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Kia ora e te whanau
And just like that, week 5 of Term 2 draws to a close. Over the past week there have been many things happening in and around the college. It was great to have our whanau conferencing and student led conferencing take place. Parent-teacher conferences serve as a crucial bridge between the school and home environments. They provide an invaluable opportunity for open and constructive communication, fostering a strong partnership between parents and educators. These conferences enable us to work together in the best interest of our students, ensuring their success and growth. One of the key benefits of parent-teacher conferences is the chance to gain insight into your child's academic progress and overall development. Our dedicated teachers invest significant time and effort in understanding each student's unique strengths and challenges. By participating in these conferences, you have the opportunity to discuss your child's academic achievements, areas for improvement, and specific goals. This collaborative dialogue allows us to tailor our teaching strategies and support systems to meet your child's individual needs effectively. If you could not make the interview times please email your child’s teachers to make an appointment. Last Friday we raised awareness around anti-bullying through celebrating pink shirt day. Conversations and education around bullying are important and align with our school values of Compassion, Commitment and Community. Respect for human dignity, and in this instance, helping students to learn to act in a way that ensures others do not feel bullied. We hope through the activities of last week our students gained the courage to stand up and do the right thing, stop rumours, be an upstander, and tell a trusted adult if they are or see someone being bullied. At St Peter’s College, we strive to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student can grow academically, spiritually, physically and emotionally. Our Catholic values play a crucial role in shaping the character and moral compass of our students. It is disheartening to witness behaviours that do not reflect these values and hinder the teaching and learning experience for everyone involved. As parents and guardians, you have a significant role to play in guiding and encouraging your children towards greater commitment to their education and our school's teachings. Here are a few tips to help foster a stronger commitment to teaching and learning in our students: 1. Open Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with your child. Encourage them to share their thoughts, concerns, and aspirations. By understanding their perspective, you can better support them in aligning their behaviour with our school's values. 2. Reinforce Values: Remind your child of the core values we uphold at our Catholic school, such as respect, compassion, integrity, and responsibility. Discuss the importance of these values in their daily lives and how they can demonstrate them at school. 3. Lead by Example: Children often emulate the behaviour of their parents and guardians. Model the values you wish to see in your child. Exhibit respect, kindness, and honesty in your own interactions, both within and outside the family. 4. Encourage Involvement: Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities, clubs, and community service initiatives offered by the school. Engaging in these activities fosters a sense of belonging and strengthens their connection to the school community. 5. Monitor Digital Presence: With the prevalence of social media and online platforms, it is essential to monitor your child's digital presence. Encourage responsible online behaviour and discuss the potential consequences of inappropriate content or cyberbullying. 6. Establish Routines: Help your child establish a structured routine that includes dedicated study time, adequate rest, and physical activity. A balanced lifestyle contributes to their overall well-being and enhances their ability to focus and engage in the learning process. 7. Collaborate with Teachers: Maintain regular communication with your child's teachers. Stay informed about their academic progress, classroom behaviour, and any concerns that may arise. Working together as a team will provide the best support for your child's educational journey. By implementing these tips and fostering an environment that upholds our Catholic school values, we can collectively guide our students toward greater commitment to teaching and learning. I firmly believe that with our combined efforts, we can positively shape their future and provide them with the tools they need to become responsible, compassionate, and successful individuals. Thank you for your ongoing support and collaboration in nurturing our students' growth. Together, we can create a school community that reflects the values we hold dear. God bless you and your families. Tara Quinney, Principal
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Kia ora e te whanau
At St Peter’s College, we firmly believe in the power of holistic education, where we strive to develop our students intellectually, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Our mission is not only to impart knowledge but also to foster character development and provide our students with the tools they need to thrive in a complex and ever-changing world. To accomplish this mission, we must wholeheartedly embrace the amazing opportunities that lie before us. Our dedicated staff members play a pivotal role in guiding and inspiring our students, shaping their lives and futures. It is imperative that we support our staff in their professional growth, recognizing their contributions and providing them with the necessary resources to excel in their roles. Let us encourage an atmosphere of collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation among our esteemed educators. There are many changes currently being implemented in schools across the country and to name just a few we are working on:
Equally important are our students, the heart and soul of our school community. We must strive to create a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where they feel valued, respected, and supported. As educators, we must acknowledge and embrace the diverse talents, interests, and aspirations of our students. Let us encourage them to explore their passions, take risks, and develop the skills necessary to become compassionate leaders and lifelong learners. A holistic education extends beyond the boundaries of the classroom. Our school community encompasses families, alumni, parishioners, and friends who share a common commitment to the values and teachings of the Catholic faith. Together, we can foster an atmosphere of compassion, understanding, and service. By engaging our community in meaningful ways, we can create opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and shared experiences that enrich the educational journey of our students. In the spirit of celebration, let us recognize and embrace the blessings that surround us. We have been entrusted with an incredible institution that offers a myriad of opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. From academic achievements to artistic expressions, athletic endeavours to community outreach, we must take pride in our collective accomplishments and celebrate the unique gifts and talents of each member of our community. As we move forward, I urge each one of you to actively participate in the life of our school, supporting and uplifting one another. Together, we can create a vibrant and dynamic community that exemplifies the teachings of the Catholic faith and prepares our students to make a positive impact on the world. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and commitment to our mission. Let us continue to inspire, guide, and support one another as we embark on this exciting journey of holistic education. Charity Fulfils the Law Tara Quinney, Principal Kia ora e te whanau
