Friday, May 31, 2013

Principal's Comment

Dear Kevinians and Supporters

Happy St Kevin's Feast Day. Today the College has taken the opportunity to celebrate our patron, St Kevin of Glendalough. St Kevin was an Irishman who lived in the 6th century and is noted for his commitment to prayer, education and the environment. His message is just as timely 1500 years later as we face issues of global warming and social injustice. Mrs Austin emphasised at the liturgy the links with the our Christian Brothers heritage and noted that we join St Kevin's Toorak, Melbourne, in celebrating the occasion. I am looking forward to visiting the historic ruins at Glendalough during my sabbatical in term three.

Earlier in the week at assembly Mr Greg Richardson, from Agribusiness presented the certificates for National Certificate in Rural Machinery Level 2 to Callum Knowler, Adam Blakely, Patrick Perniskie, Jackson Reid, Jacob Turnout, Clayton Byrne, Isak Gunnarsson and Shaun Kelliher. Congratulations and thank you to Mrs Eatherley for organising the programme.

On Thursday, we hosted representatives from the Sophie Elliot Foundation and Police who delivered the first seminar in the Year 12 "Loves Me Not" programme. St Kevin's is pleased to be part of the New Zealand pilot and feed back has been overwhelmingly positive. Thank you to Mrs Burton for coordinating this very important work.

I would like to end by wishing everyone a relaxing and warm Queens Birthday weekend.

May the blessing of St Kevin be with us and enrich our lives.

Paul Olsen, Principal

World Smokefree Day

The annual Smokefree Day Inter-house Challenge was once again accepted with gusto!  As the College celebrated St Kevin's Feastday students wore their house colours with pride and the inspirational ideas meant there was fierce competition in both the Junior and Senior competition.

Congratulations to:
SENIOR
1st - Magee / 2nd - Clancy / 3rd - Treacy / 4th - Whyte
JUNIOR
1st - Clancy / 2nd - Magee / 3rd - Whyte / 4th - Treacy

OVERALL
Magee - 7pts / Clancy - 7pts / Treacy - 3 pts / Whyte - 3pts


Loves-Me-Not Programme

Yesterday all Yr 12 students were involved in the Loves-Me-Not programme, run by the Sophie Elliott Foundation in conjunction with New Zealand Police.  The focus of the programme is to give students an awareness of healthy, non-voilent relationships and the College has been excited to have been one of nine schools chosen nationwide to take part in this pilot scheme, ahead of a planned national rollout next year.  This is an opportunity to give valuable life skills to our students before they leave school and go out into the wider community as adults.

A number of staff at the College attended a training day on Tuesday in order to participate as facilitators on the day alongside national and community facilitators.  Mrs Burton - the SKC Loves-Me-Not Co-ordinator - is very pleased about how well the day ran and, as part of the pilot, a series of evaluation sessions will be held to improve the programme where necessary.  Thank you to our students, staff, parents and caregivers for your support of this valuable opportunity.



Home & School Raffles


Thank you to all of you who have returned money and/or raffle tickets to the school office.


With Queen's Birthday approaching we would ask students and parents to take the opportunity to return any of the remaining raffle tickets still outstanding.  There are opportunities for the Home & School to sell these before the closing date in July.

Please hand in all money and/or tickets by FRIDAY 7 JUNE.

SKC U16 Rugby Notice

THE TEMUKA U16 HAVE DEFAULTED THIS WEEKEND'S GAME AGAINST SKC U16

St Bede's Exhange - 4 June

St Bede's Exchange June 4
1st Hockey / 1st Rugby / U16 Rugby

Our guests from St Bede's arrive at the College in time for a welcome at 11.30am.

ALL GAMES WILL BEGIN AT 12.30pm 
Rugby on College grounds
Hockey at the Hockey Turf, Centennial Park.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Agribusiness & St Kevin's

Greg Richardson was on hand at assembly to present the boys with their certificates.
Congratulations to the students who were presented with their Agribusiness Certificates in assembly this week. To complete this ITO Level 2 Unit Standards course, they were required to attend weekend classes and pass theory and practical assessments in Fencing, Riding Farm Bikes and Driving a Tractor. These are vital skills for all young people who intend to work in the agricultural environment.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Maori Consultation Hui

On evening of Thursday 23 May we held our Maori Consultation Hui.  This was lead by members of the Moeraki Marae - David Higgins and Patrick Tipa.  Our Kapa Haka Group performed to whanau and staff and after a shared dinner we discussed Maori initiatives within the College, with strong contributions from students present.  It was an overwhelmingly positive experience for all involved and a followup hui will be scheduled for Term 3.  Our sincere thanks to Patipatu Runkaka ki Moeraki for their support and facilitation and also to the College families who attended and gave voice to the evening.

