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 >>

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 >>

Penguins under the Porch

Mr Olsen was delighted to welcome author David Harbourne back to the College following the launch of his book 'Penguins under the Porch: A Yorkshireman's Ode to Oamaru' at the Oamaru Library last night.  David visited St Kevin's 18 months ago and captured the spirit of the College in the pages of his book, which are full of the essence of Oamaru!  He presented Mr Olsen with a copy for students and staff to enjoy.  'Penguins under the Porch: A Yorkshireman's Ode to Oamaru' is on sale at at PaperPlus or you can purchase online.

CHECK OUT DAVID'S ONLINE ODE TO OAMARU

Bus Stop With A View

As part of the traffic management plan the buses now have their regular stop at the front of the Redcastle and students make their way up the now pedestrian only Chapel Rd.  This, along with the one way system before/after school and the support of parents dropping students either at the gate or over by the gymnasium, has made a significant difference to the congestion that was occurring as students were arriving at school.

90th Reunion

The long weekend saw 350 Old Boys, Old Girls and staff return to Redcastle for the St Kevin's College 90th Reunion.  Beginning with a jovial Meet and Greet on Friday evening, Saturday morning saw the Old Girls v Students netball game at 10.30am and the Old Boys v students rugby-10's kick off on Murray Field at 11.30.  Mr Olsen addressed all of the attendees at the Official Welcome after lunch before our College Prefects proudly showed off the College and all of it's recent (and not so recent) developments over the years, stopping at the Redcastle for decade photos and an afternoon tea hosted by the Home & School.  The formal Dinner and Dance was the main function of the weekend and the Dining Room was full of music till the wee hours.   A Memorial Mass was held on Sunday before the Farewell Lunch, with Br Murray having the honour of planting the Reunion Memorial Tree.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE MEMORIAL MASS AND STAY TUNED FOR MORE IN THE COMING DAYS!!!

We share part of Mr Olsen's speech from the Sunday Lunch and again express our sincerest gratitude to everyone who contributed to the organisation and running of all of the weekend's functions.

"It is my final duty of the weekend to thank a number of people who have made the reunion possible.
Firstly Ms Catherine Keep the Reunion Coordinator. Your hours of dedication have truly paid off. We are grateful for the time you have spent on this task. You can finally relax knowing you have done a splendid job.
Secondly Mrs Sandra Olsen, my long suffering wife and Alumni Coordinator. Thank you for managing the enrollments and pulling it all together.
Pozzobons Catering for Friday's nibbles, a superb meal last evening and today’s lovely luncheon.
My loyal and supportive staff, our Student Leaders, College Prefects who acted as tour guides, talented students and passionate Home & School for your generous contribution to the reunion.
All the suppliers, entertainers, helpers and behind the scenes teams that have made this event possible.
To you THANK YOU
Finally I wish to thank you, our guests, for your ongoing support of this fine College. Without your help and support through attendance at these type of events and membership of the College Foundation, the College would be shadow of its former glory." - Paul Olsen

Making a Splash

What a wonderful day it's been!   There's little more to say other than enjoy these images.

Senior Prize Giving And Graduation Mass

On Monday evening the College community gathered for the 2015 Senior Prize Giving and Graduation Mass.  It was an occasion in which celebrating the academic success of our students and the Kevinian journey of our graduating students was key.  Our Top Six for 2016 were announced .... they are:
Head Boy - Max Stewart
Head Girl - GypsyMae Harihona Harrison
Deputy Head Boy - Mark Whittet
Deputy Head Girl - Ellen McAtamney
Deputy Head Boy Special Character - Thomas Pickles
Deputy Head Girl Special Character - Niamh Farrell

Sporting Blues were presented to Amber Cunningham (Cricket), Georgia-Kate Blair (Trap Shooting), Reuben Mihaere, Charlie Wallis, Molly Kay and Georgia Dyson (Rowing) and the TopV Boys Basketball Sqaud (Basketball).  A Pennant was presented to Caitlin Middlemiss for Gymnastics.

