Star Board Term One Week Four

Principal's Message

Kia Ora Koutou

As I pen this, we will have completed our swimming sports. We introduced a House Synchronised swimming competition this year. Let me just say that what they managed to practise on dry land looked vastly different when water was added. The winner from this is ‘team spirit’ and there is absolutely no substitute for that.

Next year when they prepare for this event I would consider adding to the instructions ‘First look up the definition for synchronised’ (imagine now that I have added a laughing face emoji and LOL).

As much as we all enjoyed the shark lilo race, cautionary note is that in real life a shark in the sea is unlikely to provide flotation to the swimmer.

Policies under Review

In an earlier newsletter you were sent a reminder about how to access the school’s policies cache. I invite you to look at the policies which are currently under review: Parent Involvement, Communicating with parents, Community Conduct Expectations, School Planning and Reporting, and Reporting to Parents on Student Progress and Achievement.

As part of Board Assurances we are also reviewing: Te Tiriti O Waitangi, Board Responsibility, Special Character, and Documentation and Self-Review Policy.

Yachiyo Shoin

Recently it was my pleasure to host the Senior Managers of Yachiyo Shoin; Mr Sakurai the Principal, and Mr Kaneko the Vice Principal.

Yachiyo Shoin is our sister school in Chiba Japan. In 1978, Mr Yamaguchi established the school in Yachiyo city, Chiba prefecture. He was the professor and the dean of Tokai University School of Physical education. Then, he also opened Yachiyo Shoin Junior High School in 1982. Most of graduates of Yachiyo Shoin High School go on to Nihon University, Toyo University, Komazawa University, and Senshu University. Yachiyo shoin High School is one of top private high schools in Chiba, Japan.

We taught Japanese Language here for some time, and biannually we offered students the opportunity to travel to Japan with our last stop being in Chiba as guests of Yachiyo Shoin. I travelled with the group in 2016 and on that trip, I met Mr Kaneko. The hospitality extended to us was beyond comparison, and the experiences had, have become fond memories.

Cut short by Covid, it is our hope that in discussions with Rathkeale we may see a way to reignite a possible exchange with our sister school.

Volunteers

I want to acknowledge the wonders that are our volunteers, a group primarily made up of our parents. These people, most of whom are full time workers, give their time willingly to help in the school. We are a busy school looking to create opportunities for our students and that busyness needs a lot of human resource.

The Friends of St Matthew’s, St Matthew’s Old Girls Association, parent Coaches, parent Managers, families who homestay, parents who help with exams as Reader-Writers, parents who help with Kitchen tours, parents who help the Friends at Athletics and Swimming, parents who answer a call to help us when that call is made - you people ROCK.

I am very mindful that not everyone can volunteer their time but if you want to be involved in some way drop me a line. As the last line before Communion is served says “All are welcome at this table”.

Have a great and safe weekend.

Ngā Mihi

Kiri

Boarding Note

A different group of girls made up our SMS Boarders Netball team to play in Carterton on Wednesday evening. This week we took players from Years 9-12, plus our lovely tutor Robyn from South Africa. Although some of the girls did not know each other when we drove out the front gates, by the time we returned they were singing and chatting away together.

Building a boarding culture where girls know each other, interact positively, experience new things and have fun along the way is what boarding is all about.

A lady in the opposition called out to me as we were leaving and said she had played against many St Matthew’s teams over the years, and that these were the nicest St Matthew’s girls she had ever played!

Have a great weekend!

Jo

Touch Rugby

Maggie Thomson, student in charge of Touch Rugby initiated a training on Thursday and had a great turn out. Ka mau te wehi Maggie! Touch Rugby games start next Thursday at Wairarapa College. Keep an eye on the sports sheet.