Sports Day

The first calendared sporting event of the College will be tomorrow's Sports Day.

This will begin at 8.50am with some scheduled Athletic Events - mid-distance running for all age groups and Snr Girls long jump.

At 11.00am students will assemble at the College Pool for the 2012 Swimming Sports and this will continue for the rest of the day.

Parents and Caregivers are always invited to join us for the College Sports Days and a full programme of events will be emailed to families this afternoon.

NCEA Certificates

Student Documents: NCEA Certificates and Record of Achievement Summaries

Any documents that students are eligible for and want copies of, can be ordered from their Learner login. See SecQual S2010/030 Changes to the Learner Login and the Distribution of Certificates.

Students can also see and pay outstanding fees on Learner Login.

Hostel Waitangi Day Outing

Hostel staff and students were able to enjoy an outing to Loch Laird and the beautiful surrounds of Lake Avimore during the long Waitangi Weekend. The overcast weather did not deter students braving a tow on a biscuit and our thanks to the parents who came and joined us for the day.

Itinerant Music Concert

All of our Yr 9 students were treated to a fantastic concert by the itinerant music teachers today. The music was engaging and showed off the timbres of a wide range of instruments, as well as the many styles those instruments can play. Lessons on all the string, woodwind and brass instruments, as well as bass guitar and piano/keyboard are available through the itinerant music scheme. Lessons take place at school during normal school house. The only costs are a small administration fee and instrument hire.

Private guitar lessons with Denis Ritchie and drums with Daniel Jones are also available. Any questions about music lessons can be directed to Mrs Haig.

Rugby Sevens

Past pupil Kieran Moffat was outstanding for the Otago Sevens team at the national championships and was selected for the New Zealand Seven's training camp. He narrowly missing selection for the New Zealand Sevens team that contest the World Series - most recently seen in Wellington. Congratulations on this outstanding effort.

Welcome to New Staff

During the first week of term we have welcomed to the College our new staff members for 2012. Pictured with Mr Olsen at the Leaders' Investiture are (left to right) Mrs Joy Garvan - HOF Humanities, Mr Ryan Westgate - English, Mr Paul Olsen, Mr Andrew Connochie - Technology, Ms Sarah Plunket - Art/Technology.

SKC Kayaking Club

http://courtney-kerin.posterous.com/helping-out-my-highschool-30104

The St Kevin's kayakers kicked off 2012 in style with a trip to Murchison for some beginner/intermediate training sessions. Along with Mr Haig and Mr Brand, students were fortunate to have input from ex-student and world class kayaker Courtney Kerin. View her blog for a first hand video of all the action.

Images from Friday's Celebrations

Principal's Comment

Dear Parents and Friends of St Kevin's College

A warm welcome to the 2012 academic year at St Kevin's College. I am pleased to begin the year fully staffed, with a number of new teachers bringing their expertise to the College. This year we are implementing a number of initiatives to improve academic achievement. The introduction of Whānau Groups, an improved student planner, staff and peer mentoring, structured house activities and increased professional development for staff will result in an increased academic focus.

Much of this week has been spent settling the College into a routine and introducing our new students to life at St Kevin's, but a highlight has been the commissioning of our College Leaders at our Inaugural Mass - Leaders' Investiture. I was pleased to see so many of our College Community join us for this very special occasion and offer congratulations to Sean, Lucy, Oliver, Johannah, Albert, Eilee and their fellow Yr13 Leaders on their appointments.

As we look ahead to the term I would ask that you continue to keep Mr Ryan in your prayers.

May God Bless You All
Paul Olsen, Principal

Our College Leaders for 2012

(pictured - the Student Leaders for 2012 are introduced on Wednesday afternoon at the first assembly for the year)

The St Kevin's College Inaugural Mass - Leaders Investiture was held today in the College Chapel. We were delighted that Bishop Colin was able to be our Celebrant for this special occasion and also welcomed Sister Madeline, a local Dominican Sister and Mr Tony Hanning, Director of the Catholic Education Office, who joined us for the day. After the Mass staff and family were joined by our Yr13 students for an afternoon tea.

The College Leaders for 2012 are:

Head Girl and Head Boy: Lucy Fauth & Sean Hand

Deputy Head Girl and Deputy Head Boy: Johannah Kearney & Oliver Stewart

Special Character Prefects: Eilee Robinson & Albert Hailes

Hostel Head Boy and Hostel Head Girl: Loren Haggerty & Quinn McNab

Clancy Cultural Captains: Nick Parsons & Shannon MacMillan

Clancy Sports Captains: Tim O'Malley & Caitlin Kearney

Clancy Service Captains: Henry Ahomana & Rebecca Enright

Magee Cultural Captains: Quinn McNab & Hannah Mihaere

Magee Sports Captains: Tasman Forgie & Loren Haggerty

Magee Service Captains: Jamal Vira & Libby McGee

Treacy Cultural Captains: Isaac de Buyzer & Lori Kingan

Treacy Sports Captains: Bradley Clark & Sam Robins

Treacy Service Captains: Jared Papps & Louise Clemens

Whyte Cultural Captains: Sam de Buyzer & Kerryn Olsen

Whyte Sports Captains: Ashley Miller & Brittany More

Whyte Service Captains: Rodney Bungard & Olivia Pope

Welcome Liturgy And Our Yr 9's

At our Welcome Liturgy on Tuesday afternoon Mrs Austin reintroduced students to the St Kevin's core values of:

Family, Whanau

Integrity, Ngakau tapatahi

Respect, Whakaute

Excellence, Hiranga

Students and staff were encouraged to become "FIRE" people and candles were lit as a symbol of of these values.

First Day Welcome Powhiri

School began for all students with a Welcome Powhiri in the College Auditorium on Tuesday morning where new staff and Year 9 students were greeted by Mr Olsen and Senior students.