Friday, July 29, 2016

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

Welcome back to Term 3. As I look out from Redcastle, you could be forgiven for thinking it was spring, with the mild temperatures and first buds.

This term is shorter, with only 9 weeks, but the calendar is full and jam packed with events.

As you will see later in the blog, we have some new faces to the College. Welcome to Qin Cynthia SUN and Rui Alice PENG. They are the new Mandarin Language Assistants and will be based in St Kevin’s College. We thank the Confucius Institute for their continued support for this Chinese language programme. Welcome also to our four GAP students: Marleen, Moritz, Hannes and Leonie form Germany. We trust your stay will be rewarding and enjoyable.

On Wednesday we held a powhiri to welcome our Japanese guests from Obirin High School in Tokyo. It is always a pleasure to entertain people from other countries and cultures. Thank you to the many families who have hosted students. It is a privilege for Sandra and I to have Obirin Deputy Principal, Mr Ito, with us at the Castle. I hope that the experience enriches the families who are offering their hospitality so generously.


Finally to set the scene for the new term, I would encourage caregivers to have a conversation with those in their home, focusing on two things:
  1. Meeting their commitments to winter sport and culture as the season draws to an end, and
  2. Putting genuine effort into their academic studies in preparation the end of term examinations.
May God bless you
Paul Olsen, Principal

Papakaio Stars In Your Eyes


At the end of last term the Papakaio community held a fundraiser for their community hall.  It was a live show called Stars In Your Eyes and saw people from across the district performing as their favourite artists.  In it's second year there was a strong line up of Kevinians .... Serena O'Brien as Christina Perri, Tia Hunter as Natalie Maine of the Dixie Chicks, Mekeisha Hurley as Carrie Underwood and even Ms Walshe as Alanis Morisette and Mr Nyika as Bob Marley!  It was a fantastically fun show and a big congratulations to Mr Nyika (aka Bob) for taking the first place trophy home!  Well done also to Scott Neal (one of our College parents) who was picked by the audience for his performance as Billy Idol.




Thursday, July 28, 2016

Welcome To The College Family

As well as joining in the Welcome Powhiri for Obirin High School, the newest members of the College Family had the opportunity to introduce themselves at assembly this week.  Max Stewart sat down for a chat with Alice and Cynthia (our new Mandarin teachers) and while Thomas Pickles quizzed up the four gappers who have arrived from Germany - Marleen, Moritz, Hannes and Leonie.

Obirin Visitors Arrive


This week we welcomed our visitors from Obirin High School in Machida City, Tokyo, Japan.  They will be part of the College Community for just under three weeks and we thank those families from the College who have opened their homes to host them during their stay.  They will study English language, join their St Kevin's "buddies" in classes and enjoy excursions to educational points of interest.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Year 11 English

YEAR 11 ENGLISH

We have been given the opportunity to trial digital assessment for our external examinations this year. This means in the external examinations students will be given the opportunity to use a computer to type their essays as opposed to being hand written. If they would like to do this please contact Mrs Evans by Friday (29 July).

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Mrs Evans.

U19 National Tournament Team

Y13 student Matt Brien is standing tall following selection to the U19 National Tournament Team.  Matt played for the Otago Mens U19 team at nationals in Nelson during the holidays and is stoked to be recognised in such a competitive field of players.  Well done Matt!

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

ANZ Olympic Schools

The Olympics are just around the corner and you can do your bit to inspire and motivate students through the Olympic Values with practical resources and equipment!

As a registered ANZ Olympic School you can provide the College with additional resources when you choose ANZ for your next home or business loan of $50,000 or over, simply by letting bank staff know that St Kevin's College is an ANZ Olympic School.  By collecting points (similar to Fly Buys or Air Points) we can redeem them for a great choice of items - CLICK HERE to see just some of things on offer!

For more information visit the ANZ website - CLICK HERE for the Olympic Schools page - or call in to your local branch and speak to one of their staff.


Monday, July 25, 2016

English Tutorials

CLICK HERE to view the schedule of tutorials from Mrs Evans.  While tutorials will be based around the texts studied in Mrs Evans’ class any students are welcome to attend.  If no-one arrives within the first 5 minutes the tutorial will be cancelled.  Please come prepared with questions or ideas about what you would like to cover. If you have received a 1 for effort in your ATLs you will not be able to attend tutorials.  Any questions see Mrs Evans.

