Year 10 Temple Valley Camp

Year 10 Huxley Lodge Retreat Images

Year 10 Lake Middleton Images

Year 10 Abseiling Images

Wearable Art Competition

Year 9 Activities Week continues with our very own "Wearable Art" competition. Organised by Mrs Potter, the students are putting their creative talents to the test with the best of the best walking the catwalk in the Grand Final.

English Text Books

Could all English students please return any outstanding texts to the Library before the end of the year.

Thank you - Kiri Powell

Shakespeare In 20 Minutes

Launching into Activities Week, Monday saw our Year 9 students take to the stage recreating the dramatics of Shakespeare in the 20 minute play "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Directed by Mrs Mary Haig the cast from Year 9 Drama brought to life this romantic comedy.

Refurbishment Update

Safety barriers and scaffolding ... a sure sign that work on the refurbishment of the Science Block and College Library is well under way. Staff and students have been busy clearing rooms ready for trade people to come and make their final preparations, and in the case of the Library to actually start painting. The work will continue over the summer holidays ready for the new school year.

Pike River Disaster Memorial

On Thursday at 2pm, the remaining student body assembled to observe two minutes silence at a memorial service. The grotto was a fitting location to reflect on the tragedy with prayers, poetry and an a lament played by Mr Olsen.

Seussical the Musical

Seussical the Musical is coming to St Kevin's! Directed by Mrs Margie Newton with Mrs Mary Haig on board as Musical Director our students will dive into the world of Dr Seuss with appearances by the Cat in the Hat, Horton and the Who's from Whoville, The Grinch and many other favourites. On stage at the College Auditorium in May next year auditions will be held in the early days of Term 1. Dig out your best striped hat and red bow tie and you could be "hearing a who" with Horton!

Hostel Orientation

Last Sunday and Monday was student orientation for our new Year 9's for 2011. We started with an afternoon tea in the Dining room on Sunday where staff were introduced and information shared. It was such beautiful weather that the students spent most of their time swimming or playing touch on the fields and it was great to see the students getting to know one another and mixing really well. Our current students were very welcoming and helped to make the new boarders feel at home. Monday was school time and an opportunity to meet the new day pupils.

The Hostel has become a relatively quiet place with only the Year 9 and Year 10 students still in residence. The last of the senior exams finished on Wednesday and we hope all the students will reap the reward of their hard work.

Year 9 students had a day off on Wednesday due to strike action. The boys willingly did some spring cleaning and then went off for a game of ten pin bowling. Some of the girls also went bowling, while the others took the opportunity to get some retail therapy in.

JoAnn van der Salm

Orientation Day

Rugby Coaching Positions 2011

Coaching and Managing Positions available for 2011 Season!

Please send Registrations of Interest with all relevant details to Teacher in Charge of Rugby - Mr Andy Collins, email: acollins@stkevins.school.nz

Kayaking Preparations

With the Year 10 Retreat fast approaching our students are busy learning the finer points of kayaking under the careful instruction of Mr Haig. Lesson 1 ... how to "right" your kayak!

Junior Tennis Champion

Fierce competition was the order of the day when the Junior Tennis Championships were held at the College recently. Taking out the title for 2010 was Year 9 student Logan More, with Jibi Kunnethedam (Year 10) second and Terenui Tapi (Year 9) in third place. Congratulations boys.

Rocketing Success

Congratulations to Year 10 student Logan Johnston who received a Bronze CREST Award for his science project on how changing the angle of a rocket's fins affects its flight path. Proof that the Science Faculty at St Kevin's College is launching itself forward with a new generation of scientists.

Year 10 Agriculture Horsing About

Miss McLennan and her Year 10 Agriculture class picked a great day for a lesson in basic horse handling skills. Thanks to Georgina Wallace, Nicole Dowling and some very tolerant ponies the students learnt to catch and halter, brush, pick up a front and back hoof and let the ponies go in a paddock. Lots of fun!

Mulitsport Success at Lake Hood

St Kevin's College students continue in the tradition of multisport success at the recent Lake Hood Event. Reubyn Bisschops took first place in the U20s in a time of 1hr 31m 11s and was placed second in the overall women's standings. Also achieving well was Amy Holland who finished third in the U20 grade in a time of 1h 54m 21s - an effort that placed her 19th out of all the women competing. Congratulations girls.

Hostel House Extreme Makeover

The Hostel Trust are breathing new life into the previously derelict middle Hostel Cottage. Thank you to MCM Contracting Ltd who have generously donated equipment and manpower to help clear the section ready for work to commence.

