Principal's Message
Kia Ora Koutou
Covid is still impacting students and families. We are very mindful that students have been sick due to Omicron and that when on their return to school they have been operating with lower energy levels. Staff are aware and will take these situations into consideration as students navigate their subject expectations.
Student Voice and PE gear trial for years 9&10
Student voice has been listened to so there will be a June trial for PE gear.
For years 7-9 there is no change. For PE and sports trainings, the uniform is: school pe top and shorts/ school tracksuit/school hoodie/school black thermal tee + shoes and socks
For years 10-11 we will be trialling for June PE and Sports trainings: school pe top and shorts or plain black leggings under knee length/ school tracksuit/school hoodie/school black thermal tee + shoes and socks
Please note that for ALL Sports Games and trainings off site students must continue to wear the sports uniform for the appropriate code (which does not include leggings). Following the June trial period, and dependent on adherence to the changed expectations, there will be a decision made as to whether this trial becomes permanent.
Queen’s Birthday Weekend
First be safe over this weekend ( in fact be safe every weekend). Secondly, Reunions are becoming a popular Queen’s Birthday occurrence for St Matthew’s. This weekend is the reunion weekend for the Twos with old girls ( and boys at Rathkeale) from 1992, 2002, and 2012 gathering in their alma maters to rekindle memories.
Principal’s Sabbatical
I will be taking a Sabbatical from week 8 of this term until week 3 of term 3. The Pandemic delayed the timings for this but with the support of the Board I will be taking time to refresh and spend some time in the latter part of this leave to look at school visioning and structure work.
I am currently looking at what needs to be put in place in my absence as regards managerial roles, and then this will confirmed in a newsletter ahead.
Enjoy the long weekend and be the best you can be.
Ngā Mihi
Kiri
Around School
Boarding Note from Jo Booth
While both Main House and Hampton House Matrons have had another busy week ensuring boarders are well and where they need to be, I have spent the week at the New Zealand Boarding Schools Association National Hui in Wellington. This has been invaluable as it has been an opportunity to meet with a diverse group of people, from throughout the country, who all have some sort of connection to Boarding School life.
Although my head has been buzzing with information overload, one presentation that I found particularly interesting, was one on Student Leadership. The key message from that session was, “you don’t need a badge or a title to show leadership.” I loved that message, as surely we all want our young people to show leadership… “the ability to influence the way in which others think and behave.” My challenge now is to build on that concept in boarding at St Matthew’s.
Have a restful Queen’s Birthday weekend and I will look forward to seeing you all next week.
Jo
Reporting Update
Effort Grade Report Three is now available on the parent portal. This report only includes core subjects with a large allocation of time and option subjects for Year 10, and NCEA subjects for Year 11. All subjects will be reported on at the end of the term for Effort Grade Report Four.
Results of assessments can be viewed on the portal.
In Week 9 of this term the girls will be interviewed by their Whanau teacher. This gives the girls another layer of support for progress in their academic studies and their general school life The girls will have the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have in their learning, and goals set for the rest of the year. Whanau teachers will have information from the subject teachers to look over before the interview to ensure all bases are covered. We look forward to sitting down with the girls for an update on their time at St Matthew’s so far this year.
In Week One of Term Three, we will hold interviews again. These will be held on Thursday 28th (beginning at 2pm) and Friday 29th of July. Booking details will be available nearer the time. Bookings will be open to Year 10 first as they missed out on the previous interviews. Years 7/8 will be able to book with Mr Davidson and Mrs Gollins as well.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about our reporting system.
Alison Glass – alison.glass@trinityschools.nz
Pent Teams
Congratulations to the following girls named in the Pent teams for Hockey, Football and Netball. These teams will play in the Pentangular Tournament on the 3rd – 5th July at Samuel Marsden, Wellington.
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 in July.
St Matthew's Kitchen and More Tour 2022
The Friends of St Matthew’s are excited to announce that the theme for this year is: Indoor and Outdoor Entertaining. If you would like the opportunity to have your fabulous property included in this event on October 30th, please register your expression of interest to: suzie.leckie@trinityschools.nz
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 for Term 2
- Saturday 4th June - Exeat
- Sunday 5th June - Exeat
- Monday 6th June - Queen's Birthday public holiday
- Wednesday 8th June - Collegiate Fixture (away)
- Thursday 9th June - Big Sing Wellington (Viva)
- Thursday 16th June - Big Sing Palmerston (Cultural Group)
- Friday 17th June - Non uniform day (PRIDE week)
- Wednesday 22nd June - Dessert Dance
- Friday 24th June - Matariki public holiday
- Saturday 25th June - Exeat
- Sunday 26th June - Exeat
- Friday 1st July - Saturday 2nd July - 20 hour back-page challenge
- Sunday 3rd July - Tuesday 5th July - Pent Tournament (away)
- Friday 8th July - Last day of Term 2