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Kia ora e te whanau
This week I was privileged to attend the Secondary Principals Association Conference in New Plymouth. This was a great opportunity to learn about what other schools in New Zealand are doing around the upcoming curriculum changes and to talk with other professionals about their greatest challenges and opportunities are. Some common challenges included: - Increased student violence and stand downs/suspensions - Increased parent hostilities and complaints - Continued decreased literacy rates - Lack of teacher appointments and applications - An increasing inability to offer some subjects due to no specialists - Teachers and senior leaders leaving the profession in their first 5 years Some common opportunities included: - Increased Matauranga Maori knowledge - Ability to cross curricular teach - Less focus on assessment and more focus on rich learning experiences - Equity issues being acknowledged and tackled - Use of AI technologies and they can be harnessed - Better inclusion and diversity practices The keynote speaker to have the greatest impression on me was Professor Yong Zhao. Yong Zhao is a Foundation Distinguished Professor in the School of Education at the University of Kansas and a Professor in Educational Leadership at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education in Australia. His work focuses on the implications of globalization and technology on education and he has published over 100 articles and 30 books. I have reflected on his teachings and adapted them for a Catholic school context: 1. Embracing Individuality: Professor Zhao emphasizes the recognition and celebration of every student's individuality and unique talents. In Catholic schools, we recognize that each child is a unique creation of God, gifted with their own abilities and potential. It is our responsibility as educators to nurture and develop these individual gifts, allowing students to flourish in their own unique ways. 2. Fostering Creativity: Creativity is a vital aspect of education, and Professor Zhao underscores the need for schools to foster creative thinking and problem-solving skills. In Catholic education, we understand that God is the ultimate creator, and we are called to be co-creators in the world. Encouraging creativity in our students helps them recognise their role in God's ongoing creation and enables them to respond to the world's challenges with innovative solutions. 3. Promoting Global Competence: In an increasingly interconnected world, Professor Zhao highlights the importance of developing global competence among students. Catholic schools embrace the call to be global citizens, promoting a sense of solidarity, empathy, and responsibility toward the global community. We strive to help students understand and appreciate different cultures, traditions, and perspectives, fostering an inclusive and compassionate worldview. 4. Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindsets: Professor Zhao encourages the development of entrepreneurial mindsets in students, empowering them to take risks, be innovative, and seize opportunities. From a Catholic lens, this idea resonates with the call to stewardship and responsible leadership. We seek to instil in our students a sense of social justice, encouraging them to use their talents and abilities to make a positive impact on society. 5. Valuing Well-being and Character Development: Professor Zhao emphasizes the importance of well-being and character development in education. Similarly, Catholic schools prioritise the holistic development of students, focusing not only on academic success but also on their spiritual, moral, and emotional growth. We strive to create a supportive and nurturing environment that promotes the well-being of every student, fostering the development of virtues and strong character. As always, I encourage you to engage in open conversations with our teaching staff and share your thoughts on how we can continue to integrate these principles into our educational practices. Together, we can create an environment where our students can thrive, grow, and contribute to the greater good. Charity Fulfils the Law Tara Quinney, Principal Update from the Limited Statutory Manager – 2 June 2023 Thank you all for the warm welcome I received during my recent visits to your school. As I get to know more about St Peter’s, one thing that really stands out is the caliber of the students – thoughtful, articulate and engaging, and appreciative of the opportunities their school offers them. I have now completed the information gathering phase of the intervention. The next step is to prepare an Outcomes Plan in conjunction with the Board and the Ministry of Education. It is anticipated that this plan will be formally adopted by the Board at its next meeting on 28 June 2023, after which it will be shared with the school community. The Board is committed to working together to implement the Outcomes Plan and return the school to full self-governance and we will provide updates on progress after each Board meeting. Thank you again for the friendly welcome and for your contributions to the scoping phase. Nicola Hornsey
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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 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  Kia ora e te whanau
