Monday, January 23, 2012


Dear Parents and Friends of St Kevin's College

With term four being only seven weeks long as a result the Rugby World Cup, secondary schools have had to be creative in their approach to the end of year planning.  Even with plenty of term three planning it was still overwhelming for many senior students, to be plunged into revision, prize giving and NCEA within a fortnight of return. Most students took advantage of the tutorial week. This allowed them to target their learning challenges and has resulted in a pleasing number gaining internal assessment credits.
The senior prize giving and graduation was a formal opportunity for the College to gather and celebrate the year's many achievements. The school magazine and the internet blog are both brimming  with articles about the many successes in academic, sporting and cultural endeavour.
The after the seniors finished for the year, the junior school hosted the next generation of Kevinians at our orientation day. Testing of our new entrants and current year 9 and 10 students shows that we have an able intake and that our current students have been making impressive progress in literacy and numeracy. My thanks go to a dedicated and hard working staff who have facilitate these results.
At our prize giving we farewelled a number of staff who will leave us at the end of this year: Mrs Powell (Head of the English Faculty) who is planning to head overseas.
Mrs James (Teachers Aid) and Mrs Durene (Laundry Manager) who after 22 and 23 years service to the College respectively,are retiring.
May the blessings and good wishes of the St Kevin’s Family be with you always.
I would also like to note the appointment of Mr Ryan Westgate (teacher of English) and Mrs Joy Garvin (Head of the English Faculty).
As the year concluded, Year 10 students have enjoyed their Retreat and Outdoor Education Camp in the Ohau region and Year 9 students have appreciated the variety of classes offered in the activities week. Thank you to the staff of helped with the many activities on offer. You dedication and the commitment that you have shown is at core of our College Special Character.

As we finish the year I ask that you continue to keep Andrew Easton and Mr Ryan in your prayers.
As we prepare for Christmas in this Advent Season I hope that you will be able to enjoy a well deserved and safe Christmas break and return next year refreshed, ready to tackle a new set of challenges.

Advent blessings to you all
Paul Olsen, Principal