Each year Rangi engages resident professionals, including artists and writers, who work closely with the girls, in a mentoring and hands-on capacity, toward developing a piece of finished work or a presentation. The whole school community has the opportunity to celebrate the works created by the girls and their in-residence mentor.

Artists and writers in residence prepare public performances in a variety of cultural activities, enabling students to develop confidence and skill in communication and provide an opportunity for the school community to celebrate their talents.

The aim of the Residency programme is to extend learning beyond the classroom by providing students with an opportunity to observe the processes and techniques used by professionals in their discipline or creation of their work.

• develops students understanding of culture and creativity
• engages the school community in student learning
• fosters the use of all available cultural resources, such as artists, museums, arts centers and organisations
• encourages the development of comprehensive learning programs that affect the educational environment for all students and community members
• increases school and/or community awareness and understanding of, and interest in, learning, the school curriculum and the resident ’s discipline

The Artist in Residence Programme was established at Rangi Ruru Girls' School in 1998. We believe the programme is the first of its kind to be established in Australasia. This is achieved by funding ‘artists’ and professionals to create a body of work in their established field of practice that can then be used as a teaching aid and in workshops in future years.

Resident professionals work with the girls as mentor, motivator and advisor - both in groups and in individual sessions to develop their skills and to better appreciate the particular discipline. Students benefit greatly from seeing a practicing artist making work, a writer developing and creating a piece of drama or poetry, or a philosopher helping them to question their thinking. Since the programme has been running, we have had many notable achievements in art, drama, creative writing and music.

Rangi Ruru is very grateful to: The Canterbury Community Trust who have generously supported the In Residence programme from its inception in 1998. Their help has enabled artists, writers and philosophers to take advantage of the residency which has been of immeasurable value and a source of inspiration for the students and the community. Also, thank you to the Canterbury Foundation and the Rangi Ruru Trust which have both recently supported this programme.

You have enriched the World of Opportunities we offer our students, thank you very much.