2023 Philanthropy Report

CELEBRATING GIVING

Philanthropy Report

CONTENTS

INTRODUCING THE NEW DEVELOPMENT & SPONSORSHIP EXECUTIVE

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR NICKI CARTER

7

THE RANGI RURU FOUNDATION

GIVING BY NUMBERS

MANAAKITANGA IN ACTION

GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

RROGA REPORT 17

GIVING THANKS TO OUR DONORS, SPONSORS & FUNDERS

Rangi Ruru is a part of the Presbyterian network of schools and welcomes a diversity of beliefs.

Our values of Respect, Aroha, Enthusiasm and Endeavour, Generosity of Spirit and Integrity are based on Christian values and underpin everything we do.

KIRSTY RUEPPELL

TH E NEW DEVELOPMENT & SPONSORSHIP EXECUTIVE INTODUCING

I am a firm believer that you reap what you sow.

In life, no one is exempt from adversity, but if you are a good human doing good things, then the rest kind of takes care of itself.

After a 30-year nursing career, which I must say was a privilege, it was time for a change. The opportunity to become the development and sponsorship executive at Rangi Ruru was a logical step as I have experience in philanthropy, fundraising and sponsorship in the not-for-profit sector. I also love meeting new people, and a good chat.

I am under no illusion that I have big shoes to fill, Bridget Woodham has done an incredible job for Rangi Ruru in the development space and continues to do so.

It will take time for me to learn the ropes and gain a good understanding of the vast history and all that this amazing school has to offer. I look forward to meeting alumnae and champions of the school who can help create the picture for me.

The girls who are lucky enough to be part of our Rangi Ruru whānau currently, are our future. They are here because the founders, past students and families

had a belief in the importance of girls’ education and the foresight to engage in a philanthropic manner, ensuring the school would be progressive and have longevity.

After a few years of disruption, our students are enjoying life at full capacity, and it takes an enormous amount of resources to ensure they can participate in all the school provides. The need for support continues to be front of mind and together as a community we can achieve this.

I will be exploring meaningful ways in which you can continue to engage with the school, meet new people and support the future of Rangi Ruru. My daughter Harriet is loving her second year as a student here - we have met the most wonderful people!

I would like to thank the team here for making me feel so welcome, being part of such a positive environment is good for the soul.

KIRSTY RUEPPELL • DEVELOPMENT AND SPONSORSHIP EXECUTIVE

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

Rangi Ruru has been built upon the generosity of successive generations.

My close involvement with Rangi Ruru has given me a deep appreciation of the importance of generosity for the ongoing growth and development of our school. The school was founded on the foresight and courage of the Gibson family, and throughout Rangi Ruru’s history, gifts have supported its growth in many ways. Our students continue to benefit from the generosity and gifts of so many people and families throughout the school’s 135-year history.

During my time on the Board, two significant bequests have been left to Rangi Ruru by Old Girls. I would like to acknowledge and celebrate each of those alumnae.

The first bequest was left to Rangi Ruru by Miss Elizabeth Reid, and it is well known that Miss Reid’s gift in excess of $2,000,000 was the foundation of our fundraising for Atawhai. Without Miss Reid’s gift the Board would not have been able to commit to Atawhai when it did. Having now had the use of this

wonderful facility for over a year, it is clear to see the benefit that such gifts provide for our students and community.

Last year another Old Girl left a bequest to Rangi Ruru and contributed to the growing culture of giving back to girls’ schools. We received a bequest of more than $1,000,000 from Nancy Beale. The Board of Governors is enormously grateful for Nancy’s generosity. It was Nancy’s wish that the funds be used for Project Blue Sky, and the funds have been transferred to the Rangi Ruru Foundation for safekeeping for the next Project Blue Sky project. There is no timeline for the next project, but the current Board’s expectation is that it will be in the medium term. Nancy’s gift will provide an important foundation to support fundraising, at the appropriate time, for the next campus development project.

It is my hope that Miss Reid’s and Nancy Beale’s bequests are part of a growing culture of Old Girls

giving to Rangi Ruru. So that donors can be confident gifts are used for the purpose they are given, the Rangi Ruru Foundation provides an important separation from the school’s day to day operations. The Board of Governors manage the operations of the school whilst the Rangi Ruru Foundation is entrusted as custodian of funds given to Rangi Ruru.

