Star Board Term One Week One

Principal's Message

Kia Ora Koutou e te Whānau

‘Start as you mean to go on’ has seen us as always making sure that standards we expect are well known. There will be no compromising on expectations- that is why you selected us for your young ones?

This week I have focused on piercings and I have been impressed by the adherance to the rule, and also by the capacity for our students to correct their mistakes. Just as an aside it might be worth talking further about the definition of ‘invisible’. First there is no option available that says one can wear additonal earrings if they are invisible. If a teacher has ‘seen’ something you should not have in your ears then it is clearly ‘visible’- and therefore needs to be removed.

Mobile Phones

The Ministry have advised that all state schools | kura are required to implement a phone rule that has student phones ‘away for the day’ as soon as possible in Term 1 2024 and no later than the start of Term 2 2024.

The Government has introduced regulations to put this requirement in place. St Matthew’s as you are aware has had phone rules in place since 2020 and it is reassuring to see that our expectations reflect the new regulations.

A reminder that students’ phones are not be seen at any time of the day between 8:10am and 3:10pm.

If phones are seen being used by a staff member during or out of classtime:

1. The staff member will ask for your phone.
2. It will be taken to the office administrator.
3. The office administrator will make a note on your file (KAMAR) that it has been taken from you.
4. The office administrator will pass the phone onto the senior manager with oversight of the student’s year group.

On the first occasion the phone is to be collected from the senior manager at the end of the day. On a second occasion, parents will be contacted and asked to collect the phone for their daughter. Further occasions are continual disobedience and will be treated as such.

Parents needing to get a message to their daughter are asked to phone the school or boarding house and the message will be relayed to the student. Students needing to contact parents between 8:10am and 3:10pm must go to the office and will be instructed to use the school phone to do so.

Boarders will get access to their phones in the mornings before 8:10 so that they can read app messages, and of course my Atamarie. Other notices will go on Student Notices which are on the student screen in the student common room.

Students who are sick should go to the office as normal to sign out to the sickbay and if parents need to be contacted to collect their daughter, then Mrs. Booth will make the phone call and alert the office that this has been done.

In the event of special circumstances like health concerns, or a family need for an individual, then contact should be made with the school so arrangements can be made.

Visitors

It has been lovely to continue the theme of old girls visiting their Alma Mater. This week we were treated to a visit from: Robyn Williams (Robyn Muriel Williams, nee Donald - StMatts 1954-1966 (Pupil #988), Head prefect 1966, Part-time Matron and then Boarding House Manager, 1995-2008, 2008-2012, International Student Co-ordinator); and Susan Jane Frentzos, nee Stratton - at StMatts 1954-1966 (Pupil #992). She was a Prefect 1966 and Games Committee (Head), 1966.

Robyn is still in the Wairarapa and she has a role in the mahi of a scholarship for a postgraduate student working on New Zealand research which has been set up in the name of the late historian, scholar and writer Dr Lydia Wevers. Sue calls Greece home now. While here Sue was a gymnast, played hockey, was Captain of the 1966 Senior Tennis team, and great swimmer.

Closing

We have amazing students and staff, and I am very excited for this year.

Have a great and safe Waitangi Weekend and remember the students do not come back to school until Wednesday.

Ngā Mihi

Kiri

Boarding Note

What a week! Our new and returning Main House boarders have been extremely busy adjusting to our routines and expectations; making new connections with other boarders; spending endless hours in the pool; establishing good work habits in prep all on top of a productive week at school.

For our senior girls, the first week has been all of the above with the added excitement that comes with being a Hampton House boarder and a student at Senior College.

To our boarding families, you would be proud of your young people. Despite a few slip ups along the way where boundaries have been tested and the to-be-expected homesick moments, your girls have been amazing.

A special mention to our Year 13 boarders in our Leaders Apartment. Thank you for your contribution to boarding. The kindness and enthusiasm you have shown our younger boarders has been impressive.

Please remember the boarding houses close at 5pm tonight and reopen at 7pm Tuesday due to Waitangi weekend.

Take care.

Jo

Year 9 Orientation

Our Year 9 students have enjoyed a chance to be together and bond over a tramp to Rocky Lookout, High Ropes, Dragon Boating and Frisby Golf.