Principal's Comment

Kia Ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College,

The weather has been playing havoc with much of our planning recently as we have twice had to postpone our Year 12 Bike Trip and Saturday sport was washed out this weekend for many of the codes. This causes all sorts of knock on effects down the line and sometimes one wonders if it is worth even trying to get out of the classroom and into different environments, BUT the answer to this is always a resounding YES!

Looking at our calendar over the past week one can see the plethora of different thing ours students have been involved in from sport to singing at a recent citizenship ceremony, arts trips to venturing into the wilderness for a tramp. We have also had 'Mates and Dates' in school looking at healthy relationships and Footnotes Dance Co were also here last week to give the students a taste of professional dance.

In education, this is called the 'Hidden Curriculum' those learnings students have when they are not even aware they are learning. These moments foster maturity and developing a growth mindset by interacting with experiences which are different from your own. These are the things that challenge us as people, and it is our challenge as a school to continue to provide these opportunities to our young people. I'd like to thank the staff and caregivers who have supported these efforts. Long may it continue.

May God bless you.

Ngā mihi Nui

Paul Olsen 

 

University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic North Otago Information Evening

There will be a joint University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic North Otago Information Evening on Tuesday, 29 June.

It will be held at the InkBox, Oamaru Opera House from 7-9pm.

Prospective senior students and their parents and caregivers are invited to come along to hear about study options, scholarships, support services, accommodation options and much more.

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Tramp

Zac, Ben, Edward and Yi Tao headed out for their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh tramp in the Waianakarua Area recently with Mr Olsen and Mat Harris. The boys spent the two challenging days climbing, looking for deer and enjoying views across North and East Otago with many memorable experiences.

Big thanks to Jimmy McGeown and Russell Dixon for picking them up at the end!

We are about to begin sign ups for the Duke of Edinburgh award next week, so stay tuned if you are interested in participating.

Success for Swimmers!

Our swimmers have been busy the last few weeks!

Well done to Neight Fraser, Olli McDiarmid-Jones and Halalova Asi who competed at the recent NZ Division 2 Swimming Champs. Neight won silver medals in the Boys U13 100m Butterfly and in the 100m Breaststroke race, and also finished 4th in the 100 Individual Medley. Olli won a bronze medal in the Boys U15 100m Breaststroke and was 4th in the 200m Breaststroke. Halalova won two silver medals as well as 4th in the 1500m freestyle, swimming a personal best time.

And there has been more swimming success last week with those who attended the Aoraki Swimming Champs in Timaru:

- Neight Fraser (Boys 14 & Under): 3rd 100m Individual Medley, 4th 100m Butterfly

- Olli McDiarmid-Jones (Boys 14 & Under): 2nd 200m Freestyle, 200m Individual Medley, 3rd 100m Butterfly

- Tarona Taafaki (Girls 14 & Under): 1st 50m Freestyle, 1st 50m Butterfly, 2nd 100m Butterfly.

A big thank you to Lenore Fraser for helping with transport.

Well done to all!

Social Studies- Refugee Simulation

Last Term our 9S Social Studies class experienced a refugee simulation. They formed into ‘family’ groups, and each family had just eight minutes to choose what items to pack into two bags each before fleeing their village. They worked their way through a series of unfortunately realistic scenarios in an effort to make it to a refugee camp. Not everybody made it safely.

Afterwards there were some strong reflections, realising that it had been important to think quickly to “bring the right gear to survive”. For others the key idea of the lesson had been to “introduce the uncertain life of a refugee…and understand the struggle of people in our world today”. Others pointed out that this idea is important because “this happens in real life”, and several students also reflected that the desperate situations of many refugees is very sad.

Others suggested to “to think ahead for problems that might occur in your lifetime” because “we might need survival skills in the future because you can never completely know”, and “to help each other out in tough times”, because “we are all humans and we should stick together”.

Everyone agreed the simulation was engaging and gave them a good introduction to the plight of refugees and how we can help to welcome former refugees to new homes in Aotearoa NZ.

Pink Shirt Day

It was a sea of pink at SKC today in support of Pink Shirt Day. 

Thank you to Mr Harris for coordinating, and thanks to all those who donated and supported this worthy cause. We raised over $300 for the Mental Health Foundation!

Pink Shirt Day is all about celebrating inclusion and shutting down the bullies.
Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying.