Miss Reid and Nancy Beale will never see the benefits their gifts provide to Rangi Ruru and its students, however, they each have truly embodied the Greek proverb that “A society grows great when [women] plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” Rangi Ruru has grown and evolved throughout its history, and it will continue to grow, innovate, and develop. The ongoing evolution of the Rangi Ruru legacy will continue to be enhanced by gifts from our community.

NICKI CARTER • BOARD CHAIR

THE RANGI RURU FOUNDATION

The Rangi Ruru Foundation, established in July 1995, has been a cornerstone in fostering educational opportunities at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School through careful fiscal management and the strategic use of donations and bequests. As of 2023, the foundation oversees $4.7 million, ensuring that these funds are dedicated to their intended purposes, which primarily support the cost of education, sports, and scholarships in music and drama.

The Foundation Board of Trustees consists of seven volunteer professionals who share a deep commitment to the value of education, specifically in enhancing the educational environment for girls. This year, the community’s growing belief in the importance of education was vividly reflected through

robust financial contributions, including a significant new commitment.

A pivotal decision made by the foundation this year was to shift the investment strategy to align more closely with those of major educational institutions with substantial endowment funds. This involved moving from a focus on interest-bearing investments to a more growth-oriented portfolio, primarily in equities, as per the new Statement of Portfolio Investment. This change was accompanied by a switch in wealth management services from Forsyth Barr to Craigs Investment Partners, marking a new phase in the foundation’s approach to fund management. The foundation wishes to acknowledge Forsyth Barr’s contribution and are grateful for the services they provided.

The investment landscape of 2023 was challenging, characterised by rapid increases in interest rates by global central banks and a deteriorating geopolitical climate. Despite these hurdles, the equity markets rallied strongly towards the end of the year, affirming the foundation’s revised investment strategy as a promising start.

Significant achievements in 2023 included the distribution of scholarships and bursaries worth $30,000 to seven students and the approval of funding grants totalling $42,271 for staff and students.

The foundation’s future goals include further development of school facilities as outlined in the school’s master plan ‘Project Blue Sky’, reliant on the ongoing generosity of donors, including significant contributions from alumnae and bequests like that from Miss Reid.

In 2023, the school’s Development team saw some changes in its personnel. Bridget Woodham, who played a crucial role in the Atawhai campaign, stepped down, and Kirsty Rueppell has recently taken over as the new Development and Sponsorship Executive. The foundation also welcomed Aleisha Chadderton as a board representative for 2024, replacing Georgina Hunter, and expressed gratitude towards Phil Marshall-Lee and Cathryn Lancaster, who retired as trustees.

The foundation continues to encourage alumnae to contribute, whether through scholarships or legacy gifts, emphasising that supporting education is a lifelong gift. These efforts underscore the foundation’s enduring commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and facilities at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, thereby impacting many future generations.

STUART NATTRASS • FOUNDATION CHAIR

BY NUMBERS GIVING

Rangi Ruru as it stands today is not only a testament to the vision of our founding Gibson sisters but also to the enormous generosity of past and present Rangi Ruru families — with each generation leaving a legacy for the next.

The school is constantly striving to build on the Gibson sisters’ vision, providing scholarship opportunities, delivering personalised learning programmes and providing the quality of buildings and facilities that match and support the exceptional education the students receive.

With the majority of the school’s tuition fees directed towards staff and operational costs, Rangi Ruru relies on the support and generosity of its community to help prepare for future generations and to ensure the Gibson Sisters’ vision continues to soar. Rangi Ruru thanks and acknowledges

all of those who have gifted to the school in 2023, it is through this generosity that our school continues to strive and keep to the vison of our founders.

FUNDING GRANTS OF WERE APPROVED TO STAFF AND STUDENT RECIPIENTS $42,271

12,000+ COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS $12 , 440 RAISED FOR WORLD VISION 40-HOUR CHALLENGE AS A SCHOOL

FILLED WITH ESSENTIAL ITEMS & TREATS DELIVERED TO LOCAL CHARITIES

3,322 NONPERISHABLE ITEMS DONATED TO THE CITY MISSION FROM HARVEST FESTIVAL COLLECTION $1,048,689 BEQUESTS

MANAAKITANGA

IN ACTION

Students Share 2023 Highlights

BEX SKINNER • 2023 HEAD OF SERVICE

Service is important at Rangi Ruru because when everyone comes together and gives just a little bit, we can have a huge positive impact on the communities around us.

