Monday, June 29, 2015

A Steel Of An Opportunity


Our netball girls were given the great opportunity to work with Gina Crampton from the Southern Steel on Friday.  Thanks for coming to Oamaru Gina!  The girls will no doubt have taken a lot away from your time with them.

Friday, June 26, 2015

Principal's Comment


Kia ora Kevinians and supporters of the College

Our heating plant has been put to the test this week as morning temperatures drop below zero in Oamaru. Thank you to Mr Grant for ensuring that the system has run smoothly. The new dining room heating system is a welcome addition at this time. It had its first real trial last Saturday on the evening of the College Ball and passed with flying colours. The theme of the evening was Circus and it was a feast of colour and pageantry. I would like to thank the Home & School Committee for their generous help. They have supported our student leaders to arrange an outstanding social occasion. This was a tremendous opportunity for students to learn some of the many skills required for event management and is an example of the “wider curriculum” in action. Thank you for providing the time, resource and wisdom to make it all come to fruition.

This week staff have been preparing mid year reports for publishing next week. It is gratifying to see that student academic achievement also reflects the high expectations being demanded of students by staff. It is this personal academic challenge that helps support students to become lifelong learners. As a College we are encouraging caregivers and students to have a healthy discussion about progress this term, so that we keep focused on improving each person’s learning. We feel that it is important to keep talking about the key issues of engagement, progress and future aspirations, so we keep on track.

At Wednesdays' assembly, we presented the certificates to those students who have been awarded SPARK cards earlier in the term. It is great to see the wide range of students demonstrating their involvement within the College and wider community. Well done to all the recipients.

May God bless you all
Paul Olsen, Principal


Thursday, June 25, 2015

Lions Junior Speech Maker Competition

The College was well represented at the Lions Junior Speech Maker Competition which was held last Sunday, 21 June.  In the Y9 and Y10 group Anna Craig placed first while Madeleine Harrop came second.  In the Y11 and Y12 group Jino Kunnethedam took second place and Ceilidh Brooks nabbed third.  They were all commended on their efforts which proved a challenge for the judging panel.  What a fantastic effort!

A Week Of On Court Action

The girls lost out to Craighead last Friday while the Top V Boys continued their winning streak with a big 73-50 win over OBHS C's.  They are not complacent in their victory however with the OBHS A's still to play!

Tuesday saw the Y9 and Y10 boys travel to the Aoraki Secondary Schools Tournament.  The Y10 boys were beaten by better teams on the day but took the opportunity to develop some good skills.  The Y9 boys took 3 wins from their 6 games with Steven Vahai, Jerome Misiloi and Mark Xie stand out players.  Well done to all of the boys who represented the College so proudly!


Y9 Speech Winners

The art of public speaking is an institution in it's own right at St Kevin's College and last week the Year 9 speech competitions were held.  Well done to all of those who participated but a special congratulations to our winner and placegetters for 2015.
1st Kayleigh Gill
2nd Serena O'Brien
3rd= Jonte Kydd-Law and Ryan Kennedy


Win A Slice Of History

The team from the Home & School will be selling raffle tickets for the chance to win a SIGNED HIGHLANDERS JERSEY (could be valuable if they take out the Super 15!!). They'll be at Countdown on Friday 26 June, Northside New World on Thursday 2 July and at the SKC/Waitaki rugby game on Friday 3rd July. Don't let the chance to win a slice of history pass you by!!

Thank You From The Home & School

The Home & School would like to acknowledge the huge efforts and support given for the College Ball on Saturday evening.  In particular they extend their sincere gratitude to Claire Hitchcock, Julia Fauth and the Ball Committee and thank them for creating such a fantastic event.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Netball Movie Fundraiser


U18 Hockey Representatives

Congratulations to Rose McCarthy, Riley Chandler, Meg Knowler, Ellen McAtamney and Brittany Weir who have all been selected for the North Otago U18 Women's Hockey team which will compete at the National U18 Womens Tournament in Dunedin during the first week of the school holidays.  Well done girls, and all the best for a great result!

Order Your SKC 2015 School Magazine


Tuesday, June 23, 2015

St Kevin's College Ball 2015


The 2015 College Ball was held on Saturday evening and with a circus theme, it was truly a Circus Spectacular!  Congratulations to all of the students on the Ball Committee for setting the stage for a wonderful evening and a special thank you to the Home & School for their invaluable support!  Thank you also to the following people for helping make the evening such a success: Sally-Ann Donnelly, Mr Allan Grant, Limelight Cinema, Mrs Athena Evans, Mrs Margie Newton, Mrs Tina Dooley, Mr Peter Fulton, Mr Peter Burton and Gordon Martin for the fabulous candyfloss.

