Welcome to the very special learning community that is St Matthew's Primary School.
August 22 Update
It was great having the Keeping Ourselves Safe unit across the school. The discussions in the classroom have been very valuable.
As a school we have been able to respond to some of the children’s conversations about playground behaviour that have flowed on from our KoS work. We are currently working with each class around positive behaviour in the playground and what to do when they find inappropriate behaviour.
Some of our children have talked in terms of bullying behaviour, so it is a very good time to remind parents of ways you can support your child. Take an active interest
In your child’s social life;
In what is happening at school;
Be aware of own feelings and own school experiences/issues;
Listen without judgement.
Encourage your Child
To bring friends home (to establish a support network);
To accept and tolerate differences in others.
Build their Self Confidence
By recognising and affirming their positive qualities;
By valuing them for who they are.
Discuss with your child
The school’s expectations about behaviour;
Ways to respond if their rights are infringed.
Encourage Constructive Responses
Physical bullying or persistent teasing should be reported;
Hitting back or retaliating with name calling won’t solve the problem.
Set an Example
Be firm but not aggressive in setting behaviour limits;
Be positive in things you say and do;
Show acceptance and tolerance of differences in others;
Never act as a bully or a victim.
Be Alert for Signs of Distress
Unwillingness to attend school;
Dropping off in academic performance;
Damaged clothing and frequent loss of personal property;
Unexplained injuries;
Loss of confidence and uncharacteristic mood changes;
Aggression towards siblings;
Withdrawal from social activities, especially with peers;
Nail biting, bed wetting, tiredness.
Act
If your child is being bullied at school – report it calmly to the Principal; try to assess the complete picture;
Your report will be followed up.
This Friday, August 25 is
Daffodil Day! As in past years, this is one of the very worthwhile charities we support as a whole school.
If you want your child to come in mufti, a gold coin donation is
required.
Cross Country
Next Monday we have our annual Cross Country race down at Akina Park. The
children will walk down to be there about 11:00am, with the first race at 11:30am.
They all need their PE gear, lunch, drink bottle and a warm jacket.
Feel free to come down and watch—but please note that times are approximate. The children have been training every day this term and should be ready for it.
After our school race we will choose the team for the inter-school cross country.
We do need marshalls on the course—are you available to help us from 11:15am to 2:00pm? Just let us know at the office.
Important Dates
Aug 26 Working bee 9:00am to 12:00pm
Aug 28 Cross country at Akina Park
Aug 29 yr 56 netball day
Aug 31 yr 78 netball day
Sep 6 w2 bush trip
Sep 4 Family and Friends meeting @ 7:00pm in the staffroom
Sep 12 Interschool Cross Country
Sep 14 Interschool Cross Country ppd
Sep 12 Mathletics y7
Sep 13 Mathletics y8
Sep 15 Production dress rehearsal
Sep 18 Production week and Dress rehearsal
Sep 20 21 6:30pm night performance
Sep 19 1:30pm day performance
Sep 25 Family and Friends meeting @ 7:00pm in the staffroom
Sep 29 End Of Term prize giving @ 2:00pm
W2 Camp Fundraiser
W2 are making and selling, “Cookies In A Jar” to fundraise for the W2 camp. We need large jars with lids to pack the cookie mixture into. Please deliver any unwanted jars to the office.
Thank you from W2.
Contact Details
Next week we will be sending home to each family a slip with all contact details including email details for any changes and corrections. We have a growing list of emails returned where people have changed their email address or cell phone numbers.
During the holidays we had a wonderful group of parents, friends, students and staff who spent a long morning tidying up the grounds and we really appreciated their efforts. Can you help with our next one on Saturday, August 26th from 9:00am to 12:00pm?
School Fees
We have two types of school fees here at
St Matthew’s:
1) Attendance Dues $375.00
(93.75 per term).
(Paid to The Anglican Diocese of Waiapu)
These are paid directly to the Diocese. The fee is set by our Proprietors and our school has no part in setting it. This is a compulsory fee that must paid. This fee meets the capital costs of alterations to school buildings and grounds (plus the building of our Waiapu block), and does not pay for resources.
2) Activity Fees/Voluntary Donation $275.00 paid to the school. ($68.75 per term).
There is a reduction for multiple children as well, please check with Mr Coyle.
This is split into compulsory fees, e.g. to cover bussing to swimming at Flaxmere Waterworld ( for four weeks per year), also the likes of Technology at Heretaunga.
The voluntary part covers the extra cost of
resources that the Ministry do not fund us for and for the likes of local trips etc.
If you have any questions about the School Fees, please talk to Mr Coyle in the office.
Term dates for 2017
They are as follows:
Term 1 1 Feb to 13 April
Term 2 1 May to 7 July
Term 3 24 July to 29 Sept
Term 4 16 Oct to 19 Dec
Sugary Drinks at School
The board of trustees passed a new policy at the end of last year following our community consultation during Term 3 and 4.
Only water and the school milk are available for children to drink at school and at school activities.
Other types of drink need to have no sugar or sweetener added to be allowed at school.
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 will no longer be offering sugar for Weetbix. Milo will be served in Terms 2 & 3 when a warm drink is a great start to the day in colder weather! In Terms 1 and 4, children will have a choice of milk or water to drink.
Canteen and Hot Dogs
We have American Hotdogs on a Wednesday for $2.00 each and Canteen on a Friday.
Canteen forms available from the office foyer. These both start in week 2.
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.
Music Opportunities
Guitar/Ukulele—These are held here at school on Thursdays and are taken by Brendan Hooper. These proved very popular last year and we have some talented children come through. Brochures available from the office or phone Brendan on 870- 8522.
Instrumental– at Heretaunga Intermediate. These lessons cover drums, cello, flute, violin and brass. Brochures available from our school office. Places fill very fast so if you are interested please contact Ngaire Shand 876 9388 within the next few days.
Instrumental here at school. This year there will be an opportunity for students to learn Flute, Piano, Fife or Recorder. The lessons will be taught by Kathy Fletcher B.Mus (hons) LTCL who has returned to the Bay after many years of music teaching and performing in Wellington. If you are interested or have questions please contact Kathy on e-mail thekains@gmail.com or (027) 8242669
Parish Junior Choir– There are a few places available to join this choir. Practices are on Fridays at 4:00pm and they sing at various Sunday Church services. See Mike in the school office for contact details.
Weekly Events
We have a number of things that happen regularly every week.
Wheels day, Skateboards, unicycles, scooters etc, is on Tuesdays, with helmets required.
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)