In 2023, we set two primary goals. First, we aimed to increase student involvement in service activities. We introduced new students to community service and the SVA app at the Year 9 Service Day, held in Term 1. We aimed to include all students in our incentives and make giving back easy and accessible. During Easter, each class filled an Easter basket for a charity. These baskets were displayed and voted on, making it both convenient and motivating for students to contribute. We also visited form classes to help students sign up for the 40-Hour Challenge and organised a whole school water bucket event, as an easy way to get involved. Our second goal was to show students the positive impact of their time and donations to the community. We shared letters of gratitude from the NZ Defence Force, Easter basket recipients and other charities with all students. Additionally, we informed students about the total funds raised for all initiatives, where the money was going, and guest speakers from the City Mission and World Vision visited and offered their gratitude. I hope we instilled a sense of fulfilment for giving back in students, therefore encouraging continued involvement in the future.

A highlight this year was seeing other students experience the joy of giving back. I distinctly remember one girl coming up to me after delivering her class’s Easter basket to Ronald McDonald and sharing how it made her so happy to see the children’s excitement at their gifts. It is small moments like this that have made my role incredibly rewarding. A memorable fundraiser was the 40-Hour Challenge. Our water bucket event was something Rangi Ruru had never done before. It was rewarding seeing all our hard work come together to create a fun and energetic afternoon. I was extremely proud of all the students for raising an impressive $12,440 which will have a significant impact on children in Malawi.

40-Hour Challenge: Water Bucket Challenge

JESS GLASS• 2023 HEAD O F SUSTAINABILITY

The highlight for me this year was definitely the Green Market. Finally having an opportunity to donate money to the Eco-Action Nursery was awesome, especially because we do so much with them as a school. Also, the amount of clothing that students donated and the amount of people that came to show support for the Green Market was incredible.

LILAHJOHNSON

My role as Head of Innovation involved sitting on the Community Council, which oversaw the organising of some of Rangi Ruru’s favourite events, such as Love Week and the senior dance. My participation and contribution to these events is something I will never forget, as they allowed me to collaborate and form relationships with students and staff from various year groups and areas and ultimately gave me the chance to give back to Rangi Ruru.

SPIRIT

Community service has always been a cornerstone of Rangi Ruru, driven by the belief that collective contributions can significantly impact the surrounding communities.

This year, under the leadership of Head of Service Bex Skinner and the Service Council, Rangi Ruru focused on two primary goals: enhancing student involvement in service activities and demonstrating the tangible benefits of their contributions to inspire continued participation.

In 2023, the school introduced the Student Volunteer Army’s (SVA) Service Award programme to students from Years 9 to 13. This initiative, supported by the Service and Sustainability Councils, was prominently promoted on a new noticeboard that displayed upcoming opportunities and highlighted the service achievements of students. This effort led to a cumulative 12,000 hours of community service, with distinctions awarded at various levels: member badges for 5 hours, bronze for 32 hours, silver for 250 hours, and a remarkable gold badge for Jess Glass, who volunteered over 500 hours.

The year’s service initiatives began with an essential item appeal in response to

the Hawkes Bay and Auckland floods. The response was overwhelming, filling two vans with donations. The momentum continued with the annual Harvest Festival, which gathered 3,322 items for the Christchurch City Mission, and the introduction of the Year 9 Service Day. This new event allowed students to engage in activities such as sustainability projects and making Easter cards for overseas soldiers, contributing to their service hours.

Another innovative project was the Easter Basket inter-form class competition, where each class created a themed basket for local charities. This competition not only encouraged participation but also allowed students to see the collective impact of their efforts through a display and a thank you video from the beneficiaries.

The highlight of the year was the World Vision 40-Hour Challenge, focused on the global water crisis. The school’s efforts in a water bucket challenge attempted to set a Guinness World Record and raised $12,440, earning several awards, including a South Island Kaiwhakahau Award for Advocacy and Innovation. Bex Skinner received the national Spirit of Dulcie award, recognizing her outstanding leadership and generosity. Additionally,

a Year 12 student, Beth Heywood, was awarded a World Vision Senior Summit Scholarship.

Notable achievements continued with Nora Quigley, an alumna, being named one of the World Vision Youth Ambassadors for 2024. This recognition underlines the lasting influence of Rangi Ruru’s service ethos on its students.

