School Bus Services in Alert Level 2

When schools resume under Alert Level 2 on Monday 18th May, school transport services will also return to normal schedules. Today we received confirmation from Ritchies regarding the plan outlined by the Ministry of Education and the National School Transport Manager.

The ongoing safety of drivers and students and the ability to contact trace is a priority as we enter Alert Level 2, and will be managed in the following ways:

Actions for schools:

1. To allow for accurate contact tracing, schools must provide their transport provider with up-to-date bus lists, and must keep records to enable contact tracing to take place.

2. Any bus student who needs to travel on a different bus than usual, or any student who would like to have a non-bus student accompany them to/from school must always provide a note for the bus driver when boarding. This is really important to help schools maintain our contact tracing system.

For SKC students who require a note in these situations, please see Mrs Buckham. The best time to find her will be in Room 3, usually before school starts or at whanau time.

3. Schools are responsible for keeping their families and communities informed with the latest information about their bus services.

Actions for Transport Providers:

1. Every bus will be issued with a kit containing hand sanitiser, spray bottle of surface cleaner, disposable cleaning cloths and gloves. Vehicles and surfaces will be sanitised after each journey, by the driver/transport company.

2. All drivers will be required to use hand sanitizer prior to starting their school run.

3. Seats in close proximity to the driver will be left empty, to ensure the driver’s safety.

4. On some routes passengers transfer to specific points between buses (shuttle services). Drivers will continue to manage these, as per normal routine.

5. Transport operators will maintain up-to-date information on special assistance (SESTA) students they are transporting each day.

6. For those drivers who keep their buses at home with them, they will be required to ensure all surfaces (seat rails, window ledges, door handles and any grab rail areas etc.) are wiped over after both the morning and afternoon school runs.

7. For those buses involved in combination secondary and primary school runs (morning and afternoon), the drivers will be required to ensure the bus is sanitised to avoid any cross-contamination between student groups. NB: This will take the form of an aerosol spray used throughout the interior of the bus.

COVID-19 and Mental Wellbeing

At the moment we are all focusing on looking after our physical health, but it is also important to take a moment to look after our mental health.

Everything in the news seems really scary, and it is completely normal to feel anxious or stressed. But being worried isn't going to change anything, so here are a couple of things I want everyone to do over the long weekend:

1) Take some time to do something you really enjoy to take your mind off things.
2) Talk/connect with someone.
3) Reduce social media and news exposure. Put down the phone because all the news and social media are not helping stress levels (It is still important to check regularly for important updates, but don't be consumed by it!)

Please keep following all health and safety protocols such as washing hands, avoiding gatherings and staying home if you are sick.

If anyone needs to chat, get in touch with me. Alternatively, ring/txt 1737 for a twenty-four/seven counsellor helpline.

Mathew Harris,
School Counsellor

Keep Calm and Carry On

This week, our Year 13 students went across to Waitaki Boys' High School, to listen to guest speaker Lance Burdett. Lance works with the police, various sports teams and other groups, to talk about mental health and wellbeing, and the pressure caused by today's society.

We picked up a few great breathing techniques for staying calm during stressful times, which can help students (and teachers!) during their final year of college.

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

Ways to Wellbeing

Last week some of our Year 13 students were busy organising a wellbeing hui, to see how we can improve wellbeing in our school. We are looking for opportunities to engage with positive mental health strategies, to work as a family by having older students mentor younger students, and show that it is cool to be kind!

A poll was held to gather all students' ideas and give everyone a chance to be heard. Ideas were then voted on and narrowed down later in the week.

This is a completely student led initiative and a special thank you goes to Cara Anderson, Deputy Head Girl, for all your hard work in this!

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

Safety First!

A group of Year 12 and 13 students are completing a 2 day First Aid, Health and Safety Course with Pro+Med NZ Ltd, as an essential part of their Gateway courses. During these vocational courses the students will be doing training and work experience out in the community, in various fields like Building, Electrical, Farming and Early Childhood Care.

Throughout the First Aid, Health and Safety course students have gained vital knowledge and skills which will ensure the safety of themselves and others when out on the worksite, knowing how to help if an accident does occur.

Our school will certainly be a safer place now with these young men around and we thank Pro+Med NZ Ltd for their valuable input.

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

White Ribbon Ride

On Thursday, the College welcomed the White Ribbon Riders, along with local Police, who came to speak to our junior students about domestic violence. The students greeted the group with a powerful haka and listened intently to several riders who shared stories of choosing to break the cycle of family violence in their homes. Thank you for sharing your important message with us!

Click here to see more photos of the White Ribbon Ride, courtesy of Mrs Plunkett.

Preparing for Year 10 Camp

Our Year 10 classes have all been to OIS this week, practicing kayak safety with Mr Haig before camp. Here’s a couple of photos.

Shake Out

Staff and students at the College took part in the nation-wide Shake Out today. The event is an opportunity for participants to become aware of safety procedures if an earthquake or tsunami should occur.
St Kevin's College takes the safety of it's staff and pupils seriously and the event allowed Senior Management and Leaders to asses how well the school's emergency procedures are working. We also used the opportunity to asses how efficiently our parent portal app could communicate with students, parents and caregivers in an emergency.
Deputy Principal Kerry Ryan said he is happy with the drill practice and emergency communication, and thanked everybody for their mature involvement.
Well done, St Kevin's!

In the event of an earthquake, Drop, Cover and Hold.