(Photo credit for the traditional Year 13 group photo in the Redcastle, thank you to DC Photos by Daniel Chew)

St Kevin's College Ball Parade 2015


What a way to begin a fantastic evening!

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Mercy Cup Postponed

MERCY CUP HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL MONDAY 29 JUNE.  SCHOOL AS USUAL TOMORROW GIRLS.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

It's Ball time of year again and the dining room is being transformed into a 'Big Top' for the celebration of this year's event.  I would like to congratulate our senior students who have been working tirelessly on this project since the beginning of the term.  Students who volunteer for the Ball Committee are able to contribute their own ideas and have control over how they run the Ball.  This also means that they are expected to meet deadlines, manage budgets, problem solve and organize  their time.  Our students really step up to this challenge which is great to see.  In this way, they are given the opportunity to develop Key Competencies such as 'self management', 'participating and contributing', and 'thinking'.

Equally responsible for this event are the members of the Home and School who interpret much of what the students want and help to action their requests.  We are so lucky that we have such a talented group with an eye for design and experience in organizing these types of events.  We cannot thank you enough and appreciate all of your support.
Junior maths in action.
Teachers are writing reports at this time of year.  These are the first we have written where we have used the new parent portal, so we are ironing out the crinkles as we work our way through the process.  I will let you know how to access those when they are ready,  Watch this space!

Keep warm over what looks to be shaping up as a cold weekend, and good luck to all our sports teams.

May God bless you all
Paul Olsen, Principal

Ball Parade 2015


The 2015 SKC Ball Parade will begin at 6pm sharp.  
Doors will open for "first in best seat" at 5.30.  
We have a TINY number of door sales available but please remember that you must have your ticket for entry.

Y9 Taster Change

Taster subjects for Y9 students will change on Monday 22 June:

9S - Material Technology and Mandarin
9T - Music and Art
9K - Drama and Information Literacy
9C - Graphics and Food Technology


Aoraki Cyclists Battle The Storm

With a winter storm moving up the country a brave team of cyclists competed in the Aoraki Schools Cycling Championships yesterday.  In the Girls Over 16 Fran Yanzick shone with two gold medals, winning both the Time Trial and Scratch events.  Regan Holland competed in the Boys Over 16 section and also won the Time Trial with a time of 3min37sec.  He placed third in the Scratch race.  What a great display of Kevinian determination!  Congratulations.


Thursday, June 18, 2015

H & S Highlanders Raffle

HOME & SCHOOL RAFFLE - HIGHLANDERS JERSEY, SIGNED BY THE 2015 SQUAD.

The fabulous team from the H&S are looking for willing volunteers to help sell raffle tickets for this great prize!

Countdown 26 June (Noon till 3pm is covered - thank you to those fab volunteers! - but still looking for help in the morning or after 3pm.

If you are able to help please contact Mandy Farrell - 027 381 4436

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Mercy Cup Timetable And Draws

MERCY CUP TIMETABLE AND DRAWS

Click here for the TIMETABLE
Click here for the DRAWS

Continuing Basketball and Football Success

The Boys Top V Basketball team continued their winning record last Friday with an win over Otago Boys' B's. It was an embattled path to victory, with bloody noses and lips when bodies were put on the line, but Mr Hitchcock said that team culture was the key with the boys playing for each other and being rewarded with a strong finish. 79-59 the final score.

On the football pitch there were victories across the board for the College last weekend. The U16 boys had a solid 9-1 win over Mountain View and the U18 team took out rivals Meadowbank in a hard fought encounter. The two girls teams played each other and with a 2-2 draw they could both claim the win.

Cambridge International Examinations

The Cambridge Examination letters have now been sent out to all students who are in the Cambridge option this year.  Please make sure these are completed whether your son/daughter will be competing in these examinations or not.

If you have not received a copy of this letter and your son/daughter is in the Cambridge option, or if you have any questions please contact:
Athena Evans
Cambridge Co-ordinator

Monday, June 15, 2015

Chess Put To The Test

Kazeer Reriti-Lanauze, Sean Daly, Sam Ball and Tarras Weir put their best chess to the test on Saturday at the Otago/Southland Secondary Schools Chess Championship, held at Otago Boys' High School, where they placed 7th overall.  Kazeer proved the star of the day winning three of his matches and drawing a fourth.  Well done boys!

