Board of Trustees

Presiding Member’s Report

Mā te whiritahi, ka whakatutuki ai ngā pūmanawa ā tāngata.

Together, we’ll weave the realisation of potential.

The start of 2021 was marked with the announcement that Rangitoto College had managed yet another year of exceptional educational achievement with record New Zealand scholarship results accompanied by top scholars in the IB programme, as well as significant improvement and strength across all levels of the NCEA, IB, and UE examination framework. This was the clear result of the combined effort of the talented and committed ākonga who were encouraged and supported by our experienced and knowledgeable kaiako.

It never ceases to amaze me that a truly world class education experience is available to all our students at the kura.

The vision statement of the school is ‘Great Opportunities—Great Students’. While academic success is fundamental, Rangitoto has never defined students as one-dimensional. The opportunities for students to develop into exceptional young adults is further highlighted in the college life of co-curricular activities. It can be seen in the Performing Arts programme which includes Music, Drama and Dance that extends far beyond the classroom. We see it in the myriad of school interest groups such as the Chess, Environmental, Debating, Rainbow Rangitoto, Unicef, Sustainable Coastlines, Scale Model, and the various cultural and service Clubs, no doubt formed in response to the desire for students to connect with others of like mind and give meaning to the world around them. Last, but by no means least, it can be seen in the sporting arena where Rangitoto College remains unsurpassed in New Zealand for the range of sporting activities that are available to all students to participate at all levels. Many thanks to teachers and parents who give of their time to support these endeavours for our students.

It is trite to say that the world has changed and continues to change. This has been no more evident than the arrival of Covid-19 onto our shores and into our lives.

With admirable and courageous leadership from our Principal, Mr Gale, supported by the Senior Leadership Team, the school has responded often at a moment’s notice to the challenges of providing education in a pandemic. This has included rapid movement from in-person learning to online learning and online exams to in-person exams, ensuring the primary consideration of the safety of students was met whilst balancing and responding to concerns raised by the wider school community. In addition, the school has had to navigate the financial constraints that have been foisted upon us due to Ministry of Education funding and the impact of the border closure on the reduction of our international students. The impact of the latter is more than financial as the International Department and the students we welcome to our kura give a vibrancy and multicultural experience that is not evident in many schools. I am grateful to the entire Board for their commitment to their roles as kaitiaki, ensuring that staff and students are supported to meet their aspirations. A special mention to the Finance Committee for their responsible and meticulous oversight of the financial position of the school. The community can be assured that the expectations they have of the highest quality resourcing for their child has been safeguarded, presently and into the future.

To the students of 2021, and in particular our Year 13 students, my hope is that out of the adversity that you have faced, you have come to a realisation that you are stronger than you ever thought possible. You are resilient and you have the mental and physical resources to help you deal with the challenges that life brings. Thank you to our Student Leaders, including those with leadership and supportive roles, who have made a tremendous contribution to the wellbeing of their fellow students.

I hope, on reflection, all students will revel in all that you have been able to achieve so far; friendships that may stay the course of your lifetime, teachers who will have a lasting impact on you well into the future, and on experiences and opportunities that will shape the person you choose to become. May you be inspired by the words of Greek philosopher Heraticlus, “Everything flows, and nothing abides, everything gives way, and nothing stays fixed.”

Mā te ako ka mārama, mā te mārama ka mātau, ma te mātau ka ora.

Through learning comes understanding, through understanding comes knowledge and wisdom, through knowledge and wisdom comes life and wellbeing.

Maggie Winterstein, Presiding Member, Rangitoto College Board

Maggie Winterstein Presiding Member Jason Buckley Deputy Presiding Member

Mike Shaw

Parent Representative

Craig Offwood Frank Jia

Parent Representative Parent Representative Hayley Fraser-Mackenzie Parent Representative Samuel Wong Student Representative James Searle Staff Representative Patrick Gale Principal Victoria Hitchens Board Secretary