Principal'sChristmas Message

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

The term has had an academic focus with NCEA and Cambridge assessments challenging our seniors. The juniors have rounded off the year with assessments, camp and activity week.

Notable milestones for the term include:
· Farewelling a tremendous group of senior students at the Graduation Dinner held at the Homestead with past pupil Charlie O’Connell as the guest speaker.
· Seeing student lead performances with the haka presentations in the junior performance unit. This had a focus on team work and leadership.
· Celebration of Pasifika achievement in the Fono which was held at the College. It showcased the success of our many talented Pasifika students.
· Recognition of exceptional dedication and service as we said goodbye to rowing coach Stewart Mitchell as he left to heed north in retirement.
We are a strong and vibrant community that celebrated achievement, diversity and dedication. We are a College that seeks to live in the way of Edmund Rice and St Dominic our patrons.

As the junior choir sing Silent Night and Away in a Manger in preparation for the final prizegiving liturgy, it is a timely reminder that the year is fast drawing to a close. We have entered the Advent Season, which is a time of reflection on the year that was and preparation for the future, symbolised in the Christmas Story. It is this message of hope that is central to our Christian faith. The prizegiving liturgy makes the link to the 100th anniversary of World War One and the famous “Christmas Truce”. For a fleeting moment both British and German troops ceased fire and went so far as to have a game of football and exchange mementos. It is this linkage to historical events that helps us to learn from these tragic events and cherish the quality of life we enjoy as a wider school family and a College of Special Character.

May you receive every Christmas blessing, spend time with family and remember the true meaning of the season which is often hidden behind the Christmas tinsel and marketing.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Paul Olsen, Principal

Beauty And The Beast

Song list for leading roles:

Maruice - No Matter What

Gaston - Me

Belle - Home

Lumiere - Be Our Guest

Beast - If I Can't Love Her

Mrs Potts - Beauty And The Beast

Lefou - Gaston

India Immersion Trip

In 2015 the Edmund Rice Network is proposing an ERN Immersion Trip to India.  SKC Y12 students who might be interested in knowing more about this trip should attend the College meeting to be held in February 2015 and/or contact the DRS, Mr Mullally (tmullally@stkevins.school.nz), for further details.

Christmas Liturgy & Prize Giving

All-round Cultural Prizes
Contribution to Culture Female Ceilidh Brookes
Contribution to Culture Male Levi Sherman

All-round Sports Prizes
Junior Sportswoman (Camellia Cup) Molly Kay
Junior Sportsman (Boyle Cup) Angus Macaulay
Outstanding Sportsman (Carrickmore Cup) Jaxson MacDonald-Piner

Special Prizes
Awarded for Diligence and Determination (The Daniel Gillies Memorial Cup) Madeleine Harrop

Awarded for Service to the College (SKC Prize) Tivinia Misiloi

Year Nine Academic Awards
9S
Levi Sherman English, Science, Mathematics, Religious Studies, Social Studies
Molly Kay Physical Education
Liam Elliott Religious Studies
Emma Mulligan Diligence
David Xie Diligence

9K
Ben McCarthy English, Physical Education
Sarah Dodd Mathematics
Samantha Jorgensen Social Studies, Science
Ellie Graham Religious Studies
Georgia Vickers Diligence
Madeleine Harrop Diligence
Madisyn Lesquillier Diligence

9C
Connie Metcalfe English, Science, Social Studies
Brytnee Firman Mathematics
Rebecca Whittet Religious Studies
Ramesh Khatri Physical Education
Briana Balcombe Diligence
Jordan Kennedy Diligence
Caitlin Middlemiss Diligence

Year Ten Academic Awards
10S
Ella Hitchcock English
Adam Sew Hoy Mathematics, Financial Literacy, Science, Religious Studies, Cambridge Mathematics
Holly Malcolm Social Studies, Agriculture
Jacqui Malcolm Art
Belen Mino Zubiri Food & Nutrition
Harriet Hanning Agriculture
Imogen Brown Music
Louie Baster Digital Technology, Special Prize for Achievement in Mandarin
Diane Vidallon Fifth Chinese Calligraphy Competition in 2014
Kalas Taukamo Physical Education
Ceilidh Brookes Diligence
Amy Hunter Diligence

10K
Emma-Kate Newlove English, Social Studies
Tamara Gutsell Mathematics
Leam Ryan Science, Religious Studies, Physical Education
Angus Macaulay Material Technology
Brittany Weir Art
Zoe McCormick Diligence

Otago Cricket Rep

Congratulations to Amber Cunningham who was named in the Otago U15 Girls Cricket team this week following final trials last weekend.  Amber will travel with the team to a national tournament in Whanganui in January.  Well done!

