Principal's Message
Kia Ora Koutou
You know what? it has been a great week. Yes, it has been cold; yes, it has rained; yes, it has been busy, but I get to be here with my colleagues, our students, and some of you - so what’s not to be grateful for?
STAND
I have rolled out our Bully Free programme STAND to half the students on site. They are certainly understanding the importance of being there for each other, because as a collective we can make a difference. Our Values, our Marks of Mission, and now STAND- are all assured success by the concreting of these concepts through deliberate actions. How long will take to embed? Knowing the concept will be immediate, saying what STAND stands for also will be immediate, trusting the process and seeing the process play out will take time; but I am confident because we all want the same thing. I reiterate this is not about punishing, this is about acceptance of each other to be ourselves and to remind everyone we all play a part in having each other’s backs to let that happen.
Arts Showcase
Gosh we have a lot of talent in our school and to see so much of it on Thursday night was a treat. The show itself was a special moment to share the many arts nurtured in our school. But the event was also a way to place our Grand Piano in the foreground because we are fundraising to pay for it.
We have had generous donations from The Friends and SMOGA but there is still a way to go. Very soon we will be giving our community and others the opportunity to get your plaque on the piano with your wonderful contribution to the Arts.
NCEA Teacher Only Day
I gave you a heads-up about this in my Ata Mārie that the Secondary schools have another day scheduled for the 8th of November. As on previous NCEA days, teachers will be in professional learning so there will be no school on this day.
Gratitude
I started with this theme so I will end with a humorous but hopefully insightful poem about gratitude:
Remember it is Cooper Chapel this Sunday at 6:30pm.
Have a safe weekend and continue being your best selves.
Ngā Mihi
Kiri
Around School
Boarding Note
Some may recognise the fabric below as the old curtains that lined the hallways of Hampton House. These were the original curtains which were hung when Hampton first opened in 1998 and although they were attractive at the time, they were well past their best.
However, when Sophia Hallet (one of our Year 13 boarders) spotted the pile of old curtains as she was walking by, she saw an opportunity and asked if she could have them… little did we know what Sophia had in mind.
Congratulations Sophia on your fabulous creation which was placed Runner Up in the Upcycled category at the Hokonui Awards earlier this term.
Reminders to all boarders -
- Cooper House Chapel Service this Sunday
- The final exeat for the term is next weekend.
- The St Matthew’s Collegiate Boarding Handbook is now available on the school website.
Enjoy the weekend.
Jo
Intercollegiate Speech Competition
Intercollegiate Speech Competition was held on Wednesday night - Amid fierce competition our speakers for year 9 Zena Cole ("Is Cheapest Best"), Year 10 Brianna Benkie ("The Pillars of Unity"), and Fran Wells, Senior ("The Importance of Knowing Your Value") did very well speaking on absolutely stunning topics. It is with pride we thank them all and acknowledge that Zena and Brianna both took a First Place. Congratulations to all and thanks to those who supported them.
St Mathew’s Collegiate Arts Showcase
Last night (22nd August) St Matthew’s Collegiate hosted its Arts Showcase, an event created to celebrate all arts and culture practiced in our kura.
The evening involved students from all year groups, 7-13, with dance ensembles, cultural performances from our Kapa Haka and Ngātahi groups, solo, duo, and group musical performances, a drama comedy sketch, fashion parade, and slideshow of artworks. This was a triumph of student achievement!
As the current HoD of Music and Drama at St Matt’s, it was a wonderful privilege to witness such an out-pouring of creative talent from our students.
Many thanks to all those in attendance, your support of our school and its students is greatly appreciated. Keep an eye out for our 2025 Arts Showcase as we continue, as a school, to strive for growth and excellence in the Art.
Andrew Atkins
Large Ball Relay Competition
Our Year 7 and 8 students competed against other schools in the Large Ball Relay Competition yesterday. Students 'had a ball' at the annual event.
SENCO
In my role as SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) it is my privilege to look at the whole gamut of learning need, which captures gifted to remedial and everything in between.
Right now I have opportunities available for you to consider: Is your daughter looking for a challenge? Is she always asking questions and wondering why? Does she want to spend time with a master carver? Would spending time with a highly skilled musician or writer inspire your daughter? Does she have a creative project in mind or a hypothesis she wants to test? What would extend her exceptional sporting ability? Does she have an issue to explore with your curious mind?
If this sounds like your daughter, then click on the following link for more information about awards for gifted learners https://gifted.tki.org.nz/further-support/awards/ Applications open on the 1st of September.
Senior College
Subject Information Evening
Students and parents had the chance to go out to Senior College to speak to teachers to cement subject choices for next year.
Out on the Farm
Biology and agricultural students spent time fencing, weighing and drenching lambs, taking samples and analysing these.
Red Cross Refugee Support
Thank you so much for supporting the Toy Drive. We have a nice bunch of toys to contribute to our refugee family, but there is room for more. I will leave the toy box out over the coming weeks in case you would like to contribute further.
This week’s drive is linen. These items need to be either new or if used, in immaculate condition. There will be a box in the foyer of the hall dedicated to your contributions of linen.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sports News & Results
Sports Results
Netball
- Senior A 34-11 win vs Carterton Rebels
- Senior B 10-21 loss vs Solway College Jnr A
- Senior Stars 21-22 loss vs WaiCol Senior Blue
- SMS 13s 27-21 win vs Makoura Jnr Development
- Junior A 19-33 loss vs Coasties
- Junior B 12-22 loss vs KC Senior Blue
- Junior Gold 17-10 win vs Solway College Jnr Navy
- Junior Silver BYE
- Junior Black Loss by Default
- Junior Green 11-9 win vs Chanel College Huia
- Primary A 16-3 win vs MIS Diamonds
- Primary Ferns 14-19 loss vs Fernridge Flames
- Primary Kowhai 6-12 loss vs DPS Pulse
Football
- 1st XI 0-2 loss vs Kapiti College
- 2nd XI 0-0 draw, 3-2 loss on penalties vs SMS Ballers
- Yr 12 Ballers 0-0 draw, 3-2 win on penalties vs SMS 2nd XI
- 3rd Xl 7-0 loss vs Chanel College
- Primary Ferns 3-2 win vs Lakeview Blue
Hockey
- 2nd XI 1-0 win vs WaiCol Development Girls
- Green no game
- Gold results not loaded
- Primary 7s 3-5 loss vs Coasties
- Primary 8s 5-0 win vs Kahutara
Sports Sheet
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
- Sunday 25th August - Cooper House Chapel
- Saturday 31st August - Exeat
- Sunday 1st September - Exeat
- Thursday 26th September - House Music
- Monday 14th - Friday 18th October - Y11 Derived Grade Exams
- Monday 28th October - Labour Day stat
- Thursday 31st October - Last Day for Y11-13
- Thursday 31st October - Senior College Prizegiving
- Tuesday 5th November - NZQA Exams begin
- Friday 8th November - NCEA Teacher Only Day
- Saturday 7th December - Prizegiving
2024 Term Dates
- Term One - Monday 29th January to Friday 12 April
- Term Two - Monday 29th April to Friday 5th July
- Term Three - Monday 22nd July to Friday 27th September
- Term Four - Monday 14th October to Saturday 7th December