Rangi Ruru Past, Present and Future - Celebrations in 2014

This year will see the Rangi Ruru family coming together to mark the school’s 125th anniversary.

Rangi Ruru Girls’ School was founded in 1889 by Miss Helen Gibson, and was administered by her and her sisters for nearly 60 years. The Gibson sisters; Mary, Beatrice, Helen, Alice, Lucy, Ethel, Ruth and Winifred all helped in some way with the running of the school.

In 1890 their father, Captain Frederick Gibson, built a large house with two schoolrooms on the corner of Webb Street in Merivale. This building and the school were gifted the name Rangi Ruru, or ‘wide sky shelter’ by Paora Taki. By the early 1920s the Webb Street house was proving too cramped, and the decision was made to move to larger premises. In August 1923 the remaining four sisters shifted their school, day pupils and eighteen boarders to Te Koraha – a large homestead on the grounds in which Rangi Ruru is still located today.

Hundreds of ‘old girls’ and present students will take part in the anniversary celebrations this year which include the commission of a special piece of music being composed by Philip Norman, a number of social events, and the opening of several new school buildings.

Principal, Julie Moor, says while the school reflects on the rich 125 year old history, Rangi Ruru is also implementing a plan to ensure they have the best educational environment for girl for the next 100 years.

“Project Blue Sky” is the schools vision for the future and includes a full campus redesign.  We see the first phase of the project completed from early April when the Science Centre and the Gibson Centre will be officially opened by CERA CEO Roger Sutton. These innovative buildings will have facilities unmatched by other Christchurch schools. The Science Centre includes exciting design elements such as green walls, weather stations and internal displays showing energy use.  These aspects which combined with flexible learning spaces and personalised programmes will create the ultimate learning environment for girls.

Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association President, Liz Lovell, says women are coming from far and wide to attend the celebrations from around New Zealand and overseas. Mothers and daughters/grandmothers and daughters/sisters and of course good friends.

“They say that school days are the best days of your life and they are. The stories that are shared and the friendships rekindled confirm this and with such a large number of past students coming back to our school, from across the decades, this will be a significant and exciting year for us all,” she says.

One family now has a 5th generation girl at Rangi Ruru. Fiona Ensor (nee Innes) is a former Rangi student and her daughter Sam is currently in Year 7 at the school.

“Although there are a few generations from my side of the family, it’s my husband’s side that had four generations at Rangi before Sam,” she says.

Fiona Ensor says a book was completed for the family a few years ago, only six copies were made. She has a copy but doesn’t know where the other five are.

“It’s wonderful to be able to look back at decades of our family, on both sides, going through Rangi Ruru,” she says. “Times have certainly changed. In my grandmother’s day, women weren’t expected to have a career; they were taught writing, reading, arithmetic and how to correctly address a letter,” she says.

Not only current and former students are involved included in celebrations. A community Open Day in early June will provide visitors with the opportunity to visit Rangi Ruru and see for themselves the contrasts between the beautiful fully restored 1880’s Te Koraha homestead, and the brand new 21st century buildings designed for the increasingly flexible, connected and global learning environment.

Julie Moor says Rangi Ruru is fortunate as a school community to be able to redevelop the campus with the next 100 years in mind, while retaining the rich history that is inextricably linked to the Merivale site and the school as a whole.
www.rangi125.co.nz

Key dates / events

Generations Day
Monday 31 March
Generations’ Day is a celebration of Rangi Ruru’s family connections. We are very proud of the special links the school has with the families who have established a tradition of sending their daughter to be educated at Rangi. These families enjoy a Chapel service and morning tea where a photographer captures this special occasion.

Official Opening of the Gibson Centre & Science Centre
1.30pm, Friday 4 April
The official opening of the Gibson Centre and Science Centre in April 2014 will be a poignant moment in the history of the school. Rarely does a school have an opportunity to redesign their campus in the way we are. The opening of these two buildings will be a time of reflection and celebration of the Rangi spirit as we look boldly to the future.

Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association Cocktail Party
5.30pm, Friday 4 April
Science Centre
Join us for the launch of the 125th anniversary events at the Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association “Mixology” cocktail party. Old Girls are invited back to celebrate this occasion in the brand new Science Centre. In the spirit of all things ‘science’ we are running a ‘Design Your Own Cocktail Competition’ with the winning entry to be served at the event.

