Rangitoto College

Your dream...our commitmentA world A clAss educAtionAl experience

RangitotoCollege

p r o s p e c t u s

Your dream...our commitmentA world clAss educAtionAl experience

the school has a culture in which excellence is encouraged, expected

and celebrated. in partnership with parents we challenge all students to aspire to personal standards of achievement that enable them to reach their full potential, shaping their own, unique future from the rich diversity of opportunities available to them.

the school is able to offer students an extraordinarily wide range of course and subject options. we use our size to provide a depth of programme perhaps without comparison anywhere in the world. students can excel at up to five of twenty four subjects at scholarship level, they can enter an extremely wide range of nZQA approved academic subjects or industry training employment-based courses. no matter which direction students’ interests take them, they will be met by a highly qualified teacher to stimulate and guide them.

rangitoto college employs top-quality teachers and ensures that they have the resources and facilities to inspire our students to the highest standards. teachers are encouraged and supported to combine the best of traditional

methodologies with a forward looking approach to teaching and learning. the school has embraced the five key competencies of the new Zealand curriculum: thinking; using language, symbols and texts; managing self; relating to others; participating and contributing

At rangitoto college each individual is valued and a full range of personal and social support programmes ensures a safe, secure and emotionally fulfilling school. we have a superbly developed guidance department with counsellors and careers advisors complemented by a comprehensive school-wide support network of tutor teachers, deans and mentors. the health centre and a physiotherapy clinic serve students’ medical and fitness needs. A dedicated, internationally-recognized peer support programme for Year 9 students assists in their orientation and induction.

while the core of the school will always be its academic achievement, the school is serious about educating the ‘whole person’. rangitoto college is a place where young people can mature into responsible and self-respecting citizens with a broad and

rangitoto college is home to an extremely talented body of students who excel both nationally and internationally

in academic, sporting and cultural pursuits. balanced world view. our students are encouraged to see themselves as part of a learning community; one that starts within their school and spreads out - both nationally and globally.

students can represent the school in over forty different sports. A High performance programme in selected codes ensures that the most promising athletes enjoy professional coaching and support. the school is famous for its music, drama and dance programmes. service to others is encouraged through a wide range of activities and a range of intellectual, cultural and social pursuits is offered.

At rangitoto college mutual respect governs all interpersonal relationships. students are renowned for their courtesy, honesty, diligence and hard work.

our goal is to provide the very best education that a young person can receive. For all our students, rangitoto college is a life-defining world-class educational experience.

David Hodge, principAl

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Welcome

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learningThe essence of learning at Rangitoto College

balances the demands of both commanding content and mastering the skills of learning. Students

are encouraged to choose subjects that they are passionate about, as well as those in which they feel

their future lies. This fosters the joy of learning.

The College curriculum focuses on a set of Key Competencies that supports students in

developing the skills to make them life long learners. The College specifically emphasises the

importance of students developing Thinking skills that will enable them to form goals, take

responsibility for their own learning and ultimately lead them into the world beyond school.

Involvement in wider school life complements and maximises classroom learning. It offers students

the opportunity to practice their learning skills in a variety of stimulating and challenging settings.

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3 w w w . r a n g i t o t o . s c h o o l . n z

JonnY tsAng“it seems that ever since we were little, we have been asked, ‘what do you want to do?’ over and over again by adults. However, we get so caught up in our busy lives that we rarely have the opportunity to sit back and realize that we are growing up and soon we will be one of those adults, having graduated from school, trying to make our little impact on the big world. suddenly we aren’t so big any more, we’re no longer the senior students

“I dream of making a difference...”

of the college and the problems we faced barely compare to what is yet to come. But i feel that whatever i want to accomplish, wherever i want to go, whatever i want to be, rangitoto college has prepared me for life. through the excellent selection of teachers, the broad range of cultural activities available and the many friendly peers around me, i thoroughly believe that the college is an enjoyable environment to learn and social-ise in, that it is truly a world class education.”

our core junior programme includes english, Mathematics, science,

social science, one of four languages (Maori, French, Japanese or spanish), Health, Music and physical education. A diverse range of additional options is offered for one term to give students three further choices from Art, dance, drama, economics, electronics, Fabric and Food technology, graphics, Materials technology and performance Music. in Year 10, students can begin to explore specialised subjects to meet their individual interests and strengths.

in the senior years, the college timetabling expertise accommodates the widest possible combination of study choices, offering fifty-eight subjects at Year 12 and an unparalleled twenty six scholarship subjects in Year 13.

