Kia Ora everyone

I would like to begin this weeks newsletter by extending my heartfelt gratitude to the many, many people - students, parents, staff and the community who reached out to support us in our time of need. As you will know, we had the tragedy of losing a Year 11 student, David Casey, at the beginning of the week, and while we all did our best to care for each other, this was experienced nowhere more obviously than in the way people rallied around staff and students here at school. We are truly blessed to be part of such a loving and connected community. Our hearts and prayers are with David's family at this very sad time for us all.

A desire to share more information at the school's governance level is behind a new addition to this week's newsletter.  In consultation with the Board of Trustees, it has been agreed that a newsletter update after each Board meeting would be a good way to keep the community informed about governance issues that are currently being discussed. Our Board Chair, Karl Metzler, will provide a short ‘round up’ of current discussion points following meetings and these will feature as part of the regular school newsletter twice a term. Look out for Karl’s summary under the heading “Across the Board Room Table”.

Interviews of students new to St Peter's next year has continued this week and it always astounds me at the calibre of young people coming through - what an exceptional group of talented and exciting future St Peter's students. They are all looking forward to Orientation Day next Wednesday, November 27th, run by the Year 12 students - this is always an exciting time for all involved.
Finally, congratulations to those senior students getting well through exams now - not long to go, so keep up the good work!
​
Waiho i te toipoto kaua i te toiroa
(let us be close together, not far apart)
 
Nga mihi nui
 
Darren Jack
Acting Principal
 

Across the Board Room Table
Renovations to B4

2002 has seen a large rise in numbers of new enrolments to the school; so much so that we are now needing to change the structure of one of our existing classrooms from a dedicated fixed computer room suite, to a more flexible teaching space, able to accommodate the increasing role. The Diocese has agreed to pay for these alterations which is great and will give the school the capacity it now needs.
 
New Learning Support Co-ordinator roles
 
The Government has provided $217 million for the first tranche of Learning Support Co-ordinator positions across the country. As a Community of Learning or COL (13 schools of which St Peter’s is a part), we receive 4 full time positions. The role is to help facilitate access to outside agencies, testing and identification of student needs, in terms of extra support for their learning and success in education. At St Peter’s, we have the opportunity to be the ‘employing school’ for 1 of these co-ordinators, who would also be based here at the school. Applications have gone out for these positions and the appointment process begun, and we as a potential employing school, will likely be on the appointment panel for the positions. These positions will begin in 2020.
 
Proposed Donations and Contributions community release
 
Since 1989 it has been written into law that education in New Zealand is to be free for “every person who is not an international student”.  The Ministry of Education (MOE) has recently reissued guidelines that reiterate that schools do not have the right to charge any extra costs to provide this education. At the same time the MOE requires schools to provide a curriculum which allows access to ‘the very best in educational opportunities’ (NZ curriculum document).
 
Funding for schools comes in the form of an ‘Operations Grant’ (money the government provides for running of the school). Because this grant has never been enough to provide the quality curriculum we all want for our children, schools have had to rely on additional funding by requiring parents to pay to ensure they can offer enhanced educational experiences such as camps, field trips, materials for foods and technology, etc. Generally, the school community has accepted these costs as just part of what schools need. 
 
This year our St Peter’s College Operations Grant covered approximately 86% of the total running costs of the school, with 14% coming from parents to cover the costs of their children’s particular programmes.
 
Minister Hipkins has instructed schools (and you may hear this in the media in the months to come) that they cannot insist parents pay for anything related to the curriculum and if parents choose to pay, it is to be considered a ‘Donation or Contribution’, not a requirement to pay.  Importantly, the Minister has not increased the school grant at all for St Peter’s.  Schools at decile 7 or below are given an extra $150 per student grant increase (about half of what the average student at this school will use); however as we are decile 8, we are not entitled to any increase what so ever. 
 
(Please note, this description of a donation applies to ‘curriculum-based’ costs only and does not relate to Attendance Dues charged by the Diocese, nor any optional weekend activities such as ski trips, sports tournaments etc.)  
 
Our response as a school 
 
We, along with many other schools, have made plain our feelings to the Minister at a recent Principals’ Conference and suggested if the government wanted a top-quality free education for all NZ children (and we all want that), it needed to pay for it.
 
We are making sure that our community is aware of the issue so that when they do hear media reports, they have the full picture in which to form an opinion. 
 