School Tours
10.00am, Saturday 5 April
If you like the look on our new Science Centre and would like to see the rest of the school, we are offering tours on Saturday 5 April. To RSVP email office@rangiruru.school.nz

“Promise & Promiscuity”
Friday 11 and Saturday 12 April at 7.00pm
Rangi Ruru Old Girl, Penny Ashton is returning to the place where she first discovered her love of drama to perform “Promise & Promiscuity – A new musical by Jane Austen and Penny Ashton”. Charmingly accomplished Penny Ashton mashes up Beethoven, bonnets and big balls with alacrity. Follow the fortunes of Miss Elspeth Slowtree as she battles literary snobs, her mother’s nerves and Cousin Horatio, all armed with a superior wit, blushing countenance and being quite right… you.. for a girl! Balls will be attended, crosses stitched and manners minded, all with not one ankle in sight. Fresh from huge success in 2013 this is a performance not to be missed.  This is a fundraising event hosted by the Rangi Ruru PTA. $35 adult, $30 senior, $28 student
Tickets available at www.iticket.co.nz.
For reviews visit http://www.hotpink.co.nz/shows/promise-and-promiscuity/

Open Day
12.30pm, Monday 12 May
Open Day is a chance for prospective students and their families to see the school in action and have a look around our facilities. You will hear from our Principal Julie Moor and Senior Leaders and have an opportunity to meet key staff to learn more about what makes an education at Rangi Ruru personal.

Major Production 'Cats'
7.30pm, 19-24 May
Christ's College Auditorium
Rangi Ruru together with Christ’s College will present the Broadway sensation ‘Cats’ in May 2014. This highly anticipated production will be performed by an incredible group of talented students, led by acclaimed Directors, Robert Gilbert and David Chamber. These two schools have established a reputation for delivering exceptional musicals and with previous productions performing to sell-out audiences, this will be an event not to be missed.

Community Day
1.30-4.30pm, Wednesday 4 June
Our Community Open Day in June is an opportunity for the neighbourhood and wider Rangi Ruru family to visit the school. All campus buildings will be open to the community to look through including our heritage building Te Koraha which is rarely opened to the public.

Founders Day
Friday 1 August

PTA Gala Event
7.00pm, Friday 29 August
Founders Day in 2014 will be a day to pause and remember the Gibson sisters and to reflect on the legacy they have inspired. To mark the occasion, students and invited Old Girls will attend an assembly where the Head of School and the youngest girl in school cut a commemorative cake, which is then shared amongst the students, staff and guests.

Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association Reunions
24-26 October
In 2014 past students from 1944, 1954, 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994 will gather to celebrate their Reunions. Meeting at the school for morning tea on Friday, the groups will attend a Church service and then be treated to a tour of the school. Other events for the various year groups continue over the weekend.

To cap off what will be an amazing weekend of celebration for the school, we are hosting a church service followed by tours of the school and morning tea on Sunday 26 October. To RVSP email office@rangiruru.school.nz. This invitation is extended to all Old Girls and friends of the school.

Gala Concert
Sunday 25 October
The Gala Concert is an evening to showcase the remarkable talents of Rangi Ruru’s musicians. Award winning group Resolutions will perform along with the Combined Choirs, the Rangi Sinfonia, Jazz Band and a variety of solo performances

Market Day
Sunday 2 November
Rangi Ruru will again open up the school to the Community and share with you the amazing arts and crafts from our wider family with a Market Day in November 2014. Lots of fun, games, treats, rides and activities will make this an outing for the whole family to enjoy.

Prize Giving
6.30pm, Wednesday 3 December
Rangi Ruru puts on a Prize Giving unlike any you will have seen before. Apart from the awarding of prizes, Prize Giving is an evening of entertainment, showcasing student talent. You will hear from the Principal, Board Chair, Head of School and Head of Boarding who wrap-up the year.

http://www.rangi125.co.nz/Events/

Note: HRH Prince William’s great great grandfather (George V) stayed at Te Koraha, and his great uncle Edward VI lunched here.

www.historic.org.nz/TheRegister/RegisterSearch/RegisterResults.aspx?RID=3130