senior titles. An amazing achievement.

Congratulations to Alice Hay who earlier in the year won the U17 girls grade in Le Race (100km) in a time of 3 hours 11mins and was 5th girl overall. Charlotte Hand was 4th U17. Also at Le Race this was the first time Alice was able to race for her new Trade Team, Benchmark Homes. You would have seen them riding around town in their orange kit. She is the youngest person in the team and the only U19 girls so this is very exciting. They help with all expenses for accommodation, travel, entry fees, riding kit and bikes. This also means she can race in the Elite women cycling series in a team with the other Benchmark girls, so hopefully this opportunity is really going to help out her cycling! Go Alice!!!

Catherine Marshall


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From the Community CoordinatorDorothy Addison (née Allison, RR old girl 1937 - 1939) has gifted Rangi Ruru a very charming Helen Gibson painting called Autumn in Hagley Park. It is a woodland scene with trees painted in rusty orange and brown colours; and a hundred years on, still recognisably Hagley Park. Dorothy gave me a gift also - an equally charming story.

It came up in conversation that I have recently taken on the enrolments portfolio for Rangi Ruru. Dorothy recounted how her parents had made the decision to send her there. It was apparently her father’s determination to do so, after seeing Miss Ethel Gibson saying farewell to their boarding charges on the platform of the Christchurch Train Station. She did so with a kiss to the cheek of each girl, wishing a happy holiday and safe travel. Mr Allison thought this was such a lovely gesture, and that the girls must have felt as if they were part of a big family. Hence the decision was made to send Dorothy to Rangi Ruru Girls’ School.

So, one can never tell how decisions about enrolments are going to be made. Marketing campaigns can do so much – they can be informative and persuasive

– putting Rangi in the best light. Events such as an Open Day, Insight into Rangi or A & P Shows can let the students and staff be ambassadors for Rangi. But I think that it is our alumni and our families, both past and present that are integral to convincing families to at least consider Rangi Ruru. If you know of anyone with school age daughters, please do share with them your experience of Rangi. Our families and girls encapsulate the Rangi spirit far more conclusively than any leaflet can!

Julie Moor, Jude Connochie and I recently hosted an event in Rangiora “Why girls do better in girls’ schools”. Ron and Shannon van Til owners of Rangiora Bakery, provided us with a wonderful venue. Who knew that Artisan café had a great boardroom attached. This event allowed Rangi to really talk about why we value education of girls, and why Rangi girls do so well. The ad in the local paper attracted a handful of families that had no previous connection with Rangi – it was good to see them there, as well as those North Canterbury families known and invited by us.

Another event on the near horizon is the +3 Leavers event on Thursday 30

Dr Margaret Evans (1963-66) has been awarded the Bledisloe Medal from Lincoln University, making her the first woman to win the medal in its 82-year history.

The medal, initiated by Governor-General Lord Bledisloe in 1930, is made to a former student or staff member of Lincoln University who has made an outstanding contribution in his or her chosen field, advanced New Zealand’s interests and brought credit to the university.

Marg is an endocrinologist and equine scientist whose achievements have helped consolidate New Zealand as a leader in equine reproduction research. When she began her studies, the reproduction rate of mares was the lowest of any domestic animal. Her work formed the basis for developing treatments now used internationally for improving horse fertility and the efficiency of stud management.

Hailing from a sheep farm in Hawarden, the Rangi Ruru boarder had chosen nursing as her future career.

August. A chance for our recent leavers, and their parents, to catch up before their daughters embark on their next adventure. Cunningly timed in university break, we hope that the graduating class of 2009 will take the chance to say hello, and maybe goodbye again. This along with the launch of our rebuild plans and the reopening of Te Koraha in August means it is a very busy month for us!

Once we are back in Te Koraha and Autumn in Hagley Park has been hung, I’ll take a photo to share with you. Thanks again Mrs Addison for entrusting us with your treasured keepsake.

Celebrating Past Students“This was a popular choice for girls at the time and I was interested in biology,” Marg says. “However, a visit to school by one of Lincoln College’s extension officers to speak about their courses changed my direction.”

She enrolled for an Agricultural Science degree at Lincoln in 1968, one of only five women in her year group. Of those five, three were from Rangi, the other two being Janine Smith and Ally Mulholland.

Marg graduated in 1972 with First Class honours in Animal Physiology and was Senior Scholar and Postgraduate Scholar in her year.

