Principal's Message
Kia Ora Koutou e te whanau
My message ends with a poem I wrote for our Final Assembly today. It encapsulates the term now over, so I do hope you enjoy my poetic licence.
Sabbatical
I have been successful in being awarded a Sabbatical from the Ministry for the first five weeks of term four. I have mentioned it cursorily previously, but like many things in life for us all it may have felt too far ahead.
My Sabbatical is Executive and Corporate Leadership Structuring for Educational futures (yes, I too had to take a wee rest part way through writing that lofty title). I will be meeting, and have met, some significant souls in the corporate and educational spheres all in the objective of growing myself and the school of which I am a part.
In my absence Mrs Sherwen, Miss Glass and Mr Davidson will capably manage the school.
Emma Wright
I have decided to put my previous message about Emma into my message because if it is right, then it is right. The other day I was looking at Facebook, as you do, and I encountered a post of this young woman who has had countless surgeries to look nothing like the person she was born to be. Two posts later I find that you can download an app that will completely alter your image online to create the ‘perfect’ you. By this stage I am aghast and wonder about my own children; did I raise them to love who they are? To love how they look? To celebrate the aging process? To understand that their bodies are their temples- wondrous constructions to be nurtured as was intended and not to be reconstructed by unhealthy obsessions or technological interventions.
So, I asked myself who in our existence can help us to help others in teaching our tamariki to be confident in the body they have - Emma Wright can. Through sheer tenacity we have managed to secure her, and her wisdom, and her experience - to talk BODY CONFIDENCE in the MODERN AGE for Parents, Teachers, and Coaches.
Basically, folks we are opening this opportunity up to the wider community, but we are making the first invites to our St Matthew’s community- so if you want to secure a seat book now see the links below for booking to be in Emma’s audience on October 26, 7-9pm
You can link here to book your seat - Book your ticket
Final Assembly Address
Thank you and have a great break and be safe
Kiri
Around School
Boarding Note
What a fabulous way to end the term with a sensational evening of house music! Well done to all involved. While it was a late drive to the airport last night in preparation for their flight home to Hong Kong, both Sabrina and Ceres agreed it was well worth it as both girls are from the overall winning house, Sheppard!
Happy holidays. I hope everyone has a relaxing break as it has been an extremely busy term.
Boarders, I look forward to seeing you all back on Sunday 8th October between 3-5pm.
Jo
National Readers Cup
On Thursday Year 9 students Clara Andrew, Emily Kirk, Isabelle Lynn, Georgia Marara and Sophie White competed in the National Readers Cup competition in Auckland. The team qualified for the nationals by winning the Wairarapa Readers Cup competition last term. The students competed well against the other teams from throughout New Zealand and the competition was a great experience for them.
House Music
Last night we held our annual House Music Event for 2023. It was a fantastic night and a real celebration of music with amazing performances from all four Houses. Here are the results:
- Best Hymn - Wake
- Best Song - Sheppard
- Best Conductor - Bella Beetham (Wake)
- Best Band - Wake (Chelsea Hawkes Leading)
- Best Student Arrangement - Daisy Carter (Sheppard)
- Creative Spirit Award - Batten
- Over Winner - Sheppard
Gem Jar trip
This week, many students celebrated having filled their Gem Jar (being noticed showing our school values) by bouncing and sliding at Gozone Wairarapa. A wonderful time was had by all as we found joy in being together and patting each other on the back for bringing a culture of compassion, integrity, respect, inclusiveness, and commitment to our classrooms and school. When we get it right, the whole world changes.
RE Exhibition
This last week Year's 7 - 11 had their RE Exhibition. We invited local Clergy and members of our Board of Proprietors to come and hear from our students as to what they have been learning during their inquiry. Our Big Idea was, "Identities can be influenced by Religious and Spiritual Practices and Beliefs." The students explained their inquiry journey, showing their RE book, explaining their question and research process, concluding with a presentation outlining what they found out. Feedback from our visitors was very encouraging and positive. Well done everyone!
Kapa Haka Festival
On Thursday Te Kapa Haka o Ngā Manu Tīoriori o Kāreti Hato Matiu and Ngātahi performed at the Wairarapa Schools’ Kapa Haka Festival at Wairarapa College. They sounded beautiful and looked amazing too. Te Kapa Haka o Ngā Manu Tīoriori were wearing their brand new kākahu, designed by India Bartlett as part of her Level 1 Fashion course, and sewn by Mrs Bucknell. A big thank you for all their fabulous mahi.
Senior Fashion Trip
Senior fashion students extended their trip to the Wow preview show on Wednesday to include an industry visit to Hill Hats in Petone, the longest surviving fashion manufacturer in NZ and just happens to be owned by the Smuts Kennedy family. They stopped for dinner at Mexico in Petone and then went into Wellington for the preview show of WOW, and it WOWED!!!
Year 7 & 8 Tech
This week the Year 7 & 8 had their last lessons for the year at Makoura College doing Hard Material Tech. All the girls made a wooden tool box or a jewellery box and a pewter key ring. The girls enjoyed going to Makoura once a week for term three to use the many power tools and the laser cutter to create their designs. Some were very adventurous and made dress rings.
