Comments from the Principal - Term 3, Week one

Welcome back to Term 3. It is certainly good to have some sunnier days with the promise of spring in our sights.
We are looking forward to our Open Night this week. I enjoy this event every year because of the affirmation it gives our school community. Our students who volunteer to tour new families through the school and offer to help in some of their favourite subject areas, and the staff who willingly prepare their areas and talk about all the great learning that is happening in their spaces, remind me of the wonderful things happening at our place and the pride that all of us have in St Peter’s. We want to share this with as many people as possible. This is not just about new enrolments – anybody is most welcome to come along and see what is happening at our College. Spread the word with those who might be interested. Everyone is most welcome.

I am pleased to announce that Mrs Kathryn Pinckney has begun as our new Sports Coordinator this week. Kathryn has done this role before at St Peter’s and I know she will continue the good work that has been happening in this area. With Tournament Week coming up fast, she has hit the ground running and you will have already noticed plenty of information coming your way through the sports Facebook page and the newsletter about upcoming events.  We are disappointed to say goodbye to Mr Brian Coyle (HELA Technology) in a few weeks when he leaves teaching to purchase a business. We have really enjoyed having Brian as part of the staff and I know he is going to be greatly missed by staff and students alike.

This week has seen the exciting launch of our Project Based Learning Programme. The PBL Team will be updating you on progress regularly within this newsletter. The programme is taking place at the Calvin Church for the first couple of weeks so we can take advantage of the larger spaces available there, while all students are developing and refining skills required to move onto smaller group work.  Student voice tells us we are on the right track, with plenty of positive feedback from the students and staff involved.
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Good luck to the students who are modelling in the Hokonui Fashion Awards this weekend, and we also wish those students who have entered garments the very best of luck in their competition. It is great to see our students taking advantage of the opportunities available to them within our local community.
Remember to get your tickets to the annual Film Festival. The students have been working hard on their films and I am sure the outcome will be the same high-quality entertainment as it has been in past years.

Nga mihi nui

Kate Nicholson
 

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