Every year a number of Rangi Ruru students decide that they would like to take up the challenge of learning more about a different culture in a way that is not possible in everyday classroom lessons. Often, but not always, students who go on these exchanges are learning the culture and language of the exchange country as a subject at senior level.

They can do this by applying to go on an overseas exchange or by hosting an overseas student. Another alternative is to take part in the New Zealand Cross-Cultural Exchange. A number of organisations exist to promote such exchanges.

Rangi Ruru has set up several reciprocal exchanges of its own. These are all with other independent schools which are similar to ours and are proving very popular.

Reciprocal exchanges:

• King Edward the VI School for Girls, England
• Gordonstoun School, Scotland
• Queenswood School, England
• Yokohama Jogakuin, Japan
• Pestalozzi School, Argentina
• German Exchange (group exchange)

Sister School - Yokohama Jogakuin, Japan
Rangi Ruru and Yokohama Jogakuin have had a student exchange programme operating since 1994.

This special relationship was officially celebrated in March 2000 with a signing ceremony and opening of a Japanese garden at Rangi Ruru.

The garden is an especially tranquil place, with a serene garden, rocks, water and plants arranged symbolically to represent the sister-school relationship.

A reciprocal signing ceremony was held at Yokohama Jogakuin in Tokyo in May 2000 and a Rangi Ruru Rose garden opened in our honour.