Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

This week was the last of formal tuition for seniors as they prepare for their NCEA external examination. At our Tuesday assembly we celebrated student academic achievement with the presentation of certificates for the international Mathematics and Science competitions. The outstanding level of achievement of our top students is pleasing and it is satisfying to see the high level of participation and engagement of students generally. Senior reports are being emailed home and published in the parent portal on Musac Edge today. Musac has had a minor software glitch this week. This should now be resolved but if you have an issues around reports please contact the school office.

On Wednesday the student leaders delivered their annual valedictory assembly. Pictures of the year 13 group were shared with the College and as always the year 9 images were greeted with a smile.  At the end of the assembly, student performed a farewell haka for long serving staff member Mr Peter Burton, who had retired. The haka was delivered with passion and it was a poignant moment for Peter as he acknowledged the occasion and thanked the students for their support.

Following on from Mr Burton's retirement, is a pleasure to be able to formally announce the appointment of Mrs Sara Plunket to the position of Head of the Arts Faculty, commencing next year. Mrs Plunket has been a teacher of art at the College and has also had the role of Arts Co-ordinator within the College. We wish her success in her new appointment.

Today I attended the Gold Award presentation ceremony for the Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Awards. Head Girl, Sydney Telfer, was among the recipients presented with their award by Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae. The Gold Award is a significant and as a school we are committed to this excellent program. Later this evening we will celebrate the achievement of our sporting winners at the Aoraki Sports Awards in Timaru. We congratulate all the nominees.

Finally this week, I would like to extend an invitation to our community to join us for our end of year Mass and Prizegiving on Monday evening commencing at 7pm.

Hei konā mai i roto i ngā mihi
Paul Olsen, Principal

Mufti Day Fundraiser

The hostel girls had a bit of fun with the Leo Club Breast Cancer Awareness mufti day fundraiser.  As well as a donation for the mufti day, students and staff also supported the Leo Club sausage sizzle and bake sale with pink themed cupcakes.  

Y13 Final Assembly

This week assembly was particularly special as it noted the last assembly at St Kevin's for our Y13 students.  There was a moment to reflect on their journey from Y9 before they were dismissed for the last time.  Following assembly students gathered in front of the Auditorium steps to acknowledge Mr Burton who is retiring after many years service to the College.  We wish Mr Burton and our Y13 students all the very best.

Auckland University Scholarship

Congratulations to Sydney Telfer who has been awarded a Central Otago Lakes Trust Scholarship worth $2500 and also a University of Auckland Scholarship valued at up to $50000 over three years.  With over 1300 applications for this particular Auckland University Scholarship, only 121 have been awarded throughout New Zealand for study commencing in 2016.  Well done Sydney and to all of our Year 13 students.... all the very best for your end of year exams and your work or study paths in 2016.

More Scholarship Success

Well done to Georgia Haggerty and Julia Fauth who have both been awarded a Central Otago Lakes Trust Scholarship worth $2500.  Julia has also received a University of Victoria Excellence Award valued at $6000.  Congratulations girls! 

Mana Pounamu Young Achievers Awards

Quin Paterson (Y13) and Reuben Mihaere (Y11) were proud recipients of the Mana Pounamu Young Achievers Award at a special ceremony held in Dunedin on Friday evening.  Supported by friends and family their achievements in the areas of culture, leadership, academia and sport were celebrated before they were presented with their awards.  Congratulations on this very special recognition.

St Kevin's And 45 South

 The weather cleared today just in time for the opening of the 45 South facilities at the College.  They will be part of the new Broadcasting Academy which begins next year and the local TV station was welcomed by Mr Olsen at today's ceremony.  After a few words of reply from Mr Terry Kent (Chair of 45 South) Mr Mullally offered a prayer before Y12 student Savana Braxton was invited forward to cut the ribbon.  Students and guests from both the College and 45 South were then given the opportunity to look through the studio and editing room, and hear more about the plans for both 45 South and the Broadcasting Academy.  

Leaders Of Tomorrow Scholarships

Congratulations to Brady Kingan and Jack Sinclair who have been awarded a University of Otago Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship.  This particular scholarship is valued at $6000.  Well done boys!

