8LS had a remarkable trip into Deep Cove last weekend. They were spoilt with the weather really turning it on; just one tramp in the rain which was a bit of a token Deep Cove experience really. The rest of the time was brilliant sunshine. We couldn't have done it without our fantastic parent helpers Rebecca Moody, Janine Smith, Mairead Affleck, Murray Cockburn and Paul Dassen. The photos show 8LS at the tail race, heading over the Wilmont Pass, tramping to Stella Falls, and on the Doubtful Sound cruise. We had a great four days away with a fantastic group of students who really showed our values in action with how they behaved and treated each other.           
                                                         
Lisa Sanson, Form Teacher 8LS
 

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This week the Mataura Licensing Trust Scholarship applications were emailed out to all Year 13 students and their parents.  If you require a hard copy, please come to the Careers Office.
 
Now is the time to be organised around scholarship applications, get a CV together, collate your past marks and make a list of your accomplishments at school and at outside activities.  This will help with this and future scholarship applications as they arise.
 
Fresh from Victoria University a list of graduates from St Peters College:
 
Matthew Shields, Bachelor of Arts, Criminology and Film
Matthew Wightman, Post Graduate Diploma in Geographical Science
 
Another STAR course featured this week is Audio Production.  Year 12 student, Logan Young, attends every Friday in Term 3.
 

Teaching and Learning Update
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Kia ora koutou,
As of Thursday this week, we are literally in the second half of Term Three, as we begin Week 6 next Monday.  Time, as they say, waits for no one… Just a few points from me as we race towards the end of term.
 
Whanau Conferencing
I am very pleased that the Year 7 and 8 Whanau Conferences were able to be held this week as we were able to meet all the Level 2 requirements.  Thank you to the parents who came in to meet with their child and their homeroom teacher.  The home-school partnership is very important to the success of our young people, and it was wonderful to see that so many parents had taken up the opportunity of this Conference.  I would also like to acknowledge and thank our fantastic Year 7 and 8 teachers who prepared for each of these meetings and have had two very long days conducting them.
 
We are still investigating our options and hope to be in touch soon regarding how and when we will reschedule the Year 7 – 13 Whanau conferences with specialist teachers.
 
PBL
Another casualty of the Level 2 restrictions was our PBL Process Exhibition.  This was meant to be an opportunity for our students to invite experts from the community in to see what they have been learning about, and seek feedback on their work so far.  Unfortunately, this was unable to happen but, we were able to organise a more low-key exhibition during which students and staff were able to offer their critiques to exhibitors.  The event went well and it was wonderful that our new Technology teacher Juliet Sorrel affirmed the students’ learning.  Ms Sorrel has been involved in leading PBL at her previous school so knows exactly what to look for! We hope that the big night at the Town and Country on Thursday, 26 November will still go ahead, but, like everyone else, we will just have to make another plan if we need to, closer to the time!
 
NCEA
You will be aware of the changes that NZQA has made to NCEA in response to the current pandemic.  I met with all of the students on Wednesday and emphasised that there should be no reason for any student to be stressed regarding their ability to achieve NCEA if they are doing everything that their teacher is asking of them.  Every interaction, every task, no matter how big or small, needs to be completed and completed as well as possible.  We have structures in place should we end up unable to have face to face time with our students, but it is important that every minute in every class be used well.  There are only 24 school days before the Derived Grade Examinations (practice exams) take place and 12 school days after those before the seniors leave school on exam leave.  36 days.  It is not a very long time.  Please encourage your children to be making the very best possible use of the face-to-face time they have at school at the moment, and check in with them that they are keeping up to date with all work and assessments that might be due.
 
As always, please feel free to be in touch with me by email.
Nga mihi,
Bridget Ryan, Deputy Principal
 
 
 

​The PBL process exhibition went well today. We saw a diverse and inspiring range of projects from year 8, 9 and 10 students. They include information pamphlets on health and wellbeing, entrepreneurial projects from small buildings, furniture for pre-schoolers, cell phone cases, crafts, and horticulture. Students have a strong focus on environment, community, and recycling. I have been impressed with their ability to make links with experts and groups in the community who they can work with. There is a high level of engagement and curiosity in their areas of investigation and we look forward to some exciting developments.
Juliet Sorrel, Teacher of Technology

​Career Pathways Department
Money Hub have come up with another goodie. Freebies! Great freebie for students.  Knowing what's out there, available free of charge, will help and empower learning and familiarity with important products. This guide reveals everything that matters.  Check it out https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/school-student-freebies.html

This week Gateway students are Brianna Hedley and Jack Buhler.  Brianna was working at Chapter 2 Hair Design and Jack is working at Mabel Farm.
 
We have a number of students working at Hokonui Tertiary High School on Thursday or Fridays who are taking Salon Skills, Automotive and Auto Mechanical.
 

 

​Hello, I am Juliet Sorrel. I am from Dunedin and have been teaching away from home at Maniototo Area School since 2017. I have two grown up children, and my daughter Florence is living in Gore. I love making and designing creative projects and have exhibited twice at The Eastern Southland Gallery. I am excited to have this wonderful opportunity to work at St Peter’s College in the Technology department with a friendly and inclusive school community.  
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