New Rangi Ruru Girls' School Principal Finds Family Link

New Rangi Ruru Girls' School Principal Finds Family Link

An unknown family link has been discovered by the new Principal of Rangi Ruru Girls’ School in Christchurch.

Highly respected educationalist Dr Sandra Hastie, who started at the leading girls’ school last Monday, was already aware of several relatives having attended Rangi Ruru however one was news to her.

“I was looking for information about my mother-in-law, two cousins and an aunt who I knew attended the school, when I saw a name that was very familiar to me. My grandmother Janet Doris Rollo was a student here in 1917, making her a ‘Gibson Girl’, which for me was a wonderful piece of unknown history to uncover,” she says.

Rangi Ruru was founded in 1889 by Miss Helen Gibson, and was administered by her and her sisters for nearly 60 years. The Gibson sisters; Mary, Beatrice, Helen, Alice, Lucy, Ethel, Ruth and Winifred all helped in some way with the running of the school. The students who went to Rangi Ruru while it was run by the sisters, are known as ‘Gibson Girls’.

Dr Hastie’s links with Christchurch go beyond the direct links with Rangi Ruru via relatives being ‘old girls’. She attended the Christchurch College of Education and Canterbury University and met her Christchurch born husband here (to whom she has been married for 28 years).

“The new growth and energy in Christchurch are palpable. It’s like a new heartbeat has been set and I feel totally invigorated by this great city and the amazing opportunities out there for all of us,” she says.

Describing her new role at as her “dream job”, Dr Sandra Hastie says she has always wanted to be the principal at Rangi Ruru.

“I have watched and followed the school for many years, knowing I wanted to be here one day. There’s a rich history at Rangi Ruru which has a strong reputation for growing great, happy young women, who leave school with a strong sense of belonging. You just have to walk into the Te Koraha (main administration building) to feel how peaceful and welcoming it is here,” she says.

Dr Hastie says she has only had her feet under her new desk for five minutes so is still taking time to meet staff, get to know the campus and settle in. However, she has some exciting ideas and looks forward to developing them with the school community and teaching team.

“I know how highly regarded Rangi Ruru is in the New Zealand education sector and further afield. At the heart of everything we do is providing the best teaching and learning for our girls, and that won’t change,” she says.

Students start back for the year on Wednesday January 27th and a Powhiri will be held at 10.30am to welcome all new staff and students. (potential photo opportunity)

ENDS

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