All students are challenged to fulfil their diverse and individual ambitions. extensive data, collected from contributing schools and extended by further testing, is used to identify and track the academic

well-being of individual students. it is our aim to develop, through good teaching practice, the literacy of all our students, enhancing their ability to use and understand those language forms required for successful communication in society.

Our Curriculumthe curriculum at rangitoto college is extensive and academic, enabling students to formulate their own unique learning opportunities, to expand their visions and to define their personal ambitions.

rangitoto college chooses only the best qualified specialist teachers available, from both new Zealand and overseas. the creative talent of the staff is constantly extended through an innovative professional

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“I dream of first class honours...”

AMeliA Jull“while some have had their future’s mapped for many years, i have chosen to keep my op-tions open. i am fortunate that rangitoto col-lege has allowed me to develop my passions of both science and the Arts to a high level. Be it in the classroom or during extra-curricular activities within the college, the skills i have attained in both have allowed me the luxury of choice in my future career path. when i leave rangitoto college in 2011, i plan on pursu-

ing a liberal Arts’ degree overseas to prepare me for a post graduate degree of either Medicine or legal/diplomatic studies ei-ther in london or new York at an ivy league university (e.g. Harvard, new York university or stanford).”

development programme using the best of local and international expertise.

rangitoto college is in the forefront of development in the teaching of gifted and talented education (gAte) programmes. we have two gAte co-ordinators who liaise with students and parents to make sure that individual needs are met. the most able students are catered for through extension and enrichment programmes and accelerated study. All subjects offer a range of options to meet the needs of individual students. A dedicated learning support department caters for those

students who need extra assistance to reach their potential. each child has an individualised programme of support to ensure that their needs are met.

National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)

rangitoto college is committed to the full implementation of nceA and believes that the qualification provides rigorous and valid information about student achievement. the

philosophies that underpin nceA include a focus on high achievement which, supported with world-class teaching practice, ensures that students achieve to their highest academic potential.

nceA is internationally recognised and rangitoto college’s top scholars have gained entry and excelled in such world-renowned universities as Harvard, duke, princeton, oxford and cambridge.

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performingPerforming at Rangitoto College is an integral part of college life. It encompasses everything

from taking a support role in a class performance to singing with your choir in a National Competition at the Auckland Town Hall.

Performance encourages students to take risks and interact appropriately with a

variety of audiences. It requires creativity, discipline and dedication – precisely the

skills which support all learning.r

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“I dream of playing with a leading orchestra ...”

rangitoto college has a well-deserved reputation for igniting

students’ ambitions through its diverse performing Arts programme. Full-scale musical productions are a hallmark of the college year, as are the talented smaller ensembles and individual performances in both contemporary and classical music competitions.

groups as varied as rock bands and

“Music has always been a part of my life and i am sure it will continue to be. i am aiming for an Academic scholarship to university, where i will hopefully go on to become a surgeon. Although i don’t intend to pursue music as my main career, i want to teach violin and piano to the next generation. i realize the impact music has had on me and no matter what i’m doing or where i am, i want to pass that

on. rangitoto college has played a big role in that, facilitating the growth and development of my ability with groups like orchestra and chamber Music. My dream for my music is to enable others to get as much out of it as i have, if not more.”

dAniel cHiou

Performing Artschoirs, orchestras and barbershop groups, theatre-sport teams and big bands have regularly been national and regional finalists in their fields. these disciplines give all students the chance to develop their skills and enable gifted musicians, actors and dancers the chance to shine on the national stage. Further highlights during the year include a dance showcase, a senior shakespeare production and a

cultural week, celebrating the diverse nationalities within the college.

our superb facilities include a fully equipped auditorium, theaterette and specialist music rooms, with a team of nine full-time staff, five ancillary staff and forty itinerant tutors providing inspirational tuition to hundreds of aspiring performers.


Cultural Activitiesrangitoto college features a vast

repertoire of cultural and creative opportunities which actively engages students in expanding their social and personal awareness. enthusiastic staff facilitate the development of diverse skills and awareness through groups to troupes celebrating international dance and music. social responsibility is fostered through organisations such as s.A.d.d. (students Against driving drunk), active participation in Amnesty international, and school-wide support of the 40-hour famine.

cAseY rAdleY“to many, standing in a spotlight and feeling the eyes of hundreds, even thousands of people watching your every movement, is a daunting experience they would dread to be in. For me, i live off it. there’s no thrill like that of a stage and being given the freedom to express a thought, an emotion and idea of even yourself. i dream to show, to tell and to create pieces of movement that can be enjoyed by anyone, be-cause despite words and grammar, movement

can be that much more inspiring, and for me, a lot more fulfilling. whether my spotlight is in terms of acting or dancing i have a passion to entertain and i will love my passion every day for as long as i shall live …..…after all the world is my stage.

