Farewell to Staff

Today our juniors farewelled two respected and loved staff members with a passionate haka in the Admin Quad. Mr Seddon (Head of Science) and Mr Nyika (Historian, Senior Dean and Hostel Dean) were later farewelled at a staff function. We thank them deeply for their service and commitment to the College and especially to our Special Character. Here are some images captured by Sarah Clapperton.

Principal's Address at Junior Prizegiving

Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa

Good Morning everyone and thank you for attending this year's junior prize giving. 2018 has been a very rewarding year, but one that has been peppered with its share of challenges.
I think we all recognise the increasing pace that education is taking. Here at St Kevin’s, we are committed to providing the very best education possible, in a safe and nurturing environment. As we support our young people to grow and be able to deal with the turbulence of modern life, we recognise what a precious gift and moral compass our Gospel Values are. They are central to our Catholic Special Character, supporting us through the highs and inevitable lows that will eventually confront us.

The end of this year has been very difficult for our students, especially those in year ten and I wish to acknowledge the efforts that have been made by whanau in supporting students through what has been a confusing time. Year 10 can be a tough enough path without having to negotiate the range of emotions which come with a tragedy such as the one we have suffered this year.

Supporting our young people comes in a variety of forms. For some students, it's a listening ear, for some it's gaining opportunities to try new things. For others, it may just be being given enough quiet time for self-reflection.

In the 21st C we acknowledge that change is a constant which is ever increasing in pace and magnitude. Social shifts and technological advances mean that we are raising children in environments that are often alien to us, and our understanding of the world in which our students are engaging, bears little resemblance to the world they actually experience.

At St Kevin’s we are keenly aware of this and we are making real efforts to ensure that those touch points are there for students. The development of the role of student advocate, the whanau group restructuring and the way in which we are handling the transition between counselling services are all pointed towards continuing to support students when they meet difficulties.

The introduction of our service award this year has been a huge success with an uptake of 150 students so far. We acknowledge this as a way we can encourage our students to give back to the community and improve their mental health as giving to others is a huge part of feeling better about ourselves.

I am pleased to announce that Mr Mathew Harris will be joining the teaching staff for 2019. Mat has been completing his Master’s of Teaching at Otago University this year and is about to commence his Masters of Counselling. We are thrilled to have him back on staff in a teaching role. Mat has been a wonderful support for the school over this last term and we have really appreciated his work with students and with the wider community.

As mentioned earlier, we want to place a very strong focus on Mental Health for 2019. This has come as a suggestion from prefects and is supported by data from around the country where this has been identified as a hugely important issue.

Student voice has placed this topic at the centre of our thinking for next year and is supported by staff. It's not saying that we have to get more diagnosis for our young people, it's about growing good habits of mind that can help them navigate study, family and their increasingly personal identities.

Ensuring that our students understand what are healthy practices and what are not, benefits everyone. For example, our natural reaction to someone having a bad day maybe to want to keep them home in bed, but the science tells us, that the opposite is true. A run around the block, getting the endorphins to kick in and engaging in tasks which help others are far more beneficial for mental health.

Helping our students manage and understand these ideas will increase resilience and give them strategies to help themselves into the future. As parents and caregivers, the role you play in encouraging engagement with others, involving students in activities and sport, modelling learning and being mindful of the good things in life is vital to the success or otherwise, we have here at school.

Over Christmas, enjoy the time you have with these great young people. Rest, regroup and we look forward to seeing you all next year, refreshed, relaxed and ready to do it all over again.

Nā reira
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa

Junior Prize Giving

Our Junior Prize Giving will be held on Friday, 14 December from 11am in the auditorium. All students will be released after the prize giving. Please note, that buses on Friday will operate at the the normal time of 3:20 pm. Students who do not wish to wait around after prize giving will need to arrange their own way home.

Obituary of Kevinian, Gordon Whiting

Brother Frank Perkins alerted me to this link to the obituary of distinguished Kevinian, Gordon Whiting.

