Acting Principal's Comments

Dear Kevinians

I find it hard to believe that term 3 has come to an end. It was only yesterday, in my minds eye, that Paul Olsen waved goodbye and headed off on his sabbatical for 3 months. I suppose it is the nature of our world today and our work that time seems to fly by. It has certainly been a steep learning curve for myself to work as the Acting Principal. I have been in regular contact with Paul over this time as he has tripped his way around the Earth, using apps such as Voxer and Vibe means we take advantage of every little piece of connectivity. Gone is the time where you just vanished and returned at some later date. Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, United States, Canada, England and at the time of writing this Scotland. Paul will finish off in Ireland and Hong Kong before reappearing at school, Week 2 of Term 4.

I would like to thank my team who have stepped up and helped to run the school so efficiently this term. Justin Fowler, Karen Austin, Jo Walshe, Margaret Burton and Janette Potter have all contributed to the team effort in their own way. The school staff have been outstanding and it has been a great pleasure for me to interact with the students in a different way, working directly with the Top 6 Prefects has been a real highlight. Special thanks from me to the ladies in our office; Sue McErlane, Leanne Wolfe, Colleen Rusbatch and Cathy Taylor for their support.

We started Term 3 with a powhiri for the students from Obirin High School, Japan. They were hosted in our school for 3 weeks and experienced our own unique culture. Upon departure they booked in again for next year, so it was agreed we must have shown them a fine time. Dominican Excellence Awards were next followed by parent interviews. The list continues: Kahurangi performance, Assumption Liturgy, College Ball, Bishops Shield, St Thomas’ exchange, Drive to Survive, Excel presentation, Tournament Week, Celebration of Sport, Enduro trip and Chemistry trip, finishing the term with the Choral Festival. It takes a dedicated effort by the whole school community to make all these events work and contribute to teaching and learning. We are already hard at work on next years calendar.

Lastly, I would like to remind all students and caregivers that we have our school examinations in the first week of term 4. This has been calendared and down as an event on our Facebook page for a very long time. Students have been reminded on numerous occasions in class and school assemblies just how important these examination are: last year a stomach flu swept through our examination candidates and that resulted in 15 applications for medical derived grades for students who could not sit their examinations. We use our school exams as a means of reporting to NZQA in this situation. Every year there is someone who needs to use this process. Click here

We expect that students will use their holiday time for some rest and relaxation but also plan a significant amount of study and make good use of their time.

I wish the whole community a safe holiday.

Please keep Mr and Mrs Olsen in your prayers.

God bless you all

Kerry Ryan

Acting Principal