Paddles Up Kayaking

The Otago Regional Paddles Up Competition was hosted by the St Kevin's Kayak Club and held at the newly developed Waitaki River slalom site last weekend. Teacher in charge, Mr Haig, was pleased by the number and technical quality of the paddlers at this inter-school event. Mr Haig has been instrumental in the development of the slalom site and is to be congratulated on work that he has personally put into preparing the site and the students for the event. Congratulations also go to Fergus Farrell and Jaln Rodger who were placed first in the Under 16 C2 event.

Junior Scripture Reading

The Year 9 & 10 Scripture Reading Competition was held in the Chapel on Friday 25th February. Our adjudicator was one of our local Dominican sisters, Sister Madeline. It is wonderful to keep the Dominican charism of preaching the word of God alive and to continue their tradition of public speaking.

Year 10:

1st Corbyn Bischopps

2nd Isobel Ryan

3rd Christopher Kearney

Year 9:

1st Tiana Mihaere

2nd Kimberley Allan

3rd Harshaa Prasad

Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award

Congratulations to Jack Dwyer, Isaac de Buyzer, Fergus Farrell and William Plunkett who where presented with their Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Silver Awards at assembly this week. The Silver Award incorperates elements from the following areas:

• Service- giving help in the local community
• Skills- covering almost any non physical hobby, skill or interest
• Adventurous Journey - training for, practising, planning and completing a journey on foot, horseback or by boat or cycle
• Physical Recreation- sport, dance and fitness

Thank you to Mr Dixon, who runs the programme within the College, for his help and support. If you are interested in joining the Young New Zealander's Challenge the following website is useful. http://www.challengenz.org.nz/

Overseas Trip Survey

Our apologies to those of our community who have had difficulties responding to the on line survey for the overseas tour. Due to technical difficulties you were viewing the data collection tool rather than the survey. We have hopefully corrected this and invite you to respond to the survey which can be found on the link at the top right of the e-news page.

Prefects take "The Oath"

Our Year 13 Prefects for 2011 were commissioned this week at an assembly that focused on what it means to be a Servant Leader; where you promise before God to serve the Community and help others to achieve their best by supporting and encouraging them. As names were read by our Head Students the Prefects' assembled on stage before reciting the Prefects Oath in front of students and staff.

Congratulations to our Year 13 Prefects:

Palak Amin	Payal Amin	Gabrielle Caldwell
Kristina Clemens	Sasha Doolan	Mairaid Elliott
Caitlin Fogarty	Jessica Grasmueck	Samara Halkett
Courtney Holland	Victoria Lowe	Amelia Mabon
Stacey McCaw	Stephanie Ng	Hannah Poole
Ashleigh Sinclair	Fiona Watson	Monica Whitham
Ryan Algar	John Easton	Conor Lawrence
Christopher Moulton	Ashley Peden	Sam Spivey
Paul Stratton	Kelman Wallace

Christchurch Earthquake

Dear Parents and Caregivers

I want to let you know how the school is responding to the Christchurch Earthquake

1. We have offered thirty beds (and food also if necessary) in the school hostel, without charge, immediately.

2. There will be a $5 Mufti Day (or whatever your circumstances can afford) on Friday . (Mufti Days normally have a gold coin donation.) We hope every student will contribute so we will raise close to $2000. We will donate the money to the Salvation Army Earthquake Appeal as part of an Oamaru Community initiative.

3. We will be a North End community drop off point for non-perishable food, which will then be passed on the the agencies involved for distribution.

4. We ask all students and staff to bring to the office at least one item of non perishable goods (e.g. tins, cereal, bottled water).

There may be more we can do in the future but this is our initial response.

I know that many families have had a stressful time worrying about friends and relatives, particularly in the immediate aftermath when communications were difficult. I trust that this e-mail finds you with all loved ones safe.

Regards

Paul Olsen
Principal

Waitaki Gears Up To Help

At a meeting convened this morning in Oamaru, Mayor Alex Familton spoke to a group of local community people on how our community could best reach out and help the people of Christchurch. Already a team from the local Fire Service along with a fire appliance were dispatched to assist last night. The District Council has agreed to co-ordinate activities through the Council Civil Defence system and members of the community are encouraged to either email or phone the Council if they are in a position to assist in any way. In the first instance they are preparing a list of short term accommodation and invite members of the community to contact the council on 433 0300 or to email service@waitaki.govt.nz

At the meeting this morning St Kevin's College was represented by Director of Boarding, Mr Justin Fowler, and along with Waitaki Boys High School the College has had an offer of emergency accommodation in our hostel accepted. As part of the community response students are asked to bring donations of non perishable food to school on Thursday 24 February in order to help support displaced families.

