Star Board Term One Week Seven

Principal's Message

Kia Ora Koutou

Today’s message contains a refrain (a refrain as a reminder is like a chorus in a song which is often repeated) because I have asked ad nauseum for your help for the Kitchen tour.

It is either funny or an extraordinary consequence that in four of the nine kura in which have worked so far, that there has been a major rebuild. Here at St Matthew’s, it was exciting to be a part of the planning and construction of Upper Classroom/Whitehead block. Why I raise this today is that in a previous experience the school I was in had a multi-million dollar rebuild- it needed it. The classrooms had been dark, the hallways gloomy, and because of this the clientele felt limited inclination to care or respect the spaces. There was nothing inspiring about the space to prompt aspiration.

Then like a phoenix an educational space rose before our eyes and what was, was no more. When the buildings were declared open by the Prime Minister of the time every student was toured through their new learning spaces. Like the light through the corridors the light shone in the eyes of the students and the staff who would soon people these modernised areas.

However, what I remember was a diminishing comment from a student who although struck by the renovation and modernisation felt compelled to say, “why have we got this? do we deserve this?”. In his opinion we had a school, it did the job. From the perspective of myself and many others- yes it fulfilled its basic function but as a space it was not inspiring, it did not create a desire to see what else one could do in the space- our learners deserved more.

Our current Friends of St Matthew’s fundraiser is for money towards a 6ft Grand Piano. We have an Upright which does the job and depending on the pianist it can offer tuneful melody to concerto performances. But what the Grand will offer is opportunity to create rich sound, to inspire future musicians to want to share music on this beautiful instrument, and to offer our facility to concert pianists for musical recitals at St Matthew’s. The hope is also that the Grand will pay for itself by offering events where the Grand is the guest appearance. So, like that boy all those years ago, St Matthew’s ākonga deserve this, and I am so grateful to all those who are supporting this venture.

Sports Strategy

You will notice that each of the Trinity newsletters has repeated this letter previously sent by Peter Gardiner (Chair, Hadlow School BOT), Alistair Plimmer (Chair, St Matthews BOT), and Mark Owen (Chair, Rathkeale BOT).

On behalf of the Board of Trustees for Hadlow , St Matthew’s & Rathkeale and our Principals Martin, Kiri & Andrew we are pleased to be able to announce the development of a Trinity Schools Sports Strategy (TSSS). There are many benefits from participating in sport, and we are passionate that our Trinity Schools provide opportunities for our students that prompt a lifelong interest in sport so that they continue their involvement after they leave. To do this we need to ensure we have an environment that fosters participation and enjoyment, that supports our students to develop, aspire and achieve their potential, and that provides the resources to enable our students and teams to excel.

We will be working with Garry Carnachan as an independent facilitator. Garry was awarded an ONZM for services to school sport and has extensive leadership experience in both governance and management across a range of sports organisations including NZ football, Taranaki Community Rugby Trust, Secondary School Sports NZ, NZ Rugby, AFL NZ, and University & Tertiary Sports NZ. He’s also an ex-principal who in recent years has helped a number of other schools develop similar sports strategies. For more about Garry’s background you can check out his linked in profile here: Garry Carnachan | LinkedIn

The first stage in developing the Trinity Schools Sports Strategy will be to get feedback and input from our school communities and stakeholders. Garry plans to run a number of in-person focus groups for students, staff, parents & care-givers as well as key sports organisations here in the Wairarapa. We will also provide an opportunity for feedback for those who cannot make these focus groups in person. Please look out for more information about these focus groups in the coming weeks. We will also provide further details on the development of the Trinity Schools Sports Strategy as it takes shape.

If you have any further questions about the Trinity Schools Sports Strategy, please get in contact with anyone one of the Board of Trustee Chairs or our School Principals.

Have a harmonious and safe weekend.

Ngā Mihi

Kiri

Boarding Note

A typical week in boarding sees our girls coming and going out the door constantly in the afternoons. Whether it is for sports practices on site, touch rugby matches at Wairarapa College, Volleyball at Makoura College, cultural rehearsals at Senior College or preseason training at Clareville, there is always someone going somewhere!

It is super important we encourage all young people to make the most of the extra curricular opportunities available to them as this provides them with a balanced and enjoyable time at school.

When there is a bit of free time, some relaxing after school activities are offered to our boarders. Here we have Charlotte Jaspers and Abi Craig with their paper frogs that they made during the week, along with Zeta Radford and Heidi Didsbury who were busy making decorations for our St Patricks Day quiz night next week.

Today I am heading back to the Field Days to be on the St Matthew’s / Rathkeale stand. Thanks to our current and past families who have stopped for a chat. It has been lovely to see you there.

Enjoy the weekend.

Jo

Year 8 Social Studies

In Year 8 Social Studies, the students have been uncovering family stories. We discovered that there were some unique connections within the Year 8 class.

• Charlie Jaspers and Annie Laird-Hume (left) had grandfathers who served in J-Force in Japan at the end of World War II.
• Abi Craig and Alice Herrick both had relatives who escaped from the same prisoner of war camp in North Africa.

Wairarapa Intercollegiate Athletics

Congratulations to all the students who competed at the Intercollegiate Athletics. A full set of results can be found via the following link: https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/520064/results/all

Special mention goes to the following athletes who won their event/grade and will now progress to Wellington Regional Athletics and North Island Secondary School Athletics.

• Meg Speedy - Senior 100m 13.65
• Anzelle Gouws - Intermediate 100m 13.1
• Jelaina Roubos - Senior Long Jump 4.56m
• Anzelle Gouws - Intermediate 200m 27.55
• Isobella Shearing - Junior Long Jump 4.68m
• Sophie Rees - Junior High Jump 1.36m
• Isobella Shearing - Junior Triple Jump 9.47m
• Ella Kirkup - Senior 400m 1.05.46
• Meg Speedy - Senior 800m 2.42.85
• Sophia Hallett - Senior Triple Jump 9.72m
• Jelaina Roubos - Senior High Jump 1.40m
• Francesca Wells - Senior Shotput 9.66m
• Vanessa Taylor, Milly Hewitt, Meg Speedy, Jelaina Roubos - Senior 4x100 Relay 55.07
• Emma Clarkson, Tamalia Liumaihetau, Scarlett Wadham, Isobella Shearing - Junior 4x100 Relay 57.5
• Victoria Booth, Ella Stratford, Ava Edge, Anzelle Gouws - Intermediate 4x100 Relay 54.37

Summer Quad

Summer Quadrangular 2024 was a great success for St Matthew’s Collegiate.

Cricket came away with the trophy after being unbeaten in all three games.

Touch Rugby won two our of three games – only just losing to the winners in a very exciting game which ended with a 5-4 win for Iona. Placing second overall for touch.

Tennis came second overall after defeating both Iona and Nga Tawa. Woodford house were sadly too strong and they came away with the overall win for tennis.

Due to the combined outstanding performance and results we are delighted to say St Matthew’s Collegiate were the overall winners and came home with the Quadrangular Trophy for 2024.

Special mention goes to the following students who were named the MVP from St Matthew’s Collegiate for the tournament:

• Cricket – Dina Morrison
• Touch Rugby – Ella Stratford
• Tennis – Olivia Fenwick