Principal's Comment

Kia Ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College,

This week I spoke in assembly about 'lived values". This is a message I constantly try to drive home with our students and it is incredibly important. In a world where there is increasing commercialization around values it is important that we help our students to understand the difference between buying into the 'floss' of an idea and actually taking a real stand. Today for example, we celebrated 'pink shirt day' which is an anti bullying campaign. While our students had a lot of fun dressing in their pink, I have asked staff to reinforce the meaning behind the exercise, to help focus students be aware of how they treat others and to tie this to our values of Family, Integrity, Respect and Excellence. Without our reinforcing our values and expectations, days like this can become a bandwagon rather than a sincere call for change. If we march against climate change, but do nothing to curb our consumption, we are as the Bible puts it 'only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal' If we talk about wellbeing but don't put the mahi into helping ourselves or others, we are similarly wasting our time.

 

When I see our young people getting behind a cause like pink shirt day and having those sincere discussions about how to make things better, I am heartened and hopeful for our community. Christ's challenge to all of humanity was to 'walk the talk' to bring the kingdom of God to earth. Teaching our students the importance of living our values to the best of their ability is our chance to do just that.

May God bless you.

Ngā mihi nui
Paul Olsen

Dunedin Tertiary Open Days 2021

This coming Sunday and Monday 23rd-24th May is the Dunedin Tertiary Open Days. This year we are not taking Year 13 down for the day and are instead encouraging students and their whānau to go on line virtually and/or go down to Dunedin on either day.

The Otago University and Polytechnic encourage students and whānau to book an appointment anytime throughout the year to take a personal tour around accommodation and faculties.

 
The link below will take you to the form to register for the Dunedin Tertiary Open Days app. You can then access the app to view the event programme and build your own agenda for the day.

events.otago.ac.nz/2021-dunedin-open-days/opendays

Roncalli Exchange- Public Speaking

Last week we had our Roncalli Exchange and had some of our students take part in the Scripture Reading competition. Our Year 9 student Kezia Pestell won the Junior Scripture Reading and Roncalli won the Senior Scripture Reading.

 
Also a big well done to our Debaters who won the Debating competition, with Fergus McMullan taking out the award for Best Speaker.

Tree Planting Working Bee

Can you help?

We have 5000 trees to plant for our Service Hill Development and have organised a mass tree planting on the the following dates:

Sunday 13th June, or 20th if wet, and Sunday 1st August if there are any left to do.

All volunteers will assemble at 9.30am at school and plant until 3pm. You will need a spade and sturdy footwear. We will supply lunch and refreshments.

Anyone wishing to help can email jmcgeown@stkevins.school.nz

Otago Talent Development Programme Selection

Congratulations to Year 12 students Ben Kay and Georgina McCarthy who have been selected into the 2021 Academy Otago Talent Development Programme.

 
This is a joint venture between Otago Academy of Sport, the Otago Community Trust, and The Southern Trust. It provides a sport science support network for top athletes and their coaches, with a tailored programme which meets the needs of talented and aspiring Otago based athletes. The project is supported by Otago Regional Sporting Organisations (RSO’s).

 
The vision of the programme is to nurture, support and educate talented Otago athletes to achieve excellence in sport, with the goal of more Otago athletes achieving on the national and international stage.
This year, a maximum of 20 athletes from around the Otago region were given the opportunity to be included in the programme, with Ben and Georgina being the only selected from North Otago. 

The first year of the programme (Foundation Year) offers athletes an introduction into what high performance sport is like. Those athletes who excel in the first year may be selected for inclusion in a second-year programme (Leadership Year), building on principles from year one. By selection only, the athletes can be offered further support in their third year (Scholarship Year).
Well done to you both!

1970 and 19711st XV Rugby Reunions

Calling all those from the 1970 and 19711st XV rugby teams for their reunion which is set to take place at the Waitaki Interschool game this year. It is combined this year due to the 1970 reunion unable to take place last year due to covid-19. The dates for the get together are 8th and 9th July.

 
For those interested please contact Paul Oliver (poliver44444@yahoo.com), Owen Williams (golden.fleece@xtra.co.nz) or Russell Dixon (jennruss59@gmail.com).

Please help us spread the word!

Principal's Comment

Kia Ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College,

The arrival of the frosts this week has indicated we are well and truly into the winter sports season and what an exciting start we have had to it! We welcomed Roncalli College to the school on Wednesday and competed against them in all of the traditional sports as well as adding a few new competitions such as Scripture Reading and Debating to the mix. We were very lucky with the weather as the rain the day before softened the fields without causing any major damage and the sun shone on spectators. I was very pleased with the overall sportsmanship displayed by both Colleges and the fact that it was a very even competition meant that all teams enjoyed themselves.

