Nukutere College

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Nukutere College
Established 1975
Type Catholic co-educational secondary school
Affiliations Roman Catholic, Christian Brothers
Principal Ms Donna Nahu, PO Box 76, Rarotonga
Founder Bishop John Rodgers SM
Students c. 200
Grades Year 9 - 13
Location Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Nukutere College is a Catholic secondary school located in Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. "Nukutere" means "people on a journey", a reference to the pilgrim Church in the South Pacific context. [1]

Contents

[edit] History

The college was opened in 1975. It was first staffed by Father Peter Salamonsen SM and Sister Berenice Stevens RSM. The school has had Christian Brothers on its staff since the beginning of the 1976 school year. Brother Terry McErlane became headmaster and Brothers Simon Coughlan and Joseph McRae were the other members of that first Christian brothers community. For some years Sister Elizabeth Browne-Russell (SJC), a sister of St Joseph of Cluny, served as deputy principal.[2]

Students come mainly from Rarotonga, but provision is made for those from outer islands (and even from French Polynesia - not far distant) to stay with 'guardians'.[3]

From its beginnings, the school's financial position was somewhat parlous especially after it became necessary to employ lay teachers from the 1980s. In 2000 the Cook Island's Government began to pay 75% of teachers' salaries and running costs in all private and church schools. Also, at that time the principal of the school, Brother Norman Gillies established a charitable trust to ensure a regular supplementary income for necessary future maintenance and development at the school.[4]

The Silver Jubilee of the College and the presence of the Christian Brothers was marked in 2000.[5]

In 2005, the school had a roll of 190.[6]

On 20 February 2006 part of the school was tragically destroyed by fire. Later that year the block was rebuilt with funds supplied by the New Zealand Government through the Cook Islands Investment Commission (CIIC).[7]The new block was designed by respected Auckland architecture firm, Architectus.[8]

[edit] Principals

[edit] Nukutere College Christian Brothers

In 2008, a community of five Christian Brothers is associated with the school: Br Michael Benignus Scanlan - Br Andrew Dawani - Br Paul Kikisi - Br John Didicus O'Neill - Br Benjamin Everard Ryan. Other Christian Brothers who have served at the college in the past are: Br Simon Germaine Coughlan - Br Anthony Eugenio Gherardi - Br Norman Campion Gillies - Br Terence Vitus McErlane - Br Joseph De Porres McRae - Br Francis William Perkins - Br John Paschal Prendergast - Br Ignacy John Rubisz

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Graeme Donaldson, To All Parts of the Kingdom, Christian Brothers in New Zealand 1876-2001, New Zealand Christian Brothers Province, 2001, p. 20
  2. ^ Graeme Donaldson, pp 20 - 21.
  3. ^ Greame Donaldson, p. 20
  4. ^ Graeme Donaldson, p. 21
  5. ^ Graeme Donaldson, p. 21.
  6. ^ Catholic Schools' supplement (PDF) (June 2005).
  7. ^ NEWS update. Edmund Rice Network (March and April 2006).
  8. ^ architectus
  9. ^ In July 2006, Br Ben Ryan was honoured as he celebrated 70 years as a Christian Brother at a Mass celebrated by Bishop Stewart O’Connell in St Joseph’s Cathedral, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. The local newspaper reported that, including his time as principal, Brother Ben had taught for 22 years at the school: Br Ben Ryan. Edmund Rice Oceania (5 July 2006).
  10. ^ information on principals from: Graeme Donaldson, pp. 20 and 21.

[edit] References/Sources

  • Graeme Donaldson, To All Parts of the Kingdom, Christian Brothers in New Zealand 1876-2001, New Zealand Christian Brothers Province, 2001
  • Rick Maxwell, St Peter's College, Auckland, Simerlocy Press, Auckland, 2008.