BOT Student Representative Election Results

25 September 2016



St Kevin’s College
Board of Trustees Election
Declaration of Student Election Results

Votes:
Belen Mino Zubiri 10
Holly Malcolm 22
Harriet Hanning 28
Fergus Watt 13
Iva Jame Nelson 8
Invalid Votes 5

I hereby declare duly elected: Harriet Hanning

Signed



Sue McErlane
Returning Officer

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

Welcome to the final blog for the term. The many posts during the term highlight “Excellence” in all its forms, woven through the fabric of College life. After a very successful visit from the Education Review Office (ERO), I thought it would be timely to share our vision for excellence and how it is strongly linked with equity in an Edmund Rice and Dominican College.

In the media, we often hear about “shallow excellence” - people celebrating easy achievements gained from the talents they already have. Our challenge and aim as a College is to celebrate “authentic excellence” which has come from hard graft, personal best and high expectations.

In education, personal excellence is fostered when you create a learning environment that is fair and just (equitable) for all students to achieve their best. Equity recognises that life is an uneven playing field and that we should aim to provide more support to those in need. The result is captured in our College Touchstone - “Liberating Education”.

One of the challenges we face is that programs and strategies that may be considered fair, are not necessarily seen as equal. As a Catholic school with a strong sense of social justice, we risk criticism that “I am not getting my share of the resources”. This mixes equality with equity - clearly they are not the same.

St Kevin’s College staff are committed to giving students the extra helping hand they need to display personal excellence. This is the advantage an education based on Gospel Values offers and I am pleased to report that it has been highlighted in our ERO review as an area of strength.

As we depart for the holidays, I would like to thank the staff for their hard work this term and wish everyone safe travels and a restful break.

May God bless you
Paul Olsen, Principal

Thinking Outside The Square

There was a bit of creative thinking in maths class while looking into the subject of measurments .As a result of Jesse's maths investigation he found out the area of room 5 was 78 square meters. As you can see he also found out it took 10 students to fill 1 square meter. So .... we can fit 780 students into room 5, or easily the whole school!

In the Science Dept, 9T got stuck in planting produce as part of their Te Whenua unit, focusing on botany and horticulture.

Taekwondo Take That

Destiny Jabagat's voice took out the Junior Girls' Solo at the Singing Festival, but she has another talent too.... Taekwondo! At the TUNZ (Taekwondo Union New Zealand) National Championships, held recently in Christchurch, Destiny brought home not one, but two Gold medals. One for Team Poomsae (Team Pattern) Division: Grade 5 - 3, Age up to 14yrs. The other for Sparring, Division: Grade 5 - 3, Age 12-14yrs, 41.1-44kg.  Well done!

Futsal Fun

With Senior students on exams our Year 9 and 10s have been sharing in some lunchtime fun with an Inter-House Futsal competition.  For those asking "what is Futsal?", its an indoor version of football and a great hit with Junior students,  Well done to Whyte House who took out the Junior Futsal title!

Mountaing Biking Aoraki Style

 

Four of our Year 9 students (Tim Jorgenson, Joel Kunnethedan, Josh Bryant and Angus Reid) represented the College in the Aoraki Secondary School Mountain Biking Race in Timaru last weekend. Timothy Jorgenson and Joel Kunnethedan were leading our SKC team and got into the top seven despite having to compete in a higher age group. Thanks to Neil Jorgenson for taking them to Timaru.

Proud At Polyfest

Last Thursday our Pasifika Group travelled to Dunedin to take part in Polyfest 2016 and the College was proudly represented on the Edgar Centre stage as their hours of practice came to fruition. Students and staff were given a preview of their vibrant performance during last week's assembly and they included a bit of audience participation for the occasion!  Thank you to Pearsons Buses for helping with the transport on Thursday and also to Mrs Plunkett and Mrs Dooley for their hours of dedication to these students.

