Helping students to chase their dreams.
A core aim of the RCOBA is to Contribute financially to the well-being of the school. In recent years the Association has supported teams and individual students to attend national and international sports and cultural events.
Sam Ropati a hit at the Palace Dance Academy
We were pleased to assist Year 13 student, Samuel Ropati, to attend a two-week workshop in July at the world renowned Palace Dance Academy in Auckland, which was established by Parris Goebel. Goebel has choreographed award winning dance video and stage shows for several international music performers, including Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Nicki Minaj and was appointed by the Prime Minister as NZ’s cultural and entertainment curator for the 2020 Dubai World Expo. The Palace is regarded as one of the finest hip-hop dance studios in the world.
Sam has ambitions to work professionally in the dance and entertainment sector and the opportunity to receive further tutoring at the Palace and to meet leading choreographers was undoubtedly exciting but also expensive in terms of travel to Auckland. A small donation from the Association provided the extra funds required to assist Sam’s family to secure his return tickets, for which he was most grateful. Sam provided a thorough report of his experiences at the workshop.
The James Hunter Outward Bound Scholarship supports students to attend courses at Outward Bound in Anakiwa. We are pleased to also have the support of local real estate agent, Ben Terry, from Tommy’s, who sponsors a second student on each occasion. Read about the Outward Bound experiences of Dean, Mac and Jonathan using the link below.
He Koru
He Koru, the new Whanau Support Group award donated by the Association to the Senior Māori student who embodies the BEST values across all areas of school life.
He Koru, I takohatia e te whānau o Rongotai College Old Boys’ Association, will be inscribed with the school motto: Kapohia te mātauranga me hōatu rā; Receive the light and pass it on.
A new initiative, He Pō Whakanui, an evening to celebrate Māori students’ success and to farewell the Year 13 class of Māori leavers, has been launched by the Rongotai College Tangi-te-Keo Whānau Rōpū, Whanau Support Group. After much thought and consideration, the Whānau Rōpū, have created six Teina (Junior) and six Tuakana (Senior) awards that will be presented and celebrated. The RCOBA is honoured to support this initiative, selecting and donating the senior award trophy, He Koru. This award is given to the Senior Student who has embodied the BEST values across all areas of school life.
The koru is said to represent new life, growth and regeneration. In this taonga, the koru symbolises the journey of Rongotai Tamatāne as they receive the light of knowledge from those before, grow as young men in the present, before passing on their legacy to those yet to come.