As we continue to celebrate the Easter season, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the significance of the 50 days of Easter. The Easter season is a time of great joy and celebration for Catholics around the world. It is a time to reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope that it brings to all of us. The 50 days of Easter represent the period between the resurrection of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. During this time, we are reminded of the importance of the resurrection and the impact it has on our faith. It is a time to reflect on the sacrifice that Jesus made for us and the new life that he offers us. The Easter season is also a time of renewal and transformation, as we are invited to deepen our relationship with Christ and to become more like him. As we navigate through these 50 days of Easter, I encourage you to take time to reflect on the meaning of this season and to deepen your faith. Attend Mass regularly, spend time in prayer and reflection, and engage in acts of kindness and charity. These small gestures can have a powerful impact on those around us and help to spread the message of hope and love that Christ offers us. I am very pleased to announce today that our Diocese has signed off a $600,000 investment into refurbishing two Science laboratories and the technician area in between. It is through your attendance dues, the governments property investment, and our Catholic Dioceses commitment to the future of St Peter’s College that we are able to commence this project this year. This project will allow our students to have access to high quality facilities that favour collaborative learning and scientific experiments in a safe environment: This is a very exciting new venture, and it speaks to the strong financial and educational position the school is in. A big thank you goes out to Ms Jo Carter, our Head of Science, whose unfailing commitment, and drive to ensure we got a design for 21st century learning and a second space, when the original plan was just for one. This week our student leaders ran an Anzac Assembly that paid tribute to the past, present and future military personnel in New Zealand and around the world. As always, our student executive team led with respect, dignity and compassion and their leadership is always valued by the student body. Last term they all attended the GRIP Leadership conference here in Gore with student leaders from other schools around Otago and Southland and we look forward to seeing them incorporate more of their personal flavour into events around the school and in future assemblies. He has saved us and called us to a holy life- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. “This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time." 2 Timothy 1:9. Let us continue to be holy in all we undertake and may all our young people thrive in holiness as they begin the term and have the opportunity to reconnect with their peers and reset their goals. I take this opportunity to thank all our parents and caregivers for their assistance and support throughout the last term. Your participation in the many events in this upcoming term has consolidated your commitment in the journey of your children as they progress through St Peter’s. We look forward to your continued involvement in our young people’s academic achievement, sporting, spiritual and cultural interests for the remainder of the year. Tara Quinney, Principal Kia ora e te whanau As we journey through the season of Holy Week leading up to Easter, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the importance of Catholic character in our school community. At St Peter’s College, we believe that Catholic character is at the heart of all that we do. It guides our decisions, shapes our interactions, and provides a foundation for our academic and personal growth. During this season of Holy Week, we are reminded of the ultimate expression of Catholic character - the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us on the cross. His example of humility, forgiveness, and selflessness is a powerful reminder of the virtues that we strive to cultivate in our students. In our school, we aim to foster Catholic character through a variety of activities and initiatives. We encourage our students to practice kindness, generosity, and empathy, to develop a deep sense of gratitude and to care for others, especially the less fortunate. We also encourage our students to develop a strong faith life, which is essential to the cultivation of Catholic character. Through regular prayer, reflection, and participation in Mass, our students learn to develop a personal relationship with God, which guides and sustains them in their daily lives. In the weekend we attended the Catholic Secondary Schools winter sports quad at St Kevin’s College and I was truly proud of the way our students treated others with manners and respect, were humble when winning and congratulated the other teams when they lost. They were an absolute pleasure to take away and a real credit to you as their parents. I would also like to sincerely thank Mrs Rebecca Chittock for her excellent organisation of the trip and thank all the coaches and managers for giving up their weekend to support and attend: Mrs Carolyn Hunter, Mrs Janelle Conlan, Ms Millie Cowan, Mr Elmer Sollano, Mr Vince Aynsley and Mrs Fiona Sharp. It is a real community effort to ensure our students get these awesome opportunities. Last week we welcomed our new acting Deputy Principal of pastoral care, Ms