Deputy Principals Comment

Kia Ora Kevinians and Friends in the St Kevin's Community

It was with great pleasure that I traveled to Auckland this week to address a meeting of Past Pupils who live in out largest city.  I left the College well prepared with banners, year books, pamphlets etc and also prepared a power point entitled 'St Kevin's College Redcastle: then, now and the future'.  I didn't know what sort of generational spread I would have in the group so I tried to cover all bases.  Brother Don Murray had been acting as my liaison and he met me at the airport.  Auckland was its usual hot and humid self, the group met at the Cornwall Cricket Club where the view of Maungakiekie [One Tree Hill - except it has no tree on top now] was outstanding.  Around 60 people were in attendance featuring many St Kevin's Old Boys but also Teschemakers Past Pupils.  After nibbles and introductions I spoke to the group for at least an hour, there was much banter and great memories shared.  The night was a tremendous success and it was agreed that another would be arranged next year and the network would be expanded by each person there getting two others to come along.  I am therefore looking forward to addressing one hundred and eighty people at a much bigger venue.

On the home front the school has been humming along nicely with the Year 12 Cycling trip returning after 3 days away, Scripture Reading was held on Tuesday and as usual the standard was high.  A number of our teachers are heading off to train in the PB4L Project. Positive Behaviour for Learning represents a major shift in managing disruptive behaviour by students in our education system.

· Positive behaviour is a prerequisite to improving the engagement and achievement of our children and young people.

· Positive behaviour can be learnt, and difficult and disruptive behaviour can be unlearnt.

· Individual children are not a ‘problem’ – we need to change the environment around them to support positive behaviour.

· Punishing and isolating children doesn’t bring about long-term and sustainable changes in behaviour.

· We need to concentrate on a small number of evidence-based programmes and frameworks that we know work.

· There are no quick fixes. Behaviour change takes time.

This will be a challenge, which these lead teachers will bring back to the full staff.  I suspect St Kevin's is well placed to take advantage of this initiative as we have been integrating many of these aspects by stealth for a number of years.

We also welcomed Elton Crane from Road Safety Waitaki to the College with "The Ripple Effect" presentation for our Year 11, 12 and 13 students.  It was a hard hitting yet poignant look at how the choices our young people are making effect the lives of all those around us and it encouraged them to make positive decisions when taking to the road.  I encourage students to discuss their thoughts on the presentation and the topic of road safety in general at home.

Lastly we look forward to Mr Olsen's return to school next week as he has been in China visiting our brother/sister school establishing the relationship and fostering connections.

May God bless you

Kerry Ryan