Blue Is The New Grey

A REMINDER TO STUDENTS, PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS THAT 

IN 2014 ALL GREY SHIRTS MUST BE REPLACED WITH THE BLUE REGULATION SHIRT.

  

THESE ARE AVAILABLE AT JACK SUTHERLANDS, OAMARU

Principal's Comment

Talofa lava, Kia orana, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Talofa ni, Mālō e lelei, Ni sa bula, Tēnā koutou katoa and Greetings to Kevinian's and supporters of the College.

This week the College has resounded to the passionate chant of the new haka being prepared for today's performance competition in the Gymnasium. The Physical Education faculty have moved the performance unit to later in the year to allow more time to practice after the junior examinations, and judging by the quality of this afternoons hakas the change has been beneficial.  The new haka integrated girls and boys into a stering and powerful challenge that all students can be proud of. Thank you to the parents and guest judges who made today a memorable occasion for the students.

Yesterday, Mr Ryan and myself traveled to the Ministry of Education office in Dunedin to hear details of the PB4L (Positive Behaviour for Learning) Project that is being rolled out to all New Zealand secondary schools. St Kevin's College is one of the last to receive this training and so we have been able to talk to others about their experience. We have been particularly keen to ensure that the programme will compliment our special character. Our plan is to use the best elements of restorative practice to add to our discipline system. I consider that one of our strengths as a College has been our "firm but fair" traditional Catholic approach to discipline. The mantra is "If you get it wrong, put it right". We accept that our young people will make mistakes and should be allowed to learn from them. Adding the best of restorative practice at a classroom level will help give a school wide approach to handling issues in a proactive way, diffusing issues before they escalate. The staff training and community discussion will take place during 2014 with implementation planned for 2015.

On the promotions front, Rebecca Ryan, previously a reporter with the Oamaru Mail, has been collecting video footage to produce short clips showing school and hostel life. Thank you to Rebecca and Cathy Taylor for their commitment to this project and to the students who have generously given their time to feature in the clips.

With the last NCEA examination being held today, I would like to thank Mrs Potter for the sterling work she has done liaising with the NCEA team. With examinations completed is appropriate that our leaver's gather on Saturday evening to celebrate with the graduation dinner. The staff and I are looking forward to meeting everyone in a convivial setting and reflecting on the journey of the 2013 Graduates. For many families this will be their final formal connection  with the College. I hope that you will continue your links in the years to come and always feel welcome at St Kevin's.

Na Mihi and Advent Blessings
Paul Olsen, Principal

Junior Performance Unit 2013

Congratulations to all of our juniors for a fantastic display this afternoon.  Year 9 students performed an aerobics display as well as the new College Haka and the Year 10 students added a dance element in as well.  9N were placed first for Year 9 and 10S for Year 10 .... well done!

Final Duke Of Ed Explorations For 2013

I suppose you can’t have good weather all the time for tramping, and any way, thunder and lightning and a little flash flood offer their own interesting experiences to learn from.  Twelve boys with Mr Brand and Mr Dixon set off for Chinaman’s Hut last week, the boys completing their Bronze Award Expedition, the teachers watching out for them and completing the next phase of hut repairs.  While the thunder and lightning and flood were short lived, the drizzle was more or less constant for the two days we were away.  

The boys however were determined to enjoy themselves and were well prepared for whatever they might encounter, some overly so, but that is another story.  Waterfalls, rock climbs, rough country and a fire to stand around and tell stories all made for a great couple of days and had a group of boys asking, “When can we come back?”.

Using The E-Permission System

How to use the E-permissions System

The e-permissions system is a facility where parents and caregivers are able to give student permission for College trips and events on-line.  The Permissions Portal can be found on the College website and is quick and easy to use by following these simple steps.

1. Go to the College website - www.stkevins.school.nz - and click on the Permissions Portal (this can be found under the Contact Us tab)
2. A number of types of general activities are listed … eg; Basketball, Interschools, Cultural Events, Curriculum and Field Trips etc.  Click on the general activity that is relevant to the event you are giving permission for.  This will take you to the e-permission form for that general activity.
3. At the bottom of the page you will be able to view or download the student and parent information relevant to the event you are giving permission for.  It is important that you read this information (please note that some general activities, eg; Curriculum and Field Trips, may have multiple events running at any given time)
4. Enter the student information directly into the boxes on the e-permission form, beginning with their name and your individual parent and caregiver PIN.  This is a security code that should NOT be shared with students.  This code can be set up for you by simply contacting our Office Staff (03 4371665, ext 701)
5. Complete all of the boxes, being sure to clearly name the event you are giving permission for in the last box.
6. Your permission has now been given!