While we are concerned that if parents choose not to pay any ‘donations’ towards their children’s course costs next year, the school would begin to accrue some considerable debt due to the shortfall in government funding, we believe we still have a duty to continue to offer every St Peter’s College student the very best in educational excellence. 
 
We believe our community stands behind us. That parents have sent their children to St Peter’s because they want for them an education with opportunities and access to experiences that will grow their learning and support their development to be the best they can be. Parents do not want a school that is restricted to the classroom, where teachers cannot access resources and opportunities for their students and where potential is not realised due to an inability to offer the curriculum their child deserves. 
 
For this reason, we will continue to offer the same successful opportunities, access and experiences we have always done, and we expect that parents will continue to contribute financially where their children require it for their learning. 
 
The significant upside – there is one!  
 
Because all costs related to school curriculum and learning (ie compulsory, and in-school time activities) will now be known and considered as ‘Donations’, the school office will be able to receipt this as such, and for many of you, a portion of these costs may be claimed back using the IRD Tax Credit Claim Form IR526. (This may differ depending on individual circumstances, so professional tax advise is advised). (The Attendance Dues charged by the Diocese is a legal obligation and not a donation so are not usually tax deductible).
 
NCEA Review
 
This Government has recently completed a major Review of the NCEA. Essentially there will be fewer ‘Standards’ (the units of work which are assessed and earn students’ credits), but they will be larger in order to cover a similar curriculum. Given that these new standards will need to be re-written (a process which will take 2 – 3 years), the Ministry of Education has included two additional Teacher Only Days, set aside for this purpose.  So if you are starting to wonder ‘why so many days off?’, this is the reason.

 As always, the support extended to St Peter’s by its community is one of the things that makes our school a very special place to be a part of, and on behalf of the Staff and Board of Trustees, I would like to thank you and take a moment to congratulate you on another very successful year. 
 
Nga Mihi 
 
Karl Metzler
BOT Chairman
St Peter’s College

Kia ora Whanau,

The pressure’s growing, the tension’s building, and so is the anticipation for Exhibition Night, Wednesday 4 December.  All of the students are in the throes of planning how they will exhibit the learning they have done over the last two terms, as well as striving to bring their projects to a close if they can.  So, what are you likely to see at the Exhibition?
 
Learning
You may recall that the point of PBL is to encourage students to build new knowledge and gather information in an area of high interest for them.  This should allow for greater engagement and the authentic development of the necessary 21st Century life skills of resilience, creativity, problem solving, effective communication and working collaboratively.  The primary focus of the exhibition will be the students explaining and demonstrating what it is that they have learned in all of these areas.
 
Project artefacts
For some of the students there will be an actual product that they will be able to exhibit – a trailer, rugs, sugar scrubs, a website or an app for example.  For others, however, they may only be able to show their planning because their project is of such a scale that they may need to continue creating their product next year.
 
I am very excited to see what the students exhibit in two weeks’ time.  While we talk about it having been “two term’s worth of PBL”, I am very aware that in reality the students have only had between ten and twelve school days to work on their projects, some of which are on quite a large scale.  I am very proud of the way that so many of them have embraced this new way of learning and have worked so hard on their projects.  I am also very grateful for the way that the community, sponsors and parents have backed our students whether it be financial sponsorship, sharing of specialist knowledge, rides to and from places, or a willingness to allow our students into their schools and places of work.  Watching this first iteration of PBL has really been watching Compassion, Community and Commitment come alive!
 
See you all on Wednesday, 4th December, 5.30pm – 7pm.
 
Nga mihi,
 
Bridget Ryan
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

Tena Koutou whanau
​
Schools are amazing places, especially at this time of the year. One would think that, with the seniors away on exam leave, staff would have lots of time and space, however quite the reverse seems to be true. With the end of the year just around the corner, staff use this time to plan, assess and offer those opportunities for learning that they could not fit in earlier in the year. 

The big event this week has of course been the Year 10 Borland camp. Ronnie Kotkamp and the other staff and parents provide an amazing experience full of excitement and drama, laughs and shrieks, that often form the corner stone of school memories that last a lifetime. I had the opportunity for a fleeting visit to the camp on Wednesday and was so disappointed I could not stay longer. The over-riding comment from parents was “what an amazing group of students!” They commented on how polite, inclusive and appreciative they were and what a pleasure to take away. I too noticed in the few moments of down time they had, a real 'vibe' amongst everyone. Everyone was part of things, everyone included and just enjoying their time together sharing the wonderful experience. I have included some photos from the caving trip I took with a group on my way out on Wednesday night. Thank you so much to Ronnie and the staff who every year put so much time and energy into making this such a special time.

