Novice Canoe Polo Success

Some more great action from the tournament on this link http://www.flickr.com/photos/kayakotago/9226890358/

Mr Haig and a team of 6 travelled to the Southern Novice Canoe Polo Tournament during the weekend.  The team was made up of Lauren Godsall, Justine Middlemass, Maddy Poole, Bryony Brown, Pani Papaioannau and Henry Wallace.  The tournament was a way of introducing schools to the world of competitive canoe polo and the St Kevin's College team took great advantage of Mr Haig's experience with only one loss against Southland Boys High School, giving them third place in the competition!!

Game results were:

St Hilda's Collegiate School: 2-1 win

Otago Girls High School (2 teams): 6-3 win and 4-4 draw

Southland Boys High School: 7-0 loss

The team is fired up to enter the South Island Championships which will be held in Oamaru in August!

NOSSSD Draw And Parent Information

Please CLICK HERE for parent and caregiver information about the inter-school this Friday.

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters

This week the correct pronunciation of place names was a classroom focus during the annual Maori language week. At assembly the issue of how to say Oamaru  or Te Oha-a-Maru (the place of Maru) correctly, was addressed.
Also this week the College has hosted representatives from the Education Review office. The three person team, led by Chris Featonby,  were welcomed with a powhiri on Monday. They have taken the opportunity to view classes and speak to the Board of Trustees, staff  and most importantly students. Their focus was student engagement, progress and achievement. The initial findings will be reported to the Board on Tuesday.
On Thursday a very successful NCEA Whanau Information evening was held in the College staffroom. Thank you to Sara Plunkett for organising this presentation from Angelina Kiore from the Ministry of Education.

During my classroom visits on Friday I captured some video footage of budding rocket scientists in year 9. I have included the link as I am keen to share the launch by these engaged students who are clearly enjoying their learning.
Finally, next week we look forward to the Waitaki Interschool Day. St Kevin's is the host this year and the our warm up to the day starts with Tall Black's star, Dillon Boucher, speaking at the College on Monday evening.

May God bless you all.

Paul Olsen, Principal.

Youth Spirit Award Winner

Head Boy Jibi Kunnethedam has taken the Oamaru Youth Spirit Award at the 2013 Turstpower Waitaki District Community Awards which were held at the Opera House this week.  Jibi is well known in the community for his success in the area of public speaking and debating but is also an avid sportsman in the fields of cricket and football.  

He is a member of the College LEO Club, President of the Waitaki Youth Multicultural Council, Waitaki delegate for the National Youth Mulicultural conference and is currently working towards his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.  This on top of his service at the College and academic achievements make him well deserving of this accolade.  

Congratulations Jibi!!

Careers Evening A Success

Thank you to all those parents and students who attended the Tertiary Information Evening at the Opera House.  It was a very successful event and will hopefully become an annual event.  Thank you to Mandy Farrell and the Home & School team for helping with the catering.

Following on from that there is an opportunity to experience Aoraki Polytechnic as a "student for a day", next week 8-12 July.  If you are interested please see Mrs Manson for details.

Finally, congratulations to Year 12 student Taylor Oakes who has been accepted for the Defence Careers Experience based in Ohakea for the first week of the school holidays.  The last Defence Careers Experience for 2013 will be held from 30 Sept to 4 Oct.  Please contact Mrs Manson if you are in Year 12 or 13 and are interested in applying for this experience.

Haka Evolution

Junior Students from the Kapa haka group perform at the Oamaru Public Library in celebration  of Maori Language Week.  

Our thanks to their mentor, Mrs Eva Gregory-Hunt, and Mrs Sara Plunkett.

2013 marks the 30 year anniversary of girls at St Kevin’s College when at the end of 1982 St Thomas’ closed its doors for the last time and their students ventured into the College grounds.

In consultation with whanau and Papatipu Runaka ki Moeraki students and staff at the College have been working towards supporting the girls in learning the female part of the St Kevin’s College Haka.  Girls being part of the haka is not new to the College but a tradition that was lost for a time, although past pupils recall their experience at St Kevin’s and performing the haka with the boys.

