Star Board Term Two Week Five

Principal's Message

Kia Ora Whanau

I am busy in application for enrolment interviews for 2024 - and as always, I am meeting amazing people. Once done we will send out letters of offer. It is wonderful to have such excited interest in St Matthew’s. If you want to find out more about 2024 enrolments, contact my PA, Tracey Watt.

Why the industrial action?

As I advised you this week that PPTA have suspended action until Tuesday May 30 11:59pm. I am not naïve enough to think you have not been keeping abreast of the news regarding the teachers, but some background may help. What pay demands and supports are teachers seeking from the Government? Well, it is not just about the dollars. There is a desire for: “significantly more” guidance counsellors and other specialist staff, pay that matches the cost of living, and more support for senior leaders in area schools - are just some of the reasons behind a nationwide industrial action.

The last collective agreement offer the PPTA received from the Government was in October. The offers did not address key conditions around guidance counsellors and other specialist staff. There is a need for more pastoral care staffing, to work with students who are at risk of disengaging.

Our learners are important, as is our educational future- these are the primary drivers for action. But as I close this our educational future needs trained and passionate teachers to facilitate this objective- it is desirable that teaching be seen as a valuable and valued role. To do that teachers need to be paid at sustainable levels.

Underage drinking

I am not going to tell you the alcohol rules in New Zealand except to say that the alcohol purchase age is 18 years old. A few years ago, one of our prefects responded when asked this question about growing up in these times – I asked “is drinking amongst youth getting worse?”. Her response, which has resonated for me ever since was “no Mrs Gill it’s not getting worse; it is getting younger”.

Too many young ones are getting access to alcohol far too early and that is deeply concerning. Too many young ones are going to parties where there is alcohol readily available - and that is also deep concerning. I may not be thanked for this, but if your young one asks you for access to alcohol- say ‘No’.

I thought I would share this great short poem with you:

Have a safe weekend.

Ngā Mihi

Kiri

Around School

Boarding Note

With only three beds available in Main House at the present time, we are always looking to see where we can meet the current demand for boarding.

One space that we have recently turned into a flexi-space (a space that could be used as a bedroom if needed or converted back into a small common room area) is Robyn’s nest down the junior end of Main House. While it is not quite ready to be occupied just yet, it is looking like a lovely space already.

Today four boarding staff members from Queen Margarets House in Wellington visited us to see our facilities and to hear about boarding at St Matthew’s. The visitors were so impressed with the tidy bedrooms in both boarding houses they took photos to show their boarders. Thanks girls for making an effort everyday to keep your rooms nice and tidy.

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Don from our kitchen. He has made a massive difference to the catering at St Matthew’s and we appreciate his efforts!

Finally, parents may not be aware that Meningococcal vaccines are free for 13-25 year olds living in a boarding situation. Please contact your medical centre for more information.

Have a great weekend.

Jo

St Matthew's Clay target team

On Thursday the 11th of May Maddie White and Grace Blundell represented St Matthew's at the Murray Luke Memorial clay target shoot held in Taupo. This event attracts school teams from all over the North Island and the overall teams was won by Rathkeale College two years ago.

The girls won teams event by 3 points over there nearest rivals with a combined score of 155/180 in trying conditions at the Taupo gun club. Grace also came third in the individual girls shoot with 79/90 points.

On Sunday the 14th the girls were again shooting, this time at the Hawkes Bay gun club for the first round of the Central and lower North Island secondary school champs. Maddie White shot well shooting 85/100 on the day for third place.

The next shoot is this Sunday at Woodville gun club.