I was very proud this week to attend the Rotary Young Achievers Awards.  Congratulations to  Molly Gray, Samantha Marsh and Connor Sharp on being recognised for your efforts.  

We are excitedly looking forward to, that being our first ever 'Exhibition Night' for the years 8 - 10 Project Based Learning. This promises to be a fantastic event so keep the 4th of December free on your calendar and come and help celebrate the things our students have been working on with such excitement and passion over the past 2 terms. 

Mo tatou a mo ka uri a muri ake nei
(For us and our children after us)
Haumi e, hui e, taiki e!
(Unified, Connected and Blessed)
 
Nga mihi nui
Take care and God bless
 

 
Darren Jack
Acting Principal

​
 

Friday, 22 November                 
Y9/10 Exams
Junior Swimming Festival
Monday, 25 November             
Y9/10 Exams
Wednesday, 27 November         
Orientation Day
Y9 Have-a-go Day

PBL the anticipation builds…
 
Kia ora Whanau,
The pressure’s growing, the tension’s building, and so is the anticipation for Exhibition Night, Wednesday 4 December.  All of the students are in the throes of planning how they will exhibit the learning they have done over the last two terms, as well as striving to bring their projects to a close if they can.  So, what are you likely to see at the Exhibition?
 
Learning
You may recall that the point of PBL is to encourage students to build new knowledge and gather information in an area of high interest for them.  This should allow for greater engagement and the authentic development of the necessary 21st Century life skills of resilience, creativity, problem solving, effective communication and working collaboratively.  The primary focus of the exhibition will be the students explaining and demonstrating what it is that they have learned in all of these areas.
 
Project artefacts
For some of the students there will be an actual product that they will be able to exhibit – a trailer, rugs, sugar scrubs, a website or an app for example.  For others, however, they may only be able to show their planning because their project is of such a scale that they may need to continue creating their product next year.
 
I am very excited to see what the students exhibit in two weeks’ time.  While we talk about it having been “two term’s worth of PBL”, I am very aware that in reality the students have only had between ten and twelve school days to work on their projects, some of which are on quite a large scale.  I am very proud of the way that so many of them have embraced this new way of learning and have worked so hard on their projects.  I am also very grateful for the way that the community, sponsors and parents have backed our students whether it be financial sponsorship, sharing of specialist knowledge, rides to and from places, or a willingness to allow our students into their schools and places of work.  Watching this first iteration of PBL has really been watching Compassion, Community and Commitment come alive!
 
See you all on Wednesday 4 December 5.30pm – 7pm.
 
Nga mihi,
 
 
Bridget Ryan
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning
 

​I was very proud this week to attend the Rotary Young Achievers Awards.  Congratulations to  Molly Gray, Samantha Marsh and Connor Sharp on being recognised for your efforts at these prestigious Awards.  

Darren Jack
Acting Principal

Recipients Citations:

Samantha Marsh
 
Samantha is an outgoing, enthusiastic student who embraces all our college has to offer.  Her zest for learning and cheerful attitude is infectious and a wonderful quality to have.  
 
Samantha excels in Karate, gaining an impressive 100 percent in her Black Belt examination.  In 2018, she achieved a Black Belt in Goju Ryu, which is a style of karate.  She competes in competitions locally and throughout New Zealand.  Last year she gained second placings at the Otago Southland and Canterbury Tournaments and this year was placed fourth in the Kata section and fifth in the Kumite section at the New Zealand Open.  Although Karate keeps Samantha very busy she keeps herself fit and this year completed the 15 km run on the Moonshine Trail. 
 
Samantha is no stranger to the stage.  Last year she had a supporting lead role in the Gore Musical Theatre’s Junior Production of Shrek and this year was a very convincing thespian in the St Peter’s College production of High School Musical.  Samantha is a very enthusiastic participant in our annual Eisteddfod and this year was our Junior Eisteddfod Champion gaining first placings in dance, duet singing, impromptu speech, ensemble and entertainment.  She received the Entertainer award for her hip-hop routine. 
 