SKC Hockey Images


Scores from last weekend:
SKC Girls 1st XI v Pirata Black (1-1)
SKC Boys 1st XI v Excelsior (2-5)

Otago U17 Netball Representation

Photo thanks to the Oamaru Mail
Congratulations to Yr12 student Merekite Wahitapu on her selection into the Otago U17 Netball team having impressed the selection panel during two hard fought trials.  

Merekite has a dedicated attitude to netball at the College and with her consistently impressive performances, this recognition is very well deserved.

Congratulations also to all of the girls who have made the U14 and U15 North Otago Representative teams:
U14 - Whitney Cleveland, Zoe McCormick, Ellie Monk, Jessie Conlan and Cliantha Whippy
U15 - Rachel Esselink, Ashley Pink, Peta Grant, Emma Slater, Georgia Sillibourne and Sophia Alaloto

Friday, May 24, 2013

Principal's Message


Dear Parents and Caregivers

I would like to begin this weeks blog with a huge thank you to our staff, students and Home & School Committee for supporting a very successful Open Day at the College. We were relieved that the weather held so that we could display our superb grounds and classrooms. One visitor made a comment after the student led tour that "although the grounds and physical surrounds are impressive, the people are even more so". So once again thanks for your hard work and efforts to market the College.


Congratulations also to our newly appointed Board of Trustees. We had our first meeting on Wednesday evening under the chairmanship of Mr Steven Bolstridge and I feel the College is blessed with the caliber and breadth of skills and experience present around the Board table. 


On Thursday evening we held the combined St Josephs-St Kevin's consultation meeting for our Maori parents. I would like to formally thank Mrs Sara Plunkett for organising the the evening which was held in the College staffroom. Thank you also to Mr David Higgins and Mr Patrick Tipa from Te Runanga o Maoeraki for their facilitation of the evening.

God bless you all
Paul Olsen 
Principal

Catholic Schools Day 2013


On Wednesday staff and students from St Joseph's joined the College to celebrate Catholic Schools Day at a special Mass in the Chapel.  Father Wayne lead the service and the St Joseph's Dominican choir performed.

It was lovely to have so many parents and caregivers join us on this day, where we celebrate Catholic Education in New Zealand and recognise the success of the Values based education that our students receive at the College and at St Joseph's.  The down pour of rain did little to dampen the joyful spirit of the occasion with the focus very much on the students and the importance and value of their place in our College Community.

Open Day And The Jelly Bean

Janaya claims her colourful prize from Maths HOF, Mrs Potter
Congratulations to Janaya Allan from St Joseph's School on her impressive calculation of the ever popular problem ... how many jelly beans can you fit in a jar??

Last night the College Open Evening saw all of the Faculties full of interactive activities and the Maths Department bribed the sweet tooth of prospective students with a mathematical challenge.  There were exactly 312 jelly beans in Mrs Potter's jar and Janaya was the closest answer with 300.  Well done!

MISSED THE OPEN DAY & EVENING?  DON'T PANIC!!  CONTACT THE SCHOOL OFFICE TO ARRANGE A ONE-ON-ONE TOUR OF THE COLLEGE AND/OR HOSTEL FACILITIES.

Loves-Me-Not Pilot Programme

Loves-Me-Not is a pilot programme that is being trialed by seven schools throughout New Zealand.  St Kevin's College has been lucky to be selected as one of these schools.  

It is a targeted programme for Year 12 students and is run in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development, the Sophie Elliott Foundation and the New Zealand Police.  The topic - Healthy Relationships.

St Kevin's College will be having a Parents Information Meeting on Monday 27 May, 7pm, in the College Auditorium and we invite all of our Year 12 parents to attend.  The programme will be delivered to Year 12 students on 30 May.  The St Kevin's College Loves-Me-Not Co-ordinator is Mrs Margaret Burton.

Thank you for supporting this initiative.




