- The Friends of Rathkeale College contributes immensely to the Rathkeale community atmosphere in a variety of ways. Through special project activity and fundraising they provide a range of classroom and extra-curricular resources.
- The Rathkeale Old Boys’ Association provides longer term funding for the school. However, its immediate priority is to link Old Boys with a school data base in order to extend the level of support it can provide for the current students.
Community
Community Spirit
Friends of Rathkeale College
Friends of Rathkeale College
The Friends of Rathkeale College is a group of parents who enjoy being part of the school community by assisting in practical ways – raising money, lending a hand and meeting other parents. The Friends enjoy coming together in a variety of informal ways. The Friends provides a valuable link between parents and the school.
Our objective is to support the students, teachers and the school community by funding extra cultural, academic and sporting resources as well as enhancing the campus.
If you would like to join us, come along to one of our monthly meetings or contact one of the Friends. We look forward to your support and involvement.
At the beginning of every year, a garden party is held at the Principal’s House. This social event is hosted for parents of new boys to the school, supported by the Friends of Rathkeale. It’s a great time for new parents to meet each other and get to know the Principal and the parents that form the Friends. All new parents are invited to join the Friends at this time.
The Rathkeale Christmas Fête is a much-anticipated annual event on the school calendar and draws crowds from near and far to enjoy the festive Christmas market. The Fête features live entertainment, craft and food stalls, giftware, and much more.
The Rathkeale Christmas Fête is held on the first weekend in November from 9am to 3pm.
Click here for Stallholder Information and Rules
Contact: christmasfete@rathkeale.school.nz
The Friends support various activities held by the school. Amongst these are:
- Inter-house Athletics Sports Day – held at the beginning of the year on the school sports grounds. The Friends provide refreshments for the boys and their families, including fresh fruit, sports drinks, ice-cream sodas, cans of drinks, tea, coffee and home baking.
- School Production and Performing Arts Evening: The Friends assist with organising and serving the interval refreshments.
- Year 12 Activity Day: in conjunction with the Friends of St Matthew’s Collegiate School, The Friends of Rathkeale assist with a social event to welcome new parents and their whānau to Senior College.
- Fees Raffle: The Friends draw a raffle each term with two winners each receiving a prize of $600 credited to their school accounts.
Rathkeale College Old Boys’ Association
Please CLICK HERE to visit the Rathkeale College Old Boys’ Association website.
Rathkeale College Foundation
The Rathkeale College Foundation, created in the school’s first Jubilee year (2014), will be a prominent feature in the schools future, helping shape the school as it evolves over the next 50 years and beyond.
The Foundation has been established to support the development and advancement of Rathkeale College and the young men within it. Surrounded by native bush in a picturesque setting and tucked away under the foothills of the Tararua Ranges, Rathkeale College exudes tradition and values from its founding generation of 1963. The past 50 years have seen the rise of buildings on what was once bare farm land, to what the school is today.
Founding principal, E.J Norman, believed that “We are not here to simply get a boy through an examination, but we are here to educate a man”. A statement that has formed the virtuous foundation of the “Good Rathkeale Man” mantra, and has been incorporated as a daily reminder in the quadrangle pillars within the school.
Standing as a separate legal entity, the Rathkeale College Foundation is led by an experienced group of dedicated trustees, who bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to the position.
The stated aim of the Foundation is the advancement of education at Rathkeale by supporting and providing funds and other benefits to or for the College. This may be in the form of scholarships, bursaries, endowments, prizes or other educational allowances, the acquisition and development of land, buildings and facilities, the purchase and maintenance of equipment and resources for improving the academic, cultural and recreational environment, the employment of teaching and other staff, research in education or visits from distinguished scholars and guests which would contribute to the education of students and staff at the College.
We are encouraging past pupils, staff members, parents, grandparents and friends of Rathkeale College who have benefited from their association with the school, to make a financial contribution to help ensure the continued success in the future. As a registered charity, all donations over $5 are tax deductible and receipted.
The Foundation Trustees are planning to establish a number of separate funds to encompass the above aims for the College.
The 2014 Faye Norman Music Scholarship Fund is one of these funds. Having been approached by a very generous benefactor, we now have the opportunity to establish the Faye Norman Music Scholarship fund within the Rathkeale College Foundation. $50,000 has been pledged to launch the fund on the understanding that we raise an additional $50,000. This is our immediate aim: a capital fund of $100,000 that will hopefully grow in the future, will yield investment proceeds sufficient to enable one or more students to advance their musical talents and interests and to enhance the musical stature of the College. The first recipient was named at the 2014 House Music evening by the lovely Faye Norman.
If you would like to contribute to the future of Rathkeale College and further generations of Good Rathkeale Men, please contact Grant Harper mgh@rathkeale.school.nz for assistance. Donations of any size are welcomed.
School House Preservation Project
Completed for the Maunsell family in 1925, School House has for 62 years been a proud symbol of tradition and character at Rathkeale College.
It has provided a home and place of learning for generations of staff and students, fostering friendships, leadership, and a deep sense of belonging.
Now in 2025 we are embarking on a preservation project to return School House to its former glory.
To celebrate this milestone, and also to recognise the remarkable legacy left by our founding Headmaster John Norman and his wife, Faye Norman, we invite you to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of School House.
Faye Norman & John Norman
Please consider donating to this special project.
Your generosity will help maintain and restore this historic building and secure its place in Rathkeale’s future while celebrating its storied past.
Funds raised will go towards upgrading School House, including the restoration of its entrance and rose garden, re-designed by Landscape Architect and Old Boy, Hamish Moorhead. This will feature a bronze sculpture, Choices, by renowned artist, Paul Dibble (late) MNZM.
Bank Transfer
Account name: Trinity Schools Trust Board
Account number: 12 3400 0005875 10
Reference: Initials Surname
Code: SH 100
Please email principalspa@rathkeale.school.nz for a tax-deductible donation receipt and a School House 100th Birthday Celebration invitation or complete this short form.
Platinum – Significant Donation
Gold – $5,000
Silver – $1,000
Bronze – $500
Thank you for supporting this special centenary celebration. Your contribution ensures that the legacy of School House continues to inspire future generations of Rathkeale students.
The School House 100 birthday celebrations will take place on Friday 22 August 2025. This will include many celebratory events including unveiling of the Dibble Sculpture.