Academically, Samantha embraces our school value of commitment giving her best effort across all curriculum areas.  Last year she gained first place in Digital Technology.  Samantha is obviously a high achieving young lady, but one of the things that sets her apart from her peers is her willingness to give back to the community.  She is a school librarian, teaches karate at the West Otago Club, coaches and marshals at tournaments.  It is no surprise therefore that Samantha was awarded a community award last year. 
 
Samantha is an outstanding Young Achiever.  She lives out the school values of commitment, community and compassion in her daily school life and the commitment she has shown to all aspects of her life is a credit to her.   

Connor Sharp
 
Connor can be a very serious young man in class but if there is an opportunity for a class game or energiser he is always eager to participate.  He is always the first to put his hand up to help out in the class or to share his ideas and contributes enthusiastically to small group discussions.  Connor is always striving to reach his full potential and takes on feedback to improve his work.  He is a polite and respectful young man who is well respected in his peer group. 
 
Academically, Connor is an able student gaining first class placings in 2018 in Physical Education and Product Design and Manufacturing.  He was also a member of the St Peter’s College SMAC Maths Team in 2018.   
 
The first class placing in Physical Education comes as no surprise as this an area where Connor truly excels.  This year he was the Athletics Champion for his age group after being runner-up in 2018.  For two consecutive years, Connor has been an integral member of the Southland Hatch Cup Hockey Team.  He likes to get the ball to the back of the net and this year was the second highest goal scorer at the National Tournament.  This year Connor was named the International Holistic Development Athlete of the Year. 
 
During summer, Connor is fortunate to have the time to perfect his waterskiing technique and this year managed an awesome second place at the Otago/Southland Junior Boys’ Waterski Championships.  He can also be found on a cricket pitch representing Southland Country and is keenly supported by his family and especially his Pop.  Connor’s natural ability and skillset allow him to try his hand at a variety of sporting disciplines and this year Connor was a member of the winning Ascot Park Triathlon Team where he successfully completed the cycle phase.   During his spare time Connor coaches hockey down at the local turf where the younger children are fortunate to benefit from his skill level and experience.   
 
Connor is a very committed and outstanding young man.  We are delighted to recognise Connor as a Rotary Young Achiever for St Peter’s College. 

Molly Gray
 
Molly is a very caring and compassionate young lady, treating all her peers and teachers with respect and is well respected by her peer group.  Molly also enjoys a good laugh and is always eager to share the funny moments in her life.  In class, Molly is always striving for excellence.  She is able to think creatively about an idea or concept and is able to take in all perspectives when considering her response to a task.  Molly is true to herself and her vibrant and bubbly personality is such a treat.   
 
Academically, Molly excels in the classroom gaining first class placings in 2018 for Religious Education, Music and Product Design and Manufacturing.  Her fabulous work ethic ensured Molly also received a Diligence Award. 
 
Molly is no stranger to the stage and in this year’s Eisteddfod the audience was wittingly entertained by her speech on the ordeal of being the child of a teacher.  Molly was a keen and eager participant during our Cultural Festival and was awarded a number of placings in Prepared Speech, Wearable Arts, Impromptu, Scripture and Ensemble.  This year Molly received the cup for Junior Prepared Speech.  Molly is not one to let opportunities pass her by and this year was a brainiac in our school production of High School Musical.  Molly learns speech, achieving honours in Grade Three and even manages to fit in singing lessons.  Molly is an integral member of our Kapa Haka, being fortunate to be part of the North Island Hikoi. 
 
During the winter, one can find Molly down at the MLT Stadium playing netball and this year she participated in the Dunedin Weetbix Triathlon.  Fabulous effort Molly! 
Molly willingly goes out of her way for others and can be found down at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament and St Mary’s assisting with all things digital. A very likeable young lady, Molly is an outstanding Young Achiever.  We are proud to acknowledge Molly as a Rotary Young Achiever for St Peter’s College. 
 

 
 

 

 
 

Congratulations to Emily Chamberlain, Year 12 who has been selected to attend the 8th Thailand-New Zealand Language and Cultural Exchange in January 2020. She was one of only 8 selected nationally for this award and has been selected to promote people to people links between Thai and New Zealanders. She will spend 4 weeks in Thailand, visiting schools and staying with host families. We are so proud of you Emily, well done!
 

​Find out more about the learning undertaken by these students and all our year 8 – 10 students on WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER 5.30PM – 7PM.  Your invitations and more details are on their way soon!