History

ethelgibson Rangi Ruru Girls' School was founded in 1889 by Miss Helen Gibson, and was administered by her and her sisters for nearly sixty years. The Gibson sisters; Mary, Beatrice, Helen, Alice, Lucy, Ethel, Ruth and Winifred all helped in some way with the running of the school.

Since 1946, when it was purchased by a group of Church people, it has been managed by an independent Board of Governors, appointed by the Presbytery of Christchurch.

Rangi Ruru, the name of the school, was suggested by an old Maori Chief of Rapaki Pa, Paora Taki. It is translated“ wide sky shelter” and indicates that the school stands for hospitality and generosity.

The motto, Whaia to te Rangi - Seek the Heavenly Things - reminds us that education cannot be limited to physical, cultural or academic studies only, but must include our spiritual dimension if we are to find values that are really worthwhile in life.

Principals of Rangi Ruru Girls' School
Miss Helen F Gibson                  1889-1938
Miss Ethel M Gibson                  1938-1946
Miss May Farquharson               1946-1947
Miss Rewiti O Mason                 1947-1951
Mrs Margaret G Patrick              1951-1969
Miss W Lesley Anderson            1969-1972
Mrs Raywyn Ramage (Adam)      1973-1988
Mrs Gillian Heald                       1989-2002 (Terms 1 and 2)
Ms Julie Moor                             2002 (Terms 3 and 4) - current

Rangi Ruru Archive and Museum

The Rangi Ruru Archive Room is situated upstairs in Te Koraha in the old Grey dormitory. It holds both official school records and memorabilia from old girls, teachers and friends of the school and provides a valuable resource for students, researchers and family historians.

drill 1922 Paper files, photographs, bound volumes, objects, plans, sound recordings and moving images are some of the formats included in the collection. Comprehensive lists of the holdings are available from the archivist.

Old Girls who would like to contribute photos, memorabilia or financial support to the Rangi Collection should contact our Archivist, Geraldine Pickles.

Rangi Ruru Archives is open on Tuesdays from 8.30am to 4.30pm for research. For further information or enquiries, please contact the archivist Geraldine Pickles (phone +64 3 983 3700 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to arrange an appointment.