Thursday, March 31, 2011

Roll Up Roll Up

The Circus McGurkus is coming to town! The cast of this years student production "Seussical" have been rehearsing several times a week and the story of Horton, Jojo, Gertrude and Mayzie as told by The Cat in the Hat is starting to unfold! Seussical will be on stage in the College Auditorium from 18 - 22 May.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Otago Swimming Champs Results

Four swimmers travelled to the Otago Secondary Schools' Championships in Dunedin. Libby McGee, Olivia Macaulay, Hamish Nimmo and Isobel Ryan took first place in the Freestyle relay and second place for Medley relay which means this team has put St Kevin's College into a top spot among Co-educational Secondary Schools in Otago.

On the way, Isobel Ryan picked up three second placings in 50m Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly. Olivia Macaulay gained a third place in 50m Backstroke.

Well done to all competitors.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Getting Started in Coaching Course

Getting Started in Coaching Course
with Mike Weddell from Sport Otago
5.30pm Tuesday 5th April
Health Room in SKC Gym.

This course will be hugely beneficial for all parents/students getting into coaching and or managing and all existing coaches. Please register to secure your place with Denise in the PE Office. email - dmore@stkevins.school.nz or 021 437 752

Friday, March 25, 2011

Gold Duke of Edinburgh

Last weekend saw 6 Year 13 students join Mr Dixon on a tramp through the Ohau area. Despite a mixture of weather the trip was a resounding success and an enjoyable time was had by all.

Aoraki Swimming

St Kevin's College was well represented at the Aoraki Swimming Championships this week. Congrats and well done to all competitors.

Isobel Ryan - U14
1st Backstroke
1st Freestyle
1st Butterfly
2nd Ind Medley
Congratulations Isobel - who is U14 Girls Aoraki Champion!
Libby McGee - 15 & over
3rd Ind Medley
3rd Breastroke
3rd Butterfly
Olivia Brien - 15 & over
1st Butterfly
6th Ind Medley
5th 200 Freestyle
7th 100 Freestyle
Olivia Macauley
1st Backstroke
6th 200 Freestyle
7th Backstroke
3rd 100 Freestyle
Hamish Nimmo
6th Ind Med
5th 100 Btreastroke
6th 100 Freestyle
Bounty Davis
15th 100 Breastroke
8th Butterfly
The Relay Team of
Olivia Macauley, Olivia Brien, Libby McGee & Isobel Ryan
1st Freestyle
2nd Medley

Aoraki Bowls

Congratulations to Nicole Duncan & Caidee Pennycook who have won the Girls Pairs competition at the recent Aoarki Bowls Tournament. The girls have qualified to attend the Zone 6 Tournament in Timaru on Monday 28th March. Good luck Girls!
Many thanks to their coach Graham Sangster from the Meadowbank Bowling Club.

Year 13 Biology Trip

Our Year 13 Biology students have spent the last three days on Quarantine Island in Dunedin Harbour and at the Portobello Marine Biology Laboratory where they have been studying the niche marine ecosystems of the area. Thank you to Mr Ryan for arranging this wonderful learning opportunity.

Pianists Wanted

Do you have piano skills, particularly in accompaniment, and are willing to help a young group of singers? Redcastle Choral St Kevin's new choral group is looking for pianists willing to assist with rehearsals and performances. For more information on what this would involve, or to sign up, please contact Miss Monk in the Music Department.

Supreme Champion

There were ribbons galore when Danielle Simpson (Yr13) and her equestrian team competed at the Palmerston Show last weekend. A seasoned veteran on the horse scene Dani took the Supreme Champion Hack and Champion Crossbred titles on Giselle and came 1st in 1.10 Showjumping with Bartolo. Well done!

Otago-Southland Championships

The St Kevin's College flag was flying as our team of athletes traveled to Invercargill to compete in the Otago-Southland Athletics Championships. Several of our students reached finals in their respective fields and congratulations to the following who have qualified to compete at the South Island Athletic Championships:
U14 Boys: Jashiv Narayn - 4th 100m
U15 Boys: Isak Gunnerson - 1st 200m, 2nd 100m
U16 Boys: Rodney Bungard - 1st 100m, 2nd 200m, 3rd Long jump
U16 Boys: Benedict Yanzick - 3rd 3000m
Senior Boys: Jack Allan - 2nd 200m, 3rd 100m
Senior Boys: Michael Hannigan - 4th High jump
U14 Girls: Merekite Wahitapu - 2nd Long jump
U14 Girls: Bounty Davis - 4th Shot put
U16 Girls: Salena Xie - 5th Shot put
Senior Girls: Rachel Blakely - 4th 3000m

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Reconciliation Liturgy

Staff and students gathered in the chapel this week for the College Reconciliation Liturgy, a time to reflect and remember baptismal promises. Thank you to Father Wayne, Mrs Austin and our Student Leaders who lead the liturgy.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Special Character

Vigil Masses are involving many students at the College and on March 27 Treacy House are organising the Vigil Mass for that evening.