Scholarship certificates were presented to Brady Kingan, Jack Sinclair, Brittany Caldwell, Julia Fauth, Georgia Haggerty, Sydney Telfer, Mitali Singh and Sean Daly for their success in gaining university or Polytechnic scholarships for study next year.  Congratulations to all of our award winners and in particular Georgia Malcolm (Proxime Accesit to the Dux) and Mitali Singh who was named Dux of the College for 2015.

Thank you to Rebecca Ryan Photography for these great images - visit our Facebook page to view them all

Level 1 - First In Class
Holly Malcolm - Religious Studies, Business Studies, 1st = Science
Jacqui Malcolm - English (Allan Cup), 1st = Science, 1st = Art
Charlotte Page - Alternative English
Adam Sew Hoy - Maths, History
Ella Sanderson - Agriculture
Levi Emery - Physical Education
Jared Hardy -Material Technology
Jayde Pickworth - Graphics, 1st = Art
Stan Papaioannou - Information Technology
Ellie Monk - Food Technology
Emma Fox - 1st = Art
Tom Sinclair - Geography
Emma-Kate Newlove - Music

Level 2 - First In Class
Max Stewart - 1st= Religious Studies
Emma Middlemass - Biology, Chemistry, Business Studies, 1st= Religious Studies
Ashley Pink - English, Geography
Jazmin Parker - Alternative English
Kate Nally - Media Studies
Mitchell Lowen - Maths: Algebra & Calculus, Physics
Moriah Tyrrell - Maths: Statistics
Meg Knowler - Agriculture
Sophia Alaloto - 1st= Physical Education
Rose McCarthy - 1st= Physical Education
Sean O'Brien - Graphics
Brittany Tiffen - Fabric Technology
Sinamaru Whippy - Information Technology
Georgia Firman - Food Technology
Rosie Pope - 1st= Art
GypsyMae Harihona Harrison - 1st= Art
Josh Cunningham - Drama
Pierce McLeod - History
Jase Ryan - Vocational Pathways

Level 3 - First In Class
Mitali Singh - Religious Studies (Teschemakers Prize), English, Chemistry, Art
Sydney Telfer - Media Studies, Maths Statistics, Biology (Teschemakers Prize), History
Charlie Wallis - Maths Calculus
Jack Sinclair - Physics
Brittany Caldwell - Agriculture, Economics
Brady Kingan - Physical Education
Josh Macaulay - Material Technology (Mitre 10 Prize)
Shaun Andales - Graphics, Music
Georgia Kate Blair - Fabric Technology (Ivy Pollard Memorial Prize)
Brooklyn Johnston - Food Technology, Drama
Kimberley Allan - Art Sculpture
Julia Fauth - Classical Studies
Lily Webster - Geography

Sprecial Prizes
Dux of College (Br MM O'Connor Plate) - Mitali Singh
Proxime Accessit to the Dux (McCone Cup) - Georgia Malcolm
College Captains Teschemakers Trophy - Sydney Telfer
College Captains Bill Higgins Memorial Trophy - Brady Kingan
Junior Application and Participation (Langley Cup) - Ella Hitchcock
Senior Application and Participation (McCarthy Plate & Paperplus Prize) - Ilaisipa Tahaafe
Junior General Excellence (Bill Nolan Cup) - Holly Malcolm
Senior General Excellence (McKechnie Cup) - Sydney Telfer
Most Outstanding Pasifika Female - Ilaisipa Tahaafe
Most Outstanding Pasifika Male - Antonio Misiloi
DJ Mulheron Sciences Cup - Georgia Malcolm
The Rotary Club of Oamaru for 1st Aggregate in Y11 - Holly Malcolm
The Rotary Club of Oamaru for 1st Aggregate in Y12 - Emma Middlemass
Champion Academic House (John McCarthy Cup) - Magee
Champion House for 2015 (Redcastle Cup) - Treacy
Y13 Christian Leadership (Br C Marlow Cup) - Julia Fauth
Y13 Christian Leadership (Br BJ Lauren Cup)) - Jack Sinclair
Ryan Moynihan Memorial Affability Award - Ilaisipa Tahaafe
Otago Polytechnic Principal's Leadership Award - Connor Ryan
Dominican Tertiary Award - Quin Paterson
North Otago Masonic Lodges' Scholarship - Samuel Ball
Altrusa Margaret Crombie Memorial Tertiary Award - Georgia Malcolm
Mana Pounamu Teina Award - Reuben Mihaere
Mana Pounamu Tuakana Award - Quin Paterson

