Principal's Message....
Kia Ora Koutou
We are mostly all back at school now and it was fabulous to see the actual faces of the staff and students, rather than the last few weeks of a Brady Bunch set up (you young ones may need to google that).
Staff
I want to begin by acknowledging Reverend Lesley whose last official day is today. It was to be at the end of week 5 but Lockdown locked her into service to us for the next three weeks- and we thank her sincerely for that.
She will continue to coach our cycling team for 2021 so that they will get to benefit of her vast experience and expert ability.
Going forward for the rest of this year RE will be taught by Rev Sarah Nothnagle who preaches at Epiphany Church. Our chapel services will be delivered by Rev Pete Watson and Youth Minister Cara Brown (Old girl) from St Matthew’s Church.
Friends Of St Matthew’s
There is an advertisement later in this newsletter for the Kitchen Tour coming up in October so please read that, and the corresponding action is for you to then book your ticket.
I also invite All Parents, Whanau, Caregivers to come along to our next Friends Meeting 23rd September 6.30pm. in the St Matthews Board Room.
Further NCEA support for students at schools disrupted in 2021
With NZQA, the Minister’s Professional Advisory Group and other sector leaders, have been working to make sure all NCEA students receive appropriate support this year.
To that end the Government has announced further changes to NCEA to support this year’s students.
On Thursday 2 September, the Government announced the following for students at schools and kura disrupted by Alert Levels 3 or 4 for a total of 20 or more school days:
Learning Recognition Credits (LRCs)
• for every five credits a student earns, they get one extra LRC
• students at NCEA Level 1 are eligible for up to 10 additional credits
• students at NCEA Levels 2 or 3 are eligible for up to eight additional credits.
Endorsements
• for Certificate Endorsements, a threshold of 46 credits at Merit or Excellence level, instead of the usual 50
• for Course Endorsements, 12 credits at Achieved or Merit or Excellence level in a course rather than 14, but at least three credits must come from external assessment and three from internal assessment (where these requirements usually apply).
University Entrance
• to be awarded University Entrance, students need 12 rather than 14 credits in each of three University Entrance Approved Subjects
• students still need to attain NCEA Level 3 and meet literacy and numeracy requirements.
Yesterday on Thursday 9 September, the Government has announced further changes to NCEA for this year’s students.
Students disrupted by 16 days (We have from Wednesday 18 August to Wednesday 8 September inclusive -16 disrupted days) of alert level restrictions this year:
Learning Recognition Credits (LRCs)
• for every five credits a student earns, they get one extra LRC
• students at NCEA Level 1 are eligible for up to eight additional credits
• students at NCEA Levels 2 or 3 are eligible for up to six additional credits.
Endorsements - no change to normal requirements.
University Entrance - no change to normal requirements.
In addition to this, students disrupted this year by 16 days of alert level restrictions and who experienced an additional four or more days of school closures due to building issues or natural disasters:
Learning Recognition Credits (LRCs)
• for every five credits a student earns, they get one extra LRC
• students at NCEA Level 1 are eligible for up to 10 additional credits
• students at NCEA Levels 2 or 3 are eligible for up to eight additional credits.
Endorsements
• for Certificate Endorsements, a threshold of 46 credits at Merit or Excellence level, instead of the usual 50
• for Course Endorsements,12 credits at Achieved or Merit or Excellence level in a course rather than 14, but at least three credits must come from external assessment and three from internal assessment (where these requirements usually apply).
University Entrance
• to be awarded University Entrance, students need 12 rather than 14 credits in each of three University Entrance Approved Subjects
• students still need to attain NCEA Level 3 and meet literacy and numeracy requirements.
Supporting learning progress once students are back at school
We acknowledged yesterday in the Assemblies that students will have experienced different learning opportunities at home to those in the classroom and may have made progress in areas different to those focused on in school.
I encourage parents and whānau to speak with your daughter’s (and son’s) teachers, if you are worried about their learning due to COVID-19 disruptions or any other reason.
I bring to your attention parent tips https://parents.education.govt.nz/essential-information/covid-19-information-for-parents-and-whanau/, and wellbeing tips https://parents.education.govt.nz/essential-information/covid-19-information-for-parents-and-whanau/#wellbeingtips, if you do have concerns about your child’s return to school or general wellbeing.
Be safe, follow the health protocols, have a fabulous Alert 2 weekend, and shop local.
Ngā Mihi
Kiri
Friends of St Matthew's
You will see this message again in the Newsletter to ask you ‘Have you and a friend purchased your tickets yet for a great day out meandering around some amazing locations and kitchens ?’ The Friends of St Matthew’s are steaming ahead with the Wairarapa Kitchen Tour fundraiser for St Matthews School on Sunday 31st October. For tickets email: friends@stmatts.school.nz .
NEEDED:
• Parent Volunteers to help on the day at our beautiful homes – just a couple of hours to do a shift .
• Businesses / talent - that relates to our kitchen theme who want to promote their wares via a demonstration at one of the sites. Do you have something of interest to share and promote? Email: friends@stmatts.school.nz
School Notices
Food Bank Appeal
We were due to have a Food Bank appeal just as we went into lockdown. We will be supporting the new date of Friday 17th of September for this fundraiser. We are asking families to donate non-perishable items for the Food Bank. Items can be left in the green trolley in the hall foyer from now on.
Cancer Society
The Cancer Society also missed out on their opportunity for fundraising due to lockdown. They will not be looking at a new date for Daffodil Day, however have a pop-up shop in Masterton where items can be purchased. Please support them if you can.
Special Leave Reminder
If your daughter needs to be absent from school for any other reason apart from illness, please follow the Special Leave process. An email needs to be sent to Mrs Gill with the dates and reason for absence during school time. Then your daughter needs to collect a Special Leave form from the office. She needs to fill this in with the subjects she will miss, ask her teachers to sign it and advise what work will be missed. This form then goes to the office where it is held, and our absence manager can record this on our student management system.
End of Year Dates
Due to the changes to NCEA exams we have had to reconsider the timing of our end of year events. There are some significant changes to absorb! Dates and times for some events are yet to be finalised.
1. Final Assembly for whole school, Wednesday 10 November 8.10am (normal school day).
2 . Last day for Years 11-13 (Study Leave), Friday 12 November. Senior College Prizegivng will take place that night at 7pm in the Rathkeale College Auditorium.
3. SMS Prizegiving, Saturday 20th November, 9am in the Rathkeale Auditorium.
4. Last day for Years 7-10, Friday 3 December.
5. Year 13 Leavers' Ball - Wednesday 15 December
We still have the Leavers' breakfast and Carol Service to confirm. The latter is likely to be a Junior Carol Service during school time.
Coming Up on the Calendar.......
Term Three - Week 8
Monday 13 September - Maori Language Week, Whanau time, Junior Choir, Viva Rehearsal
Tuesday 14 September - Year 13 Chapel
Wednesday 15 September - House Music Rehearsal, Orchestra, Viva Rehearsal
Thursday 16 September - Year 10 Chapel, House Music Rehearsal
Friday 17 September - House Music Rehearsal, Food Bank Appeal
Term Three - Week 9
Monday 20 September - Whanau Time, Junior Choir, Viva Rehearsal, Intercollegiate Speech Competition (TBC)
Tuesday 21 September - Year 12 Chapel
Wednesday 22 September - SMS Patronal Service (TBC), Orchestra
Thursday 23 September - Year 9 Chapel, House Music Rehearsal
Friday 24 September - House Music Rehearsal, Whanau Time