Newsletter Week 4 Term 3
St Peter's College 20th August 2021
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Kia ora e te whanau,
Back in Alert Level 4. Make no mistake however, things are different this time. Here is an interesting, easy to read article about why we went to Level 4 so quickly: https://thespinoff.co.nz/science/18-08-2021/siouxsie-wiles-toby-morris-delta-makes-this-a-new-kind-of-challenge-but-we-can-smash-it-again/
By the time you read this, the 1pm news bulletin will probably already be out so I do not know at this stage on Friday morning, what the decision has been around extending level 4 or changing levels. The extremely contagious nature of the Delta variant and the intention to stamp it out does mean that Health advice is very cautious. It was really sudden for teachers, students and parents to have to respond to the fact we would not be allowed back in school to collect any essential workbooks or items. I know that this inability to get devices and hard materials out to students who did not take things home with them before the relatively late Alert Level change is a challenge.
While we’re continuing to work with the Ministries of Health and Education to enable whānau and caregivers to collect materials and/or devices we were able to confirm that staff can go on site to arrange distribution of hard materials and/or devices today under extreme circumstances and safety measures. We are not at this stage able to organise any pick ups from school but if this lockdown is extended, we will be working on a plan for next week. Please note we have no confirmed path forward as yet, so we will get further clarity before undertaking a major resource drop-off exercise.
Connecting with families is so important when children are away from school. That is why we have arranged the 15 minute check ins across all classes over the last two days. If we have not seen or heard from your child, we will be making contact with parents to check on their safety and wellbeing. Thank you all, to our staff, whanau and students, for your quick work as we respond to the latest changes in COVID-19 Alert Levels. I want to acknowledge the pressure that moving into Alert Level 4 put on many of you, our community and your livelihoods. He waka eke noa – we’re all in this together. If you have any questions or concerns about how we are responding as a school please do not hesitate to contact me directly via email at taraquinney@stpetersgore.school.nz We will work hard to bring a solution to any problem.
Lastly, and if Covid had not interrupted our week, I would have led with the very exciting outcome of the Bishop’s Shield last weekend, with St Peter’s College taking out top place! Please read on for more details and photos. I would like to personally thank the many coaches who trained their teams for weeks leading up to the event and for giving up their weekend to support their students. Thank you also to the students for striving for excellence, being gracious in defeat and humble in their success.
Charity Fulfils the law.
Tara Quinney,
Principal
Bishop's Shield
St Peter's College is revelling in having won the Bishop's Shield last weekend - Congratulations to all involved
CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION FOR THE BISHOP’S SHIELD
The 77th Annual Otago and Southland Catholic Secondary Schools’ Public Speaking Competition was hosted by St Kevin’s College, Oamaru from the evening of Friday 13th August to Sunday 15th August 2021, and attended by Bishop Michael Dooley.
COMPETING SCHOOLS:
St Kevin’s College, Oamaru
Verdon College, Invercargill
Kavanagh College, Dunedin
St Peter’s College, Gore
RESULTS:
JUNIOR DRAMA (Alpha Cup)
Theme: The Lost Coin
1st: St Peter’s College, Gore
2nd: Kavanagh College, Dunedin
SENIOR DRAMA (J B Lynch CFC Cup)
Theme: Done to attract attention
1st: St Kevin’s College, Oamaru
2nd: Verdon College, Invercargill
JUNIOR SCRIPTURE (Gerard Curran Cup)
1st: St Kevin’s College, Kezia Pestell
2nd: St Peter’s College, Liana Abuel
SENIOR SCRIPTURE (Study Questions) (Bishop Kavanagh Cup)
1st: Kavanagh College, Manaia Barns
2nd: St Kevin’s College, Joseph Spillane
SENIOR SCRIPTURE (Psalm/ Sight Reading) (Nora Brophy Cup)
1st: Verdon College, Christian Sotto
2nd: St Peter’s College, Alice Napier
IMPROMPTU SPEECH (Dowling Cup)
Topic: “Media”
1st: St Peter’s College, Sophie Aynsley
