About 

Rutherford Day is a long-held tradition at the school to commemorate the achievements of Sir Lord Rutherford, the school's namesake. All the staff dress in their graduation cloaks and together with Senior students and local school sponsors attend a formal assembly to hear a guest speaker give words of wisdom.

In the past speakers have included Sir Edmund Hillary, former NZ prime minister Sir Walter Nash, former Olympic swimmer Paul Kingsman, former ONE News anchor Judy Bailey and 3News anchor Carol Hirshfield.