It has been wonderful meeting so many senior parents at the information evenings. I really appreciate the opportunity to share information that will be useful to know about your daughter’s learning and assessment for 2024.

A reminder that the Programmes of Learning are published on the Hub and the Term 1 Assessment Schedule is now here too. 

At the end of Week 4 students will see an increase in their work and expectations from their teachers. It is always a step up and adjustment, whatever year the students are in. Keeping on top of homework and, for seniors, internal assessments that may all fall due at the end of term, is essential.

Time management is a learned skill and practicing this is vital for success. Managing distractions, setting aside appropriate time, balancing learning, homework and time with friends and family is something that parents and caregivers can help with. If your daughter says she has no homework, this does not necessarily mean that there is nothing to do in that subject – reviewing learned material is valuable in addition to completing set tasks.

For all students, in particular juniors, reading a book will be helping to improve vocabulary, comprehension, creativity – and all other literacy skills. In my opinion, this underrated activity needs to be front and centre of every student’s practice. Additionally, there is so much in the world to participate in through the pages of a good book.

Speaking of the opportunity to participate in the world, Juliet Park, Year 13 in 2023, was recently awarded an amazing opportunity. When Juliet started at Rangi Ruru in 2017 as a Year 7 student, she would never have imagined that she would leave at the end of 2023 as Dux, winner of four NZQA Scholarships, including an Outstanding Scholarship in Music, and a successful audition for the prestigious and world-renowned Royal College of Music (RCM). During her time at Rangi Ruru, music became an increasingly large part of Juliet’s life, all whilst juggling a heavy academic load, and for some of her time, the sport of cycling.

As a violist, Juliet made the most of every opportunity afforded her. A student of Stephen Larsen (University of Auckland and Chiron Music School), she has been an award winning member of the NZSO National Youth Orchestra, a past member and section leader of the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra, played professionally with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (as well as being a CSO Intern), and was a three time national finalist in the NZCT Chamber Music Contest. Juliet played a full part in Rangi Ruru music groups, including playing tenor saxophone in the Jazz Band and Saxophone Ensemble.

It became clear during 2023 that studying viola was going to be something Juliet would continue with at tertiary level, with several options to explore. One was auditioning for the Royal College of Music in London, to study viola with Bryony Gibson-Cornish – an alumnae of Rangi Ruru who is now a Professor of Viola at the RCM, as well as the violist in the internationally renowned Marmen Quartet.

"When considering options for studying last year, I was extremely daunted by the prospect of auditioning overseas. The scale and prestige of music internationally was rather intimidating but, encouraged by my teacher, I decided to submit an audition to see what might come of it. The process was surprisingly uncomplicated, with my preparation for the Scholarship Music recital matching quite fortuitously with the requirements for the video submission at the RCM. After submitting a video of my 15-minute programme online, I was then invited to an online interview with members of the Strings Department at the College and was offered a place soon after. Having approached the audition, viewing overseas institutions as completely out of reach, getting accepted into the Royal College of Music was both very exciting and rather unexpected. And while I won’t be accepting the place for undergraduate study, simply having the confidence to know that such doors are possible to open has been extremely encouraging as I head on from Rangi Ruru to continue my studies in music", says Juliet.

Congratulations on these wonderful achievements Juliet. Your light will continue to shine and we will watch with great pride and interest on how your future pathways develop. 

Juliet Collins

Deputy Principal - Curriculum