Principal's Message
Kia Ora Koutou
Updates on Alert 2 and Face coverings
I wanted to give you an update on some changes taking place next week and what they mean for your children and whānau.
You are probably aware the Prime Minister has announced that face coverings will be required on public transport from next Monday, at Alert Level 2 and above. This does not apply to any child who is under 12 years of age and does not apply to school transport (we have good systems in place to manage safety on school transport).
Public Health officials have advised that children under the age of 6 should not wear face coverings. Children and young people do not need to wear face coverings at school. Other public health control measures are in place including children and staff staying home if they are sick, contact tracing, and hygiene requirements. If your child does not need to wear a face covering but they want to, that is fine.
Face coverings are another way we can help keep ourselves and others safe, along with good hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, appropriate physical distancing when out and about and staying home if we are sick.
We are continuing contact tracing by having QR code posters at our entrances, so please check in every time you come onsite. If you haven’t already downloaded the NZ COVID Tracer app the Ministry of Health’s website has information to help you do that. We will also keep a visitor register for anyone who does not have the app and also for anyone who comes onsite for a period of time. This will help us with contact tracing in the unlikely case it is needed.
Seeking help
The Incident last week which I communicated to every member of our community, and to stakeholders for them to disseminate verbatim, has seen many generous offers of support for the school and the families. That communication was with the families’ consent, knowing their privacy and support are my first concerns. We continue to support them and their daughters one day at a time.
It has been a ready reminder for us all that we need to encourage our students; our children to seek help and when it is sought to listen and act as appropriate. With that is mind I have the opportunity to get in an expert in dealing with young people and their mental health. I will encourage my staff and my parents to attend this event when it is advertised- Alert level dependent.
Take care everyone, and follow the hygiene protocols. If you have any questions about face coverings or anything else, please get in touch.
Ngā mihi
Kiri
Around School This Week
Years 7/8 French
Intercollegiate Cross Country
Senior College News
Congratulations to Anna Bebbington, Andrew Bate, Charlie Butler and Neve Hopman who won the trophy as the Senior Open team at this week’s Theatre Sports Competition. Their success followed on from the boys’ efforts the previous evening. Performance continues next week on Wednesday evening, when the second Level 2 and 3 Solo Performance recital evening of the year takes place. Some of the Senior College’s best musicians will be performing. Please put Wednesday evening at 6.40pm in the Lecture Theatre into your diary!
We are now reaching the time when choices of external standards for NCEA exams will be ‘locked in’. The same goes for Scholarship - and it is good to see a significant number of students committing to this. If there are doubts about entries for either, Deans need to be consulted. We do not support students committing to something and then deciding not to appear for the exam! If in doubt, conversations need to take place this coming week.
Senior students took a leading role in the organisation of this week’s Pride activities. Well done and thank you to all who were involved, helping to make the whole week a success.
Adam Gordon
Deputy Principal/Head of Senior College
Coming Up on the Calendar
Week 7 Term Three
Monday 31 August - Whanau Time, Junior Choir, Viva Rehearsal
Tuesday 1 September - Cultural Group Rehearsal, Senior Chapel
Wednesday 2 September - Assembly/Singing, Orchestra, Viva Rehearsal
Thursday 3 September - Junior Chapel, Jazz Band, House Music Rehearsal
Friday 4 September - House Music Rehearsal, Year 9 Lunch, Whanau Time
Week 8 Term Three - House Music Week
Monday 7 September - Whanau Time, Senior College Photos, Junior Youth Group, Viva Rehearsal
Tuesday 8 September - Senior Chapel, Year 7/8 Science Roadshow, House Music Rehearsal 3.30-5pm, Primary Cross-Country, Year 7 Vaccinations,
Wednesday 9 September - Assembly (TBC), Debating Competition, House Music Rehearsal 3.30-5pm, Youth Group, Intercollegiate Speech Competition
Thursday 10 September - Junior Chapel, House Music Event 1.30pm,
Friday 11 September - Whanau Time
Weekend - Hope Gibbons Cycling, Mary Poppins Rehearsal (Sunday)
School Notices
House Music
As you will be aware, we have made the decision to move our House Music event to school on Thursday 10 September. The government making another call on September 6 was just too close. We needed to give the girls certainty with many things so up in the air. Below is a new rehearsal schedule for the remainder of the time. We would really appreciate your help to ensure your daughter is at rehearsals by avoiding making appointments, especially after school on the 8th and 9th of September. All other rehearsals are in school time.
BALL GOWNS - WE NEED YOUR HELP!
The Class of 2020 is drawing to a close and with much excitement, preparation is underway for December's Leavers Ball. We'd like to help the girls with the most important task of selecting a ball dress. We are pretty sure there's some beautiful gowns tucked away in wardrobes out there, that may have only been worn once or twice, just itching to be out and on the dance floor again!
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - brush off those gowns and enjoy seeing them worn again with pride by another St Matthews Leaver in 2020.
We can collect the dress(es) from you, or you can drop off to the school office, anytime before September 18.
For collection in the Wairarapa, contact Ces Newton on 027 429 4749. For collection in the greater Wellington area, contact Sophie McKenna on 021 255 4597. If you live somewhere else and have a dress to loan, contact either of us and we can discuss logistics.
We are looking forward to an amazing event in December and in wishing our 2020 leavers all the best for life out the school gates!
Dates for the End of the Year
Below are end of year dates:
Thurs November 11 - Senior College Prizegiving 7pm
Monday November 16 - NCEA National Exams begin
Friday December 4 - Non-NCEA students released from instruction Carol Service and Leavers' Service - 6pm St Matthew's Parish Church
Saturday December 5 - St Matthew’s Prizegiving -ALL students required - 12pm Wairarapa College (Please note change of time from 9am)
Wednesday December 9 - NCEA National Exams end; School and Boarding House(s) Officially closed
Monday December 14 - Year 13 Leavers' Ball
Community News
Year 12 Business
Eco Tip #3 - Lily Burgin Penlington Year 12
An easy way to lessen your footprint is to reduce your water consumption. Try turning off the tap while you are brushing your teeth and washing only full loads of laundry, instead of just doing a few items at a time. This will save energy as well as water wastage and make sure that all of the water you use it being put to good use.