Comments from the Principal

Welcome back to Term Four and, dare I say, the lead up to Christmas and the holiday season.

After a week of practice exams, our Year 11 – 13 students are ready to tidy up any gaps in knowledge and understanding and prepare themselves for the external NCEA exams that begin on November 7th. Our Year 10 students have been at the ‘Real Game’ this week, preparing for the financial realities of careers and life after school. Thank you to the staff who organised these three days. Meanwhile, a group of staff worked alongside an IT ‘trainer’ to put together a collaborative, integrated programme for the Year 10’s which will be delivered at the end of the term. There is never a dull moment!

There are two important events coming up that I would like to tell you about. Firstly, the PTFA have been planning their major fundraiser for the year – a Car Boot and Bake Sale on Sunday, 4th November. This will include House stalls in the Hall and House points will be up for grabs. Please check your emails and talk to your child about what they have been requested to contribute. Every House is asking for baking to sell on the day, along with contributions towards raffle prizes. Please keep a watchful eye on the school app and emails sent home so you will know how to support your child’s House in this fundraiser competition.

Secondly, please consider coming along to the Board of Trustees’ Consultation Evening on Wednesday, 7th November. It is time to look hard at our strategic direction. The educational landscape is changing, as is the world of work, and we are conscious that a traditional curriculum and structure may need some change. We would love to hear your thoughts and input as we aim to look forward to the next ten years at St Peter’s College. You will find more information about this session in the newsletter.

This week we welcomed Mr Cameron Winsloe who has joined our staff for the next twelve months, while he takes on the PE role left vacant by Mrs Janelle Conlan, who is on parental leave. We congratulate Janelle and Carl on the birth of their wee boy, Ethan, during the holidays. During Janelle’s leave, Mr Ronny Kotkamp will be the Acting HELA PE and Health. Another new member in the PE office is Mr Daniel Wards, who is the new Sports’ Coordinator. Daniel has recently been working in a similar role elsewhere, and brings with him skills in personal training, physical education and coaching.

Congratulations to our Year 8 Debating Team who won their debate against Fiordland College this week. Congratulations Rachael Miller, who was awarded Best Speaker. We look forward to watching their progress as they continue to the next stage of this competition.  Read more about the team’s win further in this newsletter.

We are lucky to have a supportive PTFA that funds the cost of our ‘speaker breakfasts’. In the next couple of weeks all boys, along with fathers and grandfathers, are invited to share breakfast together in the Rosmini House Dining Room and hear Jason McKenzie (recently appointed to accompany the Youth Olympics Team to Buenos Aires) share his wisdom with our boys. We are also fortunate to have international lawyer, Dr Lynne McKenzie, join our girls for breakfast. Mums and grandmothers are most welcome to join us to hear about Lynne’s work around the world. 

This Sunday is World Mission Day. Pope Francis’ message for this day is “Together with young people, let us bring the Gospel to all”.  Pope Francis goes on to say that, “The Church, by proclaiming what she freely received (cf. Mt 10:8; Acts 3:6), can share with young people the way and truth which give meaning to our life on this earth. Jesus Christ, who died and rose for us, appeals to our freedom and challenges us to seek, discover and proclaim this message of truth and fulfilment.”  This Sunday is an opportune time to consider what our real mission is in life and how we are bringing our children closer to the presence of God.
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Have a lovely long weekend, and make sure you put some of the above dates on your calendars!
I look forward to seeing you soon.

Kate Nicholson