Special Liturgy

A special liturgy was held this morning to offer our prayers and support to friends, family and the people of Christchurch.

We would take this opportunity to advise the College Community that all staff and students are safe and well and that the College routine will run as per usual. We are available to offer any practical and emotional support to our students and extended College family.

SKC Rugby Club Fundraiser

FOR SALE: 1000 used car tyres only $0.50 each.

Support the St Kevin's Rugby Club and the environment - recycle!

Contact Mr Justin Fowler at the St Kevin's Boys Hostel

Phone 4371665, extn 758

Home and School AGM

Home and School Annual General Meeting

Monday 14th March, 7pm

St Kevin's College Staff Room

All Welcome.

SKC Netball Club

St Kevin's College Netball Club

Community Consultation Meeting

Time: Tuesday, 1 March, 7pm

Venue: St Kevin's College Staff Room

This meeting is to discuss the performance review of the netball club and to ask community feedback on future implications. All welcome.

Overseas Study Success

Congratulations to former student and Deputy Head Boy Tom Lord who has been accepted into the London Contemporary School of Music to complete a short course in bass guitar. Tom was very prominent on the music scene at St Kevin's College and along with Wade Guthrie and Oliver Hailes was a founding member of the highly acclaimed rock band "The Hazard".

Scholarship Award

Congratulations to Year 11 student Mackenzie Scott who has received a scholarship to attend the Pettman Academy which is organised by Canterbury University to groom promising instrumentalists and singers for university study. With only 25 scholarships being given out Mackenzie is the only student outside of Christchurch to have been selected for this opportunity. The academy allows her to take part in masterclasses, be taught voice by a university lecturer and will also provide performance opportunities.

1st XV Coaches Announced

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dave More and Andy Collins (pictured above left to right above) as Head Coaches for the 1^st XV for the 2011 season. Dave and Andy both bring a wealth of coaching experience to the team and will be assisted by technical advisors experienced coach Greg Hand and ex Hurricane player Shane Carter whose expertise will give us a very well rounded coaching team. The Team this year will be managed by Colleen Rusbatch and Tiernach Farrell will be the team’s medic.

There is one warm-up game scheduled for 27^th March against Timaru Boys (at SKC)and then a three day tournament in Christchurch at Easter prior to the start of the Highlander Competition in term 2. The coaching and management team will be meeting with the players next week to discuss the 2011 season. Details will be posted on the blog and sent home to parents as soon as they are confirmed.

Later Start for Students

Due to a staff meeting there will be a later start for students on

Wednesday 23rd February.

Lessons will commence at 9.40am , ie; period two, however supervision will be available for those needing to arrive at the usual time.

Athletics Tribute

Simon was invited to assembly to celebrate his 2010 achievements which include:

South Island Athletics: 100m 3rd, 200m 4th,Shot Put 1st -new record of 10.09m

Nationals in Hastings 11th & 12th December: 100m 3rd, 200 5th and Shot Put 2nd

Simon took the opportunity to thank Mr Nyika for coaching him.

Scripture Reading

Y13 1st equal Kezia Prestidge & Maeve Ryan

3rd Fergus Farrell

Y12 1st Albert Hailes

2nd equal Johannah Kearney and Rowan Newton

Y11 1st Jibi Kunnethedam

2nd Molly Farrell

3rd Roxanne Arsi

Athletics Day Mass Images

Roncalli Cricket

Athletic Sports Images

Swimming Sports Images

Cycling Success

Congratulations to cyclist Holly Edmondston (Year 10) who took the gold in six events at a meeting held at Denton Park in Christchurch recently. Riding under the Canterbury colours of red and black this was an excellent build event for the New Zealand Track Nationals being held in Invercargill at the beginning of March.

Athletics Results 2011

Hostel News

A large number of families are pictured enjoying morning tea before the Athletic Day Mass.

Congratulations to Will Plunkett and Rachel Blakely who have been selected as the school’s Head Boy and Head Girl respectively.

It was great to see the large number of hostel students featuring so prominently during the athletic and swimming sports recently.

A large number of Hostel students attended the pre-season match between the Highlanders and Crusaders held in Oamaru last week. Here Owen Franks is lucky enough to get a photo with a few of them.

Health Reminder

Our Public Health Nurse has brought to light the need to be vigilent when it come to illness and our students. A recent media release regarding a particular tummy bug is a reminder that any student absent from school with diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms should not return to school until 24 hours after these symptoms have disappeared. Please be sure to let us know if this is a reason for absence so that the Health Board are better able to monitor the containment of this bug.

