 Kia Ora Whanau
Always a highlight at this time of year is our amazing school ball and this year was certainly no exception. The Year 13 Leaders, along with the Ball Committee and some very supportive parents and staff, did a wonderful job of creating a very memorable night. Thank you to all those involved for your hard work. One of the highlights for me was the behavior of all students involved and I congratulate them in this. It is always so lovely to see our young people at their very best and on display. I know you will enjoy looking at the photos in this newsletter and there are many more on our school facebook page. Please feel free to download them. As we look ahead to the weekend and next week, we wish all our sports people the very best when competing in the Catholic Schools’ Senior Sports Tournament, which is being held at St Kevin’s College in Oamaru. The students enjoy spending time with other students from the four schools involved and they will be sharing Palm Sunday Mass together. Good luck to all those students competing and a huge thanks to Daniel Wards, our Sports Co-ordinator, for all of the organisation of the teams, etc. St Edmunds Christian Brothers’ College Under-15 Rugby team visited from Ipswich in Queensland, Australia this week. We are always happy to host this team and play them in rugby. The touring side was treated to a fantastic welcome from our College Kapa Haka group and they enjoyed the billeting experience from our local families. Unfortunately for us they won the game; however it was a very close game and our students played extremely well. One of the lovely sentiments passed on by their Principal Derm who was travelling with them this year, was how much they were feeling for us all after Christchurch and that their huge admiration for how we, as a country, have responded. He also gifted the school an 'Aboriginal Talking Stick' painted by the school's Aboriginal elder which was really appreciated and will be on display in the School Office if you would like a closer look. The Vietnam students head away today. Thank you to all the families and members of the community for making these trips possible, by supporting them in their fundraising endeavours. We look forward to hearing all about the trip when they return, and wish them safe travels. A very busy time then, especially for senior students juggling sporting and other commitments, with internal assessments and the general 'rush rush' that life seems to be these days. With this in mind then, we ask families to be mindful of students getting enough sleep, eating healthy food and generally living life with the balance needed for all round wellbeing. May God Bless you all, ‘God of life, help us to see that your gifts are meant to be shared by all, not just exploited by a few. Lead us to take action to make a change not just for ourselves, but for all creation. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen’ Darren Jack Deputy Principal
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New Equipment the Technology Department Pictured below are students using the new equipment that was purchased last year with the funds from the PTFA. The PTFA association donated $5000 to allow the school to purchase a plasma cutter and a sheet metal folder. Both of these items will allow our students to work with metal to make different engineering projects. A huge thanks to the PTFA for their generosity.    St Peter’s College has been involved in a biannual exchange of students from Ratcliffe College in England since 2010. Both schools are keen to continue the exchange and St Peter’s is in discussions with Ratcliffe College at the moment for this to continue. At present Ratcliffe College are sending a group of students and staff at the beginning of Term 4, 2019. It is expected that students/families that wish to be considered for the Ratcliffe Exchange 2020 accommodate these students during their time at St Peter’s College.
To get an indication of what the trip is like click on the link for the 2018 trip’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/189583008302434/ At present approximate dates for the Ratcliffe Exchange will be: Leave NZ: 3rd April 2020 for Rome Arrive in Ireland round Friday, 10th April Arrive in UK: 13th April. Stay in London until Friday, 17th April Arrive at Ratcliffe afternoon Friday, 17th April until afternoon Wednesday, 29th April - we will travel to London for the night then return to NZ Friday evening. Arriving back in NZ: Sunday, 4th May. This exchange is targeted at Year 8 and 9 students (in 2019). It is a self-funded trip (parental commitment to sort out payment), the school does not assist with funding or fundraising. We are asking for students’ interest now and there is a parent information presentation in A2 - 7pm, 10th April, 2019. Anne Perniskie and Ronnie Kotkamp St Mary’s (Room Kiwi) students had a fantastic time working with our St Peter's Kapa Haka group this week. They will be performing together at our Community of Learning Staff Only Day on Friday at Gore High School. A big thank you to Vanessa Whangapirita for her support and passion. It was fantastic to see both schools learning together! The Year 10 Commerce class will be holding a Market Day on Wednesday, April 3rd. Students are working in groups to design, produce, market and sell a product of their choice. The learning is student-centered, where each group is responsible for making their own decisions, problem solving, meeting deadlines, preparing a plan, relating to others and engaging with the school community. Thank you to all the parents who have been supporting their children. Don’t forget to bring some money along for lunch! There will be plenty of choices as you can see from the students posters.     The 2019 nomination forms for the up and coming Youth Awards will open on Friday, 29 March, and close Friday, 3 May. You can call into the School Main School Office to collect a nomination form or go onto the Gore District Council website. The Awards are to be held on Saturday, 25 May. Please do not hesitate to contact Suzanne if you have any queries. Further details are available on the Gore District Council Website.
