Kia ora e te whanau

A big welcome back to Term 4. Although the term break may now feel like a distant memory, it is great to see students and staff back at school and reconnecting with their friends, peers and colleagues as we quickly fall back into routine. These strong connections and relationships are so important for our students, staff and everyone’s wellbeing. On this note of connections and community, our PTFA will be generously giving up their time this evening to assist at the Cultural Festival at the MLT. The work the PTFA team is doing to make this event a success highlights the strength our community has to come together to ensure that our students have the opportunities to develop and grow during their secondary education in a positive, comfortable, and safe learning environment. We were optimistic about being able to break ground on the refurbishment of the Susan Horrell Courts these last holidays but unfortunately due to rising construction costs and some of our funding falling through, we were unable to make this target. PTFA are committed to continuing to fundraise and support this, but we now hand this over to the School Board to continue with this project next year.

We were very excited this week to see the timber arrive for the new gymnasium floor and we thank Jones and Cooper, and the Dunedin Diocese, for all their hard work in bringing this to fruition. At next week’s Wednesday morning assembly, students and staff will have the opportunity to write their name, draw pictures and make statements in memory of their time here when the flood happened, on the floor before the timber is laid. As this will be our last whole school assembly for the year there will also be a special treat for each student at the end.

Every term in a school year is a busy one, but during Term 4 the school environment is abuzz as students have chosen options for the following year and are excited about new opportunities; students working towards their NCEA qualifications are completing internal assessments, crunching their credit and rank score calculations and preparing for their external examinations. On top of this, celebrations and acknowledgements are being arranged and are beginning to take place with breakfasts, lunches, assemblies and prizegiving’s all well underway.

To our Year 12 and 13 students, we wish them well in their preparations for their final NCEA examinations but ask that as parents you are aware that your child may need support with their organisation, prioritisation and overall time management, as they balance their extracurricular activities, after school jobs and academic responsibilities. Please, have ‘check in’ conversations and if you, or your child, need support or guidance from the College in this regard, reach out.

To our Year 7 to 11 students, I would like to remind them that through their participation in school, by being involved in various activities and opportunities, they will develop the skills and attributes to be equipped and empowered to pursue their own personal excellence, and will be prepared to challenge and shape their futures. So, please encourage your child to make the most of this final term of 2024.

Lastly, there has been some talk in the community around the future of Rosmini House, the hostel we share with Māruawai College. With declining numbers and rising repairs and maintenance costs we are looking to downsize into the smaller St Joseph’s dormitory. While we await Ministry of Education sign off for this move we will remain as we are, and assure you all, that with the support of the Dunedin Diocese and both Colleges to continue boarding into 2025, and we will be doing everything we can to make this happen.

As we look to the future I would like to personally congratulate and welcome Mr Kieran Udy as the new Principal for St Peter’s College for 2025. Mr Udy has excellent credentials and experience and I am sure the students will also look forward to seeing him out and about at their sports events, particularly on the basketball court!

We wish all of our community the very best, and we ask for God’s blessing on a successful term.

Charity Fulfils the Law