After an extensive six weeks of training with Black grace, the honour to dance with the company as a career would be phenomenal!”

Both mental and emotional growth is nurtured with the competitive demands of chess, debating, future problem solving and other challenges including clubs as varied as science-fiction, tramping and the planet people (for the environment). students have every opportunity to formulate and explore their preferences, discovering new interests and capabilities they may never before have recognised in themselves.

“I dream of performing on the world stage...”r A n g i t o t o c o l l e g e > > p r o s p e c t u s

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competingAll students are encouraged to be involved in

competition at Rangitoto College, at a level that is appropriately challenging, stimulating and

exhilarating for the individual. It encompasses everything from involvement in a social team through to representing your country at the

highest level of International competition.

Competition encourages students to work as part of a team, and leadership.

It requires commitment, persistence and resilience – important life skills.

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“I dream of competing with the best...”

rangitoto college provides over forty different sports. these

include traditional team sports such as basketball, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rugby and waterpolo, as well as a wide range of individual disciplines including athletics, swimming and tennis. dedicated sports staff enrich the students’ sporting opportunities with their expertise and enthusiasm, plus the committed support of volunteer coaches including parents and ex-students.

the proud sporting history of the college features numerous students who have become national champions, and have triumphed for new Zealand at the highest levels as world champions.

rangitoto college acknowledges the importance of students leading active lives and has set two strategic goals:

Sportstudents at rangitoto college are encouraged to participate in sport throughout their time at the college. with an extensive range of sports on offer and with a focus on long-term healthy lifestyle choices, we push students to unlock their potential and expand their talents.

in the future i would like to represent new Zealand as many times as i can in lots of differ-ent countries, starting with Junior worlds this year in italy and hopefully next year in poland as well. in future i would like to train overseas and build up for the olympics in rio 2016, where i would hopefully get selected and race for a gold medal in either the team pursuit or individual pursuit.

georgiA williAMs

to encourage the widest participation and foster elite performance. two in every three students partake in at least one organised sport and we are aiming to lift this to even higher levels.

our ‘High performance programme’ currently includes badminton, basketball,


“I dream of playing the perfect game..”

cricket, football, hockey, netball, rugby, triathlon, volleyball and water-polo. there are over two hundred potential world-stage performers participating in the programme. this outstanding programme offers a high calibre of outside professional coaching and includes sports-specific lectures and extensive information on fitness, nutrition, sports psychology, goal setting, time management, and injury prevention. senior High performance students can enjoy at reduced cost the

benefits of membership of the well-appointed Millennium institute of sport and Health pool and gymnasium complex.

our sporting facilities are among the very best in new Zealand and include an olympic-standard water-based hockey turf, three gymnasiums (including full sized basketball and netball courts), indoor cricket nets and bowling machine and the nearby athletic track at the Millennium institute.

students have access to the institute’s

steFAn MAndici have always dreamed of playing college Basketball in the united states. i have been working very hard these last few years, almost twice a day, in an effort to achieve my goal. i also aspire to make the new Zealand tall Blacks squad. i would love to one day repre-sent my country at the world championships and especially at the olympics.

indoor 50-metre swimming pool, health and fitness centre and their specialised medical facilities. the college also has an on-site full-time physiotherapist, free to all students and staff.

For a full detailed list of sports, please see the inside back cover of this prospectus.


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“I dream of a richness of life for my daughter...”

students at rangitoto college are challenged to look around and beyond

the familiar and engage with the world at large through visits, projects and goodwill initiatives.

recent life-changing adventures include a cultural exchange visit to a tokyo sister school to enrich students’ understanding of both Japanese language and society

and expand personal boundaries through friendship and understanding. new experiences included life in one of the world’s great metropolises as well as visits to rural communities.

A 2010 special aid mission to cambodia gave teachers and students the opportunity to learn about that unique country rich in culture, heritage

Global Connectionsand history. our students built houses for five impoverished cambodian families in a small rural village and delivered funds raised back home to several orphanages. students also began to understand the lingering consequences of the ‘Killing Fields’ horrors as well as appreciate the exotic beauty of a miraculous, ancient land.

in April a group of our robotics students, staff and parents travelled to dallas, texas when they qualified for the Vex robotics world championships. over 270 teams from 13 countries competed. the students discovered that mathematics and physics are common

“i dream of a richness of life for my daughter and not just in academic success. i want issy to receive an education that is well rounded and balanced and one that includes many other skills and attributes which will help to prepare her for a successful independent life. she is an incredibly kind, caring and talented young lady

who i know will reach her full potential in the encouraging and supportive environment that exists at rangitoto college..