Highlanders vs Crusaders Clash

Stars of the rugby world were out in force in Oamaru during a pre-season game between the Crusaders and the Highlanders played at the Whitestone Contracting Stadium. Avid Highlanders supporter Year 11 student Andrew Easton put his bias aside when Brad Thorn from the Crusaders called by to say hello. The Crusaders took the game 40-21.

Swimming Pool Crystal Clear

Sparkling clear water and a happy Property Manager - the result of some hard work and a working pool chlorination system! A pump breakdown at the end of last week temporarily relocated our College Swimming Sports, however thanks to Mr Ratahi and his team disaster has been averted and we can continue to enjoy the swimming pool with the Championship Swimming event being held this afternoon.

Home and School Fundraising

As part of our Athletics Day events the St Kevin's College Home and School will be running a series of fundraising raffles from the track side lines. Please feel free to join them for complimentary tea and coffee and enjoy the day.

Next Home and School meeting

Monday, 14th Feb, 7pm in the College Staff Room.

New faces are always welcome.

3000m Race Images

Athletic Sports Field Images

Programme for Swimming and Athletic Sports

Friday 11 February - Swimming Sports:

11.00am

Swimming Sports begin - Click on the programme to enlarge

Note: The sports will be held at Oamaru Intermediate Pool.

This change is required as our pool chlorination system has failed.

The junior events will be in the morning and seniors in the afternoon.

Sunday 13 February - Athletic Sports:

10.00am

Boarder Parents Morning Tea - Boys Hostel Common Room

11.00am

Athletic Sports Day Mass - College Chapel

This is a St Kevin's College family event and we encourage all parents and whanau to join in the celebration.

12.00 noon

Proposed Sporting Tour Meeting - Redcastle Room

Any interested parents of students in Year10 - 12 who are interested in a sporting tour planned for 2012 should meet Miss Casey and Board Members to jointly look at options.

Families are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy this family day. Boarders will be supplied with a packed lunch to enable them to join the picnic atmosphere.

1.30pm

Athletic Sports begin- Click on the programme to enlarge

3000m Race Day

There was fierce competition at the 3000m event held after school on Wednesday 9th February. Unlike previous years when weather has chilled spectators there was a good crowd to support students and add a festive atmosphere to the afternoon. Congratulations to the following 1st place winners:

U14 Girls - Georgia Haggerty

U14 Boys - Scott Weir and Corbyn Bisschops =

U15 Girls - Katherine Hope

U15 Boys - Isak Gunnarson

U16 Girls - Eilee Robinson

U16 Boys - Benedict Yanzick

Snr Girls - Bethany Robertson

Snr Boys - Ryan Lill

Athletics Field Day

There was an array of colour as the Senior Boys left the starting line in a track event at our Athletics Field Day held on Tuesday 8 February. With the sun shining the entire College participated in the wide variety of track and field events on offer and we look forward to this coming Sunday when we will share our Athletics Mass and Sports Day with the College Community.

Waitaki Sports Forum

A Waitaki Sports Forum will be held on Thursday 17 March, 6.00-9.00pm at the Athletic Marist Rugby Clubrooms, Centennial Park. Facilitator Mike Stewart (Physiotherapist) will be running a Sports Medic Workshop, incorporating sports strapping and sports first aid. The cost is $5 per participant. To register please contact:

Louise Bee, Sport Waitaki

Ph: 03-434 9379 or 029 434 9379

sportwaitaki@sportotago.co.nz

ICAS English Exams 2011

International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)

English

We encourage able Yr9 and 10 English students to compete in the ICAS English exams:

Spelling $7.50 Entries close 24 May

Writing (Persuasive) $17.50 Entries close 24 May

English $7.50 Entries close 5 July

Parents and students can register with Kiri Powell (HOD) at kpowell@stkevins.school.nz. The entry fee will be charged to student's accounts. Students will sit the exams during school time in June and August with each exam lasting 60minutes.

Investiture Mass 2011

The College Community gathered in the Chapel this morning to celebrate our student leaders for 2011 with the Leaders' Investiture Mass. As well as the parents and extended family of our student leaders Mr Olsen was delighted to welcome Sister Madeline and Brother John O'Shea who joined us for this very special day. Our students leaders for 2011 are:

Head Girl - Rachel Blakely

Head Boy - William Plunkett

Deputy Head Girl - Maeve Ryan

Deputy Head Boy - Fergus Farrell

Special Character Prefect - Oliver Hanning

Special Character Prefect - Sian Waters

Head Girl Hostel - Hayley Wearne

Head Boy Hostel - William Plunkett

Clancy Cultural Captains - Ryan Lill & Danielle Simpson

Clancy Sporting Captains - Dominik Yanzick & Siobhan Murphy

Magee Cultural Captains - Taylor Hendricks & Georgia Wallace

Magee Sporting Captains - Johnny Rusbatch & Brittany Wallis

Treacy Cultural Captains - Michelle Chan & Ben Catto

Treacy Sporting Captains - Luke Mullally & Raewyn Gregory-Hunt

Whyte Cultural Captains - Lydia Inglis & Jaln Rodger

Whyte Sporting Captains - Steven Scott & Natalie Corbett

Superbike Racing Success

Year 10 student Zayne Agate has been making his mark in the world of superbikes with nearly a dozen competitive races under his belt, including two recent 4th placings at Ruapuna in Christchurch. This weekend Zayne will line up in the junior streetstock class for the 1st round of the National Superbike Road Racing Championships at Levels Raceway in Timaru. We look forward to hearing more from this young rider.

English Text Books

ALL ENGLISH STUDENTS

Please return outstanding English text books IMMEDIATELY, especially 2010 English Students. Students who do not return them promptly will be charged for them.

K Powell, HOD English

Untouched World Educational Scholarship

Congratulations to Courteney Botting and Tui Sinclair who are the 2011 St Kevin's College recipients of an Untouched World Educational Trust Scholarship. At the end of February, along with pupils selected from other Otago schools, they will take part in the Waitaki Water Wise Project. This is a week long camp where the students will focus on investigating issues of water use and sustainability in the Waitaki River catchment. The focus is on student centred learning and leadership. The week will end with the students presenting their ideas to an audience that will include representatives from schools, local government, Ngai Tahu, Meridian and programme sponsors.

Welcome to New Staff

The school enthusiastically welcomed Mrs Fowler - Home Economics (left), Mr Seddon - Head of the Science Faculty and Mr Fowler - Director of Boarding, as they introduced themselves at assembly on Wednesday. We hope that their time with us will be both productive and personally rewarding.

Eurest join The St Kevin's Team

Eurest are a world wide specialist catering company which has been serving New Zealand schools, universities, military bases, hospitals and rest homes for over 20 years. Eurest schools include Auckland Grammar, St Cuthbert’s, St Kentigern’s, Woodford House, Sacred Heart, Whangarei Boys’, Marlborough Boys’, Waihi and Waitaki Boys'High School. We are pleased to welcome them to St Kevin's College where they will manage the Hostel catering, laundry, cleaning and the canteen, stationery shop and school cleaning.

As part of the change over to Eurest management, the Canteen and Stationery shop have been moved to the Hostel Dining Room and an Eftpos machine has been installed. We hope to be able to offer meals to day students and create a cafeteria space to give a welcoming gathering place for all students to dine in comfort. Below is an example of the new menu for the students. (Click on the image to enlarge.)

Mihi Whakatau - Welcome Images

Kevinian Values

Family – Whānau: community; belonging; civic mindedness; participation; justice; reconciliation; unity; common good; citizenship; co-operation; hospitality; (fostering loyalty and pride)

Integrity – Ngākau tapatahi: responsibility; accountability; reliability; commitment; honesty; truthfulness; trustworthiness; being ethical; moral courage; doing the right thing - even when no-one is looking.

Respect – Whakaute: human dignity; personhood; individual rights; freedom; personal autonomy; human rights; compassion; aroha; consideration; concern; empathy; self-esteem; self-respect; self-belief or self-discipline; mana; safety; well-being; hauora

Excellence – Hiranga: achievement; excellence; doing your best; perseverance; resilience; striving; competition; (fostering loyalty and pride)

Secondary Schools Essay Contest

Is democracy important to you? Having the freedom to have your say, to make decisions about how your country is ruled? How can people complain about the state of the nation if they don't use the voice they are given? What if that voice was taken away from you?

The Governement are running an essay competition that is open to all high school students. The topic is: How would you increase the understanding and participation of young people in our democracy? (word limit = 1500 words, typed). Three entries per school are permitted within the Waitaki area. The winner's name and essay for the Waitaki Electorate will submitted to the Association of Former Members of Parliament who will determine the New Zealand winning entry.

I strongly encourage students of St Kevin's to enter this contest, particularly those who have a political or legal bent! Essays must be submitted to K Powell, HOD English, by 30 March 2011.

Year 9 Retreat Day

The sun came out and there were smiles all round as our Yr9 students for 2011 gathered at the College for their Retreat Day. The day started in the Chapel with a Liturgy before they were introduced to our Yr13 team in the College Gymnasium where a great series of icebreaker fun and games were had. Welcome to St Kevin's!