Acting Principal's Message
It’s been a pretty weird term; we might not have had a lock-down, but normal school life has been disrupted.
Lots of us have been ill, some poor souls have had to isolate due to family members having Covid, then, just as they thought it was safe to come back out into the world….. caught Covid themselves and had to stay away for even more time. Many of the girls have worried about deadlines for assessments.
But the staff have been accommodating, deadlines have had to become a little more flexible and Miss Leckie and Mr Gordon have made more room in their filing cabinets for missed assessment forms! We understand that this has put huge pressure on both students and staff, trying to keep on top of work, many have felt stressed at times which has probably made things a little more fraught at home.
So take a moment, to de-stress
Amidst all of the hard work, tests and assignments a huge number of girls have also found the time and energy to compete in, take part in and organise a huge number of events. And for that we applaud them.
The school values, Commitment, Integrity, Respect, Inclusiveness and Compassion were chosen by the students and staff several years ago as the values that best defined all of us who are a part of St Matthew’s. These are not just words but a description of how we should conduct ourselves.
I challenge us all to ask ourselves, with integrity, do I do the right thing? Do I treat others in a way that I would like to be treated, am I always respectful of others, do I consider the feelings of others?
To the students I say, “If you are being truly honest with yourself you can probably think of words you have said, or things you have done that have made someone feel that little bit worse. I know there are girls at school who have been picked on, ridiculed, pushed away or bullied and you know what? It’s not OK. If you can think of occasions when you have been mean consider why you did it. Was it to make yourself feel more important, maybe it’s because a ‘friend’ encouraged you to, maybe you thought you were acting cool? Whatever the reason it’s always possible to make the future different from the past, you can re-invent yourself, you can put things right.”
To paraphrase Snoopy, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”
In a world where we are increasingly self- absorbed, give something back.
I hope you are all able to take a break during the school holiday, put work to the side for a while, find something you really enjoy doing and do it.
Take care and have a great holiday
Sandie Sherwen
Around School
Boarding Note from Jo Booth
Developing traditions is an important focus going forward to enhance our boarding culture at St Matthew’s. Traditions we have in place are- End of term dinners on the last Thursday of each term; Values awards for those who have made a special contribution to boarding; Establishing a Student Boarders Council; Year 11 Leaders in Main House; and the return of all boarders to both Main and Hampton House the Sunday prior to the term starting.
Last night the boarders and boarding staff enjoyed a lovely meal together and acknowledged those girls who have contributed to boarding in a special way throughout the term.
Boarding Awards for Term 2
- Year 7 - Isobel Wellbrock- for including others in Boarding
- Year 9 - Ruby Ferguson- for embracing the Boarding culture at St Matthew’s
- Year 10 - Meg Speedy- for her overall consistent effort in Boarding
- Year 11 - Olivia Manthel-Brown- for being a reliable leader who is always considerate of others
- Year 11 - Grace Blundell- for her commitment and passion demonstrated in her leadership role.
- Year 12 - Imogen Wheatley- for being polite and friendly, and having the tidiest room
- Year 13 - Ruby Broom - for displaying a positive attitude in all aspects of Boarding
Many thanks to April, Rose, Marci, Anneliese, Hope and Nikki who formed the Boarders Student Council for Term 2. As many meetings did not take place due to illness this group of students will continue in their role in Term 3.
Thank you to our Year 11 Leaders Grace, Hannah, Eleni, Olivia, Maddy, and Anneliese for their assistance with younger students.
We also announced the runners up of our Photo competition – Peta McKay, and Phoebe and Grace Blundell. The overall winners were Olivia Guscott and Sophie Joblin. Olivia’s photo of Sophie will be printed onto canvas and hung in the foyer area between the Common rooms in Main House.
Congratulations to the winners of the “Tidiest Room” competition. I look forward to taking you all out Week 1 next term.
Looking ahead, all Main House and Hampton House boarders are expected to return to school on Sunday 24th July. Students can arrive between 2-5pm and dinner will be provided. Hampton House will also be open during this time.
I hope you all have a happy and safe break and we will see you on Sunday 24th July.
Jo
Ngā Manu Kōrero competition
Rathkeale College recently hosted the regional Ngā Manu Kōrero competition for the first time. St Matthew’s had two students entered, another first!
