Kia ora e te whanau

In my last newsletter I discussed the many challenges our young men face in our schools and in society and received some really encouraging feedback from parents and teachers in recognising these challenges and wanting to know more about what can be done to limit some of these terrible statistics. This week I want to turn my attention towards the females in our school as I reflect on some of the trials they face on a daily basis at school and in the community.

The general statistics show a strong correlation between behavioural consequences and self esteem:

• 44% of female high school students are currently trying to lose weight compared to 15% of male high school students.
• Over 70% of girls aged 15 to 17 avoid normal daily activities, such as attending school, when they feel bad about their looks.
• 75% of girls with low self-esteem reported engaging in negative activities like cutting, bullying, smoking, drinking, or disordered eating. This compares to 25% of girls with high self-esteem.
• About 20% of teens will experience depression before they reach adulthood.
• Teen girls that have a negative view of themselves are 4 times more likely to take part in activities with boys that they've ended up regretting later.
• 7 in 10 girls believe that they are not good enough or don’t measure up in some way, including their looks, performance in school and relationships with friends and family members.
• A girl’s self-esteem is more strongly related to how she views her own body shape and body weight, than how much she actually weighs.

It is not always easy as parents and educators to communicate easily with teenage girls around their inner thoughts but what young women most want is...

• For their parents to communicate better with them. This includes frequent and more open conversations.

Low self esteem is a thinking disorder in which an individual views him/herself as inadequate, unlovable, and/or incompetent. Once formed, this negative view permeates every thought, producing faulty assumptions and ongoing self-defeating behaviour. Body image is a component of self-esteem and is about how you think and feel about your body and looks.

Other ways to support your daughters, nieces, sisters and granddaughters are to be involved in their social media and internet usage, turn TV off at dinner time, teach them to be critical of images e.g. photo shop and air brushing, show them how “ideal” body shapes have changed over time, avoid weight related comments about yourself and others, watch for any strange, excessive or limited eating patterns, have regular family meals and Dads, you need to get involved too.

We look toward a short and busy term - many calendared events are currently being looked at carefully to see what can and cannot go ahead in Level 2 - which is not looking likely to change before the end of the school year. We will keep you posted on any upcoming changes, particularly around Prizegiving and other end of year celebrations as soon as we can.

Have a lovely Labour weekend.

Charity fulfils the Law

Tara Quinney

Principal

Across Term 4, students from Years 7-13 will be completing Sexuality and Relationships Education during their Religious Education classes. These classes will be delivered by your child’s Religious Education teacher in conjunction with other professional external providers.

Should you have any questions about any of these programmes, or should you wish your son or daughter to be withdrawn from all or any of the classes, please contact me and we will make alternative learning opportunities available.

God Bless.

Brendan Terry, Director of Religious Studies

The Ministry have started a scheme where schools are able to provide free sanitary items to girls. Our girls are being given some of these to take home today and being told that they are always available at the school office.

Tara Quinney,

Principal

Congratulations to all five teams that entered into the Eastern Primary School Golf Tournament. Three out of the five teams have qualified for the finals in Drummond in December. Well done on the results; great work representing St Peter's to a high standard, with fair play and good manners.

Cricket:

Cricket signups are now on the St Peter’s Facebook sport page, school app and the St Peter’s website. New players are welcome.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=g0fDlKVwlEOMkqSDU_gMAOgG6SokDrhEvWrtCj6tomtUNElOSkhFWEtCNkYxOUg5QktZNlNOSVJHMy4u

Touch:

Due to covid, Touch is postponed untill Thursday, 28th October. All team lists were sent to each player’s parent/caregivers' email. I have attached this below if you have missed it.

Please go to the Touch Southland website each week for the draw for your child's team.

https://stpetersgoreschool.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/admin/sports/ETSfEb4ZCv1HhwZDxtQf_DQBktyV_3CN2vO0TwE6KW4qFA?e=hqGlW5

Wanaka Challenge:

Thursday, 17th February 2022. Teams of 3. Swim, bike, run. Please email or see Jess Young if you would like to enter. The earlier you get your team together the more you can train and the easier it will be.

The St Peter's College Motorcross team competed in the first weekend of the holidays in the Southland Secondary School's Cross-Country race at Tapanui. They finished 3rd place out of 27 schools, even with one rider (Josh Davers) showing the school value of Compassion by stopping mid race to help another rider who was stuck in a creek! Congratulations to all the boys on this achievement and their individual achievements of 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 9th, 14th & 16th over the two races. Boys involved were: Oliver Davie, Jack Boyd, Alex McIntosh, Josh Davers, Fraser Wilson, Ben King and Ryan Davers.

St Peter's College had students in the Southland Gold Under 15 Girls Hockey Team who competed at South Island Tournament in Christchurch in the school holidays.

Photo from left: Ava Wiegersma, Anna Aynsley, Emma Shanks, Penny Sloper, Ericka Patterson.

Maddie Sanson, Hannah McKee, Penny Nicholson, Harriet Baker and Bailey Smith also went to the same tournament as part of the the Southland Maroon Team.

Eastern Schools Tennis Tournament (Years 7 & 8)- Thursday, 28th October

Equestian Secondary Schools Teams Show Jumping – Sunday, 28th November

Southland Junior/Senior vollyball (Indoor) - Sunday, 14th November.

Junior Sports Day (Year 9) – Wednesday, 17th November

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.

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.

Sports & Cultural Blues - 27th October

Derived Grade Exams - 28th October to 3rd November

Year 12 Retreat - 4th November

Leavers Mass - 18th November

Teacher Only Day (Literacy PLD) - 5th November

Teacher Only Day (NCEA Accord) - 29th November