Kia ora e te whānau
Term Two has started with a flurry of activity and I am sure this short term will continue in that vein. On Wednesday 30th April we had a fantastic Anzac Assembly/Liturgy that was led by our Year 13 student leaders. We were fortunate to have two ex-servicemen Michael O’Neill and Aaron Horrell join us to share what Anzac Day means to them. As always, our students demonstrated the College values and showed the respect that is due such an occasion. We were reminded that the men and women who have served our country in both times of conflict and peace have made tremendous sacrifices for our freedom and peace.
Cross Country was another successful event on the school calendar with a significant proportion of students participating. Well done to all those who made the effort and represented their respective House. Preparations have already begun for the House Singing and Eisteddfod which will take place this term.
I would also like to welcome back to the College Mrs. Linda Dalzell who has joined us on a fixed term basis while we are in the process of recruiting for a second Deputy Principal. She has joined the SLT Team as the Acting Director of Pastoral Care with oversight of our Pastoral systems. I wish to also acknowledge at this point Mrs. Bridget Ryan who has been covering this aspect of the College for Term One while also doing her normal DP Teaching and Learning role.
We also welcome to the College the following staff members:
Kim McKechie as Arts Coordinator
Dale Gardyne and Laura Youngman as teacher aides
I am sure they will all contribute positively to the College moving forward.
As you may have noticed in the Ensign and the Otago Daily Times recently, they have both reported on NCEA pass rates across Otago and Southland. We were very pleased to see that St Peter’s College had the highest pass rates for NCEA Level Two, Three and University Entrance in 2024 for the Southland Region. Well done to all those students and a big thanks to the staff who made this happen. We hope to build further on these results in 2025.
Just a quick reminder also for all of our students that when you are out and about in the community, the public often associate you with the College. Let’s make sure that the values we live by here at the College, we are also demonstrating in public places. Our best advertisement for the College is our students. Let’s keep up the good news stories and keep improving our community reputation.
Finally, as we celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend, I would like to acknowledge all the mothers, aunties, grandmothers and other women within our community who have helped shape our young people. Wishing you all an enjoyable Mother’s Day.
Charity Fulfils the Law