Week 1

Dear Parents, Caregivers and School Community, kia ora koutou.

Looking out

Last week, our Cambodia missions team returned to New Zealand following a significant experience for everyone involved. The trip provided an opportunity for our students to look beyond their own surroundings, serve others, and experience something of life in another country.

Thank you to our school community for the generous support that helped make this trip possible. Through fundraising, donations, encouragement and prayer, so many people contributed to this opportunity. Alongside the money our students personally committed, this collective support represents a considerable investment in an experience that will stay with them.

Experiences such as these give practical expression to our Christian faith. They invite us to grow in compassion, deepen our understanding of others, and consider how we can use what we have to make a difference.

Looking in

Within our school, work is continuing towards replacing the primary playground. Play is an important part of children’s learning and wellbeing, providing opportunities to develop confidence, friendships, creativity and physical skills.

A committee bringing together representatives from the PTA, Board, proprietors and school staff has been working on playground design and exploring possible funding sources. We appreciate the time, thought and expertise they are contributing to this project.

The PTA has already undertaken fundraising towards the new playground, and we are grateful for their initiative and for everyone who has supported these efforts. There is still work ahead, but it is encouraging to see this shared commitment to creating a space that our children can enjoy for years to come.

Ngā manaakitanga,
Stephen Walters
Principal

Christ at the Centre | Culture of Excellence | Partnering with Parents and Whānau

Who to contact

• Absences and attendance [email protected] or 03 313 6332
• Change of details [email protected] or 03 313 6332
• Attendance Dues Sharon: [email protected]
• Camps, workbooks, sports Glenda: [email protected]

For more on upcoming events, visit the Parent Portal or download the 2026 School Calendar below.

“Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 9:13

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm 23:6

“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy…”

Titus 3:5

Term 3 has been filled with memorable learning experiences, exciting opportunities, and outstanding student participation. From classroom learning and sporting events to camps, cultural activities, and special celebrations, our students have embraced every opportunity to learn, grow, and connect.

The photos below capture some of the highlights from the term and reflect the enthusiasm, teamwork, resilience, and school spirit demonstrated by our students throughout Term 3. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to building on these successes in Term 4.

Thank you to our staff, students, and whānau for your ongoing support and involvement in making Term 3 such a positive and rewarding experience.

A look at some of our secondary students’ learning from Term 3, from food technology to drama.

Come along and celebrate our students’ creativity, skills and achievements, with Year 7 to 13 work on display across design and visual communication, multi-materials technology, digital technologies and food technology.

Our students and staff were incredibly blessed to spend 14 days serving and learning alongside people in Cambodia. Our main focus as a team was to run children’s programmes for a variety of groups and organisations in different locations. These ranged from a kindergarten of about 35 children to two back-to-back sessions attended by around 75 children aged 6 to 16. Every session was different, and we as staff are proud of how our students stepped up, took charge of activities (sometimes with very little warning!) and engaged with the children.

Our programme included singing children’s worship songs and teaching actions (we are all thoroughly tired of “My Lighthouse”!), performing a David and Goliath skit, playing several chaotic rounds of “Duck, Duck, Goose”, and running craft sessions where many meaningful connections were made. It was wonderful to see the generosity of the children, many of whom made bracelets and gifts for our students to take home.

Another aspect of our trip was exploring Cambodia’s history. We visited places such as Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school used as a prison and torture centre during the Khmer Rouge regime, and the Killing Fields, where many prisoners were taken to be executed. These visits were incredibly sobering, giving us a deeper insight into the trauma caused by this period of history and its lasting effects on Cambodian communities. That being said, the people we met throughout Cambodia were kind, welcoming, and generous towards our group. It was encouraging to see the country continuing to rebuild after such a horrific period in its history.

We made wonderful connections with Geoff, Vanarith, and Tith, who all work with Partnership Cambodia, bringing groups from New Zealand to serve and minister in Cambodia. Many members of our group have already expressed a desire to return, and we pray that this will be a possibility for them.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this trip through financial support, prayer, time, or other acts of generosity. Your contributions helped make this an amazing experience and enabled us to represent both God and our school in Cambodia.