If you have any students interested in the sacraments of Baptism or Confirmation please contact our DRS, Mrs Austin.

Following the Ash Wednesday Liturgy theme of helping others in need Tutor Groups are collecting for our annual Foodbank Lenten Appeal. Please support this Tutor Group Competition and give generously to those in need. Remember our golden rule "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" (Matthew 7:12)

Race Relations Day

Well done to Jibi Kunnethedam who won the Race Relations Day Speech Competition with his speech "People in Harmony". Also representing the College at this event were Hannah Mihaere and Roxanne Arsi.

Evacuation Practice

All students and staff present and correct! The rain held off during a scheduled Fire Evacuation Drill which was successfully run at the College this week. Recent events have highlighted the importance of these drills and Mr Ryan compliment students on their positive approach and the speed at which they assembled at the rally point.

Cyril Bassett Speech Competition

Congratulations to our Deputy Head Girl Maeve Ryan on gaining second place in the RSA Cyril Bassett Speech Competition Regional Final held in Gore on 12 March.

Year 11 Retreat

The annual Year 11 Retreat was held from Monday to Wednesday at the Waihao Marae near the small township of Morven. Students participated in a range of activities including such things as poi making, flax weaving, kayaking, goal setting, top town events and beach activities, culminating with the ever popular evening concerts.

The students were enthusiastic, positive and challenged and our thanks go to "Dave The Cook" and staff members Mrs Evans, Mr Collins, Mr Dixon, Mrs More, Mr Farrell and Miss Casey for joining the students for this special event.

Wanaka Show Equestrian Events

Year 13 student Danielle Simpson and her horse Bartolo were at the Wanaka Show last weekend where they competed in the 1.10m Showjumping Event and successfully completed a clear round. Danielle also had Giselle at the A&P Show for the Saddle Huntering (a showing event) on the Saturday morning.

Rowing Gold

The Waitaki Sports Awards came on the back of a successful weekend away for the St Kevin's College Rowing Squads who competed at the SISS Rowing Champs in Ruataniwha. Showing their winning form the SKC Girls Eight were successful in winning a Gold medal in both the U17 & U18 events. Well done!

Year 13 Geography

Our Year 13 Geography students were treated to fine weather during their field trip to Mount Cook where they were able to study glaciation first hand. Thank you to Mrs Penny Munro and Mr Russell Dixon for travelling with the students and providing this wonderful opportunity.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

SKC Netball Meeting

A reminder to all of our parents and caregivers about the SKC Netball Meeting, being held in the College Staffroom on Tuesday 22nd March at 7pm. Everyone with an interest in netball at the College this year is most welcome. We look forward to seeing you there.

SKC Netball Coaching

Anybody that is interested in coaching or managing a netball team for the 2011 season please download the coaching/manager form and return it to the school office by Monday 21st March.

For further information please contact:
Janelle Casey (Teacher in Charge)
St Kevin's College
(03) 4371665 ext 737

Click Here to Download form



Otago Secondary Schools Athletics

A large Athletics team represented St Kevin's College at the Otago Secondary Schools Athletics Championships held in Dunedin last weekend. Congratulations to all of our competitors with many of them successful in gaining top ten finishes. We would like to give special mention to the following students on their placings:
U14 Boys: Scott Weir, 3rd Long Jump
U15 Boys: Isak Gunnerson, 2nd 200m and 3rd 100m
U16 Boys: Rodney Bungard, 1st 100m, 2nd 200m and 2nd Long Jump
U16 Boys: Benedict Yanzick, 3rd 3000m
Senior Boys: Jack Allan, 2nd 100m and 3rd 200m
Senior Boys: Ryan Lill, 1st 3000m
Senior Boys: Michael Hannigan, 2nd High Jump
U14 Girls: Georgia Haggerty, 2nd 3000m
U14 Girls: Merekite Wahitapu, 3rd Long Jump
U14 Girls: Nicole Dowling, 2nd High Jump
U16 Girls: Salena Xie, 2nd Shot Put

Boys 1st XI Hockey Help

Two drivers are needed on a roster system to take the team to Timaru a maximum of nine times for the season and to act as managers.

