Our Vision
Reaching Potential
We teach students with identified high or very high educational needs, who receive Ongoing Resourcing (ORS) through the Ministry of Education, and a number of other students with moderate needs.
Our 3 B's
B
Be Respectful Prepared Awesome!
About Us
Ruru Specialist School is a fantastic learning hub, working in partnership with students and their families/whanau to reach their potential. We are committed to providing the best education and life outcomes for each student who attends Ruru Specialist School. Each student is unique and valued, and their individual learning needs are catered for and met, through the extensive and comprehensive IEP/ICP (Individual Education Plan / Individual Career Plan) process. Meeting the diverse needs of our students, ranging in age from 5-21 years (Y1-Y15) is of paramount importance to the Board, Staff and Families.
We also work in partnership with our Satellite Schools and their communities to best meet the learning needs of our satellite students. We are delighted to share that our school is a diverse community, reflective of the many cultures who call Aotearoa New Zealand home. We seek to recognise the valued place of Maori and to work in partnership with whanau, hapu and iwi tosupport our Maori students reach their potential.
At Ruru Specialist School we have developed a model that includes students, families/whanau, our local community and our staff of more than 70 teachers, specialists, therapists and support staff.
Our Values
Values are the qualities which guide and show in the way we go about our school work and relationships with others as our Ruru School Community.
Our values were decided by us as a community – students, staff, board and families.
Values we share: Excellence, Respect, Integrity, Inclusion, Manaakitanga
Integrity
Show integrity by being honest and responsible
Excellence
We aim high and persevere
Respect
We demonstrate respect for ourselves and others at all times
Inclusion
We all belong and learn together
Manaakitanga
Show regards for peoples feelings, wishes and rights
Our School History
Ruru Specialist School has been operating on its present site as a State School for more than 50 years catering for Students with Learning Support Needs from the Southland and South Otago area.
School opened with a roll of 42 on October 18, 1967. During that year its name changed from ‘Kindhaven Occupational Centre’ to ‘Kindhaven School’.
In 1974 there is a note in the minutes. “Opening of School Baths funded by donation of funds from N.Z. Aluminium Smelter Staff Social Fund and Fundraising Efforts.” The School Pool still operates today.
In 1981 we purchased our first vehicle – a V.W. Mini Bus. there was a conversion of Swimming Pool heating from oil to coal – both projects funded from fundraising.
In 1983 the name was changed to Ruru School.
In 1984 in consultation with the Southland Education Board students with Very High Learning Needs were enrolled at this school as part of the new Government Policy regarding the right of every child over 5 years of age to be educated in the school system. This added a new dimension to Special Schools.
During the 1980s we initiated and worked with the Education Board and Ministry in establishing Satellite Classes at Waikiwi School in 1984 – Waikiwi Satellite, Collingwood Intermediate in 1986 – Collingwood Satelitte and Salford School in 1988 – Salford Satellite. This further enhanced parent choice and provided more social learning opportunities for Students with Special Needs.
In 1989 School Trustees took over from School Committee.
In March 2000 Ruru School purchased a Flat at 35 Kereru Street- Waikiwi, to be used by the Senior Students for Life Skills.
The Property at 9 Ruru Street was purchased in the latter part of 2001 and Waikiwi High students were able to commence the 2002 year in these premises.
In 2005 Ruru School was included in the Invercargill School Review, which resulted in Collingwood Intermediate and Waikiwi School being closed and Donovan Primary being opened on the Collingwood site, including Ruru Satellite class.
In 2010 we opened 2 Satellite Classes at Verdon College for our Year 7 + students – Verdon Satellite and the following year opened another 2 Satellite Classes at Southern Institute of Technology for our student 16 years + – SIT TEC (Tertiary Education Centre).
Our therapy hub premises at 20 Renfrew Steet was purchased in 2016, and backs onto our Base School site. This is used by our Therapy team as their workspace.
In 2017 we converted our Swimming Pool and School heating from Coal to Woodchip.
In 2018 we established a new Satellite class at the Base School Campus to support the learning of our younger students with complex needs. The class expanded to two classes in 2019, they are named Te Matatini Junior Satellite 1 & 2.
Strategic Plan and Charter
Ruru Specialist School 2022-2024 Strategic Plan and Charter
The Ruru Specialist School Strategic Plan & Charter is a document for our Community, Board, staff, and stakeholders which outlines the Board’s Objectives, Priorities , strategic aims and annual implementation plan
Our School Strategic Plan and Charter includes 4 main sections:
- NELP – The National Education and Learning Priorities
- School Values – our core Values as a school community
- 3B’s – be respectful, be prepared, be awesome, the foundation of our relationships with each other
- Strategic Goals – measurable and meaningful to our students/ākonga and their families/whānau our strategic goals are identified and reviewed annually
- Annual Plan – these are the specific achievement targets for the current year and outlines targeted foci and the strategies in place to achieve these.
Our School Policies
Our policies guide and inform the education for all our students. We’re focusing on building a world-leading education system that provides all students with the knowledge, skills and values to be successful citizens in the 21st century.
These are the 5 Policies that ensure our school is the very best for our students.
DOWNLOADS:
Annual Reports
We are pleased to display our annual audited report, in accordance with Ministry guidelines.
Our Annual Report outlines our key achievements over the past year.
It includes non-financial performance information and the School’s financial statements.
Document Required
ERO Report
In 2021 the school received a review by the Education Review Office. We are pleased to see a recognition of our individualised programmes, the strong relationships between students, staff and families/whānau and the successful partnership between our teaching and therapy teams to support Ruru students to reach their potential.