MORE POLYFEST 2016 PHOTOS - CLICK HERE

Celebration Of Sport Awards 2016

Sporting excellence was spotlighted with the 2016 Celebration of Sport Awards Evening and we were delighted to have so many friends and families join us for the occasion. Guest speaker, NZ Cricketer Craig Cumming spoke to the audience about following your dreams and ambitions, about backing yourself and conquering fears. He also presented our Premier Awards to our winners:

Junior Sportsman (Boyle Cup) – Ben Cullimore
Junior Sportswoman (Camellia Cup) – Brylee More
Senior Sportsman (Donovan Cup) – Levi Emery
Senior Sportswoman (Margaret Breen Cup) – Amber Cunningham
Outstanding Student Contribution – Riley Chandler
Outstanding Sportsman (Carrickmore Cup) – Matt Brien
Outstanding Sportswoman (Kearney Family Cup) – Amber Cunningham

Mr Olsen was pleased to be able to award Sporting Blues to the following students – Levi Emery, Adam SewHoy, Simon Lilicama, Ben McCarthy (Boys 100m Relay Team) – Athletics, Simon Lilicama and Levi Emery – Rugby, Matt Brien and Alex Gonzales – Basketball, Amber Cunningham – Cricket, Brylee More – Touch, Penny Keeling and Jaxson MacDonald-Piner – Swimming, Jessica Fraser – Trapshooting.

A huge THANK YOU to Josh Cunningham for these great shots of the night

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE

Senior Exams Under Way

Senior exams continue today!  Remember to come well prepared and check your schedules to ensure you arrive in plenty of time.  

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

With senior examinations commencing next week, staff have been focused on preparing seniors for the trial NCEA externals. Caregivers should note the importance of the examinations as they are the only opportunity for students to demonstrate they can pass a standard in a formal setting should they be sick when the final examinations are held. Students cannot apply for a derived grade without this evidence. Each year a number of students run into unexpected issues at examination time and need to call on these results to support their case. As a College we want them to be supported to do their best.

It was a pleasure to acknowledge our Peer Tutors this week

Planning for the 2017 year is well under way. Mr Ryan has a draft calendar organised and we are surveying students to see what subjects they wish to take. The option forms they are filling out give us key information about student needs, so that we can ensure we have employed the staff needed to deliver courses. The Year 11, 12 and 13 options lines are draft and should be used to generate conversations about courses and student aspirations. If you cannot see how to arrange the subjects you feel are needed, make an appointment to talk things through with a Dean, the Student Advocate or Mr Ryan.

Further to course planning, the local secondary principals held a meeting with Ara, our local Polytechnic this week. They confirmed that in 2017 Level 2 Hospitality, Agricultural Engineering and Construction courses would be offered here in Oamaru. This is excellent news at it reduces the need for students to travel to Timaru for these courses.

This evening we are holding our annual Celebration of Sport in the Auditorium at 7pm. I am looking forward to meeting students, caregivers, coaches and supporters at the presentations which are followed by supper in the Library.

May God bless you
Paul Olsen, Principal

Signing For SADD

Today in the admin quad the SADD team from WBHS arranged a visual and inspiring message for students and encouraged them to write their names as a sign of their committment to safe and responsible driving.   

Social Studies Whiz Kids

SKC's Years 9 and 10 Social Studies quiz team entrants at Timaru Boys' High School on Tuesday evening. There were more than 50 teams competing to be the Central South Island champions and while our students did not finish on the podium, they were very competitive and enjoyed the competition. Well done team!

Brendon Comes Back To Visit And Train

Ex Tall Black and SKC Boys basketball coach Brendon Polyblank was able to help prepare the SKC Boys and Girls Basketball teams for the National Secondary Schools Championships held in Palmerston North which will be held during the first week of the school holidays. Brendon was also able to take groups of SKC junior students for 2 sessions as well as 2 sessions with St Josephs and OIS students. A big thank you to Stephen Robertson from LJ Hooker for sponsoring these training sessions.

