 Time again for the school to present out termly Arohanui award which, as you may recall, celebrates the fact that many of our students do quite remarkable things in our community and beyond, simply because they see a need and they know they can make a difference in someone else’s world. Often they do these things quietly behind the scenes, for no reward or recognition, but in doing so, they demonstrate the meaning of Arohanui and show ‘much love, with deep affection’ for their fellow human beings.
At the end of last term, we presented two students our special ‘Arohanui Cross’ and gift: Joseva Talemaicakauedrove (Jay) and Kate Perkins. Jay was presented the Arohanui award for the amazing way he supported students during Sports Day, and Kate, for the incredible way she raised money to buy stationary for children in Fiji and then took it to them – all quietly in the background and off her own bat. Well done Kate and Jay. If you know of any students who quietly have done things behind the scenes to help others in need, for no reward to themselves, please contact the school with details. Anyone can nominate someone, students, parents, or members of the community. We’d love to hear about it.
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 The culture of a school is hard to define in a statement. The culture of a school shapes expectations and the living out of a school’s values as well as the expectations students create for themselves and others. A good culture breeds success and becomes self-sustaining. There is a wonderful culture at St Peter’s at present and this was very evident at our celebration Mass on Wednesday and during the Eisteddfod. The quality of performances was outstanding and the attitude of the audience was every bit as good. Students confidently took to the stage in front of their peers (not an easy thing to do!) and worked hard at producing a quality performance while they were supported and encouraged by the students around them. As Principal, I felt very proud of every one of them. I believe that tradition shapes culture, and the presence of Fr Michael Hill (Principal 1974 – 1979), Fr Aidan Cunningham (long serving English teacher and supporter of St Peter’s College), and Sr Maria Goretti (representing the Sisters of Mercy), at the Eisteddfod eliminations on Wednesday, certainly reminded us of the tradition and history behind the Eisteddfod. The numerous Eisteddfod shields, one for every category and hanging to the right of the office entrance, have winners’ names inscribed, beginning in 1969 which was the year of the school’s opening. Fr Hill and Fr Cunningham told us this week that the Eisteddfod was the brainchild of the Sisters of Mercy. Many of us remember how passionate the Mercy Order was about the performing arts, and their piano and singing tuition was part of many Catholic children’s lives throughout the country. Their desire at St Peter’s College was to have a competition that would foster the performing arts and build community. And so, we thank them this week for their foresight as we see the outcomes of tradition shaping culture within our college. Make sure you get your tickets for the ‘Final Night Concert’ at the SBS St James Theatre on Thursday night. The quality and enthusiasm of the performances is excellent – don’t miss out. We were very pleased to welcome Bishop Michael Dooley into our college on Wednesday morning to firstly lead some professional development for the staff and then celebrate our Feast Day Mass with the school community. Bishop Michael said to me he was very impressed with the prayerful atmosphere at the College Feast Day Mass, and he enjoyed returning to the college after the Mass to watch the Eisteddfod with us. Have a wonderful weekend and I hope to see many of you on Thursday evening.  This coming week we have our college celebration week and a couple of key dates are the reason for this. July 1st is the anniversary of Blessed Antonio Rosmini, the founder of the Rosminian Order, and the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul is Friday, June 29th. We will begin our celebrations with a Mass on Wednesday morning, celebrated by Bishop Michael Dooley, followed by the 50th St Peter’s College Eisteddfod. The four houses have been working hard on their house song and waiata, and I am sure that the house competition is going to be hotly contested again this year. You may have heard about the current NCEA review which is one of a number of education reviews and discussions that have been instigated by the Minister of Education. You can attend the NCEA Review Public workshop in Invercargill on Monday 23 July at 7.00pm if you would like to have your views heard. Please refer to the attached information or you can find more at www.conversation.education.govt.nz/ncea. Best of luck to our U15 girls’ rugby team which is playing in the curtain raiser for the Highlanders - French Barbarians game tonight at Rugby Park. I know you will do St Peter’s College proud! Please remember that you are invited to any of the Eisteddfod elimination events, the Feast Day Mass, the Best of the Rest Concert on Friday afternoon and of course the final Eisteddfod Concert at the SBS St James Theatre on the following Thursday evening. It will be good to see you there! In the meantime, have a warm, fun-filled weekend.  All are welcome to support the students during the Eisteddfod eliminations on Wednesday, 27 and Thursday, 28 June. There will be a Feast Day Mass in the morning on Wednesday. The Best of the Rest Concert will be held on Friday, 29 June, at 1:30pm in the School Hall. The final concert will be held at the SBS St James Theatre on Thursday, 5 July. Tickets will go on sale on 25th June from the Main School Office. Adults $15, Students $12. Eftpos available.  St Peter’s school-wide Sacramental programme will commence in Term 3. If you would like your son or daughter to be baptised, confirmed or receive their first Holy Communion, or would like to learn more about the programme, then please contact our Director of Religious Studies, Mr Brendan Terry: at brendanterry@stpetersgore.school.nz   Greetings Everyone This week a St Peter’s delegation of Darren Jack, Brendan Terry and myself, along with three Year 13 students and two Board members, attended the triennial Catholic Education Convention. This significant gathering is held every three years in Wellington and it also serves as a reminder that we belong to a very special network of Catholic primary and secondary schools. As parents we are indeed fortunate to have the opportunity to have our children educated in Catholic schools where spiritual and moral development is paramount and our values are based on the unshakeable foundation of the gospels. It was good to catch up with former staff members of our two Gore schools and to further strengthen relationships with staff from other Catholic schools in our diocese and beyond. As a direct action resulting from these strong networks, 115 of our junior students travelled to Dunedin to compete in many sports against St Kevin’s, Kavanagh and Verdon Colleges, on Wednesday. This is by far the largest contingent of students to attend this tournament and I would like to thank all the parents for their support with the early start, and the various coaches, managers and other school staff, who accompanied the group. We will be celebrating our Feast Day Mass on the morning of Wednesday, 27th June. We are very pleased that Bishop Michael Dooley will be visiting us for this day. We warmly welcome all parents and members of the wider school community to celebrate this occasion with us. More details will be on the website next week. For the last two years, we have held an Open Night for prospective students and their families towards the end of Term Two. This year our Open Night for both day students and boarders will be held early in Term 3, on Tuesday, 31st July. The Director of Boarding and I are also holding information evenings around Southland during the next three weeks for families interested in boarding. Please spread the word if you know of families who would be interested in attending these and more details can be found on our website and Facebook page. Open place enrolments for 2019 will close on August 10th. Wishing you all of God’s blessings,  Defence Careers Southern will be conducting a female only Defence Careers Experience (DCE) at Burnham Military Camp in the second week of the July school holidays (16 – 20 July 2018). The DCE is open to female secondary school students in Years 12 and 13 from across the South Island who have an interest in a career with the New Zealand Army.
As with previous events, the 5 day residential experience will be conducted on a Military base with transport, accommodation and food provided. We are looking for motivated young women with a sense of adventure who would like to explore the many opportunities to give their passions a purpose within the New Zealand Defence Force. The DCE will provide a forum to explore career opportunities, develop team and leadership skills, enhance personal confidence, resilience and experience some aspects of life in the NZ Army. Students will get the chance to interact with a range of female service personnel and hear their stories and experiences which we hope will empower them in their choice of a rewarding military career. For students to apply they need to complete the online form before June 10. This link will also be available at the Female Defence Careers Experience event on our Facebook page event. Form: https://goo.gl/forms/IYSJsilk9LXLV0kr1 Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/317447138788667/ Please contact Mrs Perniskie at school if you are interested in this exciting opportunity. |
