Comments from the Principal, T2, Wk 4

Kia ora tatou
This week I came across an article about the strong link between volunteering and wellbeing. While this information and research is not new, it again reinforced the importance of recognising that we are a part of something much bigger than ourselves. Our junior health curriculum at St Peter’s teaches the value of looking at the four cornerstones of health through Te Whare Tapa Whā model, where wairua (spiritual), tinana (physical), whanau (family and community) and hinengaro (mental) wellbeing are equally important. Service to our community fits well into this model and certainly adds to the holistic learning we want for our children in their development.  Last night, at our kapa haka evening which served as a ‘wrap up’ of the wonderful North Island hikoi that was held in April, I spoke of this group finding their tūrangawaewae – their place to stand - and their sense of belonging by being part of this group and, of course, the pleasure they give to others through their performances. Our Gore Youth Council members, who celebrate the young people of Gore tomorrow night at the Youth Awards, are another example of belonging to something bigger than themselves and giving service to their peers and community.  As part of a faith community, we all belong to something much bigger than ourselves. Faith and belonging can help put pressures and worries into perspective and remind us that our every day is only a very small part of the path that God has planned for us. Ensuring that our faith and beliefs are at the foundation of our choices and direction should certainly contribute to a strong spiritual wellbeing.
 
Next Wednesday, as you will have heard, the NZEI and PPTA have called for a strike due to the slow progress of negotiation talks (the NZEI collective agreement ran out last June and the PPTA CA ran out last October). I know there are frustrations for all that trying to negotiate employment contracts and teaching and learning conditions that affect our young people has come to this, and we certainly recognise the disruption to student learning that this causes, especially in the same week we have already calendared a Teacher Only Day on the 31st. We will be closed on Wednesday due to a lack of staff to provide safe supervision for your children. Please refer to the Board email that was sent home earlier this week to inform you of this decision.
 
This coming week is set down as a week of prayer for Christian community. Let’s think about this reflection as we head into the weekend - Every year Christians across the world gather in prayer for growth in unity. We do this in a world where corruption, greed and injustice bring about inequality and division. Ours is a united prayer in a fractured world: this is powerful. However, as individual Christians and communities, we are often complicit with injustice, and yet we are called together to form a united witness for justice and to be a means of Christ’s healing grace for the brokenness of the world.

We are generally really proud of how our students represent St Peter’s in the way they wear their uniform around town and in the school, however this needs some attention at present for some students.  Further in this newsletter is our policy on uniform. Please ensure your child is following these.
We have many nominees in the Gore Youth Awards being held tomorrow night and we wish you all the very best for a great evening of celebration.
 
We have many nominees in the Gore Youth Awards being held tomorrow night and we wish you all the very best for a great evening of celebration.
 
Warm regards,
 

Kate Nicholson
​Principal

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