Y13 Geography In Living Colour

Peer Tutoring Success

This year we started a pilot program for Peer Tutoring. Senior students worked one-on-one with junior students to help them to improve in all areas of the curriculum. It has been a very successful program, we started with 8 tutors and due to interest had to expand to over 20 we hope to offer it again in 2017.

Thank you to our Peer Tutors : Kimberley Dyster, Holly Malcolm, Jacqui Malcolm, Ella Hitchcock, Levi Emery, Reuben Mihaere, Kate Nally, Jenna Stuart, Harriet Hanning, Karan Ratgali, Tivinia Misiloi, Jessie Conlan, Iva Jame, Ceilidh Brookes, Mark Whittet, Riley Chandler, Ami Wallis, Emma Middlemass, Katie McKeown, Alex Kircher, Tjerk Edzes, Samantha Palmer, Whitney Cleveland and Yasi Dupu.

Boys Trapshooting Aims High

Joined by the Girls Team in Central Otago

What a privilege it has been to coach and spend time with such a respectful and dedicated group of boys over the trap shooting season. There have been lots of learnings, as we found our way through this first season of coming together as a team.

The boys have been training at the grounds of the Waimate Oamaru Gun club, who have also lent us equipment. The gun club members happily support and encourage our boys. I cannot thank the president Graham Kingan and club members enough for their support. Other practises have been held at a local farmers property on a private range. Without this generosity of time and facilities, we would not have been able to get more of our team shooting with consistency this season. Thank you to the parents and guardians who have been supportive and put up with many phone calls and e mails over the season as learned together.

The Kurow and McKenzie Gun clubs have also made us welcome and feedback on the behaviour and demeanour of the boys is very encouraging.

As a squad, we have only been to four interschool competitions this year. There were two in Timaru and two in Central Otago.

The whole squad consists of:
Brandon Howell Senior
Sean O’Brien Senior
Thomas Ballantyne Junior
Max Barber Junior
Clark Ewing Junior
Jack Murphy Junior
Corbyn Hocken Junior
Ryan Kennedy Junior

Results
Corbyn Hocken –shoot off Timaru for single barrell
Ryan Kennedy - second place in single rise in Wanaka
Clark Ewing- first place in single barrel in Wanaka and first place in single rise Alexandra
Brandon Howell and Clark Ewing shot possibles in single rise in Alexandra . Which put them both into the shoot off.
Clark Ewing got in to the shoot off for the “ High Gun” in Alexandra which is a shoot off for the top shooter of the weekend. There were 9 in the shoot off and Clark was the only junior.
Four boys achieved their 25 straight Long Run Badge (25 targets shot in a row).  Sean, Clark, Brandon and Ryan.  Congratulations to these boys on this wonderful achievement.

Overall at the Taieri Sheild event held in Alexandra, the St Kevins boys placed second behind the highly regarded John McGlashan College team. It was the combined scores of all our boys that put us in such a good position. It is worth noting that our boys have consistently placed well in comparison to other teams at competition. This is reflective of their combined scores, even when no individual stood out.  The boys shot at a teams competition at the McKenzie club in Twizel, where Sean, Ryan, Corbyn, Clark and Thomas beat the local team. Thanks go to Grant and Tash Hocken who organised this shoot and are very supportive of our boys.

We are heading off to the National and South Island Secondary Schools Trap Shooting competition in Christchurch on the 24 to 26 of September. I hope for some more personal bests for our boys and maybe some medals. 

These boys are great to coach and I am looking forward to spending next season with them.

Colin Ewing - Coach

CHECK OUT THE TRAPSHOOTING ACTION IN THESE PHOTOS

NZ Secondary Schools Swimming Championships

Three swimmers from the College hit the pool over the weekend for the NZ Secoondary Schools Swimming Championships in Wellington.  Penny Keeling, Tandia Gooch and Jaxson MacDonald-Piner performed exceptionally well, showing professionalism in all areas and wearing their SKC uniform with pride!