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

This week staff have been busy writing the end of year reports for seniors. They are the final formal opportunity to give feedback to students as they approach their external examinations. We are expecting these to be published to the caregivers portal and emailed to caregivers early next week.

On Wednesday, our assembly featured a fashion parade displaying the textile students' garments, a presentation to Paea Palaa as the winner of the Woohoo People's Choice Rugby Award, and a report back from my visit to Johannesburg for Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders. Congratulations to Paea and well done to all of our textile students.

On Thursday the BYOD evening was held in the Library and we were joined by the team from Noel Leeming. This was an opportunity to talk to our IT and technology staff about the best choice in personal devices for students.  With the expense of such a wide range of options available, making the right choice is all important.

Finally this week we acknowledge Quin Paterson and Reuben Mihaere, recipients of the Mana Pounamu Young Achievers' Award for 2015.  They will be presented with their awards at a ceremony in Dunedin this evening.  Congratulations on this well deserved achievement.

Hei konā mai i roto i ngā mihi
Paul Olsen, Principal

WooHoo People's Choice Winner

Congratulations to Paea Palaa who was acknowledged as the winner of the WooHoo People's Choice Award at assembly this week.  Aaron Hegarty, Director NZ Tax Refunds Ltd was on hand to present two cheques, one for $2000 to the College Rugby Club and one for Paea for $1000, and created a sea of Woohoo moments with t-shirt giveaways.  Well done Paea and thank you NZ Tax Refunds for this valuable contribution towards rugby at the College.

Scholarship Winners

There are a number of students at the College who have received scholarships for their ongoing studies next year and we are delighted to share the first of many with you.  Congratulations to Mitali Singh who has been awarded the University of Otago Academic Excellence Scholarship, worth $45,000 over three years.  Well done Mitali and all the best for your studies.

World Series Maths Competition

Y11 Maths students took part in the Education Perfect World Series Maths Competition last term, an online 10 day event across New Zealand, Australia and internationally where students gain points for themselves and the school by answering correct maths questions.  The results have been released and encouraged by the fire of competition the College had outstanding success, placing 3rd across the competition for a school of our size (51-100 students entered ... 81 students from the College competed), and 8th over all of the 877 schools entered worldwide.   Well done to all of the students who gained points for the College, and a special congratulations to Holly Malcolm who placed in the top 2% of competitors worldwide.

A Gold Award for Holly who placed in the top 2% worldwide

Ami and Jacqui grabbed a Silver Award with a top 5% placing

Our Bronze Award (top 10% worldwide) winners - note Amy Hunter also achieved a Bronze Award

Full credit for your Credit Awards and a top 20% placing

Aoraki Tennis Champs

Congratulations to Zane SewHoy, Brylee More, Sarah Dodd and Joel Pickles who competed at the Aoraki Junior Tennis Tournament earlier this week and claimed the champion title of the Mixed Grade after taking out Roncalli A in the final.  Well done!

Textile Talent

 The design talents of our textile students was on display at the Celebration of Culture with the Fashion Show once again included in the evening.  The design theme for Y12 was Ancient Mayan with a modern Mexican influence, the Y13's were given the theme of Ancient Egypt with a New Zealand flavour.  Congratulations to all of the students on your beautiful designs.

Celebration of Culture

 Last Thursday the Auditorium was full to the brim with culture, with the annual Celebration of Culture hitting the stage. The audience were treated to a wonderful evening and our textile students also celebrated their creativity with the SKC 2015 Project Runway Fashion Show.

"The Celebration of Culture reflected the huge variety, talent,warmth and humour of our school artisans" - Jo Walshe,

Congratulations to our Premier Award winners for the evening Karan Ratgali who was named Outstanding Male in the area of Culture at the College and took home the Jibi Kunnethedam Cup, and GypsyMae Harihona Harrison and Georgia Sillibourne who were named Outstanding Female in the area of Culture at the College and share the Karen Austin Cup.

