Monday, July 30, 2018

Alpine Energy Junior Squash Series - Tournament 1

Congratulations to Joel Kunnethedan, who won first place at the Alpine Energy Junior Squash Series tournament on July 15. The tournament took place in Oamaru and was the first of six to be held from July to September. We wish him the best for the next tournament on August 5.

Budding Filmmakers

On Friday, a group of students took part in the Filmmakers in School programme run by A Stone's Throw Productions.
The programme takes young filmmakers and thespians through the process of creating, filming and editing a short film on a specific theme. This years' theme is "water".
The films will be shown at a Festival on August 22 where they will compete against other teams from Waitaki school for the top prize.
SKC students involved in the programme this year are also able to claim NCEA credits in Visual Arts or Drama.
In the first of two sessions, the groups of 4 were required to plan their film and pitch it the other groups. They also learnt about camera angles and shots.
The final session will be held on Friday.

A big thank you to Maddy Maxwell and Bridget Ellis from A Stone's Throw Productions for sharing your passion and skills. We can't wait to see the final product!





Welcome Matt Simpson - SKC Student Advocate


Last week we welcomed Matt Simpson to the College in the role of Student Advocate. Mr Simpson has a background in teaching and education, and has taken up the non-teaching role of Student Advocate and Alternative Education. He will be on hand as a mentor and support person to assist students with their academic goals, NCEA queries and study issue.
Mr Simpson is available Monday to Friday from Period One to Period Five and can be found in the Staff Workroom. Contact Matt at msimpson@stkevins.school.nz 

Friday, July 27, 2018

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

Welcome back to Term three. Crisp clear days are a feature of the winter term at Redcastle and I am pleased to see our students keeping warm and wearing the correct uniform with pride. Thank you to caregiver's who have made sure that our students are well turned out.

Mid-year is a time of welcome for new students, new GAP Students from the northern hemisphere and guests from J. F. Oberlin Junior and Senior High School in Japan. This weeks' mihi whakatau welcomed all three groups with the usual passion and commitment we acknowledge in our values. We hope that your time with us will be productive and enjoyable. Piki mai, kake mai! (welcome aboard). Thank you to all the families who have welcomed our visiting students into your homes so they can experience our kiwi hospitality.

During the break, I attended the Catholic Secondary Principals of Australia biennial conference. There were a number of challenging speakers on topics covering Theology, Leadership and Careers planning. I have attached a link to one of the resources on 2020 employment skills as it gives updated information about trends in the fast-moving area of vocational guidance. Skills 2020 Hopefully this will generate some family discussion about carers and subject selections for next year. Our next student-led conferences will reflect on progress and achievement as well as planning for the following year. I would like to encourage caregivers to make sure they have reviewed the student progress snap-shots and Attitude to Learning summary posted on the MUSAC Caregiver Portal at the end of the term. Please call the College Office if you have any trouble viewing these documents.

May God bless you all
Paul Olsen, Principal

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Obirin Visit 2018 - Mihi


Today, our Year 9 & 10 students welcomed a group of students from Obirin High School with a Mihi. The students will stay in Oamaru with SKC host families for the next three weeks, experiencing College life and visiting some of the districts most beautiful places. While at the College, the students will study English and attend classes with their SKC 'buddies'.

Thank you to all the St Kevin's College families we have opened their homes to host a student from Obirin.

Click here to see some more photos from the Mihi from our Photographers Chanelle and Rhea.

Reporting absences




A new, computer-generated text system has been implemented at Student Kevin's College to follow up on unexplained student absences.
The system will generate a text to parents, informing them of the unexplained absence and requesting parents reply to the school by following the prompts.
For added security, the text will come from an individual, one-off, randomised number that will only be available to reply to until the end of the current school day. It can not be used to report absences on any other day. Please continue to report absences by leaving a message on the absence phone line, submitting an absence report online via the website or emailing absences@stkevins.school.nz.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Nominate a student to see the aurora australis

How amazing would it be to see the aurora australis?
St Kevin's College students have been invited to enter a competition to see the aurora australias.
The competition is being run by astrophotographer, Damien McNamara, who is looking for two students to accompany him on a flight over the Antarctic in April 2019.
The once-in-a-lifetime experience is part of the Flight to the Lights trip, organised by Otago Museum director and former Nasa Space Telescope Science Institute public outreach head Ian Griffin. McNamara was part of the first trip in 2017 and is again seeking nominations for Waitaki District students in Year 11 to 13 who are interested in Art, Science or Photography and would like to come along for the experience.
Students must be nominated by a parent and a teacher and be comfortable travelling on a long-haul flight. Travel to and from Christchurch and accommodation is not included.
Nominations are to be sent to altitude.surveying@gmail.com by September.

