Apii Rutaki is entering a new chapter with the appointment of Renall Vogel, from Matavera, as its new principal.

With a passion for education and a deep appreciation for Māori culture, Vogel is eager to lead the school, which is dedicated to the promotion of the Māori language.

Vogel has a certificate and a diploma in teaching from the Ministry of Education and is continuing his studies at University of the South Pacific (USP).

He is also nearing completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts at Te Vānanga Are Tapere o Takitumu (Takitumu Performing Arts School) that was established to help revitalise language, arts, culture and heritage of the Cook Islands.

For the past three years, he has been training as a teacher at Te Uki Ou, Nikao, Avarua and Takitumu schools.

Vogel said he has tried to compare the schools in terms of the students’ mental processes and skills that enable students to engage deeply with academic material.

“In my own observation, the academic intellect of the students in these schools were the same,” he said.

Born and raised in Matavera, Vogel spent 15 years living in Germany working as a youth councillor before returning home in 2017 with his wife Sabine and their four children.

He was curious about how the youth support system worked on Rarotonga and met with several leaders involved in the rehabilitation of young people and youth programmes.

Vogel believed the most effective way to contribute to the community was by teaching children at the primary school level.

“I enjoy teaching,” he said. “When a child ‘gets it’ and when they understand and get excited about it, get excited about learning, I get excited too, that for me is an exciting moment and something that’s encouraged me.”

Having observed primary school students at four different school over the years, Vogel believes there is big percentage of children being neglected by their parents.

Vogel said he can easily identify the “neglected” children when they walk into the classroom by their sad state of appearance and clothing.

“Well, we can always blame the system, but it’s not just the Ministry of Education. These days people are chasing the money, people have three to four jobs, and the kids are home alone or somewhere, and parents get so busy,” he said.

“Some parents just drop their kids to school and expect the teachers to teach their kids everything. Parents need to spend time at home teachings their kids the basics like good manners, respect and discipline.

“I want to encourage parents to teach and show their kids good values. You’re the parents, so do your part at home, then it’s easier for your kids to learn at school.

“We don’t need the parents to teach their kids maths, that’s our job, but help them at home, speak to your kids, teach properly and take care of them.”

Vogel said that some teachers have genuinely struggled to manage “naughty kids” in the classroom, leading some to leave the profession.

“Five naughty kids in one classroom is a huge task to deal with.”

He believes that as society evolves so should the teaching methods to make it easier for teachers to do their job well in teaching the next generation.

“For my generation we listened to our teachers no matter what because we all learnt respect, and discipline at home,” Vogel said.

Having spent the past two years at Apii Takitumu, Vogel was keen to take on a new challenge.

Embarking on his new role, Vogel is grateful for the assistance from Te Marauarau o te Pae Api’i/Ministry of Education and former Apii Rutaki principal, Margaret Teiti, who has retired.

Apii Rutaki is the smallest primary school on the island, with a roll number of 75 students last year.

Last year, the school celebrated its 60^th anniversary.

“I’m excited to meet the kids on this side of the island and to be their new principal,” Vogel said.

He would like to encourage parents in the area to send their children to Apii Rutaki.