Sharon Jackson to the school and she is already getting to know many of the students and parents. We are also excited to announce that we have appointed a new Digital Technologies and DVC teacher, Mr Mark Presley, who will start week 6, term 2. This week we had our Academic Blues awards assembly and it was lovely to recognise the hard work and commitment that many of our young people put in last year to achieve their very best. Congratulations to the following students who received Excellence endorsements at level one: Liana Abuel Sam Clarkson Molly Gray Cassandra Juanitas Ella King Daniel Kovarski Gemma McAtamney Holly McGowan Eve McKenzie Luca Metzler Ruby Miller Talia Moody Connor Sharp Congratulations to the following students who received Merit endorsements at level one: Jack Abernethy Ryan Davers Maegan Davis Ledrick Delos Reyes Chonelle Evans Ellie Haisman Tegan Haywood Adam Kelly Samantha Marsh Ophelia Hiu Ching Emma Shanks Harry Shaw Aidan Sheddan Isabella Topp Tane Tutty Ashton Wadsworth Dixie-Leigh Burr Congratulations to the following students who received Excellence endorsements at level two: Shanae Allen Charlotte Anderson Sophie Aynsley Georgie Crowley Molly Haisman Rebecca McBeath Bonnie Miller Rachael Miller Lucy Morrison Marielle Penus Kate Perkins Lauryn Pinckney Jenna Ward Congratulations to the following students who received Merit endorsements at level two: Dixie-Leigh Burr Meg Clarkson Kynan Marsh Alexine Rivas Mary Salvana Frances Shallard Lauren Stevenson Congratulations to the following students who received Excellence endorsements at level three: Adriana Evans Abby Gutschlag Abby Hailes Seba Metzler Anikah Moody Somi Park Nicholas Roy Maclean Sharp Connor Watkins Congratulations to the following students who received Merit endorsements at level three: JB Acuna Jonga Baek Flynn Chamberlain Jack Gee Sarah Griffiths-Smith Laura Heads Myah Kortbaoui Eden McPhail Nicola Mitchell Olivia Shanks We also gratefully thank Ms Louise Dennison, past pupil of St Peter’s College who came back and gave a heartfelt and motivating speech to our students by sharing her educational journey since leaving school. We are so very lucky to have her back working in our community. As we approach Easter weekend, let us remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the importance of Catholic character in our school community. May God bless you and your families during this holy season. Charity Fulfils the Law Tara Quinney, Principal
Kia ora e te whanau
No doubt you will be aware of the media coverage around attendance in schools around New Zealand and the use of these statistics as a political football for the upcoming elections. St Peter’s College does not have many truancy issues and our attendance rates are overall quite high. Despite this, on a recent visit, the Education Review Office (ERO) asked us to dig a little deeper into our statistics and some surprising outcomes were uncovered:
ERO have just published an insightful report on attendance in schools and a few key points stood out for me:
ERO also gave some helpful recommendations for improving attendance:
I share this message with you today not to single anyone out but just to raise awareness and if the trends are correct nationwide, to address this before attendance at St Peter’s College begins to drop further. There has been an alarming fall in regular attendance for all school types across the country and there is no real understanding as to why this has happened. Covid has understandably had an impact on the attendance rate, however it has been falling since 2015. For ERO’s full report please click on this link: https://ero.govt.nz/our-research/attendance-getting-back-to-school As we approach Holy Week next week, it is important to reflect on the significance of this week in the Catholic Church and how it relates to our school community. Holy Week is the most sacred week of the liturgical year in the Catholic Church. It begins with Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Throughout the week, we reflect on the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. This includes the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, where Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist, and Good Friday, which marks Jesus' crucifixion and death. The culmination of Holy Week is Easter Sunday, which celebrates Jesus' resurrection from the dead. It is the most important feast in the Catholic Church and the foundation of our faith. During this time, we celebrate new life and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. As a Catholic school community, it is essential that we understand the significance of Holy Week and participate in its observance. Holy Week provides a unique opportunity to reflect on our faith and deepen our relationship with God. It is also an opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate our shared beliefs and values. We encourage all students, staff, and families to participate in Holy Week observances, such as attending Mass, participating in the Stations of the Cross, and taking time for personal reflection and prayer. We also encourage all students to engage in service to others, particularly during this time of year, as a way of embodying the spirit of Christ's teachings. We wish you all a blessed Holy Week and Easter season. Charity Fulfils the Law Tara Quinney Principal Kia ora e te whanau