Gordon was a principled man who left a profound mark on our country in his role as an Environment Court Judge. He passed away last month on the 6th of November.

The obituary mentions that he was a student at St. Kevin’s College, Oamaru and was also Head Prefect and captain of the 1st XV. 

He was aged 76 when he died last month. He attended St Kevin's in the late 1950s.

To quote Br Frank: "He seems to have taken on deeply the special spirit of St. Kevin’s during his life, and used his gifts to the benefit of many. A very worthy ex-student."

His funeral was in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Auckland. 

May he rest in peace.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/109160579/Gordon-Whiting-A-life-defined-by-enduring-principles

Tomorrow's Schools Report

As part of the national Education Conversation | Kōrero Mātauranga, the Government is reviewing Tomorrow’s Schools – the name given to the reforms that dramatically changed the governance, management and administration of our schools nearly 30 years ago.

After more than 200 meetings with people interested in education, the Independent Taskforce reported its findings to the Minister of Education in November 2018. Their report: Our Schooling Futures, Stronger Together l Whiria Ngā Kura Tūātinitini has now been released for public consultation. 

The report covers eight key issues:
Governance
Schooling Provision
Competition and Choice
Disability and Learning Support
Teaching
Leadership
Resourcing
Central Government agencies

The Taskforce’s report makes a number of significant recommendations for changes to the current education system. Stakeholder feedback on the report and its recommendations will be critical to inform Government decision making in 2019.

View the report and supporting information below:

Full report: Our Schooling Futures, Stronger Together l Whiria Ngā Kura Tūātinitini
Report Summary
Summary of the 8 Key Issues
Frequently asked questions
Cabinet paper: Tomorrow’s Schools Review: Report of the Independent Taskforce

Submissions or queries can be emailed to tomorrows.schools@education.govt.nzTaskforce-led regional hui will take place in February/March 2019. More information on these will be available in early 2019.

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

The College is alive with enthusiastic young faces today as we welcome next year's new students. Mrs Walshe devised a fun-filled day to make orientation a great experience for all. She has mobilised year 10 students and next year's prefects to lead the activities and pass on tips for negotiating the transition to high school. Thank you to all who have contributed to the success of the day.

Thanks also go to our Home and School team who gathered last evening to celebrate a very productive year. The Mr North Otago fundraiser was very successful and will financially support our staff to purchase some of the extras that enhance student education.

Mrs Mills presented flowers to Mrs Brien for the work she has done with finance.

Finally, thank you to Mr Nyika for organising his nephew, David, to put our high-performance sports people through their paces in the weights room yesterday. The following Otago Daily Times link gives some background. https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/boxing/pupils-put-through-paces-nyika

May God bless you all
Paul Olsen, Principal

Anna Craig speaks at the 60th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution

Year 13 student Anna Craig was honoured to speak at the New Zealand commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution held on Thursday night. The private event was held at The Boatshed in Wellington and was attended by dignitaries from across the country, including former Foreign Affairs Minister Gerry Brownlee and Deputy Prime Minster Winston Peters. Anna was invited to speak at the event by Ambassador Mr Mario Alzugaray following his visit to the college on October 31, where Anna shared about her trip to Cuba. Well done, Anna!

An excerpt from her speech is below:

"Trips such as this can only strengthen the bond between Cuba and New Zealand to benefit the people. Cubans are so intrigued by other cultures and societies as I was about theirs. In a park one day I spent a great amount of time just talking with an older gentleman answering all his questions about New Zealand, we compared differences between our cultures which often had us laughing. To my amusement a lady overheard and asked where NZ was. I tried to explain near Australia and she said “ahhh yes Miami”, sometimes it's easier just to go with it. We can look forward to such interactions and relations developing between our two small nations through trips such as mine which highlights the importance of open communication between societies. 

It took me several weeks to reflect on my trip as I was overwhelmed by what i had seen. I think i will continue to reflect on my trip and key moments for years to come. I know personally it opened my eyes to a much bigger world and how others live. It has created a passion for travel and a drive to helps others for the better of them and their environment. Cuba was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it will be a trip to remember forever with many stand-out moments."