Netball Wairarapa Awards
A massive CONGRATULATIONS to Amy Williams and Deb Julian who were named as the Netball Wairarapa Senior Coaches of the Year and Maia Svenson who was named the most promising Junior Umpire at the Netball Wairarapa Awards on Wednesday night.
From the Uniform Shop
SUMMER UNIFORM and WINTER ORDERS
The uniform shop will be open by appointment on some days of the school holidays. Please email Juliet: smcsuniforms@trinityschools.nz to arrange. The shop is also open as usual on the last day of the school holidays (no appointment required) Sunday 8th October 3pm – 5pm.
A reminder that the uniform shop stocks Zoggs Togs.
White blouses for year 13: Please place orders now (via email) for new summer blouses, for January purchase/pickup.
Orders for new Senior Skirts and White winter blouses need to be received by 20th October. There is no commitment to buy ordered uniform, but it means that the correct sizes will be in stock in term 1 if you find that there is no suitable 2nd hand available.
PRICES: Grey summer blouses @$102.00, White summer blouses @$82.00, Shorts @$90.00, Blazers @$317.00, Cardigans @$132.00, Senior Skirts @$165.00, Zoggs Togs: women’s @$45.00, girls’ @$38.00
Uniform Shop opening hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 3pm – 4pm during term time, or at other times by appointment. Please contact Juliet with any enquiries or orders: smcsuniforms@trinityschools.nz
Emma Wright
We’re hosting BODY CONFIDENCE in the MODERN AGE for Parents, Teachers and Coaches. Get 26 Oct in your diary!
Eating and body issues are among the least understood and most damaging to our kid's mental health. A recent survey shows 90% of youth are concerned about body image, 70% experience body-related teasing, and 2-thirds are deterred from physical activities. Emma's talk will arm you with practical tools and strategies to help your child have a long-term healthy relationship with food and their body.
Event details:
- Who: Parents, teachers, coaches of 3-17-year-olds
- Where: St Matthew’s Collegiate School Hall
- When: Thursday 26 Oct 7-9 pm
- Price: Free with koha for refreshments
LINK: GET YOUR TICKET HERE
Girls Who Grow
Girls who Grow was born out of a weekend at Lake Hawea Station where we took industry leaders, entrepreneurs and visionaries away to NZ's only Climate Positive Farm to curate a program for our next generation of female leaders, change makers and environmental guardians in agriculture and farming.
Girls who Grow was born out of a weekend at Lake Hawea Station where we took industry leaders, entrepreneurs and visionaries away to NZ's only Climate Positive Farm to curate a program for our next generation of female leaders, change makers and environmental guardians in agriculture and farming.
In September last year, we were grateful for the opportunity to join CreativeHQ's GovTech Accelerator to dig deep into the problem we were working to solve and design a solution to spark the imaginations of young women all over New Zealand by changing the narrative aligned to food and fashion and how they could be part of the solution. We presented Girls who Grow at The Beehive in December and have been activating our pilot program in Otago this year.
The work of Girls who Grow is activated through Imagination Centred Workshops in Colleges across New Zealand, 1 day Imagination Challenges working on real world problems, On farm Lunch and Learn educational experiences bringing the Future Farmers NZ manifesto to life and 3 day immersions to connect young women and their parents to the land to craft out a meaningful and values aligned pathway.
So here is where we need your support
Girls who Grow will be live on One Good Kiwi launching today (Tuesday 1st August) for the entire month giving us the opportunity to secure further funding to be able to continue our work in Otago, Wellington and the Greater Wellington region, Christchurch and Canterbury in 2024.
We are on a mission to engage thousands of young women, activate scholarships to support them on their journey and create meaningful education that aligns to Climate Positive Agriculture and farming in New Zealand.
So we would love your support in 3 steps
- Download One Good Kiwi from the App Store or Google Play
- Give your luscious green coins to Girls who Grow and other projects you connect with on the platform
- Share the experience across your social media, office intranet, friends, family and others in your network that know the importance of nourishing the hearts and minds of our next generation of leaders.
One Good Kiwi are giving everyday kiwi's the chance to give to the things that are important t them with $1.2 million contributed over the next 12 months.
Thanks for your support and we look forward to you being part of our journey
Catherine van der Meulen & Aimee Blake - co-founders of Girls who Grow
School App
If you are new to St Matthew's Collegiate, or have yet to download, please follow the link to install our school app https://schoolappsnz.co.nz/install
For current families, please update your subscription groups by clicking on the cog in the top right hand of the screen. It will take you to the groups for you to change.
Key Dates
- Monday 9th - Friday 13th October - Y11 Derived Grade Exams
- Saturday 21st October - Exeat
- Sunday 22nd October - Exeat
- Monday 23rd October - Labour Day public holiday
- Thursday 26th October - Emma Wright Presentation
- Sunday 29th October - Wake House Chapel
- Thursday 2nd November - Last day for Y11-13
- Thursday 2nd November - Senior College Prize Giving
- Monday 6th November - NZQA Exams begin
- Saturday 2nd December - End of Year Prize Giving
2023 Term Dates
- Term Three - Monday 17th July - Friday 22nd September
- Term Four - Monday 9th October to Saturday 2nd December