Netbooks

Many of you maybe aware that we have recently installed a campus wide wireless network. Our aim is to encourage students to make the best possible use of this exciting addition to our learning environment here at St Kevin's College. Ideally students can do this by having portable devices such as netbooks, cellphones and the like, connecting these to the wireless network and using their device in the classroom to enhance the learning process.
We would like to make parents aware of what we consider to be an excellent deal being offered by Noel Leeming for an entry level netbook, costing $398.00. Although the software is not ideal for our system, we are prepared to upgrade individual machines with relevant software at no extra cost.
We will continue to explore a range of options with local providers and have already ordered some demonstration netbooks to test them with our system. Some of our students have already purchased the machine listed above and it is working seamlessly with our system.

Graduation Mass

Graduation Dinner

Senior Prize Giving 2010

View from the Redcastle Roof

The repair work to the Redcastle chimneys is nearing completion. The scaffolding view point gives an interesting perspective of the grounds, school and boys' hostel.

Leavers Piped from Graduation

Pipers - Nick Parsons and Lochy Brown and Side Drummer - Jamie Searle, proudly piped the 2010 graduates from the auditorium on Sunday. They are members of the Waitaki District Schools Pipe Band.

STAR Afternoon Tea

Students undertaking a STAR course in food preparation at Aoraki Polytechnic, prepared a scrumptious afternoon tea for staff of the College. Pictured (middle) is Oamaru Campus Manager, Mrs Liz Smillie, as she delivers the treats to an appreciative staff.

NCEA English Novels and Plays

NCEA English Students - please return your English novels and plays to the LIBRARY following your English examinations. Students who do not return their texts will be billed for them.

Thank you, Kiri Powell (HOD English)

College Pool in Demand

As Oamaru enjoys warmer weather, the College pool has become a popular venue to cool down and take a break from study. Thank you to our PE staff who have provided the supervision required and Mr Ratahi for keeping the pool supplied with chemicals. Other students have enjoyed the more sedate shade of the flowering trees around the campus.

Year 13 Rector's Morning Tea at Redcastle

Hostel Christmas Banquet

We had our end of year Christmas Banquet on Monday night. This was a very enjoyable occasion and was a chance to give our leavers a good send off, wishing them well for their futures. Each Year 13 boy was presented with an Old Boys tie and the Year 13 girls received a St Christopher pendant. St Christopher is the Patron Saint of Travellers so was apt that they received this as they leave the hostel and school to start on a new journey. A wonderful gesture by all the boys was to do a Haka for the Year 13's. The kitchen excelled themselves with a lovely Christmas feast.

We also announced our Hostel Leaders for next year.

Hostel Head Girl –Hayley Wearne, Deputy Hostel Head Girl – Brittany Wallis, Hostel Head Boy – William Plunkett, Deputy Hostel Head Boy – Tim Cotter.

2011 Year 12 Dorm Prefects are; Lucy Fauth, Charlotte King, Samantha Robins, Lauren Haggerty, Quinn McNabb, Timothy O'Malley, Ashley Miller, Matthew Boult, Sean Hand, Jack Allan.

Congratulations to all these students.

Sadly we say farewell to some Year 12's also this year. We wish them well for their future and thank them for their contributions over the past 4 years.

JoAnn van der Salm

Preparations for 2011

As part of our web development, we have now posted links to the start up procedures and the stationery lists. This will give caregivers more purchase options and give advanced warning of the start up details so families can plan more effectively for the new year.

Start up 2011

Stationery List

Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13

Senior Art Work

Aoraki Sports Awards

On Friday 5 November 47 Students, Parents and Staff traveled to Timaru for the Annual Aoraki Sports Awards. It was a fantastic evening with all in attendance enjoying the occasion and the College congratulates all of our students who were finalists.

St Kevin's College students bought home 8 category winners:

Reubyn Bisschops - Triathlon , Courtney Kerin - Kayaking, Zac Aitken - Swimming, Tim O'Malley - Cricket, Georgia Wallace - Darts, Albert Hailes - Tennis, Holly Edmonston - Cycling, Wade Guthrie - Hockey.

These awards are a fantastic achievement on the Secondary School Sports stage.

Baptism at the College Mass

The whole congregation at the Sunday College Mass on 7 November had a moving sacramental experience when Father Wayne baptized the following four students : Karla Weller, Lydia Inglis, Hayley Wearne and Takatanga Madambi. We all supported the baptismal candidates by renewing our Baptismal Promises as a group and the candidates were presented with certificates and Baptismal candles. The Edmund Rice Singers provided themed music for the occasion.