Penny Keeling

SILVER MEDAL - 13 year old girls 400 Freestyle
4th - 13 year old girls 200 IM

Tandia Gooch 

7th - 16 to 18 year old girls 400 Freestyle
6th - 16 to 18 year old girls 200 Butterfly

Jaxson MacDonald-Piner 

SILVER MEDAL - 15 year old boys 50 Butterfly
SILVER MEDAL - 15 year old boys 50 Freestyle
SILVER MEDAL - 15 year old boys 100 Butterfly
BRONZE MEDAL - 15 year old boys 100 Freestyle

U14 Football League Win

 

Congratulations to the Boys U14 Football team who have finished at the top of the South Canterbury 14th Grade Competition.  They share the cup with the local Meadowbank side who also finished on 34 points.  Well done boys and a big thank you to coach Alan Pope.

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

As the first rhododendrons are blooming in the College gardens, the Education Review Office finished their visit. They reported to the Board of Trustees on Tuesday evening. The initial feedback was very positive, affirming our systems, curriculum and the general direction the College is heading. Thank you to the ERO Team for the constructive and collegial way they have conducted the review.

On Wednesday, Fr Wayne lead a reconciliation liturgy which challenged each and every one of us to reflect on our lives and make changes that bring us back to experience God's love. The ceremony involved an examination of conscience and then coming forward to pick up a rough stone and place it into a container filled with water. Fr Wayne explained the symbolism as "looking at our less than perfect lives, asking for forgiveness and moving to positive and loving relationships".

Last evening we gathered as a College for the annual Singing Festival. It was indeed a night to remember, filled with language and culture, passionate performances, inter-house points upsets and genuine talent. The evening is student lead which gives our prefects an opportunity to display their organisational ability, supported by staff. Thank you to our student leaders and house prefects for your weeks of work and thank you also to Mrs Foster and the staff back stage for a smoothly presented evening.

May God bless you
Paul Olsen, Principal

Singing Festival 2016

Music rang from the rafters of the Auditorium last night at the 2016 Singing Festival.  A big congratulations to all of the students who took part, either as soloists, in groups or as part of the large House Choirs, what an evening!   Thank you to Mrs Foster for co-ordinating all of performances and also to our adjudicators - Ms Dae-Hae Kim (HOD Music, WGHS, Alex McCulloch and Joe Martin from WBHS and Gabrielle de Reus from WGHS.

Results:

House Choirs (Champion House and Rosebowl Winner) - 1st Whyte House, 2nd Clancy, 3rd Treacy, 4th Magee

Top Conductor (Warwick Newton Memorial Cup) - Georgia Vickers (Whyte House)

Junior Girls Solo (Johnston Cup) - Destiny Jabagat

Junior Boys Solo (Cayford Cup) - Joel Kunnethedan

Duet - Ceilidh Brookes and Emma-Kate Newlove

Song in a Language Other Than English - Bethan Ardouin

Song from a Musical - GypsyMae Harihona-Harrison

Senior Girls Solo (Dorothy Cayford Challenge Cup) - Charlotte Ramsey

Senior Boys Solo (Cayford Cup) - Alex Gonzales

Group Performance - Oreo

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SINGING FESTIVAL PHOTOS!

BOT Student Representative Nominations

The following students have been nominated for the 2017 Board of Trustees Student Representatives. They will speak at next week's Assembly, Wednesday,14th September.  Voting Papers will be given out at next week's Assembly. Please complete your voting paper and drop it into the Voting Box at the office.   Voting Day, Monday 19th September 2016.  2017 BOT Student Rep. will be announced on Monday 26th September.

Belen Mino
Fergus Watt
Harriet Hanning
Iva Jame Nelson
Holly Malcolm

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NOMINEES 

Basketball Fundraiser For Nationals

SKC BOYS AND GIRLS TOP 5 BASKETBALL

FUNDRAISER

QUIZ NIGHT

at the Northstar

Monday 12 Sept from 7pm

Entry $30 per team of 6

Lots of raffles up for grabs!

