Welcome to the very special learning community that is
St Matthew's Primary School.

Update March 26

Top Parish

We have a huge group heading to Top
Parish this weekend – all the best for the weekend! The 20 children going will leave straight after school on Friday and return on Sunday afternoon. Top Parish is a time when the youth from around Waiapu Diocese gather together for competitions, fun and worship. The event is 40 years old this weekend and so they have a ‘70’s theme. Look out for all those stubbies and towelling hats! Top Parish children need to wear mufti to school on Friday.

 As part of our teams item and March Past, we are trying to track down black gumboots, long wigs, black singlets and old ‘gardening/outdoor hats’. If you had any of these items that we could borrow – could you send them to school – named (if you want them returned). It is hoped that the large group of Fred and Trev Daggs will look very effective!

Service Last Tuesday

 Thank you very much to those who  attended our service on Friday – it was lovely to have you with us.
After the service we were able to take our paper chain and hang it with the other tributes at our local Mosque.

Health

 There has been a higher than normal amount of health issues doing the rounds of Hastings schools over the past few weeks. This is what we are experiencing at  present:-
Insect Bites– Mosquitoes are out in force around school which we will be treating each classroom for. If you have pets at home it may be prudent to treat for fleas.
Strep Throat– Headache, vomiting and sore throat. This must be treated with
antibiotics and children can only return to school after 24 hours on antibiotics.
School Sores– These are highly infectious and turn into scabby sores with discharge and likewise, must be treated with antibiotics and children can return after 24 hours on antibiotics.
Scabies– Itchy rash anywhere on the body caused by barely visible parasites that burrow under the skin. Itchiness can be worse at night trying to sleep. Treatment is with medication that kills the mites and is  left on the skin for 24 hours. Bedding etc needs to be hot washed.

Uniform

Now that swimming has finished, it is a very good time to remind whanau that children are expected to be in school uniform. This
includes the correct footwear, socks and
jerseys. There is no need to see strange sweatshirts instead of school jerseys and the schools sock requirements are very simple. If you child is wearing shoes, they wear the grey socks for boys and the white socks for girls. At the beginning of next term we will be changing to the winter uniform.
Girls’ Winter  Uniform

Year 1-6, white skivvy.
Year 7-8, white long sleeve cotton shirt.
Year 1-6, school pinafore.
Year 7-8, school skirt.
School v neck jersey or polar fleece option for non wool wearers.
White plain knee length socks or navy rib tights.
Black lace-up, velcro or t bar school shoes.

Boys’ Winter  Uniform
Year 1-6, white skivvy.
Year 7-8, white long sleeve shirt.
Year 1-6, grey winter weight shorts either side strap or elastic waist.
Year 7-8, long grey trousers, (optional).
School v neck jersey or optional polar fleece for non wool wearers.
Black lace up or Velcro school shoes.
Grey school socks.

Books In Homes

 Whaea Jan has put together a programme  to encourage children to read with parents/caregivers/brothers and sisters  each night at home. Children can select books with the above sticker attached from a new library here at school. 

However, we need the books first! Do you have any books you could donate? They can be at any age level.  Thank you.

Arriving at School on Time

It is very important that our pupils are at school on time each day – by about 8:50am. This gives your child time to get ready for the day, put away their bag, catch up with their friends. I did a count of the ‘lost minutes’ of our children's
lateness for the last fortnight – just over 7 hours worth of lost time.
So for these children, they are missing quite a bit of time in class, but they are also missing out on the important time just before school starts where they mix and get ready for the day – and they cause the teacher to have to break off their teaching to make sure the late child slots into the activity with the correct
information. but it is not fair on your child, their class or their teacher. 

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