Principal's Message
Kia Ora Koutou
As I ‘pen’ this I am bedecked in pink in support of Pink Shirt Day. To give you its origins Pink Shirt Day is about working together to stop bullying by celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusiveness.
Checking the net the Pink Shirt organisation say ‘It is about creating a community where all people feel safe, valued, and respected, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, or cultural background’.
Origins of Pink Shirt Day
Pink Shirt Day is the day Aotearoa comes together to take a stand against bullying. The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand has run the campaign since 2012, inspiring tangata to Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!
Pink Shirt Day began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink. We now acknowledge this day annually across the planet.
Pink Shirt Day organisers hope that the funds raised will be used to find ways to reduce bullying; through raising awareness about bullying prevention, funding education workshops, and supplying thousands of free resources that promote inclusive workplaces, schools, and communities.
Bully Free should be every day.
I had an interesting conversation with someone who works in this space on a national level. As we were chatting, I wondered what pink shirt actions do I do on those days when I am not wearing a pink shirt?
“Bullying” comes in so many forms and even in the moments when someone tries to strongly influence you to do something that you do not agree with, or more you know is wrong. It takes strength to confront this; it also takes strength to acknowledge when you have perpetrated the harm.
We all need to strongly influence a more inclusive environment and certainly that is our current focus value so let’s get stuck in and make it a mission every day.
Have a safe weekend.
Ngā Mihi
Kiri
Boarding Note
In preparation for pink shirt day, our Boarders Well-Being Club came up with the idea of pink smoothies for boarders. Many thanks to Maddie Heathcote, Lilly Reynolds, Alice Bourke, Izzy Cates and Grace Blundell for not only coming up with the idea but following it through and making it happen!
In the photo below are the first round of customers who arrived extra early at the doors of Hampton House to receive their smoothies. Instead of paying for their smoothie, boarders had to note down something they are grateful for. These will be displayed in Main House next week.
As it was also the Year 9 social last night, we allowed our Year 9 boarders to “bring a daygirl into boarding” for the afternoon so they could get ready together.
Well done girls on welcoming our visitors into the boarding houses. It was nice to have some new faces join us for the afternoon.
Enjoy the weekend.
Jo
Sports Results
Works Notification
Please take note that there will be road works taking place from 13th May until 31st May at the Pedestrian Crossing down Pownall Street which will affect traffic and parking.
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
- Friday 24th May - SMCS Relay for Life
- Saturday 1st June - Exeat
- Sunday 2nd June - Exeat
- Monday 3rd June - Kings Birthday stat
- Tuesday 4th June - Teacher Only Day
- Sunday 9th June - Sheppard House Chapel
- Friday 28th June - Matariki stat
- Saturday 29th June - Exeat
- Sunday 30th June - Exeat
- Saturday 3th August - Exeat
- Sunday 4th August - Exeat
- Sunday 25th August - Cooper House Chapel
- Saturday 31st August - Exeat
- Sunday 1st September - Exeat
- Sunday 3rd November - Batten House Chapel
- 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