Principal's Message

Kia Ora Koutou

This is my message to the St Matthew’s students at yesterday’s Final Assembly.

How long is a pandemic? I do not know. I also do not know how long the impacts will be of what has happened, is happening, or may happen as a result of the pandemic

What I know is – is that we have been living through some tough times. More… some in our community have been really struggling and could use our help.

What are the takeaways from this year?

First - To reach out when we can and help others. Like me as an example. some of you may have left parcels for the foodbank drive out last night

Second - we know that some of this year has really sucked but leave those behind knowing that this adversity/ these “sucky” times- teach us that we are human and that we cannot do everything ourselves.

The other learning from the year is to stop asking “What is the point?” . The point my friends is that this will end and we all still have work to do and much still to contribute.

What about Compassion & Sensitivity- There has been a need to realise that we are not invincible, or immune to difficult or even terrible things. But going through hardship can open our eyes to the hardships of others. Receiving support and help from others may motivate you to give support more readily. Your sense of compassion can grow.

What about Self-Knowledge & Perspective? 2021 has created a compelling reason for transformation This shift will be powerful. You have the chance to make new choices based on what matters; how you act, think, and feel; and what you can and cannot do.

What about Flexibility? - 2021 should have told us to be open to learning and to be agile as we figure out what to do next.

We are still facing a lot and these gifts of learning may seem far away or irrelevant — but they are invaluable.

Throughout the year I have really appreciated the positivity you have exuded

I have really valued those moments and events which have been able to continue and how well you embraced and made the most of those

I have appreciated the efforts you have made to be your best selves

Over the next wee while, and in the Prizegivings ahead, all those successes you have achieved will be recognised.

For those of you who are not receiving certificates or cups- that in no way diminishes the successes you have achieved. They are still important.

Year 13, leaving students and staff- I have delivered this poem in previous years and its messages still make sense to me ( and who does not love Dr Seuss):

Oh, where will you go?

Where will you choose?

There are places to stand

When you stay in your shoes.

Some of the places

Are comboozled and bad.

Those are the places

That just make you sad.

They don’t dress all the way.

They even blow smoke.

They drink icky drinks

That will make you choke.

But these are the places

You’ll know not to choose,

For these are the places

That will just make you lose.

There are good places to stand

So, decide with great care.

When you find one that is decent

Go and stand there.

Standing alone

Can make you feel small.

But when standing for truth

You’ll stand tallest of all.

Carry your values.

They’ll help you to know

When you should stand

And when you should go.

Go find decent places!

Go find your way!

Stand up and stand tall

And go stand there today!

Thank you, St Matthew’s students and staff, for making 2021 as good as it could be. You are a great bunch and being in your lives is the best part of the work I do, and we do.

Ngā Mihi

Kiri

Message from the Board of Trustees Chair - Parent Survey

Strategic planning is a systematic process of envisioning a desired future, translating this vision into broadly defined goals or objectives and a sequence of steps to achieve them. In other words, it’s about picturing where you want the school to be in the long term and coming up with a plan on how you will get there.

The Ministry of Education (MoE) requires the Board to develop a new Strategic Plan every three years. The Board is seeking feedback from parents on the key themes of this plan.

The BOT Three Year Strategic Vision

The Board believes our students need to be happy, feel confident and have self-belief to achieve their personal best.

• Our academic results are fantastic but, in the Board’s view, education is more than just top grades. Wellness is paramount.

• Being a good citizen is crucial and behaviour should align with the school’s values.

• We expect our teachers to be experts in their fields and passionate about their subject areas and be committed to contributing to life outside the classroom.

• Tradition is valued but our students need a curriculum that is ready for tomorrow’s world. To maximise the resources available, the Board would like to investigate working smarter across the Trinity schools to provide better educational opportunities for our students

I would like to thank you in advance for your time and input.

Sarah Harris

St Matthew's Collegiate School Board Chair

USA University Scholarship

Kianna Dawson has just been offered and accepted a full academic and sport (Hockey) scholarship (4 years) to the University of Connecticut, USA, where she will study Psychology Sciences and play highly competitive Division One Hockey. The value extends beyond US $250 000 with all the sponsorships and opportunities on offer.

Congratulations Kianna we are all very proud of you.

This follows hot on the heels of another SMS student currently on a US scholarship at the University of Maine. Poppy Lambert (Class of 2019) has been a pivotal member of her University team, winning the American East Championship.

What great role models we have!

Food and Nutrition

Year 11 Food Students have sharpened their entrepreneurial skills to sell homemade products. In this they created a food product to sell, wrote a detailed business plan, sold the product and evaluated their business. Huge learning and a little earning on the way.

The past couple of weeks the Yr 10 food class has been doing work on how food has changed over the past century. We had a great variety of dishes such as soft shell tacos, cookie dough, cupcakes, ANZAC biscuits, trifle and way more. It was very interesting to see the way kiwis have changed the way we cook over the last century. I think its safe to say we all really enjoyed this task and especially loved the food.

Pippy Cates

Staff Farewell

At the end of this year we will farewell some longstanding staff members. WPWA had a farewell morning tea with Mrs Walker on Wednesday morning. Whanau leader Chelsea Hawkes thanked Mrs Walker for her dedication both to Mathematics and to Wake House over the years, as well as her work as Whanau Teacher. The girls presented Mrs Walker with a card featuring a drawing of her little dog, Draco, and a plant with a bright red flower, to remind her of Wake House.

Boarder's Christmas Dinner

Although slightly earlier this year, the Boarder's Christmas Dinner was held on Thursday night. Despite it being November, there were festive outfits and a jolly atmosphere! Many thanks to the Matrons for making this happen and to the kitchen staff for an amazing Christmas dinner. It was nice to also welcome some of the new boarders for 2022 for their sleepover experience.

Year 10 Career Taster Days - UCOL

Today the year 10s spent the day at ucol sampling the courses they have on offer.

The did everything from beauty, early childhood, automotive, conservation, health, hairdressing, animal care, construction and cookery.

The girls had fun and some even came away with some ideas of careers they may wish to pursue in the future.

Thanks to Mrs Veale, Miss Robertson, Mrs Hannon and Miss Hammond for accompanying the girls on this trip.