She acknowledges her Rangi chemistry teacher, Mrs Forster, as being pivotal in her coping with the subject at university level.

“She was a marvellous teacher and I still quote some of her pointers,” she says.

On top of her academic endeavours, Marg was also on the Students’ Association executive and, as its Travel and

Orientation Officer, helped pioneer the “Student Standby” domestic air travel scheme.

For her doctoral studies, Marg moved to the veterinary science department, and began her ground-breaking research into reproductive hormones in horses. Her work with the late Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Science, Cliff Irvine, established Lincoln University and New Zealand as an international hub of equine research.

In 1977, Marg travelled to the United States with veterinarian husband Bruce Taylor, on a post-doctoral fellowship to study at the University of Kentucky, where she set up hormone analyses based on her NZ work.

On returning to Lincoln, and obtaining a grant from the New Zealand Equine Research Foundation, she began working on a series of research trials. She was also offered as position as a scientific officer in the Endocrinology Department at Princess Margaret Hospital, so for some


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This year Bryony graduated with a Bachelor of Music, primarily studying with Stephen Larsen (viola) and Dame Malvina Major (voice), from the University of Canterbury and she is completing a shortened Honours year before she leaves in late August.

Bryony attended Rangi Ruru on a music scholarship. She describes the support she had from the music department there as “incredible”, particularly that of Janet Kingsbury and Kate Hays.

“They were both very encouraging and enthusiastic about music within school and outside of school.” She says she was also fortunate to study with Philip Norman in 2009 while he was Rangi Ruru’s Composer in Residence. After being encouraged to enter some competitions, she was placed second in the SOUNZ/New Zealand Choral Federation Big Sing Composition Competition. She hopes to return to composing some time in the future.

Bryony participated in many of the school music groups during her four years there – from the Senior Orchestra, to various chamber groups, to the choirs and playing percussion and piano in ensembles such as the Jazz Band.

“The values instilled in me during these four years set me in good stead for future challenges and experiences and I will always be proud to be a Rangi girl,” she says.

During her last year at Rangi, she studied part-time at Canterbury University, taking performance papers in viola, second subject voice and ensemble. In 2010, she began full-time study on a UC Emerging Leaders Scholarship. She continued her association with Rangi, returning to conduct the Junior Chorale and coach a Junior String Quartet in her spare time.

Alongside her studies in 2010, Bryony travelled to Wellington for sessions with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as their inaugural Fellowship student. Bryony auditioned successfully for the NZSO National Youth Orchestra at the age of 14, and every year since then has played the Youth Orchestra seasons, serving as Sub-Principal for the last two years. Shortly after her first season with the NZSO NYO, she started playing with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra as a Contract Player.

She also took on the role of Assistant Administrator and Events Co-ordinator at the Pettman Junior Academy during 2011.

time shared her time between the two institutions.

“Only occasionally did I arrive at the hospital in my overalls and gumboots,” she says.

During her career, Marg has served on the board of the NZ Equine Research Foundation (of which she is currently chair) and the International Symposium on Equine Reproduction committee, edited the symposium’s international journal and been secretary of the NZ Endocrine Society. She is currently a scientific officer in the Department of Endocrinology at Christchurch Hospital, working on endocrinology relating to human health.

In her acceptance speech for the Bledisloe Medal, Marg said she was humbled by the award. “Any recognition in the field of science is only achieved by the efforts of many,” she said, thanking all those who had contributed to her work over the years, particularly her veterinarian husband “who offered to help me collect blood samples about 40 years ago and is still helping”.

Marg and Bruce have lived in Ohoka for the past 30 years. The whole family is active in the local community and horse world. Marg, as co-ordinator for Eventing Canterbury, is busy outside work hours running equestrian events. Their two sons, Sam, also a vet, and Angus, who runs a feed business in the district, are both accomplished horsemen who have competed at national level.

Bryony Gibson-Cornish (2006-2009) has been accepted into The Juilliard School in New York, one of the world’s top music institutions.

The school, which has a role of about 800 students and 300 teachers, has an acceptance rate of 5.5% each year.

Bryony will be studying towards a Master of Music, with viola teachers Heidi Castleman and Misha Amory. During the two-year programme, she will focus on music performance, history and theory.

Bryony has had success in a number of national competitions. In 2010 she was a semi-finalist and winner of the NZ String Player Award in the Gisborne International Music Competition. She was also awarded the “Most Promising” prize in the National Concerto Competition and gained Third Prize in the PACANZ Young Performer of the Year awards in 2011.