Friday, June 12, 2015

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

As the end of term approaches, we seem to be getting busier and busier. Preparations are well underway for the Ball and our students are very excited about the upcoming event. I would like to extend my personal thanks to the Home and School for their wonderful support. We would be nowhere without their tireless efforts and we truly appreciate it. I would also like to congratulate the senior students for their creativity and vision. It's entirely appropriate that students use the opportunity to learn the key competencies of self management, relating to others and participation and contribution.

I am also aware while writing about creativity, that we have had some students cast in the up coming Musical Theatre Oamaru show - "The Addams Family". Congratulations to those of you who were successful and well done for putting yourselves out there and supporting our flourishing community arts scene.

Today at liturgy, we celebrated the idea of 'growth', physical, personal, in community and spiritual. As we slide into winter proper we need to remember that spring will eventually return and that the cycle of our lives will continue. The key to positive growth is preparing the ground. As we move through this winter term, let us remember that in order to see results in the spring, we need to do the hard yards now. Reports will soon be available. These should be used as an aid to assess what the preparation of the ground should look like in coming months. As we learned from the gospel readings this week, small mustard seeds have the capacity to grow into great things.

May God bless you all
Paul Olsen, Principal

Otago Netball

 
Congratulations to the girls who competed at the 2015 Harraways Otago Secondary Schools Netball Tournament on Sunday and Monday, held at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin.  Our Junior team placed 6th out of 16 teams in their grade while the Intermediate and Senior A teams competed fiercely against some tough competition, but both finishing with Top 10 placings.  Well done girls!


Hostel Quiz Night

Kevinian brain power was put to the test last night with a Hostel Quiz Night held down at the Girls' Hostel.  Mr Nyika played the role of Quiz Master as teams of varying sizes vied for the top spot.  In a late flurry, coming from third to first, the "Georgia Haggerty Fanclub" (Tarn Crow, Julia Fauth, Oscar Bellett, Janaya Allan and Tim Odlum) took out the win!  

Welcome Olly Smith

Thank you to Brayden at the Oamaru Mail for use of this photo.
This season the College has welcomed former Otago Nugget and national age group basketballer Olly Smith into the St Kevin's family as coach of the Top V Boys Basketball team.  Olly continues to play for the Bombers in the Men's A Grade competition in Dunedin and travels to SKC twice a week for coaching sessions.  The boys compete each Friday evening in Dunedin and with the exception of a grading game against Otago Boys' are continuing to dominate the competition.  Olly is supported by assistant coach Josh Botting and manager Chris Brien.


Thursday, June 11, 2015

Dancing Refinement

With the College Ball just a week away Y12 and Y13 students have been putting their best foot forward thanks to the dancing expertise of Mike and Madeline Birnie.  Ballroom dancing lessons began last week with the classic "one, two, three" waltz.

Network Waitaki Ltd Grant

The TopV Girls Basketball team are looking sharp on the court in new uniforms for 2015, thanks to a generous grant of $3680 from Network Waitaki Ltd for uniforms and first aid kits.  Mr Olsen and Sandra Kitto were pleased to be able to attend a function at The Homestead on Tuesday and receive the sponsorship cheque on behalf of the team.  Thank you Network Waitaki Ltd for your support!

Mercy Cup Team Lists

The Mercy Cup tournament will be held on Monday 22 June in Christchurch, hosted by Marian College.  The team lists are out and parents/caregivers have been contacted by email with information and permission slips.  
CLICK HERE to view the 2015 Mercy Cup team lists

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Ball Parade Tickets


A limited number of Ball Parade tickets will be available for purchase from MONDAY 15 JUNE, from the St Kevin's College school office.  $5 each on a first in first served basis.

Aoraki Cross Country Top Ten Finish

Amy Coutts (Y9) flew the College flag at the Aoraki Cross Country last Friday.  She competed in the Junior Grade and was rewarded with a 10th placing against some tough competition.  Congratulations Amy!

Monday, June 8, 2015

Historic Mainland Win

Congratulations to Georgia Oakes and the girls from the South Canterbury U17 Basketball team, who took out the title at the Mainland U17 tournament held in Nelson over Queen's Birthday Weekend.  The win was a first for South Canterbury and Georgia was very proud to be part of the historic win.  Well done!

Friday, June 5, 2015

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

Today is the feast day of St Kevin which we were lucky enough to be able to celebrate with a Mass attended by the Directors of Religious Studies from our sister schools.  St Kevin is celebrated as a Saint who led with great humility and who was an example of strength and resilience and one whom we are proud to emulate.  It is perhaps fortuitous then that he was chosen as the name sake of a school which has developed a proud heritage of punching above its weight and of stepping up to challenges presented to it.
This week, many of those challenges were sporting.  We were fortunate enough to be able to host St Bede's as part of our annual exchange. All teams participated in a spirit of great sportsmanship and we were very lucky with the weather. It was not quite so simple on Wednesday when our students attended the Junior Quad Tournament and I would like to thank the staff and parents who made this possible under some very difficult and needless to say ‘wet’ circumstances.

