Rongotai College

Rongotai College is a state single-sex boys' secondary school in the southeastern suburb of Rongotai, Wellington, New Zealand. Serving Years 9 to 13 (ages 12 to 18), the school has 622 students as of July 2015.^[3]

About 40 per cent of the students are of European heritage, 20 per cent identify as Pasifika, and 15 per cent Maori, and there are various Middle Eastern, Asian and African students.

A highlight for the school is the annual McEvedy Shield athletics event.

Location

The school stands on the isthmus separating Lyall Bay and Cook Strait to the south from Evans Bay on Wellington Harbour to the north. It thus has the sea on two sides, and this gives it a particularly bracing microclimate, with gusty winds from the north and, in winter, icy blasts from the south. It is bounded to the east by Wellington Airport. Wellington's city centre is a few kilometres to the north-west.

History

Rongotai College was opened in 1928 with Mr Fritz Martyn Renner as its first headmaster and a teaching staff of seven. It was started as an "overspill" for Wellington College, which was overstretched, and Rongotai became the new school for Wellington boys in the eastern suburbs.^[4]

Rongotai College originally accepted enrolments from students of Intermediate School age. However, when Evans Bay Intermediate School opened its doors in 1964, the school became purely a secondary school, catering for young men in what are now called years 9 to 13.

The Assembly Hall, known as the Renner Hall, was opened in 1968 and is named after the founding headmaster.

Achievement

The 2013 ERO report was favourable whilst pointing out areas for improvement, for example in monitoring achievement and attendance levels.^[5]

School leadership

Principals

Houses

The four houses at Rongotai College are named after the school's first four headmasters:

• Renner (Red)
• Heron (Blue)
• Lock (Green)
• Mackay (Yellow)

Notable alumni

Dates denote period enrolled as student

The Arts

• Andrew Fagan (1976–1979) - writer, singer and songwriter, former frontsman for The Mockers
• Tofiga Fepulea'i - actor and comedian, member of the stand up comedy duo Laughing Samoans
• Kyle Lockwood (1991-1995) - architectural designer, designer of the Silver fern flag
• Ben Lummis (1992–1996) - singer, New Zealand Idol winner
• Lani Tupu(1969-1972) - actor
• Gordon Walters - artist and designer

Science

• Dr Barry Dent (1973-1977) - CEO of BDG Synthesis, ( organic chemistry)
• Professor Alex Malahoff (1951-1956) - pioneered use of submersibles to explore submarine volcanoes, CEO of GNS Science 2002-2012
• Tony Mahon (1947–52) - built a reputation for his extensive research on geothermal energy; awarded Joseph Aidlin Award
• Dr Campbell Nelson FRSNZ (1957–61) - ex-Professor of Earth Studies at Waikato University, awarded 2004 Hutton medal by the Royal Society

Business

• Sam Morgan (1989–1992) - founder of TradeMe

Politics and public service

• Hon. Justice Andrew Becroft (1971–1975) - Principal Youth Court Judge of New Zealand
• David Farrar (1981–1985) - political activist, blogger and pollster
• Hon. Justice Richard Heron (dec.) (1948–1954) - former high Court judge
• Professor Stuart McCutcheon (1968–1972) - Vice-Chancellor, the University of Auckland
• Rear Admiral E.C. (Ted) Thorne CB, CBE, Rtd (1935-1938) - Chief of Navy 1972-1975

Sport

Basketball

• Troy McLean - Wellington Saints and former Tall Blacks basketball player

Cricket

• Bruce Edgar (1970–1974) - former New Zealand cricketer
• Don Neely - cricket historian, administrator, and former player
• Jeetan Patel (1994–1998) - Black Cap (New Zealand cricketer)
• Barry Sinclair - former New Zealand Test captain
• Ian D S Smith (1970-1973) - sports commentator and former New Zealand cricketer

Football

• Billy Harris (1977-1981) - New Zealand football player
• Chris Killen (1995–1998) - New Zealand football player
• Shane Rufer (1974-1979) - New Zealand football player
• Wynton Rufer (1976–1979) - New Zealand football player
• Terry Serepisos (1977–1981) - former owner of Wellington Phoenix FC
• Michael Utting - New Zealand football player

Hockey

• Mitesh Patel (1990–1994) - Black Sticks (New Zealand hockey player)

Rugby League

• Sione Faumuina (1994–1997) - rugby league player, Castleford Tigers, formerly New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys

Rugby Union

• Roy Kinikinilau (1993–1998) - rugby union player, Waikato and Chiefs, formerly Hurricanes, Highlanders
• Motu Matu'u - Wellington Hurricanes Hooker
• Grant Nisbett (1964–1968) - sports broadcaster
• Ma'a Nonu - All Black Second Five-Eighth
• Mark Reddish - rugby union player, Wellington Lions, Hurricanes, Highlanders
• Ardie Savea - All Black,[Wellington Lions]], Wellington Hurricanes Flanker
• Julian Savea - All Black, Wellington Lions, formerly New Zealand Sevens team, IRB International junior player of the year, Wellington Hurricanes winger
• Ofisa "Junior" Tonu'u (1999–2000) - All Black halfback

Running

• Derek Froude (1973–1977) – represented New Zealand in the men's marathon, at the Olympics in 1984 and 1992
• Paul Lloyd (1979–1984) – represented New Zealand in the men's 110m Hurdles, at the Commonwealth Games, Auckland in 1990

Wrestling

• Al Hobman dec. – former professional wrestler, trainer and promoter

Yachting

• Greg Wilcox (1974–1978) – former New Zealand world champion yachtsman OK Dinghy class

Notes

External links

• Education Review Office (ERO) reports for Rongotai College