As we draw near to the end of Term 1, it gives us a chance to reflect on what has been a long and very busy 11 weeks both inside and outside the classroom; there are too many events to mention here!

With the steady growth we’re experiencing in international numbers, the goal for 2017 is to increase the cultural diversity among our international cohort.

Congratulations to Kate Stedman (13SN), who has been selected to attend the Youth ANZAAS conference in Melbourne.

9RD vistied the museum to see the Air New Zealand 75 years exhibition. The students all participated in the virtual reality experience about the future of flying. The visit was part of a taster fieldtrip to introduce the collaborative project “Future Transport” that the class will be working on next term. 

Isabella Waterman had a summer of fun and success in her chosen sports of Touch and Softball.

Congratulations to Lehman Taleni (12VA) who was awarded Top Male Achiever Supreme Award in the SPACPAC Supreme Awards, held at Haeata Community Campus on March 7. 

This year we were unlucky to endure truly the worst weather possible for a dressage competition, although the driving rain and sodden ground conditions did not deter our riders.

Early Sunday morning, 26 March was a busy time at school. Not only were the Kapahaka students still there, but also the 2 Biology students descended on the school to pack and board the buses to Temple Basin for a three day field trip.

We are looking for a representative to be co-opted onto our Board of Trustees.

All around the school, in small subversive pockets, innovative practice is happening. Teachers are working together on common cross-curricular projects across the curriculum, classes are working together to share their learning and some conventional classrooms are stretched to find themselves suddenly accommodating sixty students together.

While Thomas Chin (12MY) is a well known member of the RHS whanau, largely due to his proud participation in Kapahaka, few of his classmates are aware of his true passion, the sport of Boccia.

This month, our Board Chair, Alan Aitken takes a light-hearted look at a computer game about world domination and then compares it to the school Charter.

We made some significant changes to the format and timing of these interviews this year and are seeking feedback from parents and caregivers so we can do our best to meet your needs.

On Saturday the 2nd April we had an amazing turn out of parents to help with our annual Work Day – about 45 parents, students and staff came along.

Receive a Plunket Babysitting Certificate in the April School Holidays in order to be a confident & able babysitter!

This term, all Year 9 classes have had the opportunity to experience a powhiri on a marae, and to visit a wharenui and hear the stories behind it. 

The holidays are upon us and what a great time to have a catch up on things, including reading. 

Riccarton High School PTA is raising funds for our students. Here's how you can help...

KIA ORA KOUTOU. On the weekend of the 24th March, the kapahaka held a special wananga at school in preparation for the regional kapahaka competition later this year. 

The Learning Support team are happy to help with any queries, study support or tuition. If you are concerned about your child, or feel s/he needs more support, please contact the school.

A couple of weeks ago, the Environment Committee was able to take part in a volunteer day up in the Mahoenui bush, which is part of the Port Hills, as part of a volunteer planting programme aimed at restoring native forest to designated areas of the Port Hills. 

Do you have time to help our students? RHS is looking for volunteers who are able to support students needing Special Assessment conditions by acting as reader/writers or supervisors during assessments.

Host families are needed for our international students for 2017 and beyond.

Ara is holding a free IT Girls holiday programme for Year 9 – 10 girls during the Easter holidays – details below.

With winter fast approaching students may want to consider purchasing some warmer uniform items. Please note that from 1 June 2018, uniform prices will increase on all garments except blazers.

A busload of Riccarton athletes travelled to Dunedin last week to contest the annual Summer Shield with Kaikorai Valley College.

Exam fees, which are due to be paid by 18 August 2017, have been added to each Year 11, 12 and 13 students' account. 

Our Pasifika group performed at Polyfest in the Dallington Redzone. After weeks of work by the students and help from parents and families, they entertained the large crowd with a spirited and polished performance.

The Riccarton High School Pasifika Speech Celebration is on Wednesday 16 May.

Join author, entrepreneur and adventurer Sequoia di Angelo in Christchurch for a special Q&A and a reading from her autobiography: Journey of Heart; A Sojourn to K2. Signed copies will be available for purchase on the night thanks to staff from Paper Plus Bush Inn. April 13, 5:30pm

Please click on the link below to view the slideshow:

So wait a second...a dance class went to Antarctica? Well no, it was the Antarctic Centre but a good experience nonetheless. But why would a Dance class need to go to the Antarctic Centre at all?

Abbey Meirtz-Reid (12CS), Laura Preston (12WI), Jared Sherwin (12GA), and Daniel Wei (12CS), alongside the University of Canterbury Student Volunteer Army (SVA) and other local Year 12s, have come to the aid of Prebbleton Plunket. 

Wednesday 7 June, 6:30pm, Central Lecture Theatre Block.