Make a difference: become a homestay family. Welcome an international student and become part of their journey. By hosting an international student, you’ll gain a new family member, share cultural experiences and create memories that last a lifetime.

Why host?

• Build lifelong friendships and share different cultures.
• Enrich your family life with new experiences and perspectives.
• Make a difference in a young person’s life and their future.
• Good remuneration offered, with short and long-term options available.

For more information, please contact [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

NCEA exams run from Tuesday 3 November to Monday 1 December. Our NCEA Student FAQ for 2026 covers assessment and grades, attendance, deadlines and extensions, results and records, pathways, exams, and authenticity and AI. Click a page to read it full size.

RNLS uniforms are available from NZ Uniforms. Shop online at rnls.nzuniforms.com, or see nzuniforms.com for store details and payment options.

PTA coffee is available from 8.15am. See the Coffee Cupboard menu below.

The PTA is a small but dedicated group of parents and teachers who gather in Week Four of each term to prayerfully consider and discuss funding requests. Each term, teachers submit requests for specific resources that directly support the needs and wellbeing of our students.

Through our fundraising efforts, we seek to bless and encourage our valued teachers as they faithfully serve and invest in the lives of our young people. It is a privilege to partner together in this way, working as a community to strengthen the work God is doing within our school.

• Keep your details up to date. If your emails, caregiver details, address, phone numbers or circumstances have changed, please let the office know asap: [email protected] or 03 313 6332.
• Absence texts. Any attendance related queries should be sent to [email protected]. Thank you to our parents who respond to our absence texts every morning. If we don’t hear from you by text, we will follow up with a phone call approx. 30 minutes later.
• Student access. The school opens for student access from 8.30am and not beforehand, please. A duty teacher supervises the Denchs Road netball court area from 8.30am to 8.50am (prior to class entry).
• Student medication. For the safety and wellbeing of all students, any medication required during the school day, including paracetamol, must be handed in to the school office for secure storage. This ensures that medication is administered appropriately, reduces the risk of misuse, and enables accurate record keeping, in accordance with the school’s health and safety procedures.
• Period products. Thanks to the Ministry of Education’s access to period products initiative, RNLS has a supply of FREE period products for young people, available from the school office as well as from Mrs Hopkins and Mrs Band.

Board of Trustees

The Board meets at 7pm in RNLS Room 21. Remaining 2026 dates: 4 November and 2 December. Agendas and minutes are on our School Board page.

Policies and procedures

RNLS Policies and Procedures, including our Complaints Process, are on rnls.schooldocs.co.nz (user name: RNLS, password: seek).

Parent Prayer Meeting

The Parent Prayer Meeting started on Monday 16 February, at 9am in the Star Room at the Church.

Youth Group

Gateway Life Church has recommenced Youth Group, every second Friday night, 7–9pm for ages 12–18. All young people are welcome! More information: Sharon Eloff, 021 030 4781.

Five Ways to Wellbeing

Five simple strategies to introduce into your life: connect, give, take notice, keep learning and be active. Find out more at mentalhealth.org.nz.

From our community

Click a flyer to view it full size.

Gateway Stadium and Events Centre

For public bookings outside school hours, contact [email protected].

Athlete’s Foot school rewards

Nominate Rangiora New Life School when you buy shoes at our Northlands Athlete’s Foot store, and the school earns $15 of sports equipment or $10 cash for every pair. Open to RNLS staff, students and their families.

Free dental care

A reminder for students and whānau: free basic dental care is available for rangatahi from Year 9 until their 18th birthday. Yearly dental check-ups are an important way to protect your oral health, so book a check-up with a free dental provider today. Need help finding a dentist, or have questions? Contact the Adolescent Regional Coordinator on 0800 825 583, [email protected] or info.health.nz/freedentalcare.

Our Skool Loop sponsors

Thank you to the businesses below for sponsoring our school app. To download it, search ‘Skool Loop’ in Google Play or the App Store and choose our school. To advertise on the app, email [email protected].

Advertise in this newsletter

Call Glenda at the school office on (03) 313 6332 ($50 + GST per term). Click an advert below to view it full size.