Thursday, May 23, 2013

Visiting Snare Drumming Tutor

Students demonstrate a high level of concentration during their small group lesson
International snare tutor Alexis Fergusson has been visiting Mrs Haig's junior music classes this term, opening their eyes (and ears) to the world of pipeband snare drumming.  She is currently the New Zealand Pipeband Snare Solo Drum Champion and has performed with Grade One pipebands.  Alexis recently lead a drumline as Drum Sergent at the World Championships in Scotland.

Alexis is in Oamaru thanks to a grant received through the Waitaki District Schools Pipe Band from Creative Communities.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Grease Wrap Up

After months of rehearsing the final curtain fell on Grease last weekend.  It has been a resounding success with many compliments extended to all of the students and staff involved - both on stage and off stage.  It must be said that Mr Farrell's cameo as Johnny Casino and the Teen Angel were particularly popular!  

Our thanks to all of the staff who gave their time so freely and also to the following businesses who supported us:
Subway, Mainstreet Music, Razor's Edge, Portside Restaurant, Hi-Way Hire, Oamaru Vets, Placemakers, Belle Visage, Sutherlands, North Otago Netball Assn, Oamaru Landscape Centre, Second 2 None, Oamaru Operatic, Taieri Musical Society and Smash Palace.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Board of Trustees Election Results


ST KEVIN’S COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEE ELECTION

Declaration of Parent Election Results
At the closing of nominations, as the number of valid nominations was equal to the number of vacancies required to be filled (6) I hereby declare the following duly elected:
STEVEN BOLSTRIDGE
STEVE GOURLAY
CHRIS CHANDLER
LARINA SUTHERLAND
EUGEN DUPU
MICHELLE SINTMAARTENSDYK

Declaration of Staff Election Results
At the close of nominations as there was only one valid nomination received I hereby declare:
RUSSELL DIXON duly elected.

Signed: Sue McErlane
Returning Officer

Monday, May 20, 2013

Gold Duke Of Ed Hopkins Adventure


The week before Easter saw a group of students head into the Hopkins Valley on their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award Expedition.  Nine of our students were joined by two from Waitaki Girls, with Mr Collins, Mr Farrell and Mr Dixon making up the “shadow party”.   “Accepting challenge with enthusiasm” would have to be the theme as the group met and mastered all that terrain and weather put before them over the four days.  The positive attitude of the group meant everyone enjoyed the expedition greatly, even in the testing conditions endured at the end.  Congratulations to those who will now be presented with their Gold Awards, you have earned them well.

The Team:
SKC:  Lauren Godsall, Hayley Evans, Brianna Fogarty, Kerry Bryant, Katherine Hope, Kaliesha Jones, Sara Gunnarsdottir,  Jibi Kunnethedam and Kieran Ryan.  WGHS: Nicole Adams and Lisa Fenwick.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Yr 12 PE Out And About


At the end of Term 1 the Yr12 PE class went for their annual four day bike trip to Naseby as part of the Outdoor and Recreation Module of the course.   It is intended that the class gains experience in organising and running an outdoor trip.  Mr Collins (class teacher), Mr Dixon and Miss Casey accompanied the students.   The overall purpose of the trip is to assess the students on two Level 2 NCEA Achievement Standards Take the lead 2.6A 4 credits and The great outdoors 2.7B 3 credits

The Yr12 bike trip is considered by students to be one of the highlights of their time at the College and our thanks to all of the staff who volunteer their time to take students away each year.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Deputy Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Mr Olsen is out of the school attending the Edmund Rice Principal's conference in Brisbane, Australia. This is a group of schools numbering forty five and educating some 60,000 students, basing their teaching on the values and principles held by the Blessed Edmund Rice. In New Zealand there are four schools in this network and we are privileged to be one of these.

The event of the week has of course been our biennial school production. The first set of revues are in and Thursday night was an outstanding success. Grease has been a very professional process involving a large number of students and staff. I am greatly looking forward to seeing it in its entirety tomorrow night.

A large contingent of our students took the opportunity to travel to Dunedin on Monday and visit Otago University during the yearly open day. It is so important that our students and families are fully informed when making these big decisions, they have a large financial and social cost attached to them. Please feel free to make contact with Mrs Manson (Careers Counsellor)  if you would like to discuss any options for your child in their future career pathway.

While the weather report does not look all that great for the weekend you will be sure to witness some fine rugby action tomorrow when our Rugby club has its club day. The fields are in fine condition, let's hope that the bad weather holds off.

