Friday, May 31, 2019

Hostel Happenings

The hostel will be closed this weekend from 4pm today until 2pm Monday. Wishing you all a lovely long weekend and a happy birthday to Her Majesty and the excitement of Fire and Steam in town.


Keep up to date with College news by visiting our News Blog >>

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

Today, it was tremendous to be able to welcome Anish back to school with his support person, Mr Stewart Graham.

On Thursday, a busy School Council met to consider plans for creating a more welcoming space in the College dining room. The partitioning of areas to make the hall a more friendly space will be coordinated by our Year 12 Carpentry class. This is an ideal project for the team under the supervision of their teacher Mr Ken McCallum. Below is a draft plan of developments.


Also today, the staff acknowledged the sterling work that Miss Becky Busfield has done this year in her role with communications. Our morning tea marked Becky's last day as she moves to a new role next week. I am pleased to announce that Mrs Melissa Smith will be extending into this role next Tuesday.

In conclusion, I want to draw your attention to an email to caregivers that the Board of Trustees has sent, detailing the planned PPTA follow-up action beginning on Tuesday with the rostering home of Year 9 students. As Principal, I hope that there will be a prompt resolution to the current impasse and that teaching and learning will not be impacted.

Manaaki te atua ia koutou

Ngā mihi nui
Paul Olsen, Tumuaki

Keep up to date with College news by visiting our News Blog >>

Thursday, May 30, 2019

St Joseph's Technology Classes

Every Monday afternoon, St Joseph's students come to our College for Technology classes. This week with Dr Maret, they were given an introduction about how Robots work and were given a chance to learn about some of the basic things Robots can do at work place.



Keep up to date with College news by visiting our News Blog >>

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Catholic Schools Day

Yesterday, we celebrated Catholic Schools Day by holding a special liturgy in the chapel. Students from St Joseph's Primary school attended, and their Principal, Mrs Frances-Rees, spoke about the importance of Catholic schooling.


As a Catholic school, not only do our students receive a high academic standard of education, but in a values-based environment. The Gospel values are ingrained into everything we do, and students can look to the holy scriptures for guidance and inspiration. 

Keep up to date with College news by visiting our News Blog >>

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Aoraki SSS Cross Country

Congratulations to one of our top sportsmen, Max Yanzick, for winning the Aoraki SSS Cross Country Senior Boys Championship 2019! 


Max was presented with his medal in assembly, to acknowledge his great success! Well done Max!

Keep up to date with the Winter Sports results by visiting our SKCSports Facebook page >>

Year 12 Bike Trip

Last week, our Year 12 Physical Education and High Performance students went away on a 3 day bike trip, to Alexandra. They biked around the beautiful Deans Bank, Sticky Forest and Old Coach Road.



Thank you to Mr Dixon, Mr Tatupu, Stephen Laemmle (gapper) and Kila Hepi (instructor) for running the trip!

Keep up to date with College news by visiting our News Blog >>

Monday, May 27, 2019

School Strike for Climate

As part of the second Global School Strike for Climate last Friday, students from St Kevin's College, Waitaki Girls' High School and Waitaki Boys' High School participated in a climate change rally at Waitaki Girls'.


The School Strike for Climate is an international movement of school students, refusing to attend classes and instead taking part in demonstrations, demanding action to prevent further global warming and climate change.


"We are striking from school to tell our politicians to take our futures seriously and treat climate change for what it is - a crisis. Politicians can show us that they care by taking urgent action to move New Zealand beyond fossil fuels and get the job done of moving us to 100% renewable energy for all."


As part of their rally, students put forward critical climate change questions that need addressing to Deputy Mayor Melanie Tavendale and Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean.

Well done guys, keep up the good work!

Keep up to date with College news by visiting our News Blog >

Hostel Happenings

Hostel Hoodies
A big thank you to our senior students, Megan Shea, Maddy Skinner, Marc Boardman and Levi Kelly for organising the Hostel Hoodies this year. These have been very popular for both students and staff. Well done to everyone involved.


Year 11 Whanau Social
It was great to be able to host a large number of our Year 11 hostel families for dinner in the Castle. These dinners have been a great way for the hostel families to come together in a social setting.

Keep up to date with College news by visiting our News Blog >>

Friday, May 24, 2019

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

It was a pleasure to be able to meet with whanau of our Year 11 boarders, last Saturday in the Redcastle. We took the opportunity to share details of the hostel redevelopment that is currently underway and consult on future plans for the Redcastle. Thank you to Mrs Fowler, Year 11 Dean, and our hostel staff for their support.




During the weekend there were some exciting challenges taking place on the sports fields and courts. As Principal, I see that there is a real opportunity for personal growth of students through team sport. The social development and ability to work as a team are soft skills that prepare our young people for life in an increasingly complex world. Here are some images from the weekend captured by avid sports supporter, Fr Wayne.








Thank you also to Mr Fowler for organising a very successful club day for our rugby teams.

Manaaki te atua ia koutou

Ngā mihi nui
Paul Olsen, Tumuaki

Keep up to date with College news by visiting our News Blog >>

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Loves Me Not

Today, all Year 12 students took part in the 'Loves Me Not' workshop, which raises awareness about healthy and unhealthy relationships.