Love Me Not 2018

 











This year, all Year 12 students will take part in the one day Loves-Me-Not workshop. The programme, run by the New Zealand Police in conjunction with schools, aims to raise awareness about healthy and unhealthy relationships and will run on Tuesday June, 26 from 9am to 3pm.

The school sees the programme is as an essential piece of equipment in a young persons tool kit for life. Any queries relating to the workshop can be forwarded to Margaret Burton at  mburton@stkevins.school.nz.

Click here to view Nigel Latta's Intro to Love Me Not 

SADD Acheivement

Huge congratulations to Caleb Jopson, who has been selected to join the Students Against Dangerous Driving (SADD) National Leadership Programme. Along with 10 other Year 12 students from around New Zealand, Caleb will travel to workshops each school holidays over 2018 and 2019, to learn leadership skills and develop strategies that empower young people to make better and safer choices on the road.

Caleb has also taken over the leadership of SKC's SADD Committee, as Georgia Vickers steps back to focus on her Year 13 responsibilities. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Georgia for her service to SKC and the local community through her dedication to SADD and we are confident that in Caleb we have found an enthusiastic successor.

White Ribbon Ride 2017

Our Junior students welcomed the White Ribbon Ride back to the College today.  The ride has an annual stop at St Kevin's, to share their important message of standing up against and stopping the cycle of family violence.   This years campaign centres around respectful relationships.  "Respect is the behaviour we want instead of violence" - White Ribbon.  Thank you to all of the local and national riders for speaking with our students and staff today.
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THIS YEARS VISIT

SKC SADD

The first SADD meeting for 2017 was held today.  Yvonne Gregory-Hunt is the SKC branch president and there is a large group of senior students alongside her!  SADD (Students Against Dangerous Driving) empowers young people to make safer and better choices on the road.

Vic Tamati's Message For Young Men

Today our Y11, 12 and 13 boys had the opportunity to listen to an important message from Vic Tamati, a long time champion of the 'It's Not OK' campaign. His journey out from the grips of a life-cycle of violence is honest and raw, but importantly gives the message that change is possible and that it's OK to ask for help.

Vic's visit to the College is one of the many programmes that are brought into SKC, so that we can impart on students the life skills they need as they grow into adulthood.

For more information please go to areyouok.org.nz

Lead Up To White Ribbon Ride

Next Thursday at approximately 1.20pm we will once again host the White Ribbon Riders as they make their way through Oamaru.  As a co-educational school fostering and highlighting healthy and balanced relationships with friends and family is one of the important life skills that students take on board.

In the lead up to the visit, and as part of a Digital Art unit on 'displacement', Jonte Kydd-Law, Lewis Weatherley and Niveek Wilson have put together a poignant presentation. Check it out.....

Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge

As many of you may be aware Y13 student and volunteer firefighter Matthew Cullimore is taking on the Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge at the end of this month.  As part of his fundraising efforts Matthew completed the Cross Country course kitted out in 25kg worth of firefighting gear!  Phew!

HPS Hauora Challenge

HPS Hauora Challenge

For the next two weeks we challenge you to complete the following tasks each day!!!

(You will need to have each activity signed off by one of the following – a SKC staff member, sports coach, parent, employer or similar)

There will be a $50 voucher for the best completion of the challenges and another $25 voucher prize for the best and most creative caption - and house points too!

Flu Advice

Influenza is here

July and August are when we normally see a spike in influenza cases in New Zealand. This year the prevailing influenza strain in the South Island is the “B” variety, which can affect people of all ages but tends to hit children particularly hard.

The current influenza vaccine contains both A and B strains and therefore should provide good protection against the illness for those who are vaccinated. The Government has extended its influenza vaccine programme until the end of August, which means the vaccine if free for people over 65, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions and lowered immunity. To find out if you or your child will be eligible, phone your practice nurse or look up the Ministry of Health’s website www.moh.govt.nz.

Anyone else can still receive the flu vaccine through their GP or some pharmacies, but will need to pay for it.

To limit the spread of the flu, please:

• Keep your child home from school/day care if they are sick, and don’t send them back until they are well.
• Remind your child to cover their mouth or nose with a tissue when they cough and sneeze and to then put the tissue into a lined bin.
• Remind your child to wash their hands regularly, particularly after coughing/sneezing.

For more information please contact your public health nurse:
Lesley Henderson 03 4331161 OR   027 4886521 lesley.henderson@southerndhb.govt.nz

Healthy Habits

Sugar Overload

Healthy Habits

10 Reasons why Exercise is important

1. Exercise increases your energy level. Exercising delivers oxygen and nutrients to your whole body helping it to work more efficiently and boost your endurance.

2. Exercise and other physical activities are often great opportunities to socialize. Going to the playground, joining a sports team, or going to the local recreation centre are all great ways to meet new people.

3. Being physically active will keep you healthy. Research says that engaging in 30 minutes of exercise a day is all you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

4. Exercise makes you happier! Physical activity releases chemicals in your brain called endorphins that are known to make you feel happier and more relaxed.

5. Regular physical activity has been proven to help prevent a wide variety of health problems.

6. Exercise can be fun! Often times exercise can be a part of some your favourite daily activities, such as walking the dog, going to the playground, or riding your bike.

7. Exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight.

8. Exercise is good for your heart! It helps maintain a healthy blood pressure and improves circulation.

9. Regular physical activity helps you sleep better. When you are active during the day, you typically fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer.

10. Exercise is good for your mind, body, and soul. It is especially good for relieving stress around exams.