Congratulations to India Bartlett, who was second in her section with her speech “My journey to reclaim my reo starts with me.”
And well done to Tiarna Webb-Milner and spoke for over eight minutes in Te Reo Māori.
It was a great day with lots of rich learning for everyone.
Published Poet
Year 11 student Erin Dean has had one of her poems published in Tūhono 2021, the Wellington City Libraries’ annual poetry journal for Teens. Since the start of Year 9 Erin has entered a number of writing competitions and has submitted a number of pieces for publication and has had some success. We join her in celebrating this latest accomplishment.
Speech Finalists
The finals were held at Hadlow last week.
Simone Kittow, Year 8. Was 1st in Year 8 School Finals, 3rd in Year 8 Interschool Semi Finals. Unplaced in Year 8 Inter school Grand final. Her speech topic was “Dancing is a Sport”.
Zena Cole, Yr 7. Was first in Year 7 School Finals. 1st in Year 7 Inter school Semi Finals. 2nd in Year 7 Inter school Grand Final. Her speech topic was “Ukraine War”.
Life Education Classroom
The Life Education classroom was at school last week for its annual visit. This year we had a new teacher who enthused the girls with their learning. St Matthew’s Old Girl Laura Wood (nee Campbell) was the teacher, it was great to welcome Laura back to her old school for the week. And of course , Harold the Life Ed mascot was with her. The Year 7 , 8 and 9 girls visited the classroom. Our topics this year was “Friendships and Kindness”.
Last Day at Tech
Year 8 girls attended their last day at Hard Material tech at Makoura College today. Here is a sample of the notice boards and LED Light boxes.
Primary Regional Cross Country
Well done girls!
A Day at the Opera
On Monday the 4th of July our year 10 Music students and year 11 Music and Drama students were lucky enough to see a Live in HD abridged, English language performance of Massenet's Cendrillon (Cinderella). The original Full length production was first produced in French. It was fantastic to see such lyical and poignant music (including a dominance of mezzo-soprano voicing), quirky costuming, minimal staging, and a highly enjoyable storyline. Whilst we were not able to go to New York to see this MET Opera performance live, we all thoroughly enjoyed the live recorded version - and all of our young musicians and thespians commented on the power and skill of the female vocalists they heard during the screening.
An Evening of Art
Manawatu Readers’ Cup
Just a week after competing in the inaugural Wairarapa Readers’ Cup event at Rathkeale, five of the group travelled to Feilding to compete in the Manawatu Reader’s Cup competition – though all six girls were involved in preparing for it.
Our team for the Manawatu consisted of Lucy Didsbury, Fiona Ebbitt, Audrey Hall, Scarlett Handley-Craig and Vicky Wu. They competed under the team-name Shining Stars, and were accompanied by our mascot teddy – named Ted in honour of Ted Dashfield, the former principal whose name adorns our library.
Once again, the competition centred on six books: The Calling (Fleur Beale), The Changeover (Margaret Mahy), The Inkberg Enigma (Jonathan King), Refugee (Alan Gratz), If Not Us (Mark Smith) and Falling Into Rarohenga (Steph Matuku). As these are different books from those selected for the Wairarapa competition, entering both events meant that the girls have had to work doubly hard.
As at Rathkeale, the competition took the form of a series of short answer questions which were answered in writing and marked immediately by the adjudicators. There were also brief competitions for team name, mascot and chant, and also the opportunity to win spot prizes. One of these was won by Fiona Ebbitt, and another by Miss Wood.
In all, 12 teams took part from as far afield as Whanganui, Levin and, obviously, Masterton; however in what was a very close competition the top places all went to Palmerston North school: Girls’ High (1st), and Boys High, who entered three teams (2nd and 3rd). Just a coupe of marks behind, the Shining Stars came in at 5th place. Well done to all who took part.
Our thanks go to the organisers who ran a very enjoyable evening; to Mrs Christina Bate, our librarian, and Miss Wood who accompanied us.
