Friday, December 11, 2020

Principal's Comment

Kia Ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College,

The final week of school has gone very smoothly with our having had a successful Year 10 camp at a new location at Totara Peak Station.  This was a challenge for us this year after having lost the use of our traditional spot at Middleton through the Oahu fire, and so we scrambled to find an alternative.  I would like to thank Sonja and Jim Metherell for accommodating us and working with us to ensure that the camp was a success.  The communication, support and facilities were second to none and we look forward to other camps there in the future.  I would like to thank the staff who went on Year 10 camp with the students and in particular Mr Mat Harris who led the organization of the event.  









Back at the school, the year 9's divided their time between regular classes and some fun events such as using the waterslide and a Basketball tournament.  They finished the year very positively showing the maturity and enthusiasm we have come to expect from this group in 2020.


Our Junior Prizegiving today focused on the idea of Hope and the importance of it in making meaning in our lives.  The liturgy reinforced the idea that true Christian Hope is not about magical thinking around hoping to win Lotto or hoping to have things go all our way, but it is in the deeper sense of looking for the positive in all things and in all people.  As we move into more unchartered waters in 2021 both locally and around the world, we are aware that it is in bringing our Hope to all we say and do that brings the light of Christ to those around us. 


In this spirit, I wish you all a Merry, Positive, Hope-filled Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

May God bless you.

Ngā mihi nui

Paul Olsen        

Monday, December 7, 2020

Mufti Days for Activity Week

Kia Ora Parents and Caregivers,

This week students will be engaged in some out of class activities. Because of this, they are allowed to be in mufti Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week. They must be in Number 1's on Friday if they are receiving a prize at prizegiving, otherwise they must be in tidy summer uniform on Friday. 

We do not permit mufti which advertises alcohol, cigarettes or vaping so please ask your students to consider their choices. We also ask that clothing be appropriate in all other ways for outdoor activities in the school environment.  

On Tuesday, we hope to have our waterslide operating. Students need to bring togs or a change of underwear they can get wet as well as shorts and a tee shirt for over the top to avoid rashes from the grass. If your student has an allergy to soaps we do not recommend this activity. Please also ensure students bring a towel, sunhat and sunscreen in addition to any medications they may require. This activity is not compulsory and they do not have to participate if they do not want to. 

We will also be having a concert this week, walking the new bike track and students have a series of projects they can complete for a cash prize. We hope students enjoy these last few days as we count down to the end of the school year.

Warm regards

Ms Walshe

Friday, December 4, 2020

Help Needed for Diabetes Study

As many of you will know my daughter Bridie has Type One Diabetes. She is able to take great care of herself because she is fortunate enough to have been involved in many trials using cutting edge medical technology. 

A team at University of Otago are currently undertaking a study into the effectiveness in improving Diabetes Management using a system called the Dexcom G6 which Bridie currently uses and has had success with. In order to do that, they need a supply of phones which will run the G6 system which tests blood sugar levels every five minutes and prevents serious cases of hypoglycemia. 

In the interests of saving the planet and saving the team money, I am wondering if anyone has any old phones of the types listed below that they would like to donate to the cause. I will be more than happy accept these next week. 

Warm regards

Jo Walshe

Samsung Devices:

Samsung Galaxy S5 (Android 6.0.1)

Samsung Galaxy S6 (Android 7.0.0)

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge (Android 7.0.0)

Samsung Galaxy S7 (Android 7.0.0 – 8.0.0) 

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge (Android 7.0.0 – 8.0.0)

Samsung Galaxy S8 (Android 7.0.0 – 9.0.0)

Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus (Android 7.0.0 – 9.0.0)

Samsung Galaxy S9 (Android 8.0.0 – 10.0.0)

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (Android 8.0.0 – 10.0.0)

Samsung Galaxy S10 (Android 9.0.0 – 10.0.0)

Samsung Galaxy S10e (Android 9.0.0 – 10.0.0)

Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus (Android 9.0.0 – 10.0.0)

Samsung Galaxy S20  (SM-G980 / SM-G981) (Android 10.0.0)

iPhone Devices: 

iPhone 4S

iPhone 5

iPhone 5C

iPhone 5S

iPhone 6

iPhone 6 Plus

iPhone 6S

iPhone 6S Plus

iPhone 7

iPhone 7 Plus

iPhone SE

iPhone 8

iPhone 8 Plus

iPhone X

iPhone XS

iPhone XS Max

iPhone XR

iPhone 11

iPhone 11 Pro

iPhone 11 Pro Max



Principals Comment

Kia Ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College,

Today we wrapped up our performance unit and end of year dance unit for year 10.  As usual the school has been in a heightened state of excitement over this which will only grow as next week we look forward to Junior prize giving and Year 10 Camp. 