Duke of Edinburgh Achievements

Last weekend Y11 Silver Duke of Edinburgh students Jack Dwyer, Isaac de Buzyer and Sam de Buyzer embarked on a tramp into the Dingle Burn Valley. After a cool crossing from the Ahuriri on Friday night over the pass into the Dingle Valley, the weather was stunning for both Saturday and Sunday. There are stories to tell of frosty mornings, fish that were caught and personal satisfaction crossing the 1400m pass. A great weekend had by all!

Heartland Rugby Has Heart

Our Year 12 boarding girls became cheer leaders for the day when North Otago took on Wanganui in the grand final of the Heartland Championship playing for the Meads Cup. Great to see that they must have been effective as North Otago came out victorious!

Hostel Busy Bees

Last Saturday we had a great turnout of parents for our spring working bee. It was wonderful to receive so much support and a lot was achieved, both at the Boys and the Girls Hostel. There were also a lot of boys and girls who also pitched in and helped and this was great to see. We were fed and watered fabulously by Kirsten and her helpers in the kitchen. I'd like to thank those who came along; I found it very heartening. For those present it was also a great opportunity to meet Justin and Rachel in a relaxed atmosphere afterwards at the BBQ.
Jo Ann Van der Salm

Year 13 Rite of Passage Retreat

On Wednesday evening I had the pleasure of joining the Year 13 student leavers as they gathered in the Dean O'Reilly Lounge at the Basilica for a Rite of Passage Retreat. After a barbeque meal, Mr Mullally and Mr Farrell engaged the students in a number of activities that encouraged them to reflect on their time at St Kevin's College. The groups shared the highs and lows together with the amusing and nostalgic. I have included a slide show of my photographs.

Aoraki Junior Tennis

Congratulations to our Junior Mixed Tennis Team who competed recently at the Aoraki Junior Tournament in Timaru. This team won the Mixed Team competition by beating Waimate in the Final. The Team was made up of Katherine Hope, Nicole Duncan, Logan More and Jacob Coghlan.

NZ Honours Students

St Kevin's College is very proud this year to acknowledge our New Zealand Sporting Honours Students. This year has seen the College with 15 students gaining New Zealand Honours in their respective sporting codes which requires students to have gained a top 3 placing at a National event. The training and hard work needed for this level of success is a credit to them and we congratulate the following students on their efforts:

Reubyn Bisschops (Triathlon), Courtney Kerin (Kayaking), Isobel Ryan (Swimming), Zac Aitken (Swimming) Stacey Kerin (Trampoline), Holly Edmonston (Cycling), Eilee Robinson, Johannah Kearney, Caitlin Kearney, Bethany Robertson, Loren Haggerty, Lucy Fauth, Brittany More, Georgia Tangney, Sophie Moynhan (U16 Girls Rowing Eight)

Courtney Kerin as a New Zealand Kayaker also gained a 3rd placing at the World Champs In Germany earlier this year.

Cricket Coach Learns New Skills

Richard Turner, the College 1st XI player coach has been enjoying learning to drive a tractor. Richard has come to St Kevin's from Lancashire, England, where he has captained the Fulwood & Broughton Cricket Club 1st XI for the last three seasons. A top order batsman and fast medium bowler he has a BA with honours from Lancashire University and is also a level two qualified ECB coach.

Richard is joined by 19 year old Gagan Singh from the Netherlands, who will be with us until the end of the year. We hope that they both enjoy their time in New Zealand.

Cricket Field Slow to Recover

The Murray Field cricket pitch has required extensive reconstruction after the ravages of flood and winter rugby use. The wicket will not be available for use this season. Consideration is being given to the long term status of the wicket, which has been an on going financial issue for the College. As there has been a dramatic increase in local water rates following the upgrade in town water quality, we are mindful that it is a precious commodity. We are developing a water management plan for the fields which aims to preserve the quality of the pitch but does not include watering the fields over summer.

Traffic Safety Improved by Tree Replacement

The conifers along the northern boundary are being replaced with more suitable plantings to improve visibility at the Redcastle Road entrance. Replanting with more open species will alleviate concern about the reduced traffic visibility caused by the growth of the dense shrubs. Pictured admiring the work of Mr Mark Watson, our Grounds person, are neighbours Mrs Dorene Mavor and Mr Peter Johnston. Mr Johnston has kindly offered to contribute to the replanting work which will eventually have the added bonus of providing improved shading for this area. The increased visibility is already evident from the Redcastle Road approach.

Music News

With an abundant of musical talent at the College, practical music exams are high on the agenda for many students at present. Leading the path to success is Year 13 student Ellis Li who has passed his Grade 6 Piano exam through the Trinity Examination Board. We offer our congratulations to Ellis and look forward to hearing results from other music students.

