Principals Comments 2.9.22

Kia ora e te whanau

Tournament week has given over a 100 of our students the opportunity to travel and play teams from other regions around the South Island. We have been very lucky to have had Football, Rugby, Netball and Hockey all being played this week and we are so very thankful for all the parent and staff support who have helped make these events happen. Being a part of a school sports team is an effective way to build a sense of community as it enhanc­es relationships between students, teachers, the school and supporting families. And as a Catholic community, sport helps students to grow in maturity and attitude, such as caring for the opponent, playing hon­estly, and smiling under pressure. Sport teams provide a controlled, su­pervised environment in which to monitor and encourage these Christian attitudes. Being a part of a sports team en­ables students to learn the art of losing gracefully (not trying to place blame on others, not making excuses) as well as winning gracefully (congratulating the other team, giving praise to God, not boasting). So the fun continues with a girls rugby tournament in Dunedin today, the year 7 & 8 rugby boys to Queenstown for the weekend and the year 7 & 8 basketball boys are off to Tauranga on Sunday for the AIM’s games. I am very privileged to be going along with them so will be away for all of next week but will be contactable by phone and email if needed.

Over the next few weeks our senior students will be working towards their school exams. These are critical, and every student should attend their exam, and try their very best to complete each one. The results for these exams may have to be used for a derived grade if the NZQA exams at the end of the year cannot be attended due to injury, illness or a sudden event. As students work towards the school exams, stress and anxiety levels can rise. The New Zealand Mental Health Foundation’s ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ https://mentalhealth.org.nz/five-ways-to-wellbeing is a great resource and has some simple tips for supporting yourself and whānau.

We pray for our seminarian, Joseph Nguyen, who will be ordained as a Priest tomorrow in Auckland at Sacred Heart Church. A small contingent from Gore will be there in support and we are blessed to be able to attend this very special and spiritual ceremony.

As we celebrate Father’s Day on 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 personal excellence. So that they will be prepared to challenge and shape the future, whilst being a young person of Mercy and Charity who acts justly, loves tenderly and walks humbly with our God.

God our Father,
​
We give you thanks and praise for fathers young and old.
We pray for young fathers, newly embracing their vocation;
may they find courage and perseverance
to balance work, family and faith in joy and sacrifice.
We pray for fathers around the world
whose children are lost or suffering;
may they know that the God of compassion
walks with them in their sorrow.
We pray for men who are not fathers
but still mentor and guide us with fatherly love and advice.
We remember fathers, grandfathers, and great grandfathers
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