Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

Welcome back to a term three from a rather waterlogged St Kevin's. The deluge over the holidays strained our storm water systems but we have come through remarkably well. My thanks go to Mr Watson and Mr Grant whose tireless efforts have readied the College for the new term under trying circumstances.

This week our senior students attended the Methcon presentation facilitated by the Safer Waitaki Coalition. This theme was hard hitting, anti-drug and encouraging good life choices. I would encourage caregivers to have follow up conversations to reiterate the issues with 'P' use.

Next Tuesday evening in the staff room, I am looking forward to welcoming caregivers and students to our Whanau Hui. If you have not received an invitation please contact the College Office.

The College now formally requests that caregivers purchase a device with a keyboard such as a Chromebook for junior students. This is in response to the increasingly personalised nature of learning. Noel Leeming in Oamaru have some excellent pricing. Mention to their staff that you would like the St Kevin's discount to ensure you get the best deal.

May God bless you
Paul Olsen, Principal

Making A Splash

Also held during the school holidays were the South Island Secondary School Swimming Champs in Blenheim.  Tandia Gooch traveled up to represent the College and brought a swag of medals home to Oamaru!  She won Bronze in the 15yrs and over 50m Fly, and Gold in the 15yrs and over 100m Fly and both the Open 400m and 200m Free events.  Well done Tandia on a fabulous effort!

Leaping To The Top

Thank you to Daniel Birchfield and the Oamaru Mail team for use of the photo

Caitlin Middlemiss (Y12) has been putting in the hard work and it's paying dividends.  Towards the end of last term Caitlin competed at the South Island Trampolining Championship in Christchurch and came away with not one, but two titles in the 15-16yrs section - the trampoline and the double mini.  She competes for the local Saints Trampoline Club and is coached by Michelle Johnson.  Caitlin's success qualifies her for the National Championships in October.  Great work!

Girls Intercollegiate Trapshooting

Catching up on some great holiday results.... Anna Craig and Ellie Monk competed at the South Island Secondary Schools Trapshooting competition on the first Saturday of the break.  Ellie came away with Gold in Ladies Skeet and Anna the Silver.  Anna also took the Silver in the Ladies Single Rise.  The next day they shot at the Dunedin Intercollegiate where Anna got the Gold that had eluded her the previous day in the Ladies Single Barrel.  Well done girls!

Obirin Visit 2017 - Powhiri Welcome

This morning we welcomed students from Obirin High School as they begin their stay here in Oamaru.  A group has been hosted for a short stay at SKC for the past 8 years (with the exception of 2011 due to the earthquakes both here and in Japan).  The students will be part of the College Community for just under three weeks and we say a big thank you to those families who have opened their homes to host them during their stay.  They will study English language, joined their SKC 'buddies' in classes and enjoy educational excursions around the district.

CLICK HERE to view photos taken by Student Photographer Clark Ewing this morning.

We also welcomed our new GAP students - Lisa and Jule from Germany, and Jordan from Britain.

SKC v Waitaki Week

There was a week full of friendly after school games at the end of last term, including a fiercely contended staff volleyball match which was enjoyed by a capacity crowd in the Gym!   Congratulations to the Senior A Netball team on winning the Whitestone Trophy for 2017 and thank you to Mrs Clapperton and Mr Smith for helping to facilitate the games on behalf of the College!  The week was of course the lead up to the 'Big Game" on the last day and whilst the final whistle did not bring a winning result for the College the spirit and determination of the boys cannot be understated, playing with the heart that epitomises our FIRE Values.

CLICK HERE to view photos from all of the after school games - thank you to Student Photographer Anna Taylor and all those who sent photos through!
CLICK HERE to view photos from the game - a big thanks to our Student Photographer Emma-Kate Newlove and to Mrs Buckham for capturing some great crowd shots!

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

Congratulations to the sports teams who have played in the many games against Waitaki teams this week. Your sportsmanship has been outstanding and you have upheld our FIRE values on the fields and courts. It is particularly rewarding to be able to acknowledge our 1st Netball squad as they secured the Whitestone Trophy is a superb game played yesterday afternoon.

It has also been an honour to be able to host the 1967 1st XV on their 50th anniversary reunion. 

This is the fourth year that we have welcomed past students and it is great to be able share stories and maintain our heritage in such a positive way. Kevin Inder, captain of the 1967 team, addressed our students with a message that - change is unavoidable - be prepared to embrace it - keep abreast of it. -be prepared to say yes - take every opportunity. I am pleased to say that this is directly on point with our College ethos.

As we head off for the holidays, I wish everyone safe travel and a rewarding holiday with family and friends. I would encourage students to talk to caregivers about purchasing a Chromebook to help with their studies. Noel Leeming in Oamaru have some excellent pricing. Mention to their staff that you would like the St Kevin's discount to ensure you get the best deal.

May God bless you
Paul Olsen, Principal

Old Boys Assembly

We were delighted to be joined at a special assembly this morning by some of the team from the 1967 1st XV.  50 years on from their own winning game (3-0 to SKC) they have gathered together and were hosted at the Redcastle after dinner last night ahead of the Big Game today.  As part of the assembly Kevin Inder, captain of the '67 team, read the names of the boys playing today.  Also celebrated were the Senior A Netball team who won the Whitestone Trophy game over Waitaki Girls yesterday.  

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS

Junior Speech Competitions

The Year 9 and 10 Speech Competitions were held this week and taking out First Place were Bethan Ardouin (Year 10) and Rhea Ratgali (Year 9).  Well done girls!
The other placegetters were:
Year 10
2. Kazsandra Cuaresma
3. Lucila Mino Zubiri

Year 9
2. Leyanne Monoy
3. Sebastian Whiston

Important Info About The Duke Of Edinburgh Programme

The Duke of Edinburgh Award has been a feature at St Kevin's for a very long time and remains a popular activity with many students. Currently 80 students are registered across the three levels of the Award.

Up to now, involvement in the Award has been affordable and accessible to all who wanted to be involved. However, as of the 1 July the D of E people have seen fit to introduce a substantial rise in registration fees. Entering at Bronze Level and progressing to Silver will each now cost $86.25. Registration for Gold will cost $115.00. This makes the decision to begin or proceed further in the Award something needing careful consideration. The outlay is considerable and this adds some seriousness to the commitment and effort already required to complete each Award level. That being said, the achievements the Awards represent at all levels remain well recognised and valued. It is because of this that we continue to support and promote the Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award scheme here at St Kevin's. We are also determined that no student should be prevented from participating because of cost.

If assistance is needed, please contact the Principal, Mr Olsen and discus your circumstances. We are able to help.  Thank you.

A Gem Of A Museum

Year 10C Science visited the North Otago Museum in Oamaru to study the stone tool and ornament collection. There are over 9000 pieces in one collection alone. They are very significant because they represent the earliest settlement of humans in NZ. The geological origins of the material the tools are made from have been the focus of our Science classes recently. The students enjoyed having hands on with examples and seeing the work that goes into making tools like these.

Good Luck Teen Ag!!!

Good luck to James Caldwell and Jarred Hardy as they compete in the Teen Ag National finals in Fielding on Friday. The boys would like to thank their sponsors for supporting them.

Turf Project

A major overhaul project is in the pipeline to upgrade the sand based turf situated beside the Gym to an asphalt surface which will be used for netball, basketball and tennis. There is also the option of putting cricket nets in the corner to replace the current ones on the far side of the playing fields and retaining part of the existing turf for hockey. It will become a multifaceted sporting asset! This will be a major project and we are extremely grateful for the financial support we have received to compliment the investment from the College; $34000 from the Otago Community Trust, $12500 from The Lion Foundation and $6000 from the New Zealand Cricket Foundation.  

Woodlands Ball 2017

The College Ball is always a hugely anticipated event. Our Senior boys and girls turn into young adults and glamourous ladies and gentlemen for a night as the heels and long dresses shimmer alongside smart suits and polished shoes. However, well before the night there are weeks of organising and this comes down to our students themselves. This year the Ball Committee worked for well over a term to create a Woodlands theme ball and every detail was accounted for, from the table placings pegged to a twine display, to the wonderful food catered by Pozzobons Catering and entertainment from Night Life Entertainment.

From the early days of the Hostel girls doing ‘a bit of a twirl’ in the Girls Hostel Common Room, the Ball Parade is an event almost on its own! The Auditorium was packed with friends and family who ooh’d and ahh’d as our Seniors and their guests took their turn on the catwalk, pausing for that oh so important photo opportunity! For those unable to attend, this part of the evening was LiveStreamed so they could enjoy the occasion at home and we thank Mr Seddon and Isaac Steel for making the arrangements.

Pausing at the Redcastle for what has now become the traditional Y13 photo (thank you Gary Kircher for capturing the memento this year) everyone continued to the Dining Room which was once again magically transformed into a glamourous venue, fit for any special occasion. A receiving line of Senior Management greeted the ball revellers as they arrived to enjoy a sumptuous buffet before taking to the dance floor for a mix of traditional and not so traditional dancing.

Throughout the entire evening the hard work of the Ball Committee and the Home & School was evident in all its splendour and the support of Mr Alan Grant and Ms Walshe simply cannot be understated! Congratulations to you all on staging another hugely successful College Ball, enjoy the accolades that are richly deserved!

CLICK HERE to view all of the memories from the evening - a huge thank you to Gary Kircher for the Y13's photos, and to Lewis Weatherley and Brooke Clark for our Ball Parade and Ball images!

Student Wellbeing

There has been a lot of public discussion about youth mental health recently. The Ministry of Education has asked all schools to let parents know where to find information to support the mental health and wellbeing of their children.

Parents are encouraged to regularly check in with their child about how they are doing and the things going on in their lives. You’ll find links to organisations you can contact for help and advice if you are concerned about your child: www.parents.education.govt.nz/mental-health/

The following are the contact details for your school’s pastoral care team:

Year 9 Dean and Assistant Principal: Ms Walshe   jwalshe@stkevins.school.nz
Year 10 Dean:  Mr Thompson   nthompson@stkevins.school.nz
Year 11 Dean:  Mrs Fowler   rfowler@stkevins.school.nz
Year 12 Dean:  Mrs Burton  mburton@stkevins.school.nz
Year 13 Dean:  Mr Nyika  mnyica@stkevins.school.nz
Guidance Counsellor: Mr Dixon rdixon@stkevins.school.nz

These are the first points of contact for caregivers if they are concerned about a student's wellbeing at school.