In February 2011, Bryony travelled to the US with her teacher, Stephen Larsen, and fellow violin student Emma Yoon to have consultation lessons with a number of teachers at various institutes on the West Coast.

She returned to the States in February this year to audition for three music schools – New England Conservatory, Eastman School of Music and The Juilliard School. In April, she was offered places with tuition scholarships to all three schools. Although it was a tough decision, she felt the best fit would be at The Juilliard School.

“This is an incredible opportunity to study at one of the world’s top music schools and I still have to pinch myself now!” she says “The thought of living in New York is daunting but exciting.”

Bryony has received support from a number of organisations towards her Masters study in the US: The Pettman Foundation,Dame Malvina Major Foundation, the Inspire Foundation Canterbury, the Adastra Foundation, the Winifred Bessie Owen Louisa Trust and the Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand Federation of Graduate Women.

In addition, she has been awarded a Kiwi Music Scholarship by the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee and a Fulbright NZ General Graduate Award.

Bryony cites dedication as the key to success.

“For musicians, this means practising and also gaining practical performance experience in a number of different situations: solo, chamber and orchestral.

“When I look back at all of the experiences I have gained, I find that it is the culmination of so many varying situations that have prepared me for anything and everything. By taking on every opportunity possible, I have been able to benefit from a range of different experiences. Often the opportunities lead to other open doors and I have learnt never to underestimate the value of saying ‘yes’. ”


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As we progress through the academic year, the College is in a phase of reviewing its current qualification offerings and continuing with a strategic focus on future delivery options.

The government’s recent budget announcement was one of re-prioritising spending, including some proposed adjustments to funding allocations within the tertiary sector to improve alignment between tertiary providers. In developing the College’s Investment Plan for 2013, we are mindful of the emphasis on institutions’ performance as a basis for determining future funding allocations. The Tertiary Education Commission’s priorities for the next investment cycle includes participation and achievement for Māori and Pacific students, innovation and collaboration and ensuring a system that caters for learner diversity. We continue to prioritise management of student support, monitoring of performance and achievement as crucial to our operation and successful delivery in the sector, during what are still somewhat challenging times for tertiary providers.

A highlight for the College’s teaching staff professional development programme this term has been the generous external support and facilitation by a University of Waikato staff member, enabling our teaching team to establish direction in a range of individual and collaborative research undertakings on topics linked to personal teaching interests. In July Norah Fryer is presenting a shared paper at International Innovations in ECE; a Canadian Forum, drawing on her teaching experiences of applying a multi-disciplinary approach to working with final year (teaching) students applying theory to practice. Also significant to our developing ‘research culture’ is the on-going research project, Inakitia rawatia hei kakano mō apōpō: Students’ encounters with bicultural commitment, being undertaken by Leeanne Campbell from Rangi Ruru and Diane Gordon-Burns from University of Canterbury College of Education. In completing a milestone report after the first year of this four year project, Leeanne and Diane recently presented initial findings to the participants, Ako

News from the Early Childhood CollegeAotearoa and the education community. This project seeks to generate knowledge about specific indicators to support initial teacher education students’ and lecturers’ understanding in implementing bicultural/tiriti-based programmes.

In June we hosted the annual Nanny Education (NEONZ) annual conference which was well represented by providers from throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. The conference theme of ‘Contexts for Practice’ generated much discussion about contemporary issues relating to

values, culture, traditions and practices of families/whānau in Aotearoa New Zealand and the application to early childhood practice.

At this stage of the year our focus on recruitment for 2013 intensifies and the College is holding a second Open Day for the 2012 year on Saturday 25 August from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Staff and students will be available to meet with visitors on campus at 54 Rossall Street.

Alison StevensonDirector

Saturday 25 August, 9.30 am-12.30 pm


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at Rangi Ruru and with the help of the first year student teachers at the Early Childhood College plan sessions where the children can be physically active, partaking in various activities using the equipment at the gym.

Vanessa PauleyHead Teacher

This term has been equally busy as the last. With the minor disruption of the recent snow which saw some damage to our gardens that the children had recently planted out with new plants and flowers, the term has been an adventure of new experiences for the children.

A visit from the SPCA was a highlight for the children with Sarah from the SPCA bringing along two special friends, Lilly the spaniel and Elliott the guinea pig. The children learnt the five key elements that all pets need and were able to experience firsthand how to make themselves safe around dogs they are unsure of. Several children and families donated tins of pet food to go to the animal shelter.

