Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and supporters of the College

Today we celebrated the Feast Day of St Dominic at our Friday Mass. Thank you to local Dominican Sister, Mary Horn, who challenged us to to reflect on our College charism in a contemporary setting. This decade the Dominicans have been celebrating milestones on their way to the 800 anniversary of the Order's formation in 2016. The motto of the Dominicans is Veritas (Truth). The quest for truth is central to a Dominican education and deeply underpins our FIRE Values. Examples include: Integrity - being true to our mission and Excellence - the pursuit of truth in all we do. We thank our local Sisters for their presence, guidance and hard work in our local community.

Following Mass, Year 12 and 13 students attended the Mayoral commemoration ceremony for the centenary of the Battle of Chunuk Bair. This poignant service was very fittingly held in the Hall of Memories at Waitaki Boys' High School. Our students joined locals in the firing party, pipe band and our head students were flag bearers. Mayor Kircher and guest speakers highlighted the tremendous loss of life to the Otago Mounted Rifles in the fateful battle and the impact that this had on the North Otago community. I wish to extend my thanks to the organisers for arranging such a moving tribute to those who died. May we keep alive the memories of those who were killed in at Gallipoli in this tragic battle. I finish with the fourth stanza from Laurence Binyon's poem For the Fallen.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them. 

May God bless you all
Paul Olsen, Principal