Check out the Embassy of Cuba in NZ Facebook page for more photos of the event.

Advent at St Kevin's College

9S have been very busy in Religious Studies class preparing for Christmas. The lead up to Christmas in the Catholic Calendar is called Advent.

First up, the class bought a set of Christmas cards from The Pacific Leprosy Foundation. The Christmas cards are the Foundation’s main charity drive and St Kevin’s has supported them for many years. 

Next, 9S learnt how to write a Christmas message to a relative, plus stamp and address an envelope - something none of them had done before!

The class also made Advent calendars for Oamaru Hospital - the A&E Department often have children over the Christmas season and the Advent calendars cheers their day. The picture shows the advent calendars complete with lollies very kindly supplied by Rainbow Confectionery. 

Their final challenge was Secret Advent Santa. Each student was secretly given a name of another student by the teacher and was challenged to secretly and repeatedly do little acts of kindness for that person right through the Advent Season. There have been lots of examples of students receiving a nice note or a block of chocolate. 

Finally, Peter Rodwell spoke to the Juniors at assembly last week about sustainable housing for Tonga after cyclone Gita. Elisabeth Plieger, Krystalee Sheehy, and Kate Gibson were inspired to collect a bag load of presents: soft toys, stationery, books, etc. to be delivered to Tonga hospital for any children stuck at the hospital over Christmas. Peter has agreed to make sure the bag gets to its destination for the Advent season.

Well done 9S for your kind and thoughtful Advent acts and attitude. What a wonderful way to blen our family values and the charitable idea of completing random acts of kindness without expecting reward!

Thank you also to Mr Tiernach Farrell for your creative thinking and leadership.

Performance Unit & Students Art Work

The end of year presents students with the opportunity to show their work, particularly in the Creative & Performing Arts' departments. On Wednesday, Year 9 Drama students performed a thought-provoking piece at assembly, which explored how Social Media affects the brain. Next week, Year 9 & 10 students will be showcasing routines they have created in PE lessons as part of their Performance Unit. And finally, Year 10 art students will be selling their hand-printed tea towels. The tea towels designs were created on the theme "Protest" and are available from today. The towels will be available for purchase at the Performance Unit and before Junior Prize Giving.

Inspirational Speakers

This morning our Year 9 and 10 students, together with visitors from local primary schools, were captivated by and inspired by the life stories of two guest to the College. Mr David Nyika and Mr Nicko Mannix each had a unique life story that spoke of family, resilience, loyalty and commitment. David and Nicko are visiting as the guests of Mr Marc Nyika who facilitated a number of sessions with students during the day.

David's journey to double golds in boxing at the Commonwealth  Games and Nicko's journey of recovery from being run over by a car had the audience both spellbound and confronted. Each linked their personal story to our College values in a practical and authentic way. We thank them for sharing their insights and challenges with our juniors and spending time working alongside them today.

Stationery Lists for 2019

Stationery lists for 2019 have been published on the SKC MySchool website. You can find the website here. The MySchool website is facilitated through Office Max and provides parents with a practical way to select, purchase and pay for their child's stationery. The products are even delivered to your front door!

Turf Progress

Phase one of the turf installation is nearing completion. Mr Smith and Mr Grant are pictured with the Tiger Turf team, surveying the results. The final step involved adding a sand substrate to level and stabilise the surface.

Graduates Dinner

A highly successful Graduates Dinner was held at the Brydone on Saturday, 1 December. There was a fantastic turnout of students, parents and staff. The guest speaker for the evening was Waikato Sportsman of the Year, 6x National Boxing Champion, and 2x Commonwealth Games Boxing Gold Medalist David Nyika, who was able to explain his journey, engage with the students and offer advice for their future.

A huge thank you goes out to the fantastic Year 13 cohort. The College family wishes them well for their future. Also a major thank you to the parents and caregivers who have raised fantastic young men and women and supported the college over the years.