Tim Clarke
Pent Tournament
Last Sunday, the Junior Pentangular Tournament kicked off, a 3-day tournament hosted by Samuel Marsden College, Wellington. Girls represented the Collegiate in their respective codes of Netball, Football and Hockey against Samuel Marsden, Nga Tawa, Iona, and Woodford House. There was tough competition across all codes, however, girls displayed strong sportsmanship, courage and determination resulting in many games being won.
The Junior A Netball team played a strong game against Nga Tawa and Woodford House, winning both. However, Iona and Samuel Marsden brought a tough game to the girls, narrowly losing both by 6 goals.
The Hockey girls brought strong competition to the tournament facing Woodford House, Nga Tawa and Samuel Marsden successfully winning the games on the turf. Whilst the girls left everything on the turf, they were defeated by Iona, 7-3.
The Football competition was very tough and competitive, resulting in a narrow defeat by Samuel Marsden. They held a tie against Iona at 2 all however, were unfortunately defeated by Woodford House.
St Matthews as a squad placed 3rd overall tying with Woodford House!
Whilst all girls represented the school exceptionally well displaying school values on and off the turf, field and court, the following girls won the team award for their code. Congratulations to Meg Speedy (Hockey), Sienna Chu (Football) and India Bartlett (Netball)!
Year 11 Barn Dance
On Wednesday night SMS hosted the Year 11 boys for a Barn Dance Social in our gym. It was a great success which we repeated for the school the next afternoon. Thanks to all the girls who dressed-up and got into the spirit of the event. These are so important for building our school culture.
I would like to thank Mr Doug Davidson for being the MC for both events and teaching the students some country dancing. Thanks also go to Rachel Shearing for converted the gym into a barn! It created such a neat atmosphere that the girls were in awe of, and made them really excited. There were many people who loaned us gear to use. I would like to thank the following people:
- Paddy and Sarah Borthwick – wine barrels
- Paula Petrie – her epic journey into town with hay
- Vanessa Judd – for the fairy lights that transformed the gym
- Aaron and Megan Slight – the Mitre 10 BBQ
- Maureen Ingham – metres and metres of bunting
- Chrissy McCoy – assorted decorations
Have a great holiday!
Alison Glass
Y8 Science
Yr 8 have been learning about simple machines in Science with the unit ending in the class building a chain reaction machine.
1st XI Football fundraiser
Come along to The Screening Room to see The Phantom of the Open and help support our football girls. Tickets can be purchased via this link https://forms.gle/kNDrYzW1nNvQTFBy7
Food and Nutrition
Here is the final Food Waste project recipe from Ana Long and Coco McMillan -
Year 7 & 8 End of Term morning tea
Year 7/8 enjoying their end of term morning tea. They've worked really hard and are looking forward to a well-deserved break!
2022 School Board Triennial Elections
The St Matthew's Collegiate Board of Trustees Elections will be held on 7 September 2022. We encourage any parents, caregivers and those from the wider community who are interested in being part of the governance of our school to put their name forward when nominations open this month. Nominations open on Friday 15th July so keep an eye on your inbox for nomination forms.
School App
If you are new to St Matthew's Collegiate, or have yet to download, please follow the link to install our school app https://schoolappsnz.co.nz/install
For current families, please update your subscription groups by clicking on the cog in the top right hand of the screen. It will take you to the groups for you to change.
Key Dates Term 3
- Monday 25th July - First day of Term 3
- Friday 29 July - Sunday 31st July - Hokonui Fashion Awards (senior)
- Wednesday 3rd August - Mid Winter Showcase
- Thursday 4th August - Parent/Teacher St Matthew's
- Thursday 4th August - Parent/Teacher Rathkeale
- Friday 5th August - Parent/Teacher St Matthew's
- Sunday 7th August - Monday 8th August - Winter Quad (Nga Tawa)
- Friday 12th August - Food Bank non uniform day
- Saturday 13 August - Exeat
- Sunday 13th August - Exeat
- Thursday 18th August - Viva Fundraising concert
- Thursday 25th August - Sunday 28th August - Big Sing Finale (Christchurch)
- Monday 29th August - Teacher Only day
- Monday 29th August - Friday 2nd September - Tournament Week
- Saturday 3rd September - Exeat
- Sunday 4th September - Exeat
- Friday 16th September - House Music event
- Wednesday 28th September - WOW preview show
- Friday 30th September - Last day Term