This nationwide programme, run by the New Zealand Police and wider guidance community, came about due to the death of Sophie Elliott and the subsequent wish of her mother to educate young people about relationships.


As a school, we see this programme as an essential piece of equipment in a young person's kete for life. We would like to thank the New Zealand Police, for their commitment to raise awareness on such important issues.

Keep up to date with College news by visiting our News Blog >>

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Ag Field Trip

Last Friday, Teen Ag and Year 13 Ag students visited Makikhi Fries and Oceania Dairy Factory. Students were exploring the production process at both places, as well as career opportunities.



The free chips and milk went down a treat too! We are very grateful to staff at both organisations for giving up their valuable time to share their expertise.

Keep up to date with College news by visiting our News Blog >>

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

New Otago Records!

A huge congratulations are in order for our student swimmers...splashing smashing the Otago records! New records were set by Tarona Taafaki, Mannix Fraser, Danny Gilbert and Charlie Gilbert for the freestyle relay...won by one hundredth of a second! Corbin Fraser set a new record for 100m breast, and Danny Gilbert set new records for 200m free and 100m fly!

Pictured above (left to right) Tarona, Charlie, Mannix, Corbin and Danny

Many more medals were won but as always, far too many to mention here so...

Keep up to date with the Winter Sports results by visiting our SKCSports Facebook page >>

Monday, May 20, 2019

Round the Rocks Ride

Fantastic weather for the Round the Rocks Ride, held last weekend. This fundraising event was held by our Home & School Committee.




Thank you to Rose Sanderson, from the Home & School Committee, for sending in these fab photos!

Keep up to date with College news by visiting our News Blog >>

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Saturday Sport

Oamaru put on some fantastic weather today, with a big day of sport in town.

It was club day for the rugby club, with all of the junior teams from St Joseph's playing in the morning followed by the St Kevin's teams. There were two close wins for the under 14.5 and under 16.5 teams against Temuka and Timaru Boys respectively and a big loss for the 1st XV against a very impressive Southland Boys' High School.

The senior girl's hockey team had 1-1 draw against Waitaki Girls' and it was equally as close in the Senior A netball game against Waitaki finishing in a 26-26 draw.

The 1st XI football team also had a close game going down 5-4.











Friday, May 17, 2019

Hostel Happenings

Hostel Autumn Clean Up
Now that autumn is in full swing students and staff have been busy sweeping up the leaves as they fall from the trees. With the large number of trees around the hostel and school this is a big and ongoing job.  A big thank you to the girls who helped out last weekend.


Year 11 Hostel Whanau Dinner
The Hostel looks forward to hosting our Year 11 families for dinner in the Castle tomorrow (Saturday) evening. These evenings are a great opportunity for families to meet up with each other in an enjoyable setting.

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

Yesterday afternoon and last evening, we were honoured to show prospective students and whanau around the College. Despite the weather being chilly, we had an excellent turnout. Thank you to our student volunteers and staff who worked hard to allow our guests a glimpse of college life. Thanks to Mr Harris for his introduction and for supporting our student speakers.


Today we welcomed artist Ayisha Green to the College for the second of two collaborative workshops, with an emphasis on well-being. Once again thank you to Waitaki District Council's 'Creative Communities' for the funding to run these inspiring events.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of supporting both Netball and Rugby wins in the local competitions. Keep up this solid start to the competitive season.



Finally, I wanted to acknowledge the changes that have been foreshadowed for NCEA. The alteration with the most immediate impact is the scrapping of the $76.70 NCEA fee which comes into effect now. The other changes will be implemented over four years. The link to the full report can be found here >>. On my initial reading of the document, there are some sensible suggestions that will be implemented.

Manaaki te atua ia koutou

Ngā mihi nui
Paul Olsen, Tumuaki

Keep up to date with College news by visiting our News Blog >>

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Sports Update

Our multi-talented Year 13 student, Hannah Cunningham, was interviewed by Oamaru Mail last week about her many sporting achievements. If you didn't see the paper, you can check out the article online at www.oamarumail.co.nz.

Hannah Cunningham. Photo credit Gus Patterson, Oamaru Mail.

Congratulations to Annie Metcalfe, Ellen Swanson, Hannah Cunningham, Jaimiee Trainor, Jasmine Emery, Megan Dodd and Tegan Souness for making the North Otago U17 & U19 Netball Squad.

Keep up to date with the Winter Sports results by visiting our SKCSports Facebook page >>

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Road Safety

This week has been filled with more road safety awareness activities. Yesterday, our SADD team ran an interhouse kahoot competition at lunchtime, where 5 representatives from each house raced to answer vital questions all about how to stay safe on the road.


The winning house was Magee, 2nd Whyte, 3rd Clancy and 4th Treacy. 



Also this week, Year 11, 12 and 13 watched a presentation by REACTION, all about how to be a safe driver and the consequences of breaking the law. Although a very serious matter, it was presented in a fun and interactive way! 


Thank you to Monique and Fergus from REACTION, and to PC Brent for running the talk. 

Keep up to date with College news by visiting our News Blog >>