Education Review Office Report
The Education Review Office carried out a full review of the school in May 2010. A copy of the summary report to the community can be viewed here. Follow the links on the right side of the ERO page for further details.
Our School
Ruawai College is a composite secondary school catering for students in Years 7 to 13. It opened in February 1964, although secondary education had been available at the district high school across the road (now Ruawai Primary School) since July 1929. The College is a state funded co-educational school dedicated to providing the best of educational opportunities to students from the local community and the hinterland.
The motto of the school Lumine Ducar translates to I will be guided by the light. It could, perhaps be interpreted more loosely as Knowledge will transform my choices. The main objective of Ruawai College is to provide quality education which challenges, encourages and expects each student to reach her or his potential in all aspects of school life.
Despite its modest size, Ruawai College offers students a wide range of learning experiences. A friendly, respectful atmosphere permeates the school and all students and staff are known to each other. The teaching, learning and social needs of students are readily identified and regularly monitored. Small class sizes, particularly in the senior school, promote more personal teaching approaches. The roll for 2010 is expected to be approximately 175.
Students learn in a safe and caring environment. The vertical form and house structure forms the basis of pastoral care. Property is respected and vandalism is minimal. The College has the backing of a small but strong PTA and significant community support. YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR SCHOOL, is a catchphrase the College continues to promote.
While Ruawai College cannot hope to compete with the biggest secondary schools in, for example, rugby, students of the school do participate in a huge range of academic, sporting and cultural activities, and they do so with commitment and pride. Thus there is a strong tradition of drama and performance in the school, the kapa haka group perform with finesse and the trapshooting team competes regularly at the National Championships.
The College is extremely well resourced in both physical and human terms. Ruawai boasts a magnificent assembly hall, a well-used gymnasium and superbly stocked library that is accessible to the wider community. There exists a quality 25 metre swimming pool and an astroturf tennis/basketball court. During 2005 major projects included a complete overhaul of the sewerage and stormwater system, refurbishment of the main science laboratory and new administration centre. In 2006 the Board of Trustees and the Ministry of Education funded an information technology networking upgrade at a cost of $170,000. In 2008 the swimming pool had a major $30,000 overhaul. The Board is anticipating some major refurbishment work this coming year as the College accesses its second cycle of 5 Year Plan resourcing.
More significant than buildings and plant are the students and staff, trustees and parents, who make up the lifeblood of the College. We are particularly mindful of the ever-increasing number of former students who have gone on to significant careers and civic responsibilities.
As one who taught here in the 1970s, and who returned as Principal in 2001, I acknowledge the increasingly strong and healthy traditions of Ruawai College and make an ongoing commitment to seeking continuous improvement for the benefit of all our students.
Stephen Fordyce, B.A. (Canterbury), M.A.Hons (Waikato), Dip.Tchg., Dip. ESSTN