On Tuesday of this week we held the second of the NCEA training days around cultural competencies and how New Zealand is attempting to reflect the diversity in our social landscape in terms of the way in which we assess learning. The staff found the discussion which came out of this day extremely valuable. As part of the discussion we looked at the idea of 'privilege' through the work of Dr Michelle Johansson. This challenged us to think about the lens through which we look at society and our preconceived notions of how assessment should be carried out. This is part of a larger conversation and we enjoyed the chance to explore these ideas.

Best of luck to all of our codes for the weekend.

May God bless you.

Ngā mihi Nui
Paul Olsen

Cross Country Results 2021

A big congratulations to everyone who took part in the school Cross Country on Friday in what has been one of our most challenging Cross Country courses in many years. Thank you to Mr Tatupu for his organisation of the event and to the staff who volunteered to support our students by helping out.

Well done to the following winners:

Senior Boys - Jacob Klemick
Senior Girls - River Cunningham
16 Boys - Liam Prouting-Gardner
16 Girls - Olivia Mavor
15 Boys - Camden Burge
15 Girls - Summer Borrie
14 Boys - Quinn Burge
14 Girls - Grace Brydges

A big thank you to Sara Plunkett, Maisie Robinson and Madison Jones for taking all the action shots on of the day. 

Rhea Ratgali wins lower South Island Race Unity Speech Awards

“We are all in the same waka, we’re all in the same canoe, no matter what ethnicity or colour we are.”

That was one of the messages Year 13 student Rhea Ratgali delivered in her speech in this year’s lower South Island Race Unity Speech Awards in Dunedin. Rhea walked away as the regional champion and competed at the national semifinals last Friday.

 
Well done Rhea!

You can read more about her efforts here:

http://www.oamarumail.co.nz/community/message-of-unity-wins-speech-contest/

 

Principal's Comment

Kia Ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College,

We have had a busy start to the term with the Cross Country being run today and of course Student Led Conferences happening this afternoon and this evening. I would like to take the opportunity to remind parents and caregivers that they are welcome to make bookings with staff outside of these formal report evenings at any time, so don't be discouraged if you were not able to get here today.

Today's SLCs focused on goal setting and ensuring that students feel prepared and informed as they settle into the second term which, for those studying for NCEA, is the engine room of the year. My advice to students at this time is to focus on organization and understanding how the school systems work. For those in Year 11 who are approaching NCEA for the first time, it is important for students and caregivers to be familiar with the rules that govern schools around NCEA such as resubmission and deadline requirements to avoid disappointment or issues if things go wrong. If Covid-19 has taught us anything, its that "anything can happen and it usually does"!

I am very proud of the group of students who turned up today to run what has been one of our most challenging Cross Country courses in many years. Not only were they enthusiastic, encouraging of each other and totally committed to it, they all seemed to finish in very strong times indeed. Thank you to Mr Tatupu for his organization of today and to the staff who volunteered to support our students by helping out.

May God bless you.

Ngā mihi nui
Paul Olsen

'Te Ngakau Nui ' ('The Heart of Us') to replace the old Home and School Network

Kia Ora Friends of St Kevin's College

 
The College whanau has welcomed a new group which has been set up to replace the old 'Home and School' network. The group is called 'Te Ngakau Nui ' which means 'The Heart of Us' and the aim of the group is to provide fundraising and community events for the school community which aim to engage parents and caregivers in the life of the school.

 
The group is calling for registrations of interest for lay members whom the group can call on for practical support from time to time. This does not involve going to any meetings but is simply an expression that you are happy to help with events from time to time.

Please register with the group by emailing Jo Walshe at jwalshe@stkevins.school.nz with your name, contact number and skills you can offer. We would love to hear from artists, builders, electricians, lighting designers, DJ's, sound experts, choreographers, gardeners, tree planters, painters, cooks and everything in between! Anyone who is an enthusiastic team player and willing to donate a few hours a year.

 
The aim is to help share the workload around the community and to bring people together to continue to help SKC be the best it can be.

ANZAC Commemorations 2021

With ANZAC Day falling during the school holidays this year, our commemorations took place today with the College community gathering in the Chapel for a special liturgy. The names of Old Boys lost in the world wars were read from the Roll of Honour, and prayers were offered for the souls of all those departed.

 
A procession was made to the Grotto and Magee Memorial Lawn at which the flag was lowered, the Last Post was played and we were joined by the Combined High Schools Honour Guard. A wreath was laid at the Grotto by Head Students. Students then placed poppies in front of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes to conclude the ceremony.

Thank you to the Combined High Schools Honour Guard, and members of the Waitaki District Schools Pipe Band for being part of our commemorations.

Thank you to Tahlia Sherwin for capturing the photos on the day.