Year 10 Camp 2014

While a dull drizzle hampered some activities later in the week, the overall weather conditions for Y10 Camp were ideal.  This particular camp is always considered to be a highlight of a student's time at St Kevin's and this year was no exception.  Thank you to Mr Collins and all of the staff who chaperoned and fed students throughout the week, and also to the student helpers who also attended.  

Year 9 Activities Week

Year 9 students have had the run of the College to themselves this week and a wide range of activities has ensured they always had something to do.  From Taekwondo to baking, mask making to water slides ... a movie and a swim with some ten pin bowling thrown in for good measure.  Thank you to Ms Walshe and her team for facilitating this great week.

Can You Help Teen Ag

Can you helpTeen Ag? 

The 2015 Teen Ag Regional Finals will be held at the North Otago A&P Show in February. Last year four of our club members made it to the national finals, so we are looking to do even better next year. If you have time to offer some farm skills training we would love to hear from you. Please email our Agriculture teacher Paula Eatherley at peatherley@stkevins.school.nz

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinian's and Supporters of the College

This week Silent Night and Away in a Manger could be heard when passing the Auditorium. The Junior Choir have been polishing their advent hymns and carols for the final prizegiving liturgy. It is a timely reminder that not only is the year fast drawing to a close, but more importantly we have entered the Advent Season. Advent is a time of reflection on the year that was and preparation, anticipation and hope for the future, symbolised in the Christmas Story. It is this message of hope that is central to our Christian faith. It is a well of strength to draw from in times of challenge. The death of past pupil, Shaun Kelliher this week shook our community to the core. Past pupils gathered in the Chapel on Monday afternoon for a liturgy. It was a time of loss, sorrow and of inadequacy, with an overwhelming feeling of solidarity and faith. At the conclusion, the boys performed a haka and we gathered at Redcastle for a cup of tea. Our prayers are with Mark, Suzanne and the boys as they come to grips with the tragic loss of Shaun. Mr Dixon, our guidance counselor is available to talk to anyone who would like some support and is happy to take a phone call from past students and those at a distance.

On Monday and Tuesday we welcomed Brother Joe Lauren and Brother Bernard Gartland to the College. Br Joe has been a member of the Brother’s Oceania Leadership Team with responsibility for the College and is transitioning the role to Br Bernie. It was a pleasure to be able to show them the developments we have been working on over the last year and receive an update from their perspective. The brothers had the opportunity to meet our Board of Trustees Chair, Steven Bolstridge, Foundation Chair, Terry Cooney and Baxter Smith who represented the Hostel Trust. We extend our thanks and appreciation to Br Joe for the work he has done championing our College over the past twelve years.

May God bless you this advent season.
Paul Olsen, Principal

Y9 Activities Week Programme

YEAR 9 ACTIVITIES WEEK SCHEDULE

In order to give parents and caregivers time to have uniforms cleaned and tidy for the Junior Prizegiving students are to wear mufti from Monday till Thursday and No.1's on Friday.  Practice for the Junior Prizegiving will be held on Friday morning.  

Students will need swimming togs and a towel for the days they are swimming.  Please note that the College has expectations around appropriate mufti dress and due to the changeable nature of the weather at present students are advised to bring warm clothing each day.  

Year 10 Drama

Year 10 Drama

In 2015 Drama will be an option for Yr10 students as a pathway to NCEA Senior Drama courses in Yr 11, 12 and 13.  If you would like to speak with Mrs Newton regarding this course please email her or contact the school office.  Alternatively contact Mr Gower regarding option changes.

mnewton@stkevins.school.nz
rgower@stkevins.school.nz

Y10 Camp Preparations Under Way

Y10 Camp preparations are under way with kayaking lessons being held with Mr Haig at the Oamaru Intermediate swimming pool.  With an emphasis on gaining confidence and safety, groups have been having two hour sessions under the watchful eye of a freestyle kayaking New Zealand representative!