This information is now transferred to a e-permission response document private to the appropriate administrative and management staff at the College and the Teacher In Charge of the event you are giving permission for.  

Camp Preparations

Taking a moment out in 2012

Next week Year 10 students will be involved in Camp Preparations and these will commence at the beginning of Whanau Time on Monday and Tuesday and at 1.40pm on Wednesday and Thursday.  Students will need to bring their swimming togs and a towel on the following days:

Monday 2 December - 10N

Tuesday 3 December - 10S

Wednesday 4 December - 10V

Thursday 5 December 10K

Friday 6 December is a catch up day and any students away on their specified day MUST come with their togs and a towel on this day (Please note this includes students involved in the Agriculture Trip on Tuesday).

It is important that students have the correct equipment for camp, in particular for the outdoor elements of the trip.  The College has options available if parents and caregivers are having difficulty sourcing items and they should feel free to contact Mr Dixon or Mr Brand with regards to these.

Junior Speech Competition For Otago

Hot off the press!!  Congratulations to Year 10 student Karan Ratgali who has placed second in the Junior Speech Competition for Otago Schools.  The event was held this afternoon at Kings High School in Dunedin with an extremely high standard set by all of the speakers.  Karan also won the Gerard Curran Cup in the Junior Scripture Reading at the Bishop's Shield this year.  Well done!!

Calculator Special

Mrs Potter has managed to get an extremely good price for Graphics Calculators.  $99 each compared to the regular retail price of $132.95. All students studying year 11, 12 and 13 Mathematics are required to have a graphics calculator.  Any year 10 students who wish to purchase a graphics calculator now at the special price in preparation for next year can see Mrs Potter. These can  be charged to your school account.

Pipes at Papakaio

On Tuesday afternoon, the College Piper's played for students at Papakaio School. A number of Papakaio students have been learning how to play the snare drums and this was an opportunity for them to display their learning. Thank you to Natalie and Chris for helping Mr Stephen Strachan the drum tutor.

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinian's and Friends of the College

As the major NCEA examinations are concluding and our junior's students have completed their end of year assessment, staff are busy with report writing. The focus in the College has moved to planning for the new year. The strategic planning for the 2014 Charter has reached the draft stage and I have included a link so that our wider community can have input into this important document. Draft Charter

On Wednesday the White Ribbon Riders visited the College. This visit is becoming an annual event, to raise the awareness of family violence. The large group of riders were very impressed with the passionate performance of the new haka. The whole junior school was actively involved with the preparation of food, welcome haka, speeches and karakia before morning tea. This visit is one of the events in a structured programme through our Religious Education classes that focuses on healthy relationships. In Year 12 this links to Lesley Elliot's Love Me Not programme that was piloted at St Kevin's this year. Feed back has been overwhelmingly positive and is another way we build our Special Character dimension.

On Wednesday evening the College Sports Council meet to round up the year. Our chair, Mrs Sinclair thanked the leaders of sport for their work during the year and we discussed a number of developments in risk management approach and financial funding. Thank you to all the representatives on the Council. Your community links and passion for sport have enriched the profile of sport within the College.

Today the College has held a Mufti-day to help with the Caratas appeal for the victims of the Philippines disaster. This is a practical way to help those in dire need of support at a critical time.

Finally, can you keep the Burton family in your prayers as today is the funeral of Mr Burton's mother.

Na mihi and Advent Blessings
Paul Olsen, Principal

Federation Representative

Congratulations to Rosie Pope who has been selected for the 15th Grade Federation Team.  Rosie has been travelling to Timaru once a week as part of the Federation Talent Centre and her selection is a testament to her dedication and ability on the football field!  She will take part in a 4 day tournament in Wellington, beginning on the 14 December.  

Truffles For Christmas

Truffles for Christmas

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN ORDER FORM

The Home and School are selling truffles - $5.00 dozen - and order forms have been sent home with students and via email for you to collect orders from friends and family.  These would make a great Christmas present for that person who is always a bit tricky to buy for!

The truffles will be ready for pick-up on Friday 13^th December (Junior Prize-giving).   
Text your order to: Mandy - 027 3814436 or give to any Home and School committee member by 29^th November.

Thanks to everyone for all your support.  Keep an eye on the Redcastle Roundup to see what we have provided this year to benefit every child at St. Kevin’s.