Star Board Term Four Week One

Principal's Message

Kia Ora Koutou

Volunteering

I am going to start with an acknowledgement of our parents and community. As you can imagine I am on a few committees ( no major revelation in that statement) and a good number of those committees are made up of parents; people givng their time voluntarily to support their child’s school. The commitment can be huge but unphased they continue.We have parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles- volunteering to help in sports, on Kitchen Tours, on hikes, on camps, on boards, at productions- the list is endless. There are not enough words to capture my gratitude for your help and support, except to say Thank you.

DGEs

Seniors at St Matthew’s, Rathkeale, and Senior College have and are sitting Derived Grade Exams, aka DGEs. This title became more commonplace around the time of the Kaikoura Earthquakes when students were unable to participate in the External exams in that region. The end of year school exams were therefore able to inform (along with other data) a derived result for a student’s potential score.

The DGEs title has reduced the use of the word ‘Mock’ when referring to the exams because there is nothing mock, or made up about them. If for some unexpected reason a student is unable to sit their External exam or complete an external portfolio for reasons like a temporary acute non-recurring illness, trauma – a significantly disturbing or distressing experience, misadventure - an event beyond a student’s control or an exceptional circumstance , or a sudden and significant change to a long-term illness occurring at the time of the examinations, then the school provides a grade based on (or derived from) pre-existing authentic, standard-specific evidence produced during the year by the candidate (such as from practice examinations or formal tests).

Candidates should sit the examination wherever possible. Where the candidate’s derived grade application is approved, and they sit the examination, the better result will be awarded.

Lion King

You are in for a treat with the year 7&8 production of Lion King Jnr. Doug Davidson and Georgie Gollins have trained the Kings of the Jungle so much so you would not want to miss this safari.

Friends of St Matthew’s Kitchens and More Tour

Friends of St Matthew’s Kitchens and More Tour is a weekend away (Oct 30). Please buy your ticket and help us raise funds for our state of the art sound system. Wairarapa families have invited us into their homes to check out their kitchens and a few other things at their properties. We are grateful for their support.

Have a wonderful and safe Labour wekend.

Ngā Mihi

Kiri

Around School

Boarding Note from Jo Booth

The priority this week in both Main and Hampton has been exam preparation. This has meant checking the dorms are relatively quiet for studying; ensuring lunches are brought forward to allow for afternoon exams; providing transport to and from Senior College during the day; and generally making sure everyone is where they need to be.

It was great to see the sunshine during the week and the girls making the most of the school pool open for term 4. Please remind your daughter to return with her swimming cap after the weekend as they are needed for afterschool swimming.

Enjoy the long weekend and a reminder that the boarding houses open at 7pm on Monday night.

Jo

E Pro8

We entered a Year 7 and a Year 8 team into the semi final competitions held at MIS on Tuesday night. The Year 8 team were successful and have now proceeded to the finals which will be held at Maidstone Intermediate School in late November.