2nd: St Kevin’s College, Jesse Valpy
PREPARED SPEECH (Hibernian Cup)
Topic:
1st: Kavanagh College, Sarah Al-Balushi
2nd: St Kevin’s College, Vince Vidallon
JUNIOR DEBATING (Coral Paris Trophy)
1st: St Peter’s College, Gore
2nd: St Kevin’s College, Oamaru
Names of Winning Team:
Leader: Emma McGregor
2nd Speaker: Mikee Omega
3rd Speaker: Daniel Kovarski
SENIOR DEBATING (Father Christopher Gaffey Cup)
1st: St Kevin’s College, Oamaru
2nd: St Peter’s College, Gore
BEST SPEAKER IN JUNIOR DEBATE (Dominican Cup): Emma McGregor, St Peter’s College
BEST LEADER SENIOR DEBATES (Karen Austin Cup): Cushla Bridges, St Kevin’s College
BEST SPEAKER IN SENIOR DEBATES (Hibernian Cup): Yi Tao Sun, St Kevin’s College
MOST PROMISING SENIOR DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE (Boyce Family Cup):
Sean Irwin and Nick Walsh, Verdon College
MOST PROMISING JUNIOR DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE (Terry Angus Cup):
Samuel McGregor, Verdon College
RUNNER-UP FOR THE BISHOP’S SHIELD (Marist Centennial Plate): St Kevin’s (30.5 points)
WINNER OF THE BISHOP’S SHIELD 2021 St Peter’s College (31 points)
Career Pathways Department
Trades Evening 26th August at Gore Town and Country Club

Year 13 Ski Trip
The Year 13PE class had an enjoyable two days away on ski camp in Wanaka. We skied at Cardrona, each day started with an hour and half lesson, and we were divided into groups of similar abilities. Monday was blizzard like with white out conditions - it made for a nice introduction to our new skiers Molly, Tevita and Heamani. The bonus of this was nice fresh snow. Tuesday, we woke to a beautiful sunrise and excellent clear conditions, and we made the most of these awesome conditions. It made for a great day of skiing until it closed again at the end of the day. All the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and it was a great trip.
Sports
Winter tournament is only just over three weeks away. Please remember to hand in all student contracts and medical forms.
Basketball
Donna Loffhagen-Wilkins makes dream come true for St Peter's boys
St Peter's College and the wider Gore community is extremely lucky to have such a high profile, dedicated parent who just loves basketball and wants to see this sport thrive for all students who are keen to play. Donna has a very busy lifestyle, but nothing is ever a problem. When Donna first came to me and said she would like to take a year 7 & 8 team to Tauranga for the AIM's games with only 24 hours to register my first reaction was to say no. All I could think about was the paperwork and finance required. Our boys' uniforms aren't even up to scratch, as they must be at least over 10 years old. As I have now gotten to know Donna and how she rolls, I know she was never going to take no for an answer because she puts the kids first. Most likely she was given these opportunities at a young age and wants to pay it forward.
Tara Quinney,
Principal
New sports registration and payment procedure reminder:
Once you have signed forms and sporty registrations giving your permission for your child to enter a sports team, tournament or event, there will be no refunds unless a medical certificate is provided. This is to ensure events can go ahead and that the appropriate costs are covered. Please make sure your child is able to attend before signing these documents.
Upcoming sporting events:
SISS Winter Tournament Week – Monday, 30th August – Friday, 3rd September
Sports Registrations/ Events/ Draws will be online!
For registrations and draws, please use the St Peter's College Facebook Sports page and also the St Peter's College website.
Schools Apps NZ (if you do not have this go to Play store app and download).
If you require any further information email jessicayoung@stpetersgore.school.nz or come and see Jess Young in the PE office.

Coming up.......
All events are subject to change depending on what Covid level we are in!
Year 8 Deep Cove Camps - 25th August - 3rd September
Trades Evening at Gore T & C - 26th August, 5pm
Polyfest - 27th August
Life Education Bus for Years 7/8 - 7th September
Year 7/8 Student Led Conferences - 8th-9th September
SchoolPickUp is an online store, selling a very wide range (currently 10,000 items and growing) of high-quality products. Most importantly, any purchases you make will mean 50% of the profits go straight to St Peter's College Gore.