It would be great to think that everyone here absolutely loves coming to school! It would be great to think that each one of our students looks forward to coming back to school after a holiday! It would be great to think that they will all have the opportunity to enjoy learning in a pleasant environment where everyone shows respect, and where everyone is sensible at all times. However, it is likely that these three things are not true for some of our students. Sometimes, students don’t enjoy school. If they were asked, quite a lot of them would possibly say that they would rather be on holiday, and sometimes, it can be difficult to learn when some students decide to behave in inappropriate ways. There are many reasons why people behave in particular ways. We often learn our behaviour from those around us, whether they are family, friends or peers. In some cases, this can be a good thing, but at other times, it can lead us into doing things that are not acceptable, and that we would not normally have considered taking part in. In our society, we have a system of laws so that we can deal with people appropriately if they have behaved badly. When people are found guilty of wrongdoing, they are punished. This is the same within the school community. If a school is to function well, it needs a code of conduct that includes penalties for those who decide to ignore the rules. The penalties are intended to be positive and constructive so that everyone has the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and to change their behaviour for the better. In the Bible, in Luke 13.6-9, Jesus told a parable that illustrates this idea well. In the parable, there was a man who had a tree that did not bear fruit for three years. He told his gardener to cut down the tree because he thought that it was a waste of space. However, the gardener asked if he could give the tree one more year, saying that he would look after it very carefully in that time to promote the growth of fruit. The parable indicates that people should be given a second chance. It suggests that people sometimes need a bit of extra help to grow and change, that they deserve the opportunity to change and to put their behaviour right. We ask our students to listen to the following simple advice on what to do if they want to change their behaviour or avoid inappropriate behaviour in the first place: · Be honest and, if you are not happy with your behaviour, admit it to yourself. · Get to know your weaknesses so that you can work on improving them. · Do not be afraid to ask for help from friends, family members or teachers. · Avoid mixing with people who have had a bad influence upon you in the past. · Aim to learn from your mistakes so that you can take advantage of the second chance that is on offer to you. Dear God, Thank you for our school. Thank you for those who care for us and advise us on our life’s journey. Please help us to think about the effect that our actions have upon other people. Help us to think of others before ourselves. Amen Charity Fulfils the Law, Tara Quinney, Principal Kia ora e te whanau,
It was exciting this week to have so many students participate in the Southland Secondary Athletics competition on Saturday. It was a great day where all students competed in good heart and spirit. 2023 is off to an excellent start with many sports and extra-curricula activities being able to be offered again. Netball, Basketball and Rugby trials have started. Hockey is about to take off and we are looking forward to taking teams up to the Catholic school’s quad tournament on the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd of April. With many more teams we are looking for coaches and managers for all codes, if you can volunteer some time please email rebeccachittock@stpetersgore.school.nz This week we had cameras installed around the school to increase our security, particularly around the gymnasium and carpark areas. This is to help us minimise anti-social behaviour and vaping and smoking. The cameras are pointed at the toilet doorways to monitor who is going in and out. This is for health and safety and please be assured there are no cameras inside the toilets. Yesterday, as you know our teachers went on strike for better conditions. As a Catholic secondary school, we have always believed in the importance of charity and fulfilling the law, and we remain committed to these principles during this disruptive time. We recognise the hard work and dedication our teachers have shown to our students over the years. We also understand the legitimate concerns about working conditions and that everyone is entitled to take action to improve them. At the same time, we must also remember that our school relies on the support of our community to function properly. It is only through your generosity and goodwill that we are able to provide our students with the education and opportunities they need to succeed. As we navigate this challenging situation, we ask for your patience and understanding. We pray that we find a resolution that is fair and reasonable for everyone involved. We hope that through open and honest communication, we can come to an agreement that upholds our shared values of charity and fulfilling the law. In the meantime, we will continue to provide our students with the best possible education, and we ask for your continued support and encouragement as we work to resolve this issue. Thank you for your understanding and your commitment to our school community. Charity Fulfils the Law Tara Quinney Principal |