1966 1st XV

Back Row  -  Ian Dee, David Adams, Michael Woodlock, Danny Boyle, Les Templeton, Philip Lynch.
       Front Row  -  Max Laloli, Paul Langford, Tony Croft, Terry Cairns, Leo Boyle, Kevin Inder.
Old Boys from the 1966 1st XV reunited in Oamaru to support this years line up during the annual match against Waitaki Boys' and there were smiles all round as they enjoyed a game "where little separated the teams".   What a great occasion to come together to share good memories and good rugby!

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Helping Youth Deal with Depression.

During the Edmund Rice Conference held this weekend at St Kevin's College, the online support tool SPARX was introduced by presenters Dr. Deirdre Brown and Hamish Sutherland. The following clip is an introduction for parents and caregiver's. SPARX was developed by the University of Auckland and uses a student friendly gaming format. It is endorsed by Sir John Kirwan.

Friday, July 8, 2016

Final Score


The big game of the day went the way of the Waitaki in 2016 with a final score of 8-19.  It was a hard fought battle and our congratulations to Mr Fowler and the boys on a great game of rugby to finish off a great day of interschool action.

Check out the Facebook page for more photos.  www.facebook.com/SKCRedcastle

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

As another dynamic academic, sporting and cultural term concludes, I would like to thank, on behalf of the students, the staff and supporters of the College. Your hard work and service to others exemplify the Gospel values we try to live in our daily lives. The extra commitment to actives outside the traditional classroom walls makes the College so special.
Today is the Waitaki Interschool Fixture and it has been a privilege to be able to support our teams at the various venues. The spirit of fair play and community endorsement is a credit to all involved with this celebration of sport. The day has been enhanced by the presence of the 1966 1st XV who have held a reunion. It is real tribute to the College to have so many gathering with this depth of commitment.

Finally, this weekend we celebrate the 140th Anniversary of Christian Brothers’ Education in New Zealand. My formal congratulations to the Brothers and I am reminded that our lay staff continue the work of our founding orders. Their dedication to service, in the widest sense, is modeled to our students in an authentic way. Coaching, mentoring and management often go unrewarded and seldom acknowledged. These service roles are just as essential, 140 years on, for the development of our young people and tomorrows leaders. We acknowledge the work of the Christian Brothers and pledge to continue their motto “Facere et Docere” to do and to teach. As a way of capturing a modern Christian Brothers’ approach to learning, we use DOCERE as an acronym: Diversity, Opportunity, Connections, Engagement, Relationships and Enquiry. These ensure that teaching and learning hold to our traditions while preparing our students for a challenging future.

May God bless you
Paul Olsen, Principal

North Otago Secondary Schools Sports Day


It's been a great day of sport in North Otago and well done to all of the students who went out and represented the College today.  Thank you to all of the fans who supported the teams - staff, students, friends, family and Old Boys and Old Girls of the College.

For a full range of photos from the day please visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/SKCRedcastle

Waitaki Interschool Girls Rugby


Way to go girls!!!  What fortitude and determination, given that some of these players have come straight off the netball court or hockey turf!  The girls played the curtain raiser ahead of the big game this afternoon.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Thank You St Vincent de Paul

At this week's assembly we were joined by Mary and Janette from St Vincent de Paul who presented a donation from the society which will help to provide support for students and families experiencing hardship.  Thank you to the team at St Vincent de Paul, for all of the work you do within our community!

High End Media

Mrs Evan's Media Studies class have just completed work involving the development of a magazine spread complete from concept ... to layout ... to finished piece!  And what a selection of articles!  Everything from travel, to farming, relationships and yoga!


Pounamu Blessing

Father Wayne joined us for assembly this week ahead of Friday's big interschool with Waitaki Boys' and Waitaki Girls.  As has become the tradition at the College he invited the sporting captains to the stage to take part in the blessing of the pounamu stone.  Good luck to all of the students who will take to the sporting fields, courts and turf in the name of St Kevin's!

Winter In New York

The College Ball was held on Saturday and the Dinning Room was transformed into a glistening Winter In New York theme.  It was a magical evening of elegant dresses and smart suits befitting the occasion.  Our sincerest thanks to all those who, every year, work tirelessly to make these events possible.  Thank you to the team from the Home & School, the Ball Committee, Pozzobon's Catering, Night Life Entertainment, Alan Grant, Riley Chandler, Musical Theatre Oamaru and the Oamaru Opera House, our College staff and all those from our SKC family who gave their time and energy.