Field of Remembrance

Today the College gathered beside the Magee Memorial Lawn to mark the laying of our Field of Remembrance.  Mr Olsen gave an insight into the Field before the flag was lowered and thirty senior students read each of the names acknowledged on the thirty crosses in the Field.  The people named on the crosses in our Field came from our region but also include Sergeant David Gallaher, captain of the All Blacks, Staff Nurse Lorna Rattray, and Private Basil Mercer who was just 17 when he was killed.  Following a minutes silence Head Boy Brady Kingan read The Ode, after which the flag was once again raised, accompanied by College piper Natalie Preston.  The Field will remain on the Magee Memorial Lawn for the next fortnight.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Equestrian Arena Grand Opening

There was a brief interlude in the stormy weather on Friday, just in time to deliver sunshine and blue skies for the official opening of the Equestrian Arena.  A crowd of invited guests were welcomed by Mr Ryan before Father Wayne gave a blessing.  The Mayor, Mr Gary Kircher, then spoke and cut the red ribbon, opening the gates to allow Mr Baxter Smith the honour of being the first rider into the officially opened arena.  Guests were treated to a balance exercise display by Ingela Anklew (Tutor) and young Miss Bridie McGeown, followed by a pattern riding exercise from Ella Sanderson, Monique Sage, Georgia Sillibourne, Caitlin Middlemiss, Roshni Crow and Casey Gordon.  An afternoon tea in the College Staff Room rounded out the afternoon, with a special cake made by Mrs June Campbell just for the occasion.  Our sincerest thanks to all of the people who have supported this development:  The St Kevin's College Board of Trustees, Alan Grant, Ingela Anklew, Kelepi Funaki, Logan Chandler, Mark Watson, Avimore Irrigation, Grey-Smith Contracting/Awamoa Bins, PGG Wrightson Ltd, Placemakers-Geoff Brown Building Supplies, Whitestone Contracting, Michael Wills Contracting, Nick Stanger-Stanger Fencing, Will Sillibourne, the Craig family, Liam Perriam, Lukairnn Holden, Road Metals Ltd and Peter Murdoch Transport.

One Of The Country's Finest Props

Thank you to the Oamaru Mail for use of this photo

A former SKC 1st XV and All Blacks captain, Kevin Skinner, passed away yesterday morning in Auckland.  Kevin played in the College 1st XV side in 1943 and took on the captain's role in 1944.  He was 21 when he debuted for the All Blacks during a test against South Africa in Cape Town and went on to play 61 matches, including 18 tests, and captained the national side in 6 matches (2 tests) before retiring in 1954.  He came out of retirement briefly for the final 2 tests against the touring Springboks who were dominating the series.  Kevin's return saw a new sense of strength and power in the team and New Zealand took it's first series win over the Springboks.    

Kevin is regarded as one of the country's finest props and our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.  

Chinese Explorations

Gong'an No1. Senior Middle School is now officially linked to St Kevin's College by a formal sister school agreement. The school is about three hours travel from Wuhan. The campus is barely one year old and has cost close to $300 million USD to construct. The 22 floor staff accommodation building and the Olympic size swimming pool will be completed by July. The school is a model school for the province and has 4,000 students, 3,000 of whom board at the attached hostels. There are over 360 staff, class size is about 80 students and the structure of the school day is considerably longer than our New Zealand students would be used to. Hopefully the students heading to China under the banner of the Confucius Institute will be able to go to the school and enjoy their hospitality. We are looking forward to a group reciprocating this visit in early term three.

1964-68 Class Reunion

The College was delighted to host the 1964-68 class during their Golden/50th Reunion at the weekend.  A group of 60 enjoyed the opportunity to tour the College, share lunches together and remember their time at the College with a special flag raising ceremony and reunion liturgy.  The group held a Saturday evening function at Portside Restaurant overlooking the Oamaru Harbour.  It was a wonderfully successful weekend and we look forward to hosting other groups at the College in the coming year.

View from the Redcastle Roof

The repair work to the Redcastle chimneys is nearing completion. The scaffolding view point gives an interesting perspective of the grounds, school and boys' hostel.