As Week 3 draws to a close, we have again been disrupted by industrial action. Please note that we do have some non-union member teachers who are at school on strike days working and available to supervise small numbers of students if required. Please just contact the office or our deputy principal of teaching and learning, Bridget Ryan to make arrangements. Next week Year 9 students stay home on Tuesday the 16th of May and Year 10 students stay home Wednesday the 17th of May. Whilst industrial action has impacted the time our students have physically been at school, it has been pleasing to see that over the last three weeks attendance rates have remained relatively high with students engaging positively in their learning and making the most of their opportunities. It was equally pleasing to see our Year 13 students attend the Otago tertiary day in Dunedin on Monday and it is exciting to see our senior leaders start to plan for their futures. Over the coming weeks there are many events and activities planned across the college with Bully Free Week next week (there is a free pink mufti day on Friday the 19th of May to raise awareness), production and Eisteddfod practices followed by healthy attitude day and Duke of Edinburgh tramps coming up. On top of this, for our parent community there are the student led conferences for years 7 and 8 students, with whanau conferences for year 9 to 13 students the following week. These conferences are beginning earlier in the day to accommodate the industrial action of teachers not being able to meet after 4.30pm this term. Next Friday night there is also our big annual rugby fundraiser with a quiz night at the Town and Country club. Winter sporting codes are well underway and it’s great to see so many students participating and representing the college with pride, whether it be for top level competitive grades or just for fun and participation. I am looking forward to getting to as many games as possible this season and joining in with the positive side line support for our students as they strive for their personal excellence. As always, the challenge for our young people is to find the balance between their academic endeavours, family responsibilities, co-curricular activities, and their social lives. This is always easier said than done, so for those young people who are finding it challenging to manage expectations and commitments, we encourage them to seek support from their Whanau teacher, dean, guidance counsellor or members of our senior leadership team. We want our young people to make the most of every opportunity but learn how to prioritise whilst managing expectations and their personal wellbeing, and this is a skill that they need support in developing. This week we welcomed our Limited Statutory Manager for the school board to our school, Ms Nicola Hornsey, who is an environmental and employment lawyer from Timaru. Nicola has met with our staff and the school board this week. She will be back next week to meet more of our school community including our student leaders and will then seek input from the wider school community, including the Diocese. The Board requested the assistance of a limited statutory manager to support us in their role as governors of a Catholic College and regard it as an important investment in the school. Please be assured that this does not affect the day-to-day management of the school and we continue to ensure that our students receive the best possible education. Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to create a safe and inclusive learning environment where students can thrive. We continue to focus on providing a well-rounded education that prepares students for success in all areas of life. Last, but certainly not least, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our mothers, grandmothers and other significant female figures in the lives of our young women, a Happy Mother’s Day for Sunday. It is important to acknowledge and celebrate that it is the parents who are the first teachers of their children and that parents will continue to teach and guide their children long after they have left our school grounds. So, to our parent community, thank you. Thank you for being the base and an integral part of our community. Thank you for supporting the staff at St Peter’s College who work with and alongside your children to ensure that they develop the skills and attributes to be equipped and empowered to pursue their personal excellence, so that they will be prepared to challenge and shape the future, whilst being a young people of Christ who act justly, love tenderly and walks humbly with our God. A Prayer for Mothers All loving God, we give you thanks and praise for mothers young and old. We pray for young mothers, who give life and count toes and tend to our every need; May they be blessed with patience and tenderness to care for their families and themselves with great joy. We pray for our own mothers who have nurtured and cared for us; May they continue to guide us in strong and gentle ways. We remember mothers who are separated from their children because of war, poverty, or conflict; May they feel the loving embrace of our God who wipes every tear away. We pray for women who are not mothers but still love and shape us with motherly care and compassion. We remember mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers who are no longer with us but who live forever in our memory and nourish us with their love. Amen. Charity Fulfils the Law Tara Quinney, Principal Kia ora e te whanau
Sometimes four letter words are said for effect and simply to express the right emotion. HELP is one such word at these times. We always pray in petition when we cannot solve the problems before us. Hence the expression with reference to the First World War, “there are no atheists in foxholes.” Human beings turn to God for HELP - the prefect prayer. HELP is now the prayer word of hospitals and medical staff as they ask for the ventilators, and protective equipment they need to do their job. I now further understand those words of scripture, “Unless you become like little children you will not enter the Kingdom of God.” Why? Because little children ask for HELP -all the time. HELP to be fed. HELP to read. HELP to make them better. This week, myself, our DP of Teaching and Learning Bridget Ryan, our Director of Religious Studies Brendan Terry and several teachers who are parents in the school or who are not union members, and therefore not restricted by the meeting ban, met with our year 9 and 10 parents and caregivers to learn about the upcoming changes to the NZ Curriculum and NCEA. It is your children who will be most affected in the coming years, but we were so heartened by the response, support and positivity in the room. What a humbling experience! Nearly 100% of families understand that students need the structures of daily routines, the guidance of their teachers, the support of their peer friendships and the freedom to express what they need in their learning pathway to thrive. It is unfortunate that in this exciting time of change in all schools we are disrupted by industrial action for teachers, which has meant that students have been rostered home, or all sent home on strike days. It is unfortunate that we are distracted by media attention and gossip in the community. "PRAYER is the conversation to and the recognition of a greater Being in the face of impossible odds.” So, when these distractions and disruptions abate, and regular school classes start again we need to be running...not walking. We are not victims sitting on a cactus bush moaning about how unfair life has become. My thanks and appreciation for the teachers who have gone way beyond to provide work and check in on their students either in person or online. My thanks and appreciation for our parents who have shown compassion and support. And most of all my thanks and appreciation to the students who just get on with things, who participate with pride in all the activities, sports and events we provide, and who make us laugh every day. We are all in the middle of a huge reset on how we do everything. It is really a magnificent opportunity! Don’t forget to ask for HELP... from I to Me to you. Tara Quinney, Principal |
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