Apart from the wonderful creations we heard that evening, I was particularly struck with the support that the girls gave one another and the gracious leadership shown by the older girls. Music is one of several areas in the school (drama, dance, sport and GATE being some of the others) where year level isn’t a deciding factor; where girls of all ages come together with a common love and a common goal; where girls help, encourage and critique each other and where leadership is developed and modelled.

 

The evening also served to affirm the richness that the residency programme brings to the school.   We were very lucky to have someone of Dr Norman’s experience and knowledge, and he had a wonderful way of gently guiding the girls so that they gained confidence in their own creativity and ideas. At the same time, in another building and with different students, Maria Walls has been extending and enriching the experience of the visual arts students, challenging them with the concepts of unmastery and deconstruction.

 

There are many good schools with some wonderful teachers in New Zealand and indeed Christchurch is particularly blessed in this regard. But, to borrow from Jim Collins, who researched what makes some companies good and others great; there are few great schools, and it is the factors that distinguish good and great that are important. I firmly believe that one of these factors is the schools’ ability to move beyond the ordinary, to expose students to experiences that are rich, that have breadth and depth, experiences that challenge, move and define them in a slightly different way. Great teachers can do this and I see it happen often here at Rangi Ruru. But so too can other programmes and people and the Residency programme, bringing as it does practising artists, in broadest definition of the term, into the school enriches not only the experience of the students but also that of the teachers. It is a programme that has enriched experiences here for over 12 years.   That is why it is part of this year’s annual appeal. Previously we have been able to partly fund the Residency through outside grants but this has now become much harder and we are seeking to establish sufficient funds in the Rangi Ruru Trust which will enable us to maintain the programme independently. We are almost there, which is very gratifying.

 

This raises the issue of the use of donated money – a hot topic at present with many charities leaping into print to explain how they spend donated money. We have worked hard to ensure that the money given to us for a specific cause is used for that cause and does not get swallowed up in administration. This has involved reducing associated staffing and resourcing costs and also changing how we do things. This year you will have received the annual appeal information with your Rangi News. While this might not be the textbook way of conducting an annual appeal, it has allowed us to eliminate the costs of postage, immediately ensuring that the money goes into the funds rather than into postage, which can add up considerably. The brochure is created internally and is also very cost efficient. One thing that has struck me as I have looked at the donations we are receiving for the annual appeal is the number of past parents and old girls who still have a connection and interest in the school, and who continue to give to support those things that make such a difference.

 

Additionally we rely heavily on volunteers for much of our fundraising, and I am always so heartened by the number of people willing to get involved, whether it is through PTA, a specific activity such as the Vanuatu group, or by letting the school know that you are willing and able. Rangi Ruru has a long history of parents and other members of our community giving generously of time and money and many of our buildings and facilities, such as the original Fergusson Block, the Hall and Swimming pool, were the result of successful campaigns. 

 

There are those who claim that New Zealanders are not by nature philanthropists. I would disagree. The concept of giving, whether time, skills or money, is at the heart of our society and it is often in times when things are a little harder that this is most evident. New Zealanders are, however, reticent about wanting recognition or accolades and much of the giving is not in the so-called ‘big league’. But as we all know giving is not about the amount. We are probably all aware of examples of kindness, both large and small, which have been accompanied by the desire for anonymity or a low key approach. This, to me is at the heart of giving, and it is what we encourage in the girls.   Generosity of Spirit is one of our values and one that is evidenced every day at school. Recently we had a visit from Anne Banfield, of World Vision, who came to thank the girls for raising over $6,000. The money will build a well in an African village and make a difference to all the people, but especially the women and girls, who live in the village.   Margaret Meads words ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world, Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has’ are very apt.   Total fundraising, with specifically targeted causes, so far this year has raised over $24,000, a staggering figure, and in addition many girls are involved in giving of their time, whether through coaching a team, working at Christchurch East or St Theresa’s Schools, helping at the Christchurch Public Hospital chapel, collecting for various charities or the myriad of other ways in which they volunteer and give, both locally and globally.

 

So much that is of value in our society is not measured or even measurable. Giving, whether time or money, does not appear as a factor in GDP or other measures that are regarded as gauges of New Zealand’s ‘success’.   A school is measured too often by its ranking on the league tables and by an ERO report that has a predetermined and, in the case of independent schools narrow set of criteria. Despite the media telling us that good news stories are important, sensation outweighs worth.   An inspiring teacher or mentor, a wonderful act of generosity, time given by someone or an enriching experience that is life changing do not have quantitative measures. In fact the things that really make the difference between good and great, the things that move us and help to define us, that inspire and even redirect are more often than not the result of small beginnings and a generosity of spirit.

 

Julie Moor

Principal