Star Board Term Two Week Seven

Principal's Message

Kia Ora Koutou

I am thinking global this week (but there will be a hint of local as well). Global Day of Parents takes place every year on the first of June. That means that in 2024, Global Day of Parents will occur on a Saturday. In the United States it is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July. It is not an official day in New Zealand but in countries where it is celebrated it is about honouring the role of parents in raising children. You are all wondering why this is being noted today, because it is neither June 1 nor July 28. There is method in my madness which has become more evident as I have been meeting with enrolment potentials, talking to the role we play as schools in the ‘in loco parentis’ positions that we serve.

As a young and not so young parent, my role was to raise my children. I read this interesting quote which has stuck with me because I am a parent who happens to be a teacher; it states, “In one school year a child spends: 7800 hours at home and 900 hours at school- which teacher is the most accountable?” I am no Rocket Scientist but I have always known that was me as the parent. It was my daily hope that in sending them off each day to school that their schools would reinforce and enhance the values that we as their parents had instilled in them. All my actions, all my words, all had a bearing on the role modelling I did for my children. I was never the parent on the sideline of a match saying “hit them with your stick” or the parent who yelled abuse at the team or umpire- what would that have told my kids? I do not condone that in my role as an educator either.

As a school we are aware that we partner with you, but fully cognisant of the fact we are not your daughter’s parents. Raising teens and tweens is hard work at times so please know that we will do the part we have to do to the best of our ability.

Teens and Parties and Alcohol

Is there a party this weekend? Your young one might say “but all my friends are drinking” but know that most kiwi parents are just as reluctant to let their teens drink as you are. There are also laws regarding the supply of alcohol to minors in NZ that you should be aware of. Our Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act sets the minimum legal age for the purchase of alcohol in New Zealand at 18 years, but there is no minimum legal drinking age.

In other words, although those under 18 are unable to legally purchase alcohol themselves, they are legally permitted to consume alcohol as long as it is provided with consent of their parent or guardian.

It is however a criminal offence for anyone (peers, a friend’s parent, aunty, older cousin, boss etc) to supply alcohol to someone under 18 years old without prior approval from their parent or guardian so be mindful of this if you are ever hosting teen parties at your place.

As parents we should absolutely delay introduction to drinking. Setting boundaries and expectations to keep them safe makes sense. The boundary I set for my children was the magical word – No.

Being Vocal about Local

We are so proud that we have a number of entrants in the Wairarapa Times Age Sports Awards. Voting closes today so I hope you have made your picks. Our Finalists are our Youth Sports Teams St Matthew’s Equestrian Team and St Matthew’s 1st XI Cricket Team, Coach of the Year Gene Bartlett and Tony Lyford, Youth Sportswoman of the Year Emma Mcleod, Junior Sports Personality of the year Scarlett Wadham.

Treading the stage and running the sports fields

All is abuzz in the Trinity with Mama Mia and Seussical. Sports are seeing incredible participation with wins and losses, but most importantly great team spirit. The talent in our schools is amazing- we can act, we can sing, we can run, we can goal, we can catch, and we can dance. All this happens through the assistance of dedicated staff and parents so props to you all.

“Murder on the Dance Floor”

Do you remember Sophie Ellis Bextor’s famous tune? I am not going to write about murder or dance rather I have a new song ‘Chaos on the bus stop” which is a tune all about Pownall Street at start and end of the school day.

A wonderful parent of our school wrote to me and said ‘Kia ora Kiri, I witnessed a busy drop-off situation. Cars and buses were parked on both sides of the road, and students from Rathkeale and St Matts were trying to cross. There was heavy traffic. It was the most chaotic I have witnessed so far. One of the students was going to walk out in front of my car. Fortunately, another student was paying attention and stopped the student who was about to cross.”

So basically, we need you to slow down to 20km/h on both sides of the road because you know it is a school. We cannot control the public but we can do our bit, we just need everyone to obey the road rules and the crossing rules.

Have a safe weekend

Ngā Mihi

Kiri

Boarding Note

Many thanks to our lovely part time House Manager Mrs Emma MacIver who brought in elastics for the girls to have a go with yesterday. Some parents may remember bouncing over these in their younger days. (I guess you could say an old fashion form of plyometrics training!) A great indoor afterschool activity.

As this week was International Language week, Abi Craig and Persia Liumaihetau worked together with Tutor Robyn to enter a competition where you label items in a bedroom in another language, in this case Afrikaans. A great way to celebrate the different languages spoken by those within our boarding community.