Ki O Rahi

Based in Maori legend this exciting game was taken to World War II by the Maori Battalion where they played against French and Italian soldiers and local civilians.  Two teams of students (Tu meke and Kia kaha) traveled to Caroline Bay in Timaru for an exciting day of Ki o rahi!   Both the boys and the girls team took out their finals in two very closely matched games, and the mixed team Tu meke took the overall trophy.  The SKC MVP for the girls was Amy Hunter and the boys Fem Bootsan.  Levi Emery was name the SKC Sportsmanship recipient.  Thank you to Miss Casey, Mrs Evans and Mrs Kitto who traveled with the teams and also to Mike Mullans and Gina Healey from Youthtown who helped the teams prepare so successfully.

Game results:
Tu meke v Mountain View High School Yr10:  16-10 win
Kia kaha v Mountain View High School Yr9:  11-1 win
Boys v Mountain View High School:  20-7 win
Girls v Mountain View High School:  16-16 draw
Tu meke v Kia kaha:  17-6 win
Tu meke v Mountain View High School Yr9:  9-9 draw
Boys v Timaru Boys High School:  14-13 win
Kia kaha v Mountain View High School Yr10:  13-11 win
Boys v Timaru Boys High School (final):  13-12 win
Girls v Mountain View High School (final):  12-11 win

Ashburton Club Regatta

SKC rowing brought home 4 golds, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal at the Ashburton Club Regatta at the weekend.  Hard work and dedication paid off for Adam Sew Hoy and Kalas Taukamo who combined with 2 Waitaki athletes to bring home gold in the U16 Quad and U16 Four.  They then followed this up with a commanding performance in their Double to take the silver.  Sydney Telfer and Maysie Scott (WGHS) with continued strong performances took home 2 golds in the Women's Open and Club Doubles.  Georgia Dyson and Molly Kay teamed up with 2 Craighead atheletes to win a bronze in the U16 Quad with Katie McKeown coxing.  Molly Kay also coxed the boys U16 Four in a gold medal winning performance.  Well done to all the SKC and Y8 atheletes who attended the regatta.  The build up to a great season will continue with the Otago Regatta in December.

Graduates Final Farewell

On Saturday evening our Year 13 Graduates gathered at the Homestead in Oamaru for a final farewell from St Kevin's College, celebrating with family and staff at the 2014 Graduation Dinner.  The guest speaker for the evening was Otago rugby captain Charlie O'Connell and he recounted his time at St Kevin's and his path to success with both rugby and an executive career.  Whilst not always a smooth ride he encouraged our graduates to persevere with their goals and aim high.  On behalf of the College we wish all of our Year 13 Graduates the very best as they head out to the world to continue their studies or begin career paths of their own.

Landcare Trust Programme

Levi Sherman and Jordan Kennedy (both Yr9) are getting involved in a two month monitoring programme to improve water quality, reduce soil erosion and enhance biodiversity in the Kakanui catchment and beyond.  A number of sites have been established to determine which insects and invertebrates were living in different areas.  Signs of a healthy ecosystem will be well received news by local farmers.

Pasifika Fono

On Friday the Auditorium was filled with the sounds of song and visions of dance as the community came together from across the local district in a celebration of the Pasifika Success Talanoa Project.  Groups from schools across Oamaru performed awards were presented to students for excellence.  Thank you to all the families who joined us for the evening, and to the many parents, teachers and helpers who aided performers and put together a wonderful supper to conclude the celebration.

Performance Unit Results

Thank you to all  of the parents and caregivers who joined us on Friday for the presentation of our Junior Performance Unit.  A special thank you to our judges - Ms Walshe, Mr Dixon, Isobel Ryan, Chris Kearney and past pupil Gina Healey from Youthtown.  Two new awards were presented to students for outstanding individual performances.  Congratulations to Tivinia Misiloi (Outstanding Female Performance) and Levi Emery (Outstanding Male Performance).  

Class results for Yr9 - 9S (1st), 9K (2nd), 9C (3rd)

Class results for Yr10 - 10C (1st), 10S (2nd), 10K (3rd)