Welcome to the very special learning community that is
St Matthew's Primary School.
Christchurch Tragedy
I am still finding it hard to comprehend the enormity of the attack on Friday in Christchurch.
St Matthew's School has been and is currently so richly blessed by having pupils and families of many faiths, including Muslim students.
Our prayers and aroha are with those families directly involved.. because they are our families.
We belong to them and they belong to us.
Tim Anderson
Principal.
Today was a difficult day for our staff to prepare for following the tragedy in Christchurch on Friday.
I am personally still finding it hard to comprehend the enormity of the attack.
Our staff met this morning to look at support plans for our children during this week in
particular.
What has been very reassuring is that we have had a very settled and ‘normal’ start to the week, with the children slipping into their routines very well.
As a school, we will continue to support our tamariki and staff as we come to terms with this event.
St Matthew's School has been and is currently so richly blessed by having pupils and families of many faiths, including Muslim students.
Our school has a number of direct links into the community that was targeted and our
prayers and aroha are with those families both directly and indirectly involved.. because they are our families.
We belong to them and they belong to us.
You are invited to join us at our School Service of Friday 22nd March.
Our school will be remembering those killed in the attacks on the two mosques in Christchurch and to honour these, our brothers and sisters, you are invited to share in a time of quiet prayer and reflection with the school on Friday at 1:40pm at St Matthew's.
All of our Anglican Schools in this country and Pasifika will be holding a service or vigil at the same time as a way of showing love to the Christchurch community.
Board of Trustee Elections
We have an election at the start of next term for our Board of Trustees. Have you considered being available for this role? Our board meets twice a term in the evenings and set the direction for our awesome little school. We need good people to seriously think about this role. Since 1990, an estimated 100,000 professionals, tradespeople, parents and community leaders have contributed their time, energy and expertise to ensure the success of schools, classrooms and students in this country – maybe you want to be part of that group! Have a look at this weblink if you are interested.
https://www.nzsta.org.nz/trustee-elections/becoming-a-trustee/
Top Parish
Top Parish 29th to 31st March 2019
Every year we take a team of Year 6, 7 and 8 pupils to Top Parish, a youth event held in
Rotorua. Young people from all around our
Diocese attend this weekend – joining in a March Past, Games and Activities, Concert and a Worship service.
We want to take a group there again this year. There is further information in the
office foyer including the registration form. We also would love a couple of adults to join us.
This year is the 40th anniversary of Top Parish in Waiapu and we are hoping that there may well be some ‘Golden Oldies’ join in with the activities. Any former pupils are welcome to join us for the weekend as well.
Coming Up
Monday March 18– Thursday March 21 Whole school swimming lessons at Flaxmere
Breakfast Club
Breakfast club is up and running, in the Hall from 8.10 until 8.45 every morning. All pupils welcome for Weetbix and toast. We are looking for more volunteers to help us in the morning—if you had a spare hour it would be most welcome!
Term dates for 2019
They are as follows:
erm 1 4 Feb to 12 April
Term 2 29 April to 5 July
Term 3 22 July to 27 Sept
Term 4 14 Oct to 19 Dec
Your Chatterbox
Many people get the Chatterbox by email and enjoy reading it on a device. If you would this by email, please let Mr Coyle know at admin@ourplace.school.nz
If you would ONLY like an email version (and not get a paper copy) also please let Mr Coyle know at admin@ourplace.school.nz.
Picking Your Child Up
A reminder please that if you are dropping off your child to school after 9:00am, make sure they come in via the office to sign in.
It would be best if you accompany them.
If you are picking up your child
early from school or for an appointment, please do this from the office as well.
Your child will meet you in the school office.
It is not OK to just meet them in the carpark, you need to let the office know.
Waiapu Kids-Early Childhood Centre St Matthew’s Early Childhood Centre is now taking enrolment's for 2017. There are still places available for 2016. The centre is open from 8:00am to 5:00pm and they cater for children from 0-5 years. Children can attend full time or part time and it is open all year except for three weeks over Christmas. The centre is ideally situated for Mum’s and Dad’s working in the city centre. There are a few vacancies for this year available.
St Matthew's Primary School is an Anglican state integrated school, catering for students from Year 0 to 8, situated in the heart of Hastings. Since its inception in 1995 it has grown to become a small school of just over 130 pupils.
Our motto is "teach our children to use the right path, and when they are older they will remain on it" (Proverbs 22:6). We achieve this by offering high quality values and curriculum based education within a special character context.
We have an open door policy and we encourage all members of our community to be involved in educating our children.
St Matthews Primary School has students from around Hawkes Bay, as well as from around the world.
Our website is aimed at the whole community, students, parents and parish members, to make it an information site to find out what is happening in the school.
Tim Anderson (Principal)