Drama
Best Director House Drama - Glendalough Cup - Mitali Singh
Best Actor in House Drama - WaterfordCup  -Michael Stevens
Best Actress in House Drama – St Rose of Lima Cup - Julia Fauth
Most Promising Actor in House Drama - Karan Ratgali
Best Set Design - House Drama - Magee House:
Champion House - St Dominic Cup and St Kevin’s College Cup - Whyte House

Female Lead in a School Production – SKC Cup - Georgia Sillibourne
Male Lead in a School Production – SKC Cup - Reuben Mihaere & Joshua Mullally
Outstanding Performance in a School Production – SKC Cup - Ilaisipa Tahaafe & Mark Whittet
Best Stage Crew Member - Mitchell Lowen & Antonio Misiloi

Bishop’s Shield – Best Junior Drama Performance Shea Direen

Scripture Reading
Year 13 Scripture Reading - Teschemakers Cup - Mitali Singh
Year 12 Scripture Reading- St Thomas’ Cup - Mark Whittet
Year 11 Scripture Reading - Dooley Family Cup - Ceilidh Brookes
Year 10 Scripture Reading - Christian Brothers Cup - Levi Sherman
Year 9 Scripture Reading - Dominican Cup - Nicholas Plieger

Chess
Chess – Potter Cup - Liam Hartland

Public Speaking
The Race Unity Speech Awards - 1st in Regional Competition - Karan Ratgali
Lion’s Regional Speech – 1st place Senior - Jino Kunnethedam
Lion’s Regional Speech – 1st place Junior - Anna Craig

Year 9 Speech Competition - Durcan Cup - Kayleigh Gill
Year 10 Speech Competition – Edmund Rice Cup - Madeleine Harrop
Year 10 Cambridge Speech Competition - Jackson Cup for Public Speaking - Rebecca Whittet
Year 11 Speech Competition - Pickworth Cup - Holly Malcolm
Year 12 Speech Competition - Gavan Herlihy Cup - Karan Ratgali
Year 13 Speech Competition – Isobel Ryan Cup - Mitali Singh

Singing
Senior Boys Singing - Cayford Cup - Kurt Mordeno
Senior Girls Singing - Dorothy Cayford Challenge Cup - Georgia Sillibourne
Junior Boys Singing - Cayford Cup - Jonte Kydd-Law
Junior Girls Singing - Johnston Cup - Polly Harper
Duet - Mihaere Cup - Georgia Sillibourne & Tivinia Misiloi
Small Group – Vincent Cup - Ilaisipa Tahaafe, Georgia Sillibourne & GypsyMae Harihona Harrison
Best Conductor - Warwick Newton Memorial Cup - Georgia Vickers
Best Student Accompanist - Helen Mulheron Trophy - Eva Liardet
Winning House Choir - Treacy House
Champion House Singing Cup - Henderson Rose Bowl - Treacy House

Musician of theYear - Tisdall Shield - Shaun Andales
Contribution to Music - Ahomana Award - Jack Sinclair
Leading Pasifika Cultural Group Choreographer - SKC Cup -Sophia Alaloto
Contribution to Kapa Haka – Kia Kaha Award - GypsyMae Harihona Harrison 

Te Mana Wahine Whakatipu Female Multi Cultural Leadership Award - Susilia Kauapa
Te Mana Tane Whakatipu Male Multi Cultural Leadership Award - Antonio Misiloi

Art
Best Emerging Artist - Samantha Jorgensen
School Student Photographer - Michaela Mulligan,Charlotte Page & Evie Sefton
Art Certificates of Achievement - Darcy Green, Meghan McCorkindale, Nadia Kerr, Ami Wallis, Bryony Brown, Laura Pickles, Rosie Pope &Dion Pope

Debating
Junior Debating - St Catherine of Siena Cup - Treacy: Rebecca Whittet, Rhiannon Johnston & Seth Humphries
Best Speaker Junior Debates – SKC Cup - Rebecca Whittet
Senior Debating - Home & School Cup - Treacy: Michael Lockley, Max Stewart & Mark Whittet
Best Speaker Senior Debates - Guzman Cup - Julia Fauth

Writing & Piping
Year 9 Writing Prize - Cara Anderson
Year 10 Writing Prize - Connie Metcalfe
Year 11 Writing Prize - Monique Sage
Year 12 Writing Prize - GypsyMae Harihona Harrison
College Piper - Callum Bishop
College Piper - Natalie Preston

Principal's Message

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

Welcome back as we enter into the final term for the year. It has been a very busy start to, what is for many of our students, a very short term. On Wednesday night, our Home and School ladies hosted the community at the Preen Fashion show. This was a great success and is an excellent example of the hard work and dedication our Home and School puts into our school. I would like to publically thank all of the people concerned.