Without this help the team will be unable to play in the South Canterbury competition.
If you can help please email
Penny Munro: pmunro@stkevins.school.nz

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Relay For Life

Relay for Life was a first time event for Oamaru but that didn't stop 54 teams, including 4 from St Kevin's College, raising over $75,000 for Cancer research in New Zealand. For 24 hours team batons were walked or run around the 400m track that was lit by candlelight through the night - the candles there as a dedication to those who have lost their lives to this disease. Students said that it was a very tiring 24 hours but a heartfelt event that was well worth doing.





Monday, March 14, 2011

Waitaki Sports Awards

St Kevin's College was well represented at the Waitaki Sports Awards with finalists and winners abound. Congratulations to Sporstwoman of the Year Johannah Kearney (Yr12) and Junior Sportsperson of the Year winner ex-student Courtney Kerin - currently overseas on a kayaking scholarship. Other finalists from the College were cyclist Holly Edmondston (Sportswoman finalist), swimmer Isobel Ryan (Junior Sportsperson finalist) and our U16 Girls Rowing Eight (Team finalists). Their coach Mr Owen Gould was also a finalist for the Waitaki Coach of the Year Award.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Home and School AGM

Home and School Annual General Meeting
Monday 14th March, 7pm
St Kevin's College Staff Room
All Welcome.

Please note that before the AGM this coming Monday the Home and School will be holding a Special Meeting in order to make an amendment to the Constitution.

Seussical Shape Up

The colourful world of "Seussical" is taking shape with the arrival of our fabulous set and costumes from Tapanui! Many thanks to local businesses Vantage Aluminium and Peter Murdoch Transport for the loan of a suitably large trailer and furniture blankets to help with the transport of our precious cargo; and also to Mr Mark Johnson and Year 13 student Jaln Rodgers for making the long trip down south to bring it safely back to Oamaru.

Led by the infamous Cat In The Hat (aka Ryan Algar) our cast and orchestra have been hard at work with music rehearsals since the beginning of the term. With the arrival of the set and costumes this week the excitement of the cast has reached a new level as Director Mrs Margie Newton puts them to work.

"Seussical" is on from 18 - 22 May in the College Auditorium.

Sporting Successes

St Kevin's College swimmers were well represented when the Waitaki Aquatics Swim Team traveled to Wellington to compete at the New Zealand Age Group Championships. There were strong performances from all of our SKC swimmers (pictured above from left Olivia Macaulay, Hamish Nimmo, Isobel Ryan and Libby McGee) but congratulations must go to Isobel Ryan who brought home 2 bronze medals - 50m backstroke and as a member of the 15-year-old girls' 200m regional medley relay team.

Our students also competed strongly in the South Island Secondary Schools Duathlon held in Oamaru on 27 February. Congratulations to Daryl Siggleko winner of the intermediate individual section and to the team of Mitchel Bolstridge and Josh Macaulay who took the junior boys team title.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

International Cricket Representation

Congratulations to 1st XI cricketer Jamal Vira (Yr12) who has been called up to represent Vanuatu at the Under 19 Cricket World Cup in Ireland. No stranger to international competition Jamal also played for the Vanuatu Under 15 side prior to coming to St Kevin's College. We wish him every success in his cricketing career!

On In The Community

Girl Guide Biscuits
Oamaru Girl Guides and Rangers will be selling Girl Guide Biscuits at the following venues over the next month:
Relay for Life - Saturday/ Sunday 12th and 13th March
Westpac Bank - each Friday in March from 12 midday to 4.30pm approx
The Warehouse - Saturday 12th and 26th March from 9am until 3pm approx
If you are not able to visit the above please contact the following Rangers at school to place an order: Melanie Grasmueck, Rowan and Tessa Newton, Michela and Kerry Bryant, Caitlin Pope or Bryony Brown. Or contact Dawn Brown (Biscuit Co-ordinator) on 03-4360983 for more details.

Multicultural Concert - "People in Harmony"
Celebrating Race Relations Day
At the Opera House
Saturday 26 March, 7pm
Tickets available from Simplifood, Mainstreet Music Ltd and Trade Aid Oamaru

Waitaki Girls High School PTA presents
Over The Tunnels
Sunday 27 March, from Windsor to Tokarahi
Registrations from 8.30am at the Windsor Hall
Forms available from WGHS Office/Website, Victor Nelson Cycles




Pony Champion

Congratulations to Year 10 student Michaela Allan (pictured with her horse High Plains White Diamond) on her recent A&P Show success. Michaela and her horse were the overall Champions of the Pony club section. Well done.