Thank you also to Mrs Foster who organized the percussion group ‘STRIKE’ to come and play for us. While it has been a shorter week, it has been a very busy one. Enjoy your weekend.

May God bless you all
Paul Olsen, Principal

St Kevin's Feast Day


Today the College gathered in the Chapel to celebrate the Feast Day of our namesake, St Kevin of Glendalough, with a Mass.  St Kevin was Irishman who lived in the 6th century and is noted for his commitment to prayer, education and the environment, as well as the spiritual growth of all those around him.

As part of the celebrations a number of students were blessed and presented with a certificate from the Bishops acknowledging them as Eucharistic Ministers for the College community.  Congratulations to you.  We were pleased to welcome the Directors of Religious Studies from schools from across the Diocease and have them share in this special day.

Sibling Rivalry In Netball Shootoff

Thank you Brayden at the Oamaru Mail for this photo
Brooke and Lauren Parson went head to head with each other and netballers from around the country to win a VIP experience with the Silver Ferns.  Lauren edged out her sister by securing seven goals in twenty seconds at the Southern Steel and Adelaide Firebirds game at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin last month.  Lauren will travel to the Silver Ferns vs Australia game in August with her prize consisting of travel and accommodation, tickets and transport to the game and a chance to meet the players and watch them train.

Loves Me Not


Loves Me Not
Thursday 11th June


Loves-Me-Not focuses on healthy (equal) relationships as opposed to unhealthy (controlling) ones. The programme is delivered to year 12 students by three facilitators trained by Police. The facilitators comprise a teacher, a police officer and a representative of a non-governmental organisation working in the field of family violence prevention. Loves-Me-Not covers a full school day. Our school Guidance Counsellor will be present to support students. If you have any queries contact Senior Dean, Marc Nyika,mnyika@stkevins.school.nz



Junior Quad Awash

Unlike Forbury Park (pictured) Bayfield Park stayed above water long enough to see some determined football and rugby players!
Wednesday saw a very brave group travel to Dunedin for the annual Southern Catholic Secondary Schools Junior Winter Tournament, and while the Football and Rugby soldiered on as best they could in the saturating conditions, the Basketball and Netball teams had the luxury of the Edgar Centre.  It was unfortunate that the persistent rain and associated freezing conditions called a halt to games on the rugby field and football pitch, but these players displayed the Kevinian grit to persevere regardless.  With wins in the Y9 and Y10 Netball, Boys Football, Y7&8 Rugby and a second place in the Y9&10 Rugby, St Kevin's/St Joseph's placed 2= overall. Thank you to the staff and parents who supported and traveled with the teams and well done to all who participated in the day!

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Striking A Key Note


Students were given a treat on Tuesday afternoon when members from NZ's top percussion ensemble performed at the College.  "Strike" was formed 20 years ago and has a core group of 10 musicians.  They travel both nationally and internationally and are often seen at high profile fixtures across the county.  We welcomed Steph, James and Ben to St Kevin's this week.  Thank you to Mrs Foster for arranging what was a very entertaining and high energy concert, and well done to those brave enough to take to the stage in a bit of audience participation!

Determination Against St Bede's

Determination and passion were in abundance during the interschool with St Bede's this week.  While the visitors dominated on the hockey turf, rugby field and football pitch, the TopV boys basketball continued their impressive season with a 68-31 win on the court.  Congratulations to all of the boys who participated in the day.

Parent Portal Tutorial

MUSAC EDGE PARENT PORTAL TUTORIAL

TUESDAY 9 JUNE
7pm

College Staff Room

Parents and Caregivers are invited to the next Home & School meeting where at 7pm Mr Olsen will give a "how to" tutorial on the Musac Edge Parent Portal.   This is the perfect opportunity to explore the range of information available to you, to see and know about the learning progress of your child.  
Please feel free to bring your own devices to follow along.


Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Ian Smith Tournament Champions

Congratulations to Connor and Sean Daly, and the North Otago Mens Hockey team on their historic win at the Ian Smith Tournament which was held in Ashburton last weekend.  They came through the tournament unbeaten taking out South Canterbury for the first time in 17 years during the final game on Monday.  Connor and Sean had a great tournament and their dedicated training was rewarded with a lot of game time, Connor making his way to the starting lineup and scoring against Mid Canterbury on Sunday.  Well done boys!