While many of us have been catching our breath over the break, for many of our sporting students, it has been an exceptionally busy time.

Congratulations to all those who have been out there doing their thing for Rangi Ruru during the break. We're super proud of you all. Please see a summary of activity below:

Adventure Racing
For the third year, a team of Adventure Racers headed to the Kaikoura Adventure Race, which doubles as the South Island Secondary Schools' Adventure Race Championships in Kaikoura from 20-21 April. The Rangi Ruru Adventure Race squad competed in the senior championships and senior open categories. With the courses providing something for everyone in a stunning Kaikoura landscape, we couldn’t have asked for a better day with so many teams competing, amazing weather and great camaraderie and teamwork from everyone.

For 12 and 6-hour teams, the event started and finished at Surrey Downs, about 30km southwest of Kaikoura township, along the Inland Kaikoura Rd. The 12-hour team, RRGS Kahurangi, began very early with a big trek up into the hills to the west and the 6-hour team, RRGS Karaka, followed them up 1.5 hours later. It was a massive, but very rewarding day for both teams. Ka pai, ka mihi atu ki a koe. Congratulations and well done to our amazing Adventure Race squad. Your grit, courage and team work to get you around these courses was amazing.

A huge thank you to the Kaikoura Adventure Race crew for another fantastic event and to all the photographers out on course, thank you for taking pics of our teams and sharing these with us.

Thank you to all parents that made it to Kaikoura, driving our squad, registering our teams and helping to get them fed, energised and organised. Next stop, Hillary Challenge in early May and the Crazy Kea Adventure Race in August. Bring it on!! 

A remarkable effort from the following teams representing Rangi Ruru:

Category: 6-Hour Event - Open Schools: Years 7-13 (all teams with 2-3 members and teams with members from more than one school)

Team RRGS Karaka - Maggie Ardagh & Sophie Whittaker

• 4th Open Schools - Girls
• 18th overall
• 7:37 hours; 2000 points

Category: 12-Hour Event - Championship: Years 7-13 b (Teams with 4 members from same school all running in correct age group)

Team RRGS Kahurangi - Emma Coates, Sophie Sara, Vesper Woodfield, Juliet Freeman

• 2nd Senior Girls Championship
• 7th overall
• 11:40 hours; 4000 points 

Golf
Vanessa Lim (Year 10) represented Rangi Ruru at the South Island Secondary School Golf Tournament, held in Otago, placing 10th in the U16 category. 

Anzac Hockey Tournament
A senior hockey squad headed to the annual ANZAC tournament hosted by St Cuthberts College in Auckland from Sunday, 14 – Wednesday, 17 April. This tournament is always a great opportunity for some pre-season hockey and an opportunity to play teams from the North Island, prior to the season getting underway.

There were lots of learnings for this young group, with close games throughout. The squad saved their best to the last game, where they went toe-to-toe (or stick to stick!) in a strong match against Westlake Girls, before going down 2-1.  

Rowing
Congratulations to senior rowers Brooke Harper (Year 12) and Alice Ferguson (Year 13) on their recent selections. Brooke was named in the U18 South Island team to contest the North vs South regatta, while Alice was recently named in the New Zealand U19 Rowing Team to compete in the coxless four at the 2024 U19 World Championship Regatta in St Catharines, Canada in August. Outstanding mahi team! 

Water Polo
Our Senior A water polo squad made waves at the NZSS Div 2 championships in the first week of the holidays, placing a credible 4th overall.

The team dominated pool play with three wins, finished top in the cross over pool matches and despite a tough match against Marlborough Girls and a close 3/4 play off to Epsom Girls, they only suffered two losses throughout the tournament.

From the start of the season to the final whistle, this team embodied incredible team spirit and a shared commitment to be their best both in and out of the water. They had a blast together while giving it their all - with the icing on the cake, being acknowledged with the Bayleys award for team spirit! 

And then there were some more impressive individual achievements including….

Athletics
Meg Edwards (Year 13) attended the Australian Athletics Championships in Australia and placed 8th in the U19 Heptathlon event.

BMX
Hollie Tribble (Year 9) finished her BMX season on a high, winning the 13-14 Year Old Girls title at the Mainland South Region BMX Champs in Cromwell. Hollie also captained the Mainland North Region BMX team and they took home the trophy for the season. 

Cricket
Kate Sharpe (Year 10) was a member of the South Island U15 Girls’ Invitational Cricket team which travelled to the UAE to compete in the inaugural R66t Dubai Cup.

The team had the most incredible time on and off the cricket pitch. They experienced the opportunity to play cricket in a different country, in very different conditions, and learnt what it is like to travel and play sport. 

The team finished runner up in the tournament to the Desert Vipers – a team which was accustomed to playing the game in the heat! Playing the final at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai was a fabulous experience in itself. 