Looking forward to next week: Our Year 9 students will change their taster subjects, Catholic Schools day is Wednesday where we welcome St Joseph's on campus. Our open day and consultation Hui is on Thursday. We look forward to seeing many of our families at these events.

May God bless you

Kerry Ryan
Deputy Principal


Friday, May 17, 2013

Catholic Schools Day Mass

Catholic Schools Day Mass is being held at the St Kevin's College Chapel, 22 May at 9.15am.

Nga Taonga - Living the Treasure.

St Joseph's Primary School are joining us for a Mass, the celebrant is Father Wayne Healey.  This is a national celebration in recognition of the pride we have in Catholic schools.


Grease Opens to Capacity Crowd

Congratulations to our Grease cast, crew and band on a wonderful Opening Night!  What a great performance from everyone involved, and a special thanks to Mrs Newton and her team for all of the hard work and effort that goes into helping our students shine.  Thanks also to the Home & School who are selling ice creams and bottled water (just $3 ea!) at each of the performances.  The show runs through till Sunday 19 May and some door sales will be available, so don't be the one to miss out on this hand-jiving favourite!




Home & School Raffle Reminder

HOME & SCHOOL REMINDER!

Thank you to all those families who have returned their raffle books and money to the school office.  Thanks also to those who have asked for and sold second or third books of tickets.   
All of the money raised by the Home & School is used to provide resources to students at the College.

If you have a raffle book still at home, please remember to bring any sold (or unsold) tickets and money to the office as soon as possible.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Swim Development Selection

This weekend Angus Macaulay will head to Timaru to take part in the South Island Regional Age Group Development Camp, run by Swim New Zealand.  His selection comes as one of the top 16 boys in the 12yrs to 14yrs age group across the South Island and will give him the opportunity to work with top coaches  and management from Swim New Zealand.

Congratulations on your selection Angus!  We look forward to following your exciting swimming career!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

SKC Rugby Club Day And St Bede's Exchange Update

SKC RUGBY CLUB DAY!

Come along and support SKC Rugby this coming Saturday, 18 May.  With three teams playing at home it will be a great day for College rugby.
First XV vs Mt Aspiring - 1pm (number 1 field)
SKC 16's vs Mckenzie - 1pm (number 3 field)
SKC 15's vs OBHS White - 11.30am (number 3 field)
SKC Combined vs Mckenzie - 10.45am (number 4 field)

Follow these links to season draws for U16 and Girls Rugby - please note that the U15 draw is not out yet, although they will be playing at the College this week.


Please note that the St Bede's Sporting Exchange scheduled for 
Tuesday 21st May has been postponed.  
A new date for the event will be advised as soon as possible.

Private Boarding Assistance



Do you have private boarding available in your home?

If you are able to offer students private boarding places please contact the College Office for information.



Cross Country 2013

The 2013 St Kevin's College Cross Country event was held in blustery autumn conditions last Thursday and whilst the conditions were challenging the spirit of interhouse competition was as strong as ever!

Congratulations to all of our place getters and our Cross Country Champions for 2013:
U14 BOYS:
1st Angus Macaulay / 2nd Lennox Cant / 3rd Adam Sew Hoy
U14 GIRLS:
1st Rosie Pope / 2nd Brittany Weir / 3rd Georgia Dyson
U15 BOYS:
1st Matthew Cullimore / 2nd William Sunderland / 3rd Thomas Pickles
U15 GIRLS:
1st Franzciska Yanzick / 2nd Emma Slater / 3rd Brittany Kerin
U16 BOYS:
1st Cole Ryan / 2nd Josh Macaulay / 3rd Sam Evans
U16 GIRLS:
1st Georgia Haggerty / 2nd Tiana Mihaere / 3rd Julia Fauth
SENIOR BOYS:
1st Benedict Yanzick / 2nd Jinnesh Ramu / 3rd Chris Kearney
SENIOR GIRLS:
1st Georgia Hansen / 2nd Micayla Brenssell / 3rd Georgina Wallis
HOUSE PLACINGS:
1st Magee House / 2nd Clancy House / 3rd Treacy House / 4th Whyte House

Friday, May 10, 2013

Principal's Message


Dear Parents and Caregivers

Kia ora whanau nga mihi atu ki a koutou ano. A warm welcome to the second term.

