NZQA Financial Assistance Forms

BOT Student Representative, Eli Winders, has a reminder about Financial Assistance forms for help with NCEA fees.  Fees for 2018 have been charged to the parent portal and you can get a form for assistance at the school office or visit  http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/entry-into-ncea/fees-for-ncea/financial-assistance/ for more information.

Forms must be completed and handed back to the school office by 3 AUGUST to be processed!!!

Home & School Cont ....

As we launch ourselves into Term 2 the dedicated team of Home & School volunteers are continuing to keep our students toasty warm with the introduction of the College beanies, available for just $15!!

Bridget McAtamney spends much of her time on the side of the basketball courts, supporting the leaning tower of Hamish and the rest of the Top V Basketball Boys!  But she also works tirelessly in the SKC Uniform Shop, raising funds to reinvest back into the College for the benefit of each and every student.  Bridget says:

"The St Kevins Home and School committee works hard with fundraising events to provide the "extras" for the students across all areas of cultural, academic and sporting activities.  The Uniform Shop is a major part of the Home and School, volunteering to help here is a fun way to take part, I had never done anything like this before, but it is well set up. It is a great place to catch up with parents and students and whats happening at school".

The Uniform Shop is open every Thursday during the term from 12.30-1.30pm with Eftpos now available.  Donations of uniform items are always accepted (some are bought from you) and shop volunteers needed.  Please call Bridget if you are interested and able to help - 027 622 2237.

Fire And Steam Takes Off

Joel Kunnethedan, Ryan Hardy, Serena O'Brien and Jason Shieffelbein were part of the army of volunteers who were involved in the Fire and Steam event in the historic precinct on Friday evening, ahead of the Steampunk New Zealand Festival Weekend.  When Fire and Steam was put under risk of being quashed, the community banded together and committed to making it happen.  Well done team!

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

One of the themes of our Wednesday assembly this week has been "Fair Play". It is a concept that is easy to understand but challenging to implement. As a principal, one of the most enjoyable elements of the role is being able to support our sports and cultural teams and groups at inter-schools and in the local competitions. Our teams take pride in their commitment to competing with passion and demonstrating fair play, however, it only takes one person to undo all this good work with a reckless or unthinking action. Raising the issues that might occur, developing an action plan for "if things happen" and looking at ways to divert unacceptable responses needs addressing well beforehand. Thank you to our senior student leaders who shared their personal response to pressure and modelled how to "walk the talk".

Pictured: Senior A Netball team winning over Waitaki Girls last Saturday.

Finally, I would like to thank Mr Ryan and Mr Grant together with R&K Signs for the work they have done creating and affixing a sitemap which is positioned on the wall outside the main entrance. 

All visitors are asked to sign in at the school office during office hours, however for those attending evening meetings, this map will give directions to the key locations.

May God bless you all
Paul Olsen, Principal

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

Swimming In Medals

Our Aoraki swimmers were recognised at assembly yesterday as they were presented with their medals and certificates. Congratulations team!

Back; Tiana Mansfield; 4 firsts, 3rd overall, 2 records. Danny Gilbert & Ben Kay, certificates.

Third row; Mequa Smart, certificate. Charlie Gilbert, certificate. Captain Tandia Gooch; 2 firsts and 1 record.

Second row; Jocelyn Fellowes, first in senior relay. Flynn Mankelow, certificate. Mannix Fraser, certificate. Halalova Asi, certificate.

Front; Emily Hayman, first in senior relay. Imogen Keeling; 5 first places, 3 records. Iessha Mansfield; 3 first places, 3 records

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.

Weekend Roundup From Father Wayne

The College's biggest sports fan was out and about last weekend, supporting students as they hit the playing fields, representing the red and blue!   Thank you Father Wayne!!

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

The annual inter-house Cross Country was held on Tuesday. We had an excellent turnout in both the competitive and non-competitive fields, on an excellent track. Sadly many schools have abandoned these kinds of physical house activities in the face of an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. I am, however, pleased to report that this traditional inter-house event is still relevant in College life and thank my staff and Mr Craig Smith in particular for their help administering the occasion.

At our school assembly Verina, our health nurse, talked about the services she offers at the free Tuesday clinic she runs during lunch time. I encourage caregivers to take full advantage of this service to have any health or wellbeing issues looked at in a confidential and welcoming setting.

Finally, it is with regret (and also happiness) that I have accepted the resignation of Ms Cathy Keep who is leaving us to take a marketing and sales position at a local company that is expanding production. You have been an innovative, long-serving and loyal member of our College family. We wish you every success in your exciting new position.

May God bless you all
Paul Olsen, Principal

Squash News

Joel Kunnethedan, Michael Collett and Liam Direen competed at the Aoraki Secondary Schools Squash Championships today and placed 2nd!   A big thank you to Linda Direen for all of her help today and congratulations to the boys!

SKC Service Award Recipients

Yesterday at assembly the second lot of SKC Service Awards were presented.  Dev Pandaya, Amy Coutts, Lucy Hellewell, Fergus McMullan and Fern McRostie all received their Bronze Award and Isaac Steel a Silver Award.  Well done team!

Stop Press - Another Record Breaker

STOP PRESS!!

We have another record holder among our student body!!!! Y13 student Laura Preston holds the current Athletics record for the Senior Girls Long Jump (2017) 😊 A Record Breakers badge is on it's way Laura