Principal's Message

Kia Ora Koutou

As we wend our way to the end of the term, celebrations for yuletide and other such things take up our time. I am looking out my window and the Year 11s are gathering to make their way over to Lazarus for their Level 1 Maths exam. There is a tinge of nervousness but definitely smiling faces.

Main House 100th

The day, Monday, 22 November 1920 (at 3.30.pm). The Summary read that the weather was “boisterous”.

Present at the laying of the Foundation Stone were: The Right Rev. Thomas Henry Sprott, Bishop of Wellington, Vicar of St Matthew’s Church, Rev. John Walker, Rev. R. Godfrey, of the Melanesian Mission, Mayor and Mayoress, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Jackson, Mr. G. R. Sykes, independent M.P. for Masterton, Monsignor John McKenna, Catholic priest, Masterton, Miss Isaacson, the principal of St Matthew’s, and pupils of St. Matthew's School , Mr. J. S. Trimen, and pupils of the "Ardinglye" private school, parishioners and friends.

Rev Godfrey read the lesson, and Bishop Sprott spoke.The occasion concluded with the singing of the Doxology (dok·so·luh·jee) and a hymn. The Doxology is treasured. It was composed by Anglican Bishop Thomas Ken (1637–1711), who through preaching and music, sought to uplift the spiritual lives of his students.

Foundation Stone

The foundation stone, obtained by Mr George Robert Sykes, Masterton MP (and whose children went to St Matthew’s , was laid by the Right Rev. Thomas Henry (Sprott), Bishop of Wellington on 22 November 1920. The stone has been mounted into Big House.

The Trustees Minutes 13 September 1920 had hoped the Governor General Lord Jellicoe would lay the stone, but it was thought that would not be possible”.

Monday 25 October 1920 the Minutes read ”That Lord Jellicoe be invited to lay the Foundation Stone any time in November, but if not convenient for November any time that would suit him.…it was also proposed and seconded “That the name of the school be “St Matthew’s Collegiate School.”

Monday 8 November 1920. “Private Secretary to the Governor General dated 28 October 1920 regretting that he would be unable to lay the Foundation Stone of the school building, for the success of which he sends his best wishes

…invitations for the laying of the Foundation Stone were sent to Debenture Holders, parents of scholars, Members of Parliament for the District and heads of local bodies, and any others at the discretion of the Vicar”.

In Wairarapa Age 19 March 1920, advertisements for tenders for the erection of school buildings for trustees of St. Matthew's School, also for garage in Queen Street for Reliable Motors, Ltd were placed.

10 June 1920 records the letting of a contract to Hulme and Penistone to erect a new school in Pownall Street. It is to be noted that there was a shortage of cement at that time, and supplies continued to be difficult to find up to July 1920. In the Parish News, Nov. 1920 newsletter for the St Matthew’s Church was the following item it read “St. Matthew’s School for Girls.

The Bishop hopes to lay the Foundation Stone of the new buildings on Monday, Nov. 22nd, at 3.30pm. We have worked and waited long for this, and our hearts are full of thankfulness to God.

In the Parish News, Dec.1920, newsletter for the St Matthew’s Church: “It was quite a red letter day in our parish history on November 22nd, when the Bishop laid the Foundation Stone of the new buildings for S. Matthew’s School. It was encouraging to see so goodly a gathering for the occasion, and the hearty singing of the children, especially the very small ones, who had learnt the hymns by heart, contributed to make the service thoroughly inspiring. The Bishop was in splendid form, and his address must have strengthened us all in our resolve to maintain the Christian standard of life and conduct, and to bring up the coming generation with no lower ideals before them and ourselves. The offering placed on the stone amounted to about £127.”

“St. Matthew’s School for Girls will re-open to-morrow, after the term holidays, at the new school in Pownall street” in The Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 September 1921.

That bodes well for 2021 because we hope that this birthday also indicates the beginning of a glorious decade in Boarding.

Ngā Mihi

Kiri

Primary Cricket

Jazz Band Concert

Physics and Engineering Workshop

Coming Up on the Calendar

Week 7 Term Four

Monday 23 October - Whanau Time, Junior Choir, Viva Rehearsal, Curriculum Projects

Tuesday 24 October - Curriculum Projects

Wednesday 25 October - Assembly, Orchestra, Viva Rehearsal, Ballroom Dancing Social

Thursday 26 October - Junior Chapel, Jazz Band, Curriculum Projects

Friday 27 October - Curriculum Projects, Whanau Time, Connecting Years Function (Year 9), Effort Grade Report 6 Published

Week 8 Term Four

Monday 30 November - Whanau Time, Junior Timetable Running

Tuesday 1 December - Prefect Interviews, Regional Primary Athletics, Junior Timetable Ends

Wednesday 2 December - Whanau Picnics, Arts Extravaganza

Thursday 3 December - Cultural Rehearsals for EOY events, Junior Activities, Boarders' Christmas Party

Friday 4 December - Last day for non-NCEA students, EOY event rehearsals, Final Assembly 1pm, Carol Service 6pm

Saturday 5 December - Leavers' Breakfast 8.30am, SMS Prizegiving 12pm (Wairarapa College)

Wednesday 9 December - NCEA Exams Finish - 2020 school year closes

School Notices

Uniform Shop

PLACE WINTER UNIFORM ORDERS NOW:

Senior Skirts @$164.00 need to be tried on and ordered before the end of the term. Please also place orders for any other winter uniform now please. There is no commitment to buy ordered uniform, but it means that the correct sizes will be in stock if there is no good 2nd hand available and you have to buy new. Payment can be made on collection towards the end of term 1 when the uniform arrives.

The Uniform Shop open will not be open on Tuesday 17th November, Teacher Only Day. Please contact Juliet with any enquiries and orders: smcsuniforms@trinityschools.nz

Dates for the End of the Year

Below are end of year dates:

Wednesday December 2 - Whanau House Picnics (various locations)

Thursday December 3 - Boarder's Christmas Party 6pm

Friday December 4 - Final Assembly 1pm (school may finish early at around 2.30pm)

Friday December 4 - Non-NCEA students released from instruction Carol Service and Leavers' Service - 6pm St Matthew's Parish Church

Saturday 5 December - Leavers' Breakfast 8.30am SMS Dining Room (hosted by SMOGA)

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

School Community

Year 9 - Connecting Years

SMOGA

SMOGA (St Matthew's Old Girls' Association) - Wine Fundraiser

Once again the SMOGA are offering a wine fundraiser in association with Paddy Borthwick Wines. For every case, $40 will be donated by Paddy Borthwick to the school. You must be 18 years or over to participate.

Please click on the link below to view the extensive range of wines offered, and complete an order form. Please send to Bridget Mathewson at bridg.andy@gmail.com.

Other Community Events