Trinity - Rathkeale College

Rathkeale College

338

STUDENTS

80

STAFF

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Martin O’Grady

It is a privilege and an honour to be Principal at this unique school, set in one of the most beautiful campuses you could ever hope to learn in.

Our students here at Rathkeale College set high and challenging goals and are supported in every way to achieve them. Their achievements are a constant source of pride and motivation for our sta . For a small school, we compete and achieve consistently well on the regional and national stage in Academia, Sport and the Performing Arts, largely due to the 100% commitment of all boys to all aspects of school life. At Rathkeale, we strongly believe in Open Minds, Open Spaces and Open Futures. Our mission is to provide a learning environment that inspires students to be the best they can be in all dimensions of life.

A highlight of 2021 for Rathkeale has been the return to regular use of the Trust House Theatre after 18 months of renovation. The auditorium is the focal point of the college, and sta and students appreciated being able to gather there again for weekly Chapel services and assemblies, as well as signi cant annual events such as the Trinity Schools’ Chapel Service, and interhouse music competition. This year’s major production, Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat, played to large and enthusiastic audiences, with a sell-out matinee performance for local primary schools proving particularly popular. The purchase of the block of land adjacent to Rathkeale with its associated paddocks and farm buildings, has considerably increased the acreage of our Primary Industries Land Lab, and the associated success of our Agriculture programme. The Shearing team won the NZ Rural Games Secondary Schools Championships this year and Rathkeale teams placed 1st and 2nd in the East Coast Regional Finals of the Junior Young Farmer of the Year, going on to place highly again in the National competition. Teaching and learning remain at the forefront of what we do, and as a Microsoft Showcase school, Rathkeale was again fortunate to be able to transition rapidly and smoothly into remote learning when the country was thrust back into lockdown in the second half of the year. Our teaching sta are becoming adept at providing creative learning experiences online! Rathkeale places importance on boys having an awareness of others, and inclusivity. Activities in support of National Schools Pride Week, Anti- bullying and Mental Health Awareness were well supported by students and will be built on in 2022.

We had considerable success on the sport’s eld and in the performing arts. Viva Camerata (our combined Rathkeale College and St Matthew’s Collegiate Choir) was selected for the Cadenza festival of The Big Sing and subsequently awarded a Tui (gold medal equivalent). Numerous boys competed for the school nationally in a range of sports, and our winter and summer sport codes kept the boys active, healthy, and competitive. Despite covid-related disruptions, it has been another very positive year at Rathkeale College. Our roll is growing strongly, and we look forward to 2022 with optimism, albeit in uncertain times.

Oliver Robinson-Smith and Matthew Heard work through an algebra question in Maths.

Sta played students in Kī o rahi during Māori Language week. Year 9 Boarders support anti-bullying message on Pink Shirt Day.

The competition houses set o for the annual Gate Run.

Rathkeale hosted the Trinity Schools’ Chapel Service in the recently renovated auditorium.

The major production of ‘Joseph’ drew large audiences.