The theme of the performance unit this year was fittingly 2020.  Students found fun and interesting ways to express what the year had meant to them.  In the case, especially of our Year 9 cohort who had a disrupted transition to secondary school, our students have coped with the changes and challenges of the year extremely well. 

Thanks goes to Mr Smith and the Physical Education department for the excellent work they do in presenting this unit and also to the Year 12 students who give up their time to help coach classes.  


Cricket has been in full force also this week as our students played in a tournament involving four schools.  I would like to again thank Mr Smith for organizing this.  The students enjoyed the experience with some wins and some losses and fortunately the weather played ball (excuse the pun)!

This morning we farewelled our long serving staff member Mr Gary Mccleery.  Gary has been with us for 19 and a half years during which time he has worked on building our computer system and running our library.  This work has increased in size and complexity over the years and we thank him very much for his faithful support of both staff and students at the college. We wish Gary the best in his retirement. 

May God bless you.

Ngā mihi Nui

Paul Olsen       

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

More Success for Zaria Kira

Congratulations to Year 10 student Zaria Kira who won the Otago Maori Rugby U17 Kohine MVP award last night in Dunedin.

Well done Zaria!



Ara Taster Visit

Last Friday our Year 10 students went up to Timaru to attend a taster day at the Ara Institute of Canterbury. Ara is the largest vocational training institute in the South Island.  

They got to check out a range of learning options including Hairdressing, Health and Fitness, Art and Design, Creative Minds - Early Childcare Education, Sports Performance, Beauty and Digital Technology. 

Thank you to Mrs Margaret Burton for organising this great day out for our students, and to the many staff that went and supported our students.






Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Willows Cricket Club Game

The 1st XI had a great day out at The Willows Cricket Club on Sunday playing in the inaugural match for the new Bob Wills trophy. 

Every Sunday during the Summer months a school plays the Willows Club with the objective to encourage players in secondary school first elevens to play with and against experienced players, many of whom are present or past first-class cricketers, and learn about the traditions of the game. This is the first year SKC has sent a stand alone team on our own merits. 

It was great to play past SKC 1st XI players Trevor Thornton (former captain) and Lance Ryan, and the game was officiated by David Reid, who also attended SKC and played in the 1st XI. A new trophy was presented to the winning team by Bob Wills who played for the 1st XI in 3rd Form in the 1940's, and will be played for in the coming years.

It was a fantastic occasion and the game was played in great spirit by both teams. Thank you to The Willows Cricket Club for hosting us, and to the parents and supporters who helped out during the day.

Short scorecard:

1st XI 179 for 5 (Harry Murphy 75, Jacob Klemick 39 not out, Lachlan Brookes 24) beat The Willows 128 all out (Harry Murphy 2 for 6) by 51 runs.














Advent Calendars for Oamaru Hospital

Yesterday 10S students delivered their homemade Advent Calendars to Colleen Myers, the Quality Risk Leader at Waitaki Health. The calendars are destined for any children who are confined to a hospital bed over the lead up to Christmas. Makayla Bean, Colleen Myers, Meg Patterson, Latisha Wilson, Lily Ellington, Isaac Braxton, and Rynea Sheehy are seen here at Oamaru Hospital Reception area showing a selection of calendars.   

The calendars are made from flax and recycled cardboard.  The flax was carefully cut to the appropriate Karakia; 

Hutia te rito o te harakeke   Kei whea, te kōmako e kō?   

Kī mai ki ahau  He aha te mea nui o tēnei ao   Māku e kī atu   He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

There is a lollie to be revealed each day over the 24 days of Advent thanks to Rainbow Confectionery. Along with the daily lollie the calendars also hold karakia and prayers to help people get through the tough times in hospital.  

This is the practical side to the students' study of a unit of work called, Expressions of Catholic Life. Students look at some Catholic traditions, such as Advent and the build-up to the birth of Jesus at Christmas. They also discovered the Catholic tradition of Giving to Others, where they have been able to apply this to a practical local situation.