As we honour and celebrate the legacy left by generous and passionate people who have gone before us, we need to turn our heads towards building our own legacy for future generations.
Rangi Ruru relies on the support of its community to help prepare for this and to ensure the Gibson sisters’ vision continues to soar. Every dollar donated to our school makes a genuine difference in continuing our legacy and maintaining our position as one of New Zealand’s leading girls’ schools and we thank you for this.
In 2018, through our Annual Appeal, The Future is Female, we asked for your support for these special projects:
- Stellar Music Programme, offering music scholarships and grants and enhancing the current music programme
- Mana Wahine Fund, enabling us to nurture and support student leadership development
- Principal’s Koha, allowing us to support our current families during times of hardship.
Behind every gift there is a story and so we asked some of our wonderful Rangi Ruru family to share their reasons for giving.
Claire Mackintosh
Class of 1955, Former Board member, Foundation member, Staff
Claire Mackintosh began at Rangi Ruru as a form one student back in 1955 and returned as Head of Science in 1969. Claire’s incredible work with Rangi continued as a board member in 1984 and then as chair for the Centennial Celebrations in 1989 and later as the first Director of Development.
The Mana Wahine Fund is available to girls in Years 7 to 13 and allows them to delve deeper into self leadership, be inspired and put their leadership skills into action.
“I see so many leaders coming out of Rangi Ruru,” she says. “I see a real empathy, collegiality and collaboration in women leaders especially which is what adds to our strength as a gender.”
Claire and her husband are regular Rangi Ruru donors and this year contributed to the new Mana Wahine Fund, it’s a “perfect fit” as she describes it.
Jude Connochie
Staff
Jude Connochie, is a name and a face many of you will know and love. This wonderful lady has been a member of the Rangi Ruru community for a while now. Jude originally joined the staff as the first Database Administrator in 1991 before moving to Blenheim. She returned as Boarding House Administrator in 2003 before taking on the role of Director of Boarding in 2006, running a tight ship and giving everything for our boarders up until 2015. Jude still works at Rangi Ruru but is now one of our database gurus (P.S Jude is never allowed to leave!). Her love of the school is great and her generosity towards the school even greater. As a regular giver to Rangi Ruru Jude recently shared the reason behind her giving:
“I have given to many projects over my time at Rangi but one that I am proud to be able to support is Project Blue Sky, particularly Stage 2, Sports. I give to honour the wonderful Hilary Orr, Director of Sport (1982-2006), who taught me in year 9, or third form as it was in those days. I also give because after working here for so long, I see the benefit every day of what an education at Rangi Ruru can mean.”
Barb Smith
Staff since 1995
Barb Smith this year received an Honours Award for Service to the School Community/Administration and Support at the Independent Schools New Zealand Conference in June this year. As a valued and passionate member of the Rangi community Barbs admits:
“I feel very humbled by being able to work in such a great environment, with wonderful staff and students. Rangi is my second family. I give to Project Blue Sky, it’s my way of giving back, to help this wonderful school move forward.”
Rex Ward
Former Staff Member
“After 28 years, Rangi is home to me. I love my job and the people here, it’s why I give to the school. Rangi is a special place.”
Angela Hirst
Staff
“I feel privileged to have the opportunity to share any good fortune that comes my way and have always enjoyed giving when I have the opportunity. Working at Rangi Ruru and seeing firsthand the care and attention that goes into providing an environment where all girls can grow and flourish encourages me to be a part of the Annual Appeal each year.”