The team manager, Amanda Hardy, said that the tour was bigger than just cricket and Kate and her team mates gained so much from the time away.  What an incredible experience Kate! 

Fencing
Emily Burt (Year 9) competed in a 4-day National Fencing competition from Thursday, 25 – Sunday, 28 April and achieved the following results in the women’s epee:

• U15 Individual Competition - 2nd place narrowly losing the final 15:14 to last year’s winner
• U17 Individual Competition - 6th place being knocked out by the eventual silver medalist
• U20 Individual Competition - 6th place again being knocked out by the eventual silver medalist
• U15 Teams Competition - 1st place
• U17 Teams Competition - 2nd place

Swimming 
Three Rangi Ruru students qualified and competed at the National Age Group Swimming Championship, held at the Hawkes Bay Aquatic Centre 15-20 April. Emily Carr (Wharenui), Gabriella Smith (Vikings) and Indy Leeds (North Canterbury).

Indy Leeds won 13 year old girl National Champion in 400m, 800m & 1500m freestyle, 3rd in the 200m freestyle and a 2nd and 3rd in club relays.

Gabriella Smith won Overall MC Champion in 50m freestyle, 50m fly, 100m backstroke.

Outstanding performance by our Rangi Ruru swimmers. 

School Cross Country 
The School Cross Country took place on a splendid afternoon on the last Wednesday of Term 1. As always, the atmosphere at Hagley Park was alive, spirits were high and clan points were well earned. A big shout out to everyone who ran, walked, skipped or supported the event.

The top ten placings in each age group are outlined here: 

 Years 7/8

1. Olivia Johnson
2. Lucy Peoples
3. Issy Abbott
4. Brooke Edmond
5. Zoe Hurring
6. Heidi Johnson
7. Mia Tucker
8. Eva Walls
9. Izzy Harrison
10. Harriet Wigley

Year 9

1. Cleo Newman
2. Phoebe Trevella
3. Georgia McMillan
4. Lily Neppelenbroek
5. Milla Wilke
6. Beau Collier
7. Mimi Watson
8. Lucy Williams
9. Frankie Thompson
10. Alice Murfitt

 U16

1. Nicole Ridd
2. Toia Sheed
3. India Barnett
4. Tilly O'Sullivan
5. Zoe Willis
6. Georgia Kelso
7. Grace Brooking
8. Vesper Woodfield
9. Natsuki Hastie
10. Emma Allan

 U19

1. Charlotte Chiles
2. Juliet Freeman
3. Alyssa Buchan
4. Jessica Drury
5. Finella Guttmann
6. Lucy Vance
7. Sophie Sara
8. Blaise France
9. Honor Barry
10. Emma Coates

Final Clan placings will be revealed early in Term 2 by the Clan Leaders. 

Years 7 & 8 Update

We are looking forward to getting into winter sport next week, please see below what the first few of weeks of Term 2 look like:

Term 2

• Tuesday, 7 May – During period 5/6 students will attend their chosen sport session (this session will involve some specialist coaching, games and sorting into teams).
• Tuesday, 15 May – During period 5/6 students will be training/games with their coaches.
• Tuesday, 21 May – CAIMS weekly competition starts.

Note

• All year 7 & 8 students will continue to wear PE gear to school every Tuesday.
• Hockey and badminton players – If you have signed up for hockey or badminton, please bring your hockey gear and badminton racquet to school every Tuesday.

Terms 2 & 3 Sign ups

If students have not already filled the sport sign up form, please click this link.

All Years 7 & 8 students need to choose ONE Tuesday option (compulsory). Students may also select an activity that takes place on another day, as long as there are no clashes with other commitments you may have.

Permission slips and more information on the sports students have chosen will be sent out by the end of next week.

Nicole Sinclair
Head of Year 7 & 8 Sport

Winter Sport

Wednesday sport starts the second week of Term 2. If your daughter has missed out on signing up, encourage her to contact the sports office.

Some sports require additional registrations – mainly with the regional body who oversee the competitions. Netball registrations have now closed with Christchurch Netball, however all hockey players need to ensure they have completed Canterbury Hockey’s PlayHQ registration link here.

Final trials for all hockey teams will be held in the first week – Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-6pm. Students will be advised via Teams which session(s) they need to attend.

Awards Assembly – Term 2
The link for Term 2 pocket & colour applications is now open. Students can submit an application here (note – this link is only accessible to students).

Please ensure that you/your daughter read the Awards Handbook to check the criteria, before submitting your application. If you wish to talk through your application or have any questions, please contact the relevant staff member.

The link will remain open until Friday, 24 May at 3:30pm. 

Mandy Anderson
Director of Sport