Contrary to popular belief the South Island Ngai Tahu have a strong tradition of female involvement in Kapahaka.  Their women have traditionally performed haka alongside the men, and are often seen performing at many cultural gatherings and sporting events.  Men and women give an impressive sense of whanau and community when they perform together, adding to the richness of the occasion.

The College continues to evolve as the needs of our whanau and community change and the inclusion of girls supporting their male counterparts is a reflection of the co-educational aspect of life at St Kevin’s.

St Kevin’s College is extremely grateful to Patrick and Nola Tipa, Justin Tipa and David Higgins from Papatipu Runaka ki Moeraki for their valued expertise in helping us to refine our haka and their ongoing support of the College.

CLICK HERE  to watch a clip from New Zealand v England – Women’s International

Clean Sweep At Lions Speech Competition

Kaleisha, Isobel and Georgia-Kate

St Kevin's College took at clean sweep at the Lions Clubs of North Otago annual speech contest which was held on Sunday.  Students were required to present a 3-5 minute speech on a subject of their own choice.

Students at the College are actively encouraged in the area of public speaking throughout their time at St Kevin's and their success is a credit to themselves and the staff who offer their expertise and support.   

Congratulations to the following students:
YEAR 11/12
1st - Isobel Ryan

Scott and Jino (absent: Ceilidh)

2nd - Kaleisha Jones
3rd - Georgia-Kate Blair

YEAR 9/10
1st - Scott Ruddle
2nd - Jino Kunnethedam
3rd - Ceilidh Brookes

Dillon Boucher At SKC - Door Sales Available

All Blacks Don't Cry

Mrs Jackson and Year 10 Cambridge English students look through the pages of "All Blacks Don't Cry" by Sir John Kirwin.  The College is the only CIE accredited school in North Otago and offers Cambridge English and Maths classes to junior students at the College.

Pictured with Mrs Jackson: Seated - Pierce McLeod, Moriah Tyrrell, Scott Ruddle, Max Stewart, Georgia Sillibourne, Monique Sage.  Standing - Emma Middlemiss, Casey Gordon

St Kevin's College has been very grateful to receive 35 copies of Sir John Kirwan's "All Blacks Don't Cry" as part of an initiative aimed at educating young people in the area of mental illness.  The quote "It's okay to ask for help" is key to Sir John Kirwan's message in his acclaimed book and it is hoped the book will be a way of breaking down the stigma of mental health in our community.  

The number of books equates to a class set and it becomes a resource that can be utlised in more than one area of the College.  Yet another way of ensuring our students are well equipped to venture into the world.

North Otago Secondary School Sports Day Helpers

SKC on attack during last year's Girls Rugby game

It's just about time for the annual interschool with Waitaki Boys's and Waitaki Girls (North Otago Secondary Schools Sports Day) and we are looking for some help with aspects of the day.  If you are able to offer some time our Sports Co-ordinator Nigel Ryburn would love to hear from you - you can contact him at the College or by email nryburn@stkevins.school.nz 

FOOTBALL - 1 helper (scoring)
HOCKEY - 2 helpers (score board)
BASKETBALL - 4 helpers (bench, 1 per game)
NETBALL - 2 helpers (scoring)
RUGBY - 10 helpers (5 gate keepers and 5 ticket takers)
RUGBY - helpers for clean up (grandstand and change rooms)

Special Character - Confirmation 2013

The Signs of the Cross in a dozen languages, a display of our cultural diversity

Confirmation is going to be late in Term 3.  If you wish for your child to be confirmed please contact Mrs Karen Austin.  Students will be prepared for Confirmation during the school day.  The sacrament of Baptism is a pre requisite for Confirmation.  Again, if you wish to enquire about having your child baptised please contact Mrs Karen Austin.  Our Religious Studies classes continue to present inspiring Assembly liturgies.  For many of our students this is their first "cameo" performance on stage.

SKC Netball Meeting

SKC Netball Meeting

Monday 1 July at 7.30pm
NOW IN THE COLLEGE INTERVIEW ROOM

Everyone is welcome!