RUTHERFORD JUNIOR HIGH is all about the middle years when the young students are learning as much about themselves as they are about the world around them.
Principal Joy Hannah is adamant when she says students won't always remember what they are taught. ``... BUT ... they will always remember
how they were treated.''
There is a clear sense of pride as you walk into the school's reception area.
As well as a comfortable waiting area complete with a bowl of fruit on a small coffee table, a large screen on the wall is showing highlights from the school's Arts Festival two weeks earlier.
All talent is fostered and nurtured at Rutherford, every student considered a unique and wonderful individual.
A week ago a proud grandma had told me how she had been reduced to tears at the wealth of talent she had seen onstage in the Arts Festival. She said she had embarrassed her family, especially when her young granddaughter appeared in the kapa haka, because she wept tears of joy.
`` I couldn't believe the tears running down my face ... my daughter laughed at me.''
The performing arts curriculum at Rutherford is second to none. Then these kids are also blessed with an auditorium that is every bit a professional theatre _ from the tiers of raked seating (for 400) to the stunning sound and lighting systems and superb acoustics.
As she greets us Mrs Hannah throws the doors open to the auditorium (just off the reception area) saying we absolutely must see it. ``Look isn't it wonderful? We are just so fortunate,'' she said.
As the principal of a smaller ``middle years'' school in Wanganui, she said every student was unique. ``They're not just a number like they would be in a large school.''
She remembered when her children went to school how she wanted them to be safe not bullied, to be treated fairly, have a great teacher and, above all, be valued.
``So, now that I'm the principal of a school I want to ensure that I provide those same things for the children at Rutherford.''
Academic, art and sports opportunities were on tap for every student to follow their dream, to cultivate their special abilities.
The teachers were all passionate about the middle-year students' education. They all had a deep understanding of the social, emotional and physical development for this age group, she said.
Mrs Hannah supported her staff completely. If a teacher had a disruptive student making life a misery for the whole class the teacher did not have to deal with it alone ... or at all really, she said.
``All they need to do is send the student straight to me. There is no putting up with bad behaviour in their classroom.
``I will not tolerate students disrespecting and disrupting the learning of other students ... and this could mean standing a student down or even suspension.''
From setting the bar for bad behaviour, Mrs Hannah is all for encouraging students into the ``Young Achievers'' programme instead.
Her reasons for this programme are:
To prepare students for global marketing, introducing them to preparing CVs, building self-esteem and marketing themselves.
To set Rutherford Junior High apart from others; using the resources and facilities the school has to offer.
To attract and retain high-quality personnel from the community; raise standards for the entire district; continue to search for excellent and innovative programmes that meet the needs of students.
To make unique programmes accessible to all students; discover and help individual student's gifts and talents.
``And I'm very happy to say that's exactly what we're doing and we're very proud of our successes ...very proud indeed.''