To register contact Colleen (027 773 9615) or Paula (027 437 1291) - either text or phone

Hockey Memories

After their final game for SKC the Y13 Hockey girls were given a resounding round of applause by their team mates as they left the turf for the last time.  Fittingly it was on our local North Otago Hockey Turf where the girls had competed during Tournament Week for the Jenny McDonald Cup.

Year Level Speech Competitions

Public Speaking has a very long and proud history at St Kevin's College and throughout the term students have been competing in the Year Level Speeches Competition.  Whilst the Year 9 students will have their turn early in term four, the winners from Years 10-13 have been found!  Congratulations to Toby Roulston (Y12), Mark Whittet (Y13), Serena O'Brien (Y10) and Froukje Edzes (Y11).

Hearts Of Mercy Retreat

St Patrick's Parish (Oamaru) Hearts of Mercy Retreat

Saturday 24 Sept 9am - 4pm

St Kevin's College, 57 Taward St, Oamaru

followed by a Vigil Mass in St Patrick's Basilica at 5pm

Speakers:

Jo Bell (Dunedin) - Youthful Hearts of Mercy

Matt O'Connell (Christchurch) - Oasis of Mercy

Jocelyn Marsh (Oamaru) - Launching into the Deep

Cost $10 per person or $15 per couple

Please register by 10 Sept

Enquiries to Elaine (4348543, 022 632 6600), Jan (027 363 1481) or Jocelyn (027 552 2756)

Queenstown Tourism Development

Our Year 13 Geography students have been away in Queenstown over the last couple of days.  As one of the tourism hot spots of the country it's the perfect place to study the tourism development process, a trip up the Skyline giving a birds eye view of the urban spread of the town!  A huge thank you to Mrs Buckham for organising the trip and to Mr Ryan for joining the group.

YEAR 13 GEOGRAPHY TRIP 2016

Past Pupil Rugby Represenation

As the Heartland Competition kicks off, Old Boys of the College have been prominent in regional rugby representation.  Keegan Anderson (Y13 in 2016) is also making his mark with selection for the NZ Marist U23 Colts side which toured the South Island.  Keegan was chosen as the player of the tour.  He has also been selected for the NZ Heartland U19 team to play in the Jock Hobbs Memorial National U19 Tournament.  This tournament is now in it's third year and showcases the best of NZ's young rugby talent. 

Girls U15 Rugby Tournament

On Friday the U15 rugby girls traveled to Dunedin for the NZRU Girls U15 Highlanders 10's tournament competing against ten other teams from across Otago and Southland.  The girls played five games (20 min each) lost three, won one and drew another.  As well as a great day playing rugby the team got to meet five of the Black Ferns with their silver medals from Rio!  There were lots of photos, signings, prizes and a Q and A session.  Thank you to coaches Hannah and Richie for supporting the girls.

Basketball Success

Congratulations to our Basketball Boys who have been rewarded with a silver medal at the South Island Secondary Schools A competition!  They played Christchurch Cathedral in the final but were unable to secure a win after an all out battle over Roncalli in the semi final.  The boys have qualified for the National Competition in Palmerston North which will be held over the first week of the upcoming holidays.  

The Basketball Girls finished a very creditable 6th place in the South Island competition, with some great basketball action on the court!  Well done girls!!

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

This week we have hosted the Education Review Office, sharing the work we have been doing to promote equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners. Like any audit, it has taken considerable work to prepare for this event. Thank you to the staff for the positive way they have engaged with the team. It is a pleasure to be able to share both our successes and vision for development.

At the same time we have had Winter Tournament Week with teams all over the South Island. I am pleased to report that the results for all teams exceeded initial expectations. Congratulations to the Netball Team for their B Grade win which allows them to move into the A Grade next year.

On Wednesday, the Principals from the North Otago Community of Learning were invited by the Education Council to meet the Minister of Education, the Hon. Hekia Parata. The Minister's message was one of challenge and encouragement. She highlighted the benefits of local school collaboration and thanked the gathering for the work they