Year 12 Geography Trip

The study of variations in the South Island High Country was on the agenda when Mrs Munro took her Year 12 Geography students on a field trip to Mount Cook where they looked specifically at glacial processes and the features produced.

Hostel Visit To Loch Liard

After some initial concerns over the weather the Hostel took a trip up to the Loch on Sunday. All in all a great day was had by all, with many finding the water to be refreshingly invigorating.

A big thank you to the Robins, Conlan, Anderson and Jarvis families for bringing their boats up to the Loch and taking all who were keen for a ride.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Argentinian AFS

St Kevin's College is excited to be a part of the AFS Exchange Programme this year and we have already welcomed Year 13 student Cecilie Muller from the Faroe Islands in Denmark. Arriving shortly is Facundo Briones, a 16 year boy from Salta in Argentina. The youngest of four children Facundo is a keen rugby player and we would be grateful to hear from any families who would be able to assist with hosting him during his stay. If you are able to help please contact Russell Dixon at the College.

Library Block Preview

With the smell of fresh paint still lingering our students are enjoying the clean lines and open spaces of the newly finished Library Block. As part of the refurbishments started at the end of last year it is exciting to see this part of the project completed. Our thanks go to all of our staff and their helpers who have worked so tirelessly to re-assemble the books and resources.

Mufti Day Success

Following the Christchurch Earthquake Food Bank Appeal delivery on Wednesday the College was very proud to be able to present a cheque to the local branch of the Salvation Army as part of their national Salvation Army Earthquake Appeal. A total of $2000 was raised by students as a result of the mufti day last week. Thank you to everyone for their generosity.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Christchurch Inspiration

The College continues to welcome students from Christchurch into the St Kevin's family and we take this opportunity to share the inspirational words of hope from Alice McAtamney who joined us earlier this week:
Space

Floating
Floating in a dark endless place
No up, no down
No green grass, no blue sky
So many unknown places you can end up in
But there is the stars,
Little glimmers of hope
Scaring away indecision
And replacing it with order
It might not be so bad that space is endless
It means there can be endless possibilities
Infinite chances to make things right.

Kavanagh Cricket

Congratulations to our 1st XI Cricket team who batted and bowled to victory over their Kavanagh College rivals. With a run total of 284 the St Kevin's batters set the pace, backed up by a bowling attack that saw Kavanagh all out for just over 200. Well done boys!

ICAS English Exams 2011

We encourage able Year 9 and 10 English students to compete in the ICAS English exams.
Spelling : $7.50 (entries close 24 May)
Writing - Persuasive : $17.50 (entries close 24 May)
English : $7.50 (entries close 5 July)
Student can register their names with Mrs Powell or their English teacher. The entry fee will be charged to student's accounts. Students will sit the exams during school time in June and August, with each exam lasting 60 minutes.

Food Bank Appeal Donations

Thank you to all those who donated so generously to the Christchurch Earthquake Food Bank Appeal. There was an overwhelming response and yesterday our Special Character Prefects Sian Waters and Oliver Hanning lead a group of Senior Students who delivered all of the donated items to St Joseph Primary School for distribution throughout the Waitaki District.

Well Spoken

Congratulations to Deputy Head Boy Oliver Hanning who won the Jill Walker Prize for Excellence in the use of Language and Expression in a New Zealand speech exam. Oliver is continuing the tradition of strong public speakers at St Kevin's College.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Ugly Shakespeare

There were peels of laughter from the College Auditorium when The Ugly Shakespeare Company paid us a visit, delighting our students with a comical compilation of "As You Like It", "Much A Do About Nothing" and "All's Well That Ends Well". Sponsored by the University of Waikato they do a annual New Zealand Schools tour giving a light hearted introduction to the works of Shakespeare. And it would appear that there is a local tie to the actors with one of them having been taught speech by our very own Mrs Karen Austin.

Student Voice

This Survey is the first in a series that will allow students to have their say about a number of aspects of College Life.

The format is simple -
  • what works and should be continued
  • what doesn't work and should be stopped
  • what might work and should be started.

Your feedback will be treated confidentially.


Please click on this link to take you to the Survey Form.


P Olsen
Principal

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

National Remembrance

There was a moment for quiet reflection when the College gathered on the Magee Lawn to remember all those effected by the Christchurch Earthquake on 22 February with prayers followed by two minutes silence. Mr Olsen led the reflection with Oliver Hanning and Maeve Ryan reading prayers. We extend a very warm welcome to all of the students who have joined the St Kevin's Family from Christchurch. We hope that your are made to feel supported at this time. Every attempt is being made by staff to make your lessons challenging, relevant and productive.