Suzanne Lucas|Corporate Support Officer T: 03 209 0330 | DDI: 03 209 0385| E: slucas@goredc.govt.nz | W: www.goredc.govt.nz  At this year’s Academic Blues ceremony, our guest speaker was Kate Paton. Kate spoke of her experiences both here at St Peter’s and after she had left, and communicated how grateful she was to the people who had shared her journey whilst at school. As I sat and watched this years recipients of Excellence endorsements walk across the stage, I felt the collective pride and admiration in the room and we extend our hearty congratulations to them and the people in their lives who have supported them to make these amazing achievements. We also congratulate the many students who gained a Merit endorsement at their level, as these people were acknowledged as well.
Pictured Front from left: Guest Speaker Kate Paton , Thea Pinckney, Renzie Ege , Samantha Keeler, Paige McIntosh, Simone Grubb, Frances Bote, Grace Turipa, Poppy Patching, Mya Robinson, Lucy Swain, Middle row from left: Kate Watson, Ben Wyatt, Josie McPhail, Samuel McKenzie, Emily Chamberlain, Ryan Watkins, Jennifer Reidt, Mia Walton, Kirsty McInnes, Tegan Hall, Lucy Weller, Nicole White, Isabella Burns, Kelly Morrison, Principal Kate Nicholson Back row from left: George Hickey, Xander Marsh, Tom Irwin, Thomas McKenzie, Jordan Miller, Brendan Krieger, Molly Hailes, Courtney Bond, Trelise Wadsworth and Tom Terry.   Kia Ora Tatoa
As a nation we have struggled to regather our feet after weeks of sorrow; however one of the positives that I believe has developed has been the way our nation has chosen love, compassion and faith, as a response to horror and helplessness. In doing so, we have led the world in how best to respond to trauma, fear and loss. It is at these moments at St Peter's College that our Catholic teachings, and our desire to live out the values of Jesus in our every day life proves so precious and reminds us of those things that really matter in our lives. Also heavy on our hearts at the moment is the sad news that one of our former pupils, Andrew Rance lost his life in a car accident in Masterton this week and our thoughts and prayers are with Jude, David and the family as they struggle to come to terms with his loss. As well as sadness this week, we have also had a number of very exciting examples of what's best about St Peter's and worthy of celebration. On Friday we close the school to allow staff to take part in a Professional Development training for 13 schools in our local area or Kahui Ako. Strangely, it is rare that teachers across schools have a chance to share ideas and resources for the growth of the children in our community as a whole, so this is very exciting opportunity to work as a team and be addressing issues for the collective benefit of all. As part of that day, and in some way an example of what it is trying to achieve, St Peter's and St Mary's schools will be preforming a combined Kapa Haka performance. St Mary's was in at school on Tuesday to practice and the time was really enjoyed by both the younger and older students, or Tuakana and Teina as it is referred to in Te Reo. The photo shows just how impressive the two schools were together but if you would like to see them first hand, please feel free to pop down to the Gore High School hall at 1:30pm this Friday, 29th, where they will perform to the staff from across the 13 schools. Almighty God, We bless you for our lives, we give you praise for your abundant mercy and grace we receive. We thank you for your faithfulness even though we are not always that faithful to you. Lord Jesus, we ask you to give us all around peace in our mind, body, soul and spirit. Darren Jack Deputy Principal We are currently looking for warm, welcoming and caring host families for short term care.
A payment is provided for each student and our homestay co-ordinator (Nikki Cunningham) is available for any support or assistance you may need during their stay. We are looking for homestays for: A Year 7 boy from Thailand from 23 April to Sun 12 May 2019. He would like to stay with a family who has a Year 7 boy. Holiday homestays required for our International Hostel borders from Japan, Germany, Hong Kong and Korea. All of these students are boys and are in Year 11/12. If you are interested in hosting a student or would like more information please contact Nikki Cunningham (Homestay co-ordinator); nikkicunningham@stpetersgore.school.nz or larabuchanan@stpetersgore.school.nz (International Director). |
