Kia ora e te whanau
As Week 9 of Term 3 draws to a close we have had a lot going on. This week our two Class Act recipients were recognised in a ceremony in Dunedin with the Prime Minister. A huge congratulations goes out to Lauryn Pinckney and Rachael Miller and their profiles can be read here: https://www.odt.co.nz/class-act?fbclid=IwAR06NRwUAWsP6iPCCa-CSD4F2rs83apbLujqXQC997GszqGfwxvJhWDjLrA Thank you to Mrs Sharon Jackson for attending the awards in my place. Our senior students are preparing for their practice examinations, the Life Education bus (Harold and Pip) is here for our Years 7 and 8 students and also being recognised and celebrated around the College is Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Māori Language Week.
Last night we celebrated our rugby prizegiving. There were some outstanding performances over the year from all of the teams and it is great to see the growth of girl’s rugby. Beyond the results and prizes, we know that the memories and enjoyment experienced from playing team sports is something that our young people will carry with them for years to come. On this note I would like to thank all the coaches, managers, van drivers, sideline supporters, meal/baking makers, laundry doers, match timers and scorers who made this rugby year possible. Thank you. And to our Rugby Committee – Matthew Templeton, President, and Dana Turnbull, Rugby Administrator in School, I wish to acknowledge and thank you both. Over the past few months Matthew and Dana have travelled away to support, manage, and assist our students at Winter Tournament and have organised countless meetings, communications, fields, scoreboards, video and photography. The ‘behind the scenes work’ that these two undertake to ensure our young people have the opportunity to participate in rugby, is huge. I would also like to thank all members of the rugby committee for giving up their time to support us, especially Michelle Davers who has been our Secretary and unfailing advocate for our players to get the best coaches and managers every year.
St Peter’s College is a place of learning and teaching. However, outside the classroom the students and staff are involved in many activities and opportunities, and we are grateful for the time our staff also put into our sports, cultural and spiritual activities. We also have many staff who are currently teaching over their allocated teaching codes to ensure specialist teachers are in front of your children. I would particularly like to acknowledge members of the Science Department and two members of the senior leadership team, Mrs Bridget Ryan and Mr Brendan Terry, who have all committed to extra teaching time. Their willingness to take on extra teaching responsibilities underscores their commitment to our school's mission and the well-being of our students. This does mean at times that their leadership duties will call them away from the classroom, but you can be rest assured our students are receiving expert teaching and learning. As we plan ahead for 2024, we look forward to a more streamlined and consistent timetable that will not change four times a year and will ensure the allocated teaching and learning time for our teachers and students is equitable. If you have a student(s) in years 10-12 this year, please keep the evening of Wednesday October, 11th free, from 5pm to 7pm, for our NCEA Information and Course Selection Evening in the school hall.
As our final week of Term 3 quickly approaches we are looking forward to winding down with the senior examinations, grading of assessments and of these examinations and spending time with our friends and families in the upcoming school holidays. It is wonderful to see, through participation and success in all school activities, our young people are developing the skills and attributes to be equipped and empowered to pursue their own personal excellence and preparing to challenge and shape their futures, whilst being young people of Mercy who act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God.
Charity Fulfils the Law