Last night, we held our annual Celebration of Culture, where we showcased some of the talent our students have displayed throughout the year. It was wonderful for the school community to also see the way in which community groups like Musical Theatre Oamaru provide opportunities for our staff and students to come together to share their talents. I would like to thank everyone who made the night so special and all of those people who work hard to support culture in our school over the year.

Next week, the focus is on our BYOD ( Bring Your Own Device) evening on Thursday which will provide an opportunity for whanau to explore options around providing computers or tablets to their students.

As always, the focus for our students needs to be preparation for exams at this time of the year. We are all, I am sure familiar with the old adage, “Fail to prepare, prepare to fail”.

Hei konā mai i roto i ngā mihi
Paul Olsen, Principal

Courtney Kerin Kayaking Award

We were delighted to welcome back to the College international kayaker and past pupil Courtney Kerin this week.  She was at assembly on Wednesday to present Justine Middlemass with the Courtney Kerin Kayaking Award.  Well done Justine!

Top Shot Nationals

There were some top shots made by Ellie Monk and Jessica Fraser at the North Island and NZ Nationals for trap shooting over the holidays!  Check out this news from our St Kevin's Sports Facebook page ...

TRAPSHOOTING.............
Over the holidays Jessica Fraser and Ellie Monk competed in the North Island and New Zealand Nationals for Trap Shooting.  Ellie was attending for the 1st time and shot extremely well to end with a 4th placing in the NI Skeet Competition.
Jessica shot amazing....in fact I don't know where to start....I will start with Jessica out shot boys/men at this Tournament and was one shot off winning a $8,000 gun...next year Jess.
Jessica's results -
NORTH ISLAND RESULTS
2ns Girls Skeet
2nd High Gun
NATIONAL RESULTS
1st Girls Points Score
1st Girls Single Rise
3rd Girls Regional Team - after a shoot off
High Overall in the Girls Individual Regional Team (Jess was the Highest Scoring Individual)
Selected for South Island Open team (which consisted of 4 boys and Jess is normally a all boys team) and The South Island Team beat the North Island Team.

Thank you to the sponsors of NO Trap Shooting - Tex On Site, Ohug, Roger Skene Building, Apex Engineering, Clements Electrical, Hunting & Fishing North Otago, Jacksons Cranes & Heavy Haulage.

National Gymnast

Congratulations to Y10 student Caitlin Middlemiss who competed in gymnastics at the nationals over the school holidays.  On the first day of competition she placed 5th overall 5th on floor and 6th on beam which qualified her to compete in the second round.  On the second day she placed 7th overall, 2nd on beam and 5th on floor.  She also received a proficiency badge for scoring over 52.00 points.  What a great result.  Well done!

Boys And Girls At Nationals

Both the Boys Top V and the Girls Top V Basketball squads traveled to Palmerston North for the national tournament in the holidays.  The boys finished a successful year on the court with a 5th placing and the girls took away valuable experience after a very physical series of games!   Well done to you all and thank you to all of the coaches, managers, parents and sponsors who supported the students efforts at national level.  A special congratulations to Matt Brien who was named in the Tournament Team!

Rowing Camp Shots

There were early starts a plenty for our SKC rowing athletes during the school holidays with a training camp in Twizel, facilitated by the Oamaru Rowing Club.  There is a long established history of rowing at the College and it looks set to continue in years to come.

Top 10 Result

In the first of our school holiday news, congratulations to Hamish McAtamney (Y10) who took on the nation's best at the NZSS Pool 4 School Tournament as a member of the Aoraki team.  After making the Top 12 Hamish played off and finished 7th individually, with the Aorki team coming in 2nd place.  Well done!

Faith Refreshers