Thursday 7th March 7pm in St Matthew's Collegiate Hall

Principal's Message

Kia Ora Koutou

I spoke about Transform with the students in Assembly the other day. Just a reminder that this is one of our Marks of Mission and in its full description means ‘to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation’, all incredibly lofty goals. From a more fundamental perspective transform is to make change for the better.

As I sometimes have a mind to do, I incorporated a moment of physicality by asking them all as cohorts to move to new seats in the hall. Just so you get some context our students have ‘set’ spaces in our auditorium where they have become accustomed to sitting. ‘Why did you do this physical activity?’ I hear you ask. It was a very basic moment to shift their orbits and ‘change’ something they have ‘got used to’. Once moved I asked students from each cohort ‘How does this feel being in a new space? Universally they said it feels ‘different’. At the end of the exercise they were okay, basically they survived the experience.

Change

The purpose of the exercise was around Change. I spoke unoriginally about the fact Change is inevitable, and to be fair sometimes essential. I made the comment that ‘from yesterday at 8 whatever a.m. they are now 24 hours different today’.

Change can be unsettling, nerve- wracking, but when it is mooted, it is generally because a way can be seen to improve things. Change can create the opportunity to look at the same thing from a different perspective thus opening new possibilities by introducing something or removing something.

I read also recently that change can refresh our attitude. Change can also choose us and take us out of our comfort zone, but if we embrace that change we grow our resilience and strength.

Recently I have had quoted back to me how wonderful the decision was to change the House names. The decision to look at changing these names was contentious because ‘they have always been that way’. It was a transformational moment to rename our Houses, previously named for men, being renamed for significant women in New Zealand History. The change was to be for the generations of St Matthew’s students, not an exercise to undermine the efforts of significant males, but more to stand on the shoulders of inspirationally significant women leaders.

The Educational landscape is evolving, and the St Matthew’s landscape is evolving so there is change ahead. Whatever change is made is informed, and for the benefit of the many and not the few. I have said it before if there is no good reason to alter something then why do it.

House Music

On the theme of change there will be some here. The fun has never been, nor will ever be lost, but somewhere along the way the emphasis on the singing and the music has lost its beat – so now it is needing to be amped.

This year we bring opportunities to showcase musicians and soloists in a small group or band section as a part of the House competition, and this requires altering the programme. The greatest benefit of this is to inspire our youth to take up a musical instrument or to enhance their singing voice- the instrument they were born with, to one day take the stage should they wish.

House Music is about the house choirs, our musicians, and the joy of singing- that is what we celebrate with this occasion.

Policy: One hour a day reading, writing and doing maths for students years 0-8

I have included here how we are giving effect to the government expectations around phones and the year 0-8 reading, writing, and

From the beginning of Term 1 2024, schools and kura with students in years 0-8 will spend an average of one hour a day teaching each reading, writing, and maths, pānui, tuhituhi, and pāngarau. This could be in dedicated lessons and in other learning areas as students read, write, and engage with maths in a variety of purposes and contexts.

Teachers will deliberately and purposefully dedicate time to teaching these core skills. Teaching techniques like investigations, collaborative learning, and games will continue to be used so students stay engaged with their learning.

This change sets a clear expectation that all year 0-8 students should receive regular, focussed instruction in these core areas. Many schools and kura are already teaching an hour of reading, writing, and maths each day.

Learning to read, write, and do maths is important in everything we do. Daily teaching has been shown to lift student progress, when coupled with a high-quality curriculum taught using evidence-informed teaching practices.

In St Matthew’s this expectation is given effect in:

Reading and Writing lessons:

• 7 hours of timetabled writing specific lessons over the 10day timetable.
• 6 hours of timetabled reading specific lessons over the 10 day timetable.

Social Studies:

• It is also covered through the 6 Social Studies lessons where reading for research and analysis is used as well as writing for specific purposes is addressed and revisited.

Library:

• Regular reading sessions also take place in the library.

Health & Science:

• Health and science use reading and writing to respond to the topics being covered .

Digital Literacy:

• Digital Literacy use writing and reading to cover such things as writing appropriate emails.

Maths lessons:

• Classes are differentiated and composite
• 8 hours of lessons of maths specific lessons over the 10day timetable

Policy: Cell phones and Other Personal Digital Devices

A personal digital device is any privately owned digital device that is not part of any school-approved programme.

St Matthew's Collegiate allows students to bring personal digital devices to school. We recognise that some personal digital devices can be used as a learning tool in the classroom, and teachers may incorporate their use into lessons when appropriate.

We discuss the school rules about personal digital devices at the beginning of the year, and throughout the year as needed. Any changes to our school rules are communicated to students and our school community.

Parent/Caregiver and student responsibilities

If a parent/caregiver needs to contact their child urgently during the day, they should call the office.

If a student brings a personal digital device to our school, the following guidelines apply:

• The school does not accept responsibility for lost, damaged, or stolen personal digital devices brought to the school but investigates any issues as appropriate.
• Cell phones are not permitted at school. All cell phones must be kept in the boarding house, school bags, or lockers between 8.00 am and 3.10 pm.

Students will be advised if certain digital devices are permitted on EOTC activities. These guidelines and other relevant school policies apply.

Students are expected to follow our Digital Technology and Online Safety policy when using personal digital devices on school property or the school network.

Inappropriate use

If we see a student using a personal digital device inappropriately, we confiscate it. After the student locks the device, we place it in the office to be collected at the end of the day.

Inappropriate use of a personal digital device may include:

• using the device when not permitted
• any sort of bullying, including online bullying
• taking photos or videos of other people without their permission

forwarding inappropriate messages or content.

Inappropriate use of a personal digital device is managed through the school management policies and procedures, as appropriate.

Have a great and safe weekend.

Ngā Mihi

Kiri

Boarding Note

A few photos from the last week in boarding -

A small group of boarders enjoying a trip to Donnelly’s Flat last weekend. Many thanks to Mrs Keats for making this happen.

Grace and Sophia getting extra assistance in prep time thanks to Year 13 Leader, Phoebe Blundell.

Lucy and Zoe taking some time out to use their creative skills making beaded bracelets during afterschool activities in the common room.

Have a great weekend!

Jo

Staff Spotlight

The next couple of new staff members we are delighted to introduce are Dr Karyn Saunders, Head of Mathematics, and Mrs Amanda Herrick, Teacher of Mathematics.

Friends Kitchen Tour

The Friends are sending out a request for helpers on the Tour Day of March 24th. The qualifications you will need to help on the day are a big smile, to be your bubbly self, and to spend a day with a great bunch of people. Contact Andrew at friends@stmatts.school.nz if you can help your daughter’s school get a Grand Piano for the hall.

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 February - Wake House Chapel
• Wednesday 6th March - Dessert Dance
• Thursday 7th March - Julia Grace presentation 7pm in Hall
• Sunday 24th March - Friends of St Matthew's Kitchen Tour
• Friday 29th March - Good Friday stat
• Monday 1st April - Easter Monday stat
• Tuesday 2nd April - Easter Tuesday stat
• Tuesday 7th May - Open Afternoon 2pm - 5pm
• Monday 3rd June - Kings Birthday stat
• Tuesday 4th June - Teacher Only Day
• Sunday 9th June - Sheppard House Chapel
• Friday 28th June - Matariki stat
• Sunday 25th August - Cooper House Chapel
• 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

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