Our eldest child, Lucy, has just completed 14 years at RH – from Kindy to Class 12. What an adventure! She’s now in Canada embarking on a Snowboarding Instructor course she’s paid for herself. Here are a few snippets along the way (with gratitude to all of RH – teachers, students, community, whānau):

RH was seriously an experiment for us with our first child – eek!   And it’s seriously paid off. 

First kōrerō with a Kindy kid to quiet, hiding Lucy on her first day: “Were you born at home or in a hospital?” Perfection. This is the place.

I was hapu, heavily pregnant with #3 pepi. A kind community quickly helped us all feel we belonged – just like Playcentre. Smiles and check ins, even a mystery gift in Lucy’s bag.

Magical first “Kindy birthday” – confidence bloomed that we were definitely in the right place.

Lower School social confidence struggles (hiding under desks, not speaking to others…): Geoff found the perfect play role as she portrayed the little red hen impeccably! By Class 3 Lucy was no-fuss organising the others and knew all their parts (the quiet observer taking it all in).

More Geoff fabulousness – picking up on singing leadership potential. Mana-raising experiences boosted Lucy’s confidence and sense of competence, without conscious awareness that this was occurring. Self-worth is ideally a sub-conscious development in the body & brain. Kia ora e Geoff!

Class 3 assessment led to Lindy and the Listening Programme. Miracles. “That changed my life. I found it hard to learn before.” Said a grateful Lucy many years later. Now a whole new world of less auditory obstacles was opening up.

Netball: competence growth and extra social practice opportunities. Later coaching her little sister’s netball team and a key player in Brian’s successful high school team. Confidence boosts plus.

Main interests: Music and Outdoor Pursuits – not always valued nor nourished out in the world. Cultivated beautifully at RH. This is what you need… we will find a way

Class 7, Luce considered leaving. Then I overhead earlier this year: “Don’t leave Kendra. You’ll get much more focus on you and your dreams by staying at this school”.

Slow introduction of homework – beautifully enacted so she was champing at the bit for it! Her desire to learn is a strongly intrinsic, as well as extrinsic, motivation for Lucy. Not being forced, finding her own reasons, growing into being master of her own learning journey and life ship. We found our role and that of the school was to provide the tools and fertile environment, hold reverence for the ako unravelling, trust in the process. Magic can then emerge.

Lucy being rather reserved and not into after school chat, we’d often find out details about each class two years later when Sophie came through! We could have asked the school. We didn’t. It was ok not to know everything.

My getting involved wherever possible helped strengthen the web of support woven by our kura and whānau community. Building relationships with students, parents, teachers and the inner workings of the school helped Lucy feel even more held and belonging to something special.

Class 10 disappointment with Covid crashing her German Exchange party. Damn! Next dream of attending Mt Aspiring College for their Y13 Outdoor Pursuits Hostel programme also fell over. No stress, said RH, we’ll look after you for Class 12 and Merlin promptly had Lucy attending courses around the country including an Outward Bound scholarship!

Class 12 – a real high point and wonder-full way to complete the journey. Passionate, creative teachers who truly care about the rangatahi and what’s important to them. Telling a self-written story to avidly listening Kindy tamariki completed the RH cycle for Lucy.

Class 12 Projects – magnificent! Like a 4-year old in the sandpit, you can learn everything you need to know in the world by carrying your own interests through to completion with these projects. Throughout this intensive self-led series of adventures Lucy deepened her capacities in determination, grit, courage, financial understanding, PR & communications, challenging comfort zones, nutrition, motivation theory & practice, management of self & others, responsibility, reliability, giving up own time & relaxation, commitment, self-purpose, making do, planning, handling disappointment and crises, real life consequences, change management and much more. A total privilege to attend the whole day of Class 12 project presentations in September. Just WOW!

Now she’s joining an international team in Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, 18 years old and seriously out in the world. Karawhiua e Lucy!

Ngā mihi nui ki a tātou katoa. Thank you everyone for the roles you’ve played in making Lucy’s and other students’ schooling journeys so very incredible – whether you know it or not, you’ve been, and continue to be, part of making this time something truly special for so many. Here’s to a further 5 years (at least ;-) for our whanau at RH. Mauri Ora!