Jo Allen, issy’s mother

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world languages as they interacted with teenagers from many different countries. they returned with three trophies and were acknowledged by the us Ambassador to new Zealand, david Heubner, at an event in Auckland to celebrate their victory on their return.

in July a group of our Y13 student leaders attended a 10 day leadership summit in Harvard university, cambridge, usA. this summit was attended by students from all over the world and was a life changing experience for them.

the college regularly welcomes visitors from such diverse places as south east Asia, latin America and the pacific and consolidates these visits into lasting relationships. French polynesian groups have enjoyed rangitoto college hospitality and rediscovered common roots with new Zealand students through music, dance and a shared history.

global awareness and a social conscience is further nurtured through students’ active participation in Amnesty international, child sponsorship, environmental projects and a commitment to Fair trade. rangitoto college students reach out to the world to care and learn.

International Students

every year international students add cultural diversity to the character

of rangitoto college, discovering new horizons and defining their own tomorrows. local students mix with fee-paying internationals from countries

as diverse as Brazil, chile, china, germany, italy, Korea, spain and thailand. some come for short summer programmes; some stay for six or twelve-month transition or ‘gap’ experiences, and still others stay on long-term to graduate.

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rangitoto college knows the importance of providing every

student with the support they need to engage in successful learning. our students flourish in the caring, safe environment of a wide range of services and resources to ensure that they make the most of their time at the college – both academically and personally.

From the very first day, we make the transition of beginning Year 9 students into the college smooth and welcoming with our trained Year 13 peer support leaders playing a vital roll. they befriend and motivate Year 9 students establishing lively and lasting relationships.

deans at each year level ensure that the needs of students, both individually and collectively, are met. tutor teachers support and encourage students through daily contact with their tutor groups.

our highly committed team of counsellors is available throughout the school day to engage with students privately and confidentially. parents too may work in partnership with guidance staff if they have concerns about their children.

rangitoto college has a careers education programme aimed at ensuring all students leave school with the information and the skills to choose a tertiary course or find employment. trained careers staff provide individual consultation when students are making course and career decisions.

Student Support“comprehensive guidance and support systems help students enjoy a sense of belonging and… a safe emotional environment that fosters learning and the development of responsible and well-balanced young people”New Zealand Government Education Review Office Report

For students’ physical welfare, the school has a fully equipped Health centre staffed by registered nurses, as well as a full-time physiotherapy service.

student leadership training is a significant focus within the school and students are encouraged to contribute to the life of the school and the wider community. student representatives lead fellow students in a myriad of activities that make the school a lively and engaging environment of cultural, social and recreational endeavours.

For a full list of cultural and sporting activities, please see the inside back cover of this prospectus.

“I dream that my son exceeds my achievements...”16 r A n g i t o t o c o l l e g e > > p r o s p e c t u s

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Today’s StudentsTomorrow’s Leaders

the college is internationally regarded as an academic institution with a

tradition of excellence. retention rates are extremely high through to Year 13 and a vast majority of students fulfil their ambitions through tertiary studies leading to professional careers. not only do rangitoto college students gain entry to a diversity of universities, but their success rate in their first year of tertiary studies is also outstanding, testimony to the college’s ability to provide a

lasting foundation for life-long study.our students achieve exceptional

results that are recognised worldwide. previous duxes have been awarded full scholarships to cambridge and princeton universities. numerous students gain entry into the universities of their choice all over the world and in all cases achieve consistent success there.

in 2009 grace Abbot gained a top in subject scholarship in german and there were 59 scholarships;

10 of which were outstanding.the students who have been awarded

dux have made a significant contribution to the wider life of the college. they have all been involved in sports, cultural and community groups and have been leaders in the college and wider community.

these diverse success stories flow from the enriching educational experience promised and delivered by rangitoto college.


Rangitoto College

564 east coast road, Mairangi Baynorth shore city, new Zealandprivate Bag 93-601, Browns Bay

north shore city 0753, new Zealandtelephone: +64 (9) 477 0150 Facsimile: +64 (9) 477 0077

email: [email protected]

www.rangitoto.school.nz

design by blueriver creativeFeature photo graphy by tony gatman

Printed June 2010 BR-j5173

Rangitoto College

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