Comments from the Principal

​Kia ora whanau
 
It was in last week’s newsletter that I stated that we could do with a dollop of rain. Someone was listening because we certainly got the dollop and even had the heating turned on at school this week!
 
This has been our first full, uninterrupted week at school and the first full week of routine for our students. Our Hokonui Tertiary High School students have begun their Friday programmes at SIT or Telford, and a number of curriculum areas are coming towards the end of their first units of work; associated with this are the first assessments of the students’ learning. Please ask questions of your young people about homework. While Year 7 – 10 students have a log book, trust is put in our seniors that they have their own method for recording homework and due dates. The organisational systems they practise at school will help them once they are in the workplace. None of our students are too young to learn the responsibility of being prepared for class, being on time and meeting deadlines. Encourage these attributes at home and please remember the difference between supporting and rescuing – our young people need to build resilience in coping with expectations and the demands of school, extra-curricular activities and part time jobs, if they are to be fully prepared for life after school.
 
Speaking of the demands of busy lives, our Year 13 group have had a very strong start to the year. The year for them began with a leadership retreat followed by the organisation of the Opening Mass and the Ash Wednesday Liturgy. Our House Leaders have been proactive in promoting house spirit and gathering house points through the Tug-of-War lunchtime competition and preparation for Athletics Day, and the Junior Support Leaders are enjoying organising activities with our Year 7 classes. On Wednesday, I accompanied three of our leaders, Dakoda Conroy, Luke Roughan and Marion Frei to the Catholic Women’s League meeting where they articulately spoke about attending the inaugural Catholic Youth Festival in Auckland last December. As part of a tradition at St Peter’s during Lent, our Year 13s, accompanied by Mr Brendan Terry and Mrs Jacqui Thompson, slept overnight outside at school last night with just the basics of cardboard as mattresses and lentils as food. The aim of this was to experience a small glimpse of the lives of so many in the world. Well done to all of you. With the help of mentoring by Mr Terry and Mrs Perniskie, you have set the leadership bar high and set the tone for the year – Thank you.
 
Work Day is on Wednesday, March 7th. All students are expected to take part in this day and, as part of who we are as a school, some of the money earned is given to deserving charities. The rest will stay in the school and contribute towards the chapel refurbishment. Please get behind this day to ensure it is successful.
 
Wishing you all the best for a blessed family weekend.