Several families have made donations to the preschool for the purchase of new books and resources for the children and we thank the Frye, de Vere, Gray and Dacre families. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

The children have been involved in creating their own musical instruments. After some investigation the formation of an orchestra occurred with the children making guitars, drums and instruments

Rangi Ruru Preschool Newsthat haven’t even been invented yet. We have some very creative thinkers for the 21st century! Several parents and grandparents have visited to play instruments with the children also.

Finally our Friday gym sessions have been a welcome return. The preschool has the opportunity to utilize the gym

The snow made for a quiet playgroundElliot the guinea pig lapping up all the attention

THE PRESIDENT AND COMMITTEE OF

THE FRIENDS OF RANGI RURUINVITE YOU TO THEIR

WINTER COCKTAIL PARTY“From the PTA, a big “thanks” to all who supported the coffee fundraiser which raised just on $3000 to purchase equipment for the fitness centre. If you purchased coffee during the fundraiser and would like to order more, or would like to try award winning, ethical La Mai coffee, there is the opportunity to order on an ongoing basis at a discounted rate through their website http://www.lamai.co.nz/Order.htm Simply enter RANGIRURU in the “Discount/School Code” box and the Rangi Ruru will recieve $1 for every 200g bag sold or $4 for every 1kg bag. In addition, you continue to benefit the Bright Hope World charity supporting the coffee growers and their families in Thailand. For a small charge ($3 for local deliveries) your order will be couriered directly to you or you can choose to pick it up from the Bright Hope World office.”

PTA Coffee Fundraiser

TO BE HELD ON

FRIDAY, 20 JULY 2012 FROM 5 – 7 PM

AT THE HELEN KITSON FUNCTION CENTRERANGI RURU GIRL’S SCHOOL59 HEWITTS ROAD, MERIVALE

Principal, Julie Moor will give a short talk.There will also be a presentation by some of the girls.

ALL INTERESTED IN RANGI RURU GIRLS’ SCHOOL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.

Cost $20 per person.

Attendees please mail your cheque together with the names of those attending, your address and phone number to:

Olive Gray, 13 Madeley Road, Christchurch 8081By 16 July 2012


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consider whether you and some friends could do that together. We already have groups coordinating their 1952, 1972 and 1982 year groups. The 1962 group/50 Years On (so now 63/64 years old) and 1992 group/20 Years On (so now 33/34 years old) will need organising groups too. You don’t need to live in Christchurch to do this. Email, Facebook and letters have worked well for previous years’ reunion coordinators. If this is your reunion year, mark 26 and 27 October in your diary now and mention it to your old school friends. If you haven’t heard anything more about your reunion by 31 July 2012 please contact us with your current details as we may not have your latest ones.

Hilary Sutton, RROGA Administrator can be contacted by email [email protected] or phone (03) 355 6284.

The Transition Girls’ Morning Tea will be held on Tuesday 18 September. The Transition Girls’ committee will again be sending out invitations. If you are a “Transition Girl” who wishes to attend but hasn’t received an invitation in previous years please contact Hilary Sutton, RROGA Administrator, on (03) 355 6284.

As we mentioned in the April issue of Rangi News, work has begun on compiling names for the reunion lists for this year. The reunions will be held on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 October 2012. If you were in Form 3 in 1992, 1982, 1972, 1962, 1952 or IVB1 or IVB2 in 1942 then this is your reunion year. People who left prior to that year or came to Rangi after that are welcome to join with their contemporaries. We rely on some generous people to work on contacting their year group so also

This year’s Bridge Tournament was held on Tuesday 29 May at Crockford’s Bridge Club in Riccarton with 122 old girls of St Margaret’s and Rangi Ruru playing. A team of OGA volunteers from both schools made this enjoyable day possible.

The annual Newsletter has been posted out to Life and Annual Members of RROGA which has resulted in many emails notifying us of contact details for those on our “lost list” and payment from annual members. As usual we also have had many copies returned “No longer at this address”. If you know of someone who hasn’t received their copy, please suggest they check their address details with us. They are also likely to have missed receiving this issue of Rangi News as the mailing address for both publications comes from the same database.

News from the Old Girls’ Association

From the ArchivesDo you know these people in this 1951 sewing class?We would love to identify the Rangi girls in this photo. We would be grateful for any names etc. If you can help please email [email protected] or phone the school office on 03 983 3700.


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rangi news | july 2012

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