The year concluded with several fundraising activities, including Daffodil Day and Canteen’s bandana appeal, which collectively raised over $1,100. The ongoing Christmas Box initiative will see tutor groups collecting gifts for the Presbyterian Support Network, ensuring a joyful holiday season for those in need.

Bex Skinner encapsulated the year’s ethos by stating, “Our incentives this year aimed to make meaningful differences in other people’s lives and form strong connections. I hope that students have developed gratitude, empathy for others and learned about different community groups around them. I hope that Year 13 graduates have been inspired to continue giving back, and that the legacy of service here continues for years to come.”

TANIA MORGAN • HEAD OF GLOBAL AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Harvest Festival collection

Water bucket challenge

Easter basket collection

Bex Skinner with her Spirit of Dulcie award

Jess Glass received her gold SVA badge

Donations to Christchurch City Mission

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

2023 was a busy year for sustainability initiatives around the school. Please read on to hear about some of the highlights.

Aoraki Conservation Award

Rangi Ruru shared first place winning the Aoraki Conservation Award in 2023. This award acknowledges the way caring for te taiao is woven within the fabric of our kura, through curriculum, Te Ara and our many sustainability initiatives.

Green Market

The annual Rangi Ruru Green Market was a huge success, selling items for reuse including many clothes, potted plants, delicious baking, and Young Enterprise products. The school’s beehive honey was sold at the Green Market with funds donated to establishing a Boulder Copper butterfly garden onsite. Thanks to the Sustainability Council for this event and for increasing awareness around sustainable living.

Edible Gardens

Weekly boot loads of fruit and vegetables were grown onsite by students in the warmer months and delivered to wāhine and tamariki

in need in our community. These actions show the generosity of spirit of the 47 ākonga supporting the programme, giving time and completing mahi for the benefit of others.

River Clean Ups

Students were again involved in the Mother of All Clean Ups at Kerrs Reach. We picked up many bags of rubbish, including thousands of pieces of astroturf from outside the rowing clubs. These tiny plastic strands cause issues when consumed by ducks and fish.

Sustainable Business Network Award

Rangi Ruru was a finalist in the national Sustainable Business Network Awards Social Impactor category. The Eco-Action Nursery Trust won the Outstanding Collaboration Award, acknowledging the collaborative and connected efforts of our large Eco-Action community. Many people working together can have a positive impact

on our local environment.

Grant Recipient

Rangi Ruru was awarded a Growing for Good grant from Countdown (Woolworths), of just under $10,000 to build a shade house, establish rainwater collection tanks and a covered area. This has enabled the school to double pricking out seedling numbers and increase propagation onsite by 80%, ensuring we can meet Eco-Action goals to grow 60,000 native plants for the red zone this coming season.

Eco-Action Propagation Nursery at Rangi Ruru

We grew seedlings of native trees, grasses and shrubs onsite in our Rangi Ruru propagation nursery, to supply satellite nurseries in the wider community with small plants to pot up. Schools and groups then came together over the cooler months to collectively plant these in the Red Zone near QEII. These actions enable

our kura to be part of helping slow climate change. Over 170 students contributed hundreds of voluntary hours to Eco-Action. Enormous thanks to all involved. Eco-Action Nursery Trust is grateful to friends and whānau of Grant Close who showed their generosity of spirit donating to the trust in his memory, enabling further school nurseries to be established.

The Rangi Ruru Reuse Depot

Our Reuse Depot continued to play a vital part in keeping reusable waste from landfill with an annual collection of 24,260 items ready for redistribution.

Boulder

Copper Butterfly Gardens

Further Pōhuehue/Muehlenbeckia axillaris plants were grown to provide

a habitat for boulder butterflies endemic to this area, with our school helping their survival. Together we aim to attract these butterflies back into our city by growing their food and habitat. This is a collaborative project with Burnside Primary School.

Enviroschools Kaupapa

We worked collaboratively with Enviroschools kaupapa, sharing our collective puna mātauranga/pool of knowledge and passing this onto students through Te Ara.

Whole Staff and New Students Sustainability Sessions

These events were enthusiastically attended with positive planetary outcomes and environmental actions. Tī kouka/Cabbage trees were planted acknowledging the history of the site

and a pā harakeke was established outside Atawhai, an action suggested in our Cultural Narrative. The street front along Merivale Lane and Hewitts Road was planted with native trees grown and planted onsite by students. These will attract our school bees and native birds.

Service Hours

Altogether over 2,200 service hours were given to sustainability initiatives.

Ngā mihi nui to all involved.

