Enrich – Arts & Culture, Sport, Academics

At Russell Street School, we believe learning extends far beyond the classroom.

Through our wide range of extra-curricular opportunities across sports, the arts, cultural experiences, and academic pursuits, we bring our vision of ‘enrich’ to life. These opportunities give students meaningful ways to grow, discover their passions, and find what makes them shine. Whether it’s on the sports’ field, on stage, Kapa Haka, or engaging in academic challenges, our tamariki are encouraged to step forward and give things a go.

These experiences are grounded in our values. Rekareka reminds us to have fun and find joy in participation, kotahitanga highlights the power of working together as a team, and panekiretanga inspires our students to strive for excellence in whatever they pursue. Together, these values ensure every learner is supported to build confidence, develop skills, and be enriched through opportunities beyond the classroom.

TEAM SPORTS CALENDAR
Team Sports are played outside school hours. Lauren Appleyard is our Sports’ Coordinator – sport@russellst.school.nz
Term 1	Term 2	Term 3	Term 4
Netball Summer Hockey Summer Soccer Flippaball	Winter Hockey Basketball	Winter Hockey Basketball	Netball Summer Hockey Summer Soccer
SCHOOL SPORTS CALENDAR
Term 1	Term 2	Term 3	Term 4
Swimming Sports Northern Cluster Swimming Interschool Triathlon Rippa Rugby Tournament	NFL Flag Tournament Ki o Rahi Tournament Cross Country Interschool Cross Country	RICOH Tournament Douglas Park Sports’ Exchange	Athletics Interschool Athletics
ARTS & CULTURE
Kapa Haka – We have three Kapa Haka Rōpū who practise every Friday. These are led by Paige, Rosie and Fabian. All groups perform at Pae Tamariki each year. Te Pikinga Te Piriti Te Kākano In even years, we audition our competitive Kapa Haka who compete at Ko Whiri Tika Mai.
		Dance – We have two dance groups who compete at Dance NZ Made each year. Lorna and Rachel teach our dance teams. All Comers dance group (Years 3-6) Auditioned dance group (Years 4-6) Students learn about stage presence, performance skills, choreographic devices and have fun moving their bodies!
Choir – We have a school choir (Years 3-6) that meet weekly at a lunch time. Students learn vocal warm ups, how to use their voice as an instrument and have the opportunity to perform at different events inside and outside of school. Lorna conducts our choir.
		*EPIC Music –* EPIC Music are onsite Monday and Wednesdays taking music lessons from Y0 – Y6. This is an external provider. Students can learn foundations, guitar, drums and keyboard. EPIC also take our school band. In 2025 we won EPIC Music Battle of the Bands and got to record our original song in a studio!
ARTS & CULTURE CALENDAR
Term 1	Term 2	Term 3	Term 4
Dance Auditions EPIC Band Auditions		Pae Tamariki Dance NZ Made Norther Cluster Arts Festival (odd years) School Production (odd years)	Battles of the Bands Ko Whiri Tika Mai (even years)
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Term 1	Term 2	Term 3	Term 4
	Manawatū Lit Quiz Kiwi Competitions (English, Science & Maths exam)	Kiwi Competitions (English, Science & Maths exam) Mathex Northern Cluster Speech Comp (even years)