Schoolgirls Rugby Success

Congratulations to Raewyn Gregory Hunt, Gemma Clark and Megan Manson, members of our College girls rugby team who have been selected for the South Island Secondary Schoolgirls team at the recent tournament.

Academic Success!

Students at the College continue to be awarded with academic success. Congratulations to Jibi Kunnethedam and Lucy Fauth who gained national recognition in The National Bank Junior Mathematics Competition. Jibi successfully attained a Merit Award, while Lucy placed in the top 30 students out of 7700 entrants. Well done.

AFS Intercultural Programmes

All the best and safe travels to Year 12 student Nicholas Staples who has been successful in his bid to broaden his experiences through the AFS Intercultural Programmes - New Zealand.

" This trip gives me the first opportunity to travel, converse and to experience a culture different to my own. I am looking forward to the challenge because it is something I haven’t experienced before. For this trip I have been assigned the country of Costa Rica as part of an International programme for AFS. I have been preparing for this trip for a year including learning some of the Spanish language, as much as I can, and I'm looking forward to putting this to the test. Finally, all this comes together in one month as I fly out on the 2^nd of December. " - Nicholas Staples

Hostel Happenings

This term is racing along just as anticipated. I hope you all had an enjoyable long weekend.

I look forward to meeting some of you this weekend at our working bee and BBQ. Mr Justin Fowler our new Director of Boarding/Hostel Manager will be coming.

Our new Boys Common Room is now completed. It looks wonderful and once again many thanks to Ron Landaus for all the hard work. The only thing missing is a large screen TV for the wall (this comment was made by the boys). I have put out the challenge, if they fundraise, the Hostel Trust will match what they raise.

Our Christmas Banquet planning is well under way and Monday the 8th November has been booked for the occasion. Traditionally, as a hostel we take this opportunity to celebrate a year together and to farewell our Senior Students.

Orientation for our new Year 9’s is on the 28^th and 29^th November. Currently we have 22 new boarders for Year 9 next year. We look forward to welcoming them and giving them a taste of boarding life.

REMINDERS:

Our planning for next year is well under way. Could you please let us know as soon as possible if your son or daughter will not be coming back next year.

As Senior Students rapidly near their exams we recommend you discourage weekend leave for social occasions only. Their focus should be on study for the next few weeks.

A lot of work is put in by Mr Pink to arrange travel home for the students at holiday times. If your travel arrangements change, please could you leave a message on the Hostel phone. A seat can be given to someone else. It will also save the Hostel staff worrying where your child is.

In the last newsletter I spoke about our Vehicle Policy. I need to clarify this. It clearly states no vehicles unless written permission is granted by the Hostel Manager. Irrespective of written permission being given by parents, a request needs to be received by the Hostel Manager. The Hostel has the discretion to grant this privilege or not. There is a serious problem with congestion at the hostel so please contact the Hostel Manager for an application form if you wish to apply. Thank you to those who have followed the correct procedure.

Many thanks for your co operation.

Jo Ann van der Salm - Hostel Manager

Outdoor Furniture

Furniture made by Year 12 Student Ben Rapson. Ben's example of how to use timber in its natural state to create an attractive and functional piece of outdoor furniture is superb. We would like to thank a local timber merchant, Lewis Hore for supplying Ben with the Macrocarpa slabs with which he could design and create his masterpiece!

Operation Christmas

Once again Operation Christmas is alive and well at St Kevin's College. Thank you to all those students and families who donated gifts and also to Year 12 students Sian Waters and Danielle Simpson who helped Mrs Austin co-ordinate the collection. The Christmas Boxes will head overseas to Papua New Guinea as a special Christmas gift for local island children.

Head Boy Awarded Scholarships

Congratulations to Oliver Hailes who is the recipient of both the 2010 Russell McVeagh School Leavers' Law Scholarship and the Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship. He has also earned an associate diploma of public speaking and declaration of excellence from Speech New Zealand. Oliver, who is St Kevin's Head Boy, is pictured with his parents Danny and Sarah at the Otago Daily Times Class Act Award Ceremony which was held at the end of Term Three.

Haka Practice

Year 9 and 10 boys have been polishing their Haka as part of the Performance Unit. This Physical Education topic involves senior students in a role as advisor and mentor. November 5 is the day of the competition. Parents and supporters are welcome to view the final performances from 1 pm in the gymnasium.

Br Damian's Visit

As part of the programme of support provided by the Christian Brothers to St Kevin's College, Br Damian Price has been working with staff and students to capture the essence of our special character. On Wednesday at Assembly he asked students to vote for the statement that best encapsulated our College. Pictured are students making their choice.