Filling the Gap

A new group of Gap students arrived at the College this week. Laura-Marie Meyer, Jakob Kater, Marie Louisa Sassenberg and Ilua Jensen, all from Germany, will be working in the hostel and around the school for the next 12 months. They join Greg Young from South Africa, who will be with us for another six months. Welcome to St Kevin's!

Gap students Laura-Marie Meyer from Germany, Jakob Kater, Greg Young, Mane Louisa Sassenberg and Ilua Jensen.

Help support our school

St Kevin's College Home and School are looking for prizes for raffles for the Mr North Otago competition. 
The school's major fundraiser for 2018, the competition is to be held on October 13 from 7pm and promises to be a night of fun and frivolity. 
If you are interested in sponsoring this event or donating prizes for the raffles, please contact Jo Walshe at jwalshe@stkevins.school.nz for further details. 




Monday, July 23, 2018

A Standing Ovation to our Mamma Mia team

Congratulations to all SKC staff and students who were involved in the Musical Theatre Oamaru's production of Mamma Mia! Members of the College were found on stage, in the orchestra pit and as part of the tech team. The show was bright and energetic, with theatre-goers from near and far praising everyone's efforts. Well done!


From left: Tiernach Farrell, Charlotte Ramsey, Bethan Ardouin, Isaac Steel, Bailey Collins, Tarras Weir, and Ursula Scott.

Monday, July 9, 2018

Principal's Comment


Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

Thank you to the Home and School Committee and Staff for your contribution to a superbly run Formal Ball last Saturday. It was a privilege for Sandra and I  to share the occasion with our seniors. There are a number of stunning pictures later in the blog that give a glimpse of the event.

Congratulations to the sporting teams that have played this week against teams from Waitaki Boys' and Girls'. I have been impressed by the commitment and fair play that has been demonstrated by our teams. Thank you to coaches and managers for your support during the week.

Today we hosted members of the 1968 and 1988 First XV Rugby teams. Mr Terry Stapleton QC, (Lock forward 1968) and Mr Chris Flannery (Captain 1988) spoke at our Friday assembly, encouraging today's students to make the most of the opportunities available at the College. Today's annual Waitaki Interschool was a resulted in a close 19-12 win to St Kevin's. It was great to see the enthusiasm, passion and spirit that both teams and their supporters showed both on the day and throughout the week-long competition. Thank you also to Waitaki Boys' for hosting the event.

As today is the last day of the term, I will everyone safe travel and a productive holiday. We look forward to seeing the students back on Monday 23rd of July. I would like to encourage caregiver's to ensure any uniform repairs are undertaken during the break so our students look their best at the start of the new term.

May God bless you all

Paul Olsen, Principal

1968 and 1988 Rugby 1st XV Reunions

It was a pleasure to host members of the 1968 and 1988 Rugby 1st XV as they gathered for the Waitaki match.  Mr Terry Stapleton QC, former 1st XV lock forward 1968 and Mr Chris Flannery, 1988 captain both addressed the school at the assembly.

You can find more photos from the assembly here

Saturday, July 7, 2018

NCEA Review

As you may be aware, the Minister of Education has initiated a review of  NCEA which has been the cornerstone of national assessment for since 2002. At St Kevin's, we have almost 100% of our students leaving with Level 1 NCEA and over 85% leave with NCEA Level 2. Nationally, there is a conversation within education circles questioning the relevance of Level 1, given that the Ministry have indicated that Level 2 is the minimum leaving qualification. Secondly, New Zealand is one of the only countries with three levels of school qualifications.

