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