Over the holidays a number of our students have excelled in sporting competitions. At Wednesday Assembly we were pleased to acknowledge the achievements of Zain Pennycook for golf and Stacy Kerin and Rosie Pope with trampolining. I would like to invite parents and caregivers to keep the office informed of any other student achievements so we can celebrate them as a school community.

A highlight of the week was our annual inter-house cross-country race held around our College course on Thursday. Although cold, the weather held for the event and some pleasing times were recorded.  Thank you to Miss Casey and staff for their support and tolerance in the colder conditions. 

On Thursday evening our first parent teacher interviews were held. These are an excellent opportunity to chart the next steps for learning with students, staff and guardians all able to focus on the agreed plan. Also on Thursday was a very well received careers information forum, supported by Aoraki Polytechnic as part of the Otago Careers Festival. Thank you to Mrs Manson for coordinating the speakers.

As the days draw in and we move to winter uniform, can I encourage parents and caregivers to support us with our high expectations around uniform. As a community it is all to easy accept shirts hanging out, top buttons undone, ties at half-mast and lax personal grooming rather than having to put up with the inevitable grief of confronting the issue. From my perspective, we are not preparing our students for an ever competitive world if they are not encouraged to take pride in their personal presentation. For parents of Year 10 boys in particular, this is a time of growth and many are struggling into their shirts or need a button moved to allow a more comfortable fit.  

Finally, please keep the Spivey and O'Neill families in your prayers they come to terms with the loss of loved ones. May Tony (senior) and Paul rest in peace. 

God bless you all
Paul Olsen 
Principal

Food Bank Donations


Oamaru Foodbank secretary Bernard Wilkinson welcomed our service leaders as they delivered the the foodstuffs collected over the Lenten appeal. 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Home & School At Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interviews are being held this week - Thursday 9 May, 6-8pm and Friday 10 May, 3-5pm.  The Home & School will have complimentary tea and coffee available and the team are looking forward to catching up and meeting parents new to the College.

A reminder to return raffles and money to the school office - this includes any unsold tickets please.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Why! It's Grease Lightning

Eugene Florczyk (aka Cole Ryan) becomes the centre of attention
The College Auditorium stage has been taken back to the 50's with Grease rehearsals going into overdrive ahead of opening night on Thursday 16 May.  This all time favourite is full of famous one-liners and hand jiving, toe tapping music; don't miss out on this blast from the past!!

THURSDAY 16 MAY - 7PM
FRIDAY 17 MAY - 7PM
SATURDAY 18 MAY - 7PM
SUNDAY 19 MAY - 2PM

$10 for students / $15 for adults
Tickets available at the school office

(The team from the SKC Home & School will be selling refreshments:
ice-creams and bottled water for $3 ea)

National Selection Up For Grabs

Photo courtesy of the Oamaru Mail
Stacey Kerin is chasing national selection following a successful campaign at the South Island Trampoline Championships.  Stacy picked up a fourth place in the Junior International Women's Trampoline event and took the South Island title in the Junior International Women's Double Mini-trampoline .  She also racked up a second in the Junior International Syncronised event.  

These performances have put Stacey in contention for national selection for the Australian National Championships in July (she competed as part of the New Zealand team at the same event last year).

Rosie Pope had a great start to her experience in competitive trampolining with a fourth place in the 13-14 year girls section and a second place in the Double Mini section.  Like Stacey this means that she has qualified to compete at the National Gymsports Championships which will be held later in the year.

Congratulations girls!!!

Chipping And Putting Star

Photo courtesy of the Oamaru Mail
Young golfing star Zain Pennycook has added yet another title to his list of successes on the golf course.  At just 15 years of age, with a handicap of six, he has become the youngest player to win the Lower Waitaki Senior Club Championship which was held over the weekend.  

Zain was up against some fierce competition from older and more experienced golfers but his dedicated practice during the holidays and aggressive style saw him take the top spot.  

Congratulations Zain!

SKC Senior Boys Basketball Fundraiser

SKC SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL QUIZ NIGHT
27 May, 7pm
at the North Star Restaurant and Bar

Just $5 per person
for teams of 4-6 people
Contact Cathy or Alex on 437 1190 to register your team
(teams can be registered on the night)

Lots of raffles and great prizes to be won!
Contact Judy Robertson for more information - 027 437 1131