KATE RIVERS • DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY

Remember a loved one, give the gift of a seat or simply celebrate your love for Rangi Ruru by donating to Rangi Ruru Girls’ School today.

Every $500 donation gives you a limited and unique opportunity to have your name engraved on a plaque on the back of one of the state of the art retractable fold down seats, in the Elizabeth Reid Gym.

Scan here to Support a Seat or contact Kirsty Rueppell on k.rueppell@rangiruru.school.nz to find out more

PHILANTHROPY

The committee of the Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association (RROGA) has always been a strong advocate of supporting the school, its students, and alumnae in the most generous way it can.

For the last 100 years, the RROGA committee has made prudent and wise investments to build and maintain a capital base of life membership funds, legacies, fundraising and donations. This capital base enables RROGA to grant a variety of scholarships, bursaries, exhibitions, and donations to recipients both in the school and community.

The Centennial Fund was launched in 1979/80 by the RROGA committee to raise funds to benefit the school; 25 years of fundraising later they opened the new school pool. Our continual commitment to the raising of funds for the betterment of the school has never ceased, and last year we contributed a large sum to Project Blue Sky. We are looking forward to our next major fundraising project.

AMOUNTS FOR THE YEAR:

ended 31 March 2024

END OF YEAR PRIZES

$2,083

YEARS 7 AND 8

OLD GIRLS’ SCHOLARSHIPS

$8,695 $2,250

THANK YOU

We thank you for your support.

Rangi Ruru relies on the support of its community to help prepare for future generations, seize opportunities for Rangi’s continued advancement and to ensure the Gibson sister’s vision continues to soar. We have endeavoured to include everyone who gave to the School in 2023. If we have accidentally omitted your name, please get in touch with the Development Office.

Donations

Mr P B & Mrs S L Allison

Mr B & Mrs C Anderson

Anonymous x2

Argyle Schoolwear Ltd

Miss J A Arnott

Mr S & Mrs R Ashby

Mrs Rebecca Barnett

Mrs S Beattie

Miss G E Bradford

Ms N M Carter

Mrs Jiaxin Chi

Ms Jane Connor

Mrs R E Cresswell

Miss M J Crump

Mr R & Mrs E Dacre

Mr J C & Mrs J M Dodgshun

Mrs C B Eaton- Perelini

Mrs Rachel Eder

Mrs J Ensor

Mr W Fang & Ms X Zhang

Mrs P Flutey

Mrs L B Frost

Mr D & Mrs R C Glass

Mrs A J Graham

Mrs Charlotte Gray

Mr M J & Mrs P A Hadlee

Dr S K Hastie

Mrs R E F Haydon

Mrs E M Henderson

Mrs A Hill

Dr S J Hurring

Miss J M Jamieson

Mrs T King

Mr J G & Mrs J E Laidlaw

Mrs M C Landreth

Mrs A C & Mr J B Mackintosh

Mrs R A Catley-Maurice

Ms M McCrone

Mrs B J M McGeorge

Mrs Jayne McLaren

Ms R J Meachen

Mrs L E Moore

Mr M & Dr B Moore

Ms M Noonan

Mrs J E M Northcote

Mr J O’Brien

Mrs J A Paterson

Mr Bob Penter

Miss C C Perelini

Mrs J R Pilbrow

Mr K & Mrs C Pottinger

Mrs G A Rich

Mr M & Mrs C Riley

Mrs M J Rothwell

Ms E Sakin

Mrs A K Sheppard

Mrs Jill Speizer

Mr J Thin

Mr M S & Mrs D J K Vaughan

Mrs Joanna Walker

Mrs J Walker

Mrs J Wan

Mrs X Wang

Mr R Ward

Mrs R J Whyte

Mr William Willis

Ms Rebecca Wiseman

Mr T Kenny & Ms B Woodham

Mr X Wu & Mrs Q Pan

Bequests Received

Miss N J Beale

Dr M A Thacker

A BIG THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Rangi Ruru welcomes the opportunity to create long lasting and mutually beneficial relationships with New Zealand businesses. There are many opportunities for sponsorship across the school in many areas, including the arts and sports

GRANTS

INVESTMENT ADVICE

Thanks also to the following Trusts for generously supporting the school and its endeavours.

59 Hewitts Road, Christchurch 8014, New Zealand

p: +64 3 983 3700

e: office@rangiruru.school.nz

rangiruru.school.nz