Principals Message

Dear Parents and Friends of St Kevin's

A huge thank you to everyone who made last Fridays sports evening possible, particularly Janelle Casey, Louise Bee,  Anne-Marie Forgie and the many other Home & School helpers.  I was heartened by the excellent attendance and professional delivery that typified the occasion. Our guest speaker, Mr Warren Lees, had a strong message about achievement that was well pitched and delivered in an entertaining manner. The convivial surroundings and family support for the evening will ensure that it becomes a regular event on the College calendar.

Last evening the annual Choral Festival was an outstanding success. The Choral Festival is the main event on the term three cultural calendar and I would like to thank Mrs Haig for the hours of planning and preparation together with auditions and rehearsals that have gone on before the evening. I would like to also thank our staff for helping with supervision and stage management as well as Helen Mulheron for her piano accompaniment of the choirs.  The evening is an opportunity for students to not only display their vocal talents, but to also for some students to receive recognition by achieving NCEA credits for their performances.

At the end of the evening I took the opportunity to have students model our proposed uniform changes. They are a "school blue" square cut shirt for junior boys replacing the grey shirt and a white short sleeve summer blouse for the girls replacing the tuck in blouse. Both of these items are planned to be introduced to the uniform requirements for the 2013 Year 9  intake. Year 10 and 11 boys and all other girls will phase these items in as their existing uniform is replaced. The number one uniform, with its white shirt, remains unchanged. Blue shirts are not to be worn with blazers.

The subject selection booklets were distributed last week and I have noted a dramatic increase in number of inquires about possible courses. One area that is still being developed is the Vocational Pathway. After a constructive meeting with stakeholders from Aoraki Polytechnic and the Ministry of Education, I  am pleased to see progress on Agricultural, Carpentry and Cookery Courses for 2013. Students who will be in Year 12 and 13  next year who are keen to pursue these options should register their interest with Mrs Manson, our Careers Adviser, on Monday. It  is important that we get numbers sorted in order that the polytechnic can reserve the correct number of places in these courses.

Finally I would like to thank Mr Hitchcock for the work that he has done organising Sunday ski trips this term. Your dedication and commitment have been appreciated by all those who have had the opportunity to board and ski at Ohau. We also would like to acknowledge the superb deals and service that we receive from the friendly and supportive team at the Ohau Snow Fields.

May God Bless You

Paul Olsen
Principal