To view all of the images from the evening please visit our Facebook page, but enjoy this small selection (thank you Mrs Plunkett and Mrs Buckham!)

Monday, July 4, 2016

Creative Presentation

Mrs Buckham's Year 9 Social Studies classes have been working on an extension activity for this term's Law and Order topic. Here Zach Dickie (9T) has created a Pop-Up Card illustrating some of the important roles of local government.

A "Novel" Way To Study

Megan Shea's diorama taking shape 

Bridget Hunter is doing her novel study on Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time
Who said English isn't interesting??!!  As part of their novel study "Tomorrow When the World Began" 10T have engaged in a Blooms Taxonomy.  Blooms Taxonomy encompasses the different levels of learning, thinking and understanding.  Students are using the three dimensional elements of a diorama to depict elements of the story and the results look fantastic!
Rata McMullan shows her finished product.  Looks great!


Aoraki Pool-4-Schools Tournament

The Aoraki Pool-4-Schools Tournament was hosted at the Oamaru Club this year and there was a team of eight representing the College.  Playing against teams from Waitaki Boys', Geraldine High School and Opihi College (Temuka) the boys had some good individual placings, the highlight being Hamish McAtamney coming 4th, which give him a place in the Aoraki team to travel to the national finals in Wellington (1st/2nd Sept).  Joining him will be Bailey King (WBHS) and siblings James and Lydia Burnett (Geraldine).  Many thanks to coach Ray Henderson for his valuable time and energy!  Pool will continue next term, Wednesdays after school at the Oamaru Club.

Friday, July 1, 2016

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

The annual Otago Daily Times "Class Act" award recipients were announced at this week's assembly. Congratulations to the 2016 winners, Riley Chandler and Max Stewart who are pictured below. The award now carries with it a $5000 scholarship to University of Otago, which will be presented by the Prime Minister at a function later in the year.
On Wednesday evening the Confucius Classroom adult class farewelled our Mandarin language assistants Bing and Grace. I captured this shot of the group in the Food Room as they prepared Chinese delicacies and celebrated their language achievements. Bing has been with the College for two years and has been instrumental in the development of the Confucius Classroom. The College wish her every success with her study in America next term.
Before lunch on Thursday, the high pitched sound of Marc Bordman's camera mounted drone echoed around the grounds. Marc shared his knowledge and flying skills with me as we captured some images and video of the College for planning purposes.
Pictured are Marc capturing the drone on the Magee Lawn and below is an image of the Redcastle and Hostel from 150m. Thank you Marc your work on this project.
Last evening I attended our Pasifika Community Fiafia evening held at the Waitaki Recreation Centre. Two of our students were presented with awards. Sophia Alaloto for leadership and Sinamaru Whippy got academic diligence. Thank you to Mrs Dooley for her support and organisation and Mrs Plunkett for taking the photographs.
Finally today the College said farewell to Mrs Sandra Kitto at morning break and later in the day attended the farewell of St Joseph's Primary School principal, Mrs Jenny Jackson. Jenny has been a parent, respected Board member and active supporter of the College. We wish her every success and blessing in her next career steps.

May God bless you
Paul Olsen, Principal

Geography On The Road

The year 11 Geographers enjoyed two days in Christchurch this week, studying the natural and cultural effects of the Canterbury earthquakes in 2010 and 2011.

Ball Parade Live Streamed

The St Kevin's College Ball Parade will be live streamed on Saturday for those who are unable to attend.   It will be streamed through the website Livestream-St Kevin's College Ball Parade 2016
CLICK HERE to go to the live stream.

Farewell Mrs Kitto

After two years on staff the College gathered at morning tea time to farewell Mrs Sandra Kitto.  As Sports Co-ordinator and Careers Administrator she has been a consistent part of the life blood of the College, and such was the respect shown as the boys gathered in the Administration Quad for their traditional haka.  We wish Sandra and her family all the very best as they embark on their next venture.   



Fiafia Night Celebrations


Students from the College Pasifika group performed at the Fiafia Night held at the Waitaki Recreation Centre last night.  Congratulations to Sophia Alaloto and Sinamaru Whippy who were both presented with awards.   Sophia received an award for leadership and Sinamaru for academic diligence.  Well done girls, and well done also to all of the students who performed.