Some possible compromises have been put forward by Minister Hipkins, which reduced the number of Credits required for NCEA Level 1 with a focus on Literacy and Numeracy together with credits for an extended project. As a principal, I am supportive of any moves to balance the student and staff assessment load by taking the emphasis from assessment to teaching and learning. With respect to learning and assessment, the old adage holds true - "weighing the pig more often doesn't fatten it any faster". I am keen to see our staff focusing on quality teaching rather than being tied to constant assessment. Students also need to have opportunities to engage in deeper learning rather than being under constant assessment pressure.

One of the issues that I have with the review is that we are having an assessment conversation before we have a curriculum conversation. It concerns me that this is the wrong way around. Assessment should not drive what we are teaching. As a country, firstly, we need to agree on what we want our students to learn to prepare them for a rapidly changing future.

If you would like to have your say about how NCEA should be shaped, join the conversation at conversation.education.govt.nz. #NCEAHaveYourSay #NCEAReview #EdConvo18

Friday, July 6, 2018

Waitaki Week 2018: SKC victorious over WBHS


It has been a thrilling week of competition with our St Kevin's College sporting teams competing against Waitaki Girls' and Waitaki Boys High Schools for the annual Waitaki Week.

The competition kicked off on Sunday evening with a Volleyball match between SKC staff and members of the Oamaru Police. SKC kicked butt, scoring 5-nil.

Our Netball, Basketball, Hockey, Football, Rugby, Badminton, Trapshooting and Ten Pin Bowling teams competed at various locations throughout the week.  Congratulations to everyone who participated and thank you to Mrs Clapperton and Mr Smith for helping to facilitate the games on behalf of the College!

The week ended with an incredible blood match - 1st XV Rugby SKC vs WBHS. Despite the rain and the mud, SKC played fantastically and were victorious, winning 19 - 12. What a fabulous effort!

Click here to view some more photos of the week from our student photographers and staff.

Click here to view more photos of the 1st XV blood match against WBHS from student photographer Isaac and staff.

Investigations in Social Studies



9C have been investigating and comparing evidence for the geographical origin of Polynesians; Asia or South America in Social Studies. Lester Cavinta has made a fantastic model of Thor Heyerdahl’s 1947 Kon-Tiki raft. Great job!

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Equestrian Interschool

We have received some images from the term two inter-school event for the Equestrian girls held at Palmerston on Saturday 14th. The College had two teams: SKC Red and SKC Blue.
Congratulations to SKC Blue who came 3rd overall and there were many ribbons earned by both teams. Thank you to Lucy Helliwell who organised the event.

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

SKC staff victorious over Police at match



Waitaki Week has well and truly started at SKC.

The last major school sporting event for the term, Waitaki Week sees SKC sports teams battle it out against teams from Waitaki Girls High School and Waitaki Boys High School. It will culminate with the ultimate Rugby match, a Blood match between the SKC and WBHS 1st XV teams.

The week began, however, with an exciting game of volleyball between SKC Staff and members of the Oamaru Police, and SKC staff won 5-nil!
Good work team!


Las Vegas Ball 2018


St Kevin’s College turned on the glitz and glam for this years’ Senior Ball.

The years’ most anticipated event was held on Saturday, June 30 and staff and students were dressed to the nines.

The Ball Committee worked hard for well over a term to bring the theme, Las Vegas, to life. Every detail was accounted for, from the star draped photo booth, to the deck of cards waiting on tables for diners to arrive.
As always, the event began with a Ball Parade in the College auditorium. Almost an event in itself, the auditorium was packed with family and friends excited to see their loved ones walk the red carpet in all their splendour.
The event was, again, live streamed on the College You Tube page for those who couldn’t get last minute tickets. Thanks to Isaac Steel for organising this!
Following their grand entrance, the glamorous diners headed to the Dining Room, where they paused for more photos, enjoyed a sumptuous buffet from Pozzobons Catering and danced the night away.

Congratulations to the Ball Committee on an outstanding job organising the event! Special thanks to the Home & School committee and Ms Walshe for their support.

CLICK HERE for more photos of the event. A huge thank you to Mrs Sara Plunket and Mr Mike Lawrence for taking the photos.


Monday, July 2, 2018

Play the Game





Students in Dr Maret's Year 9 Religious Studies class have been designing board games as part of their class work.
The activity has been created to help show students have an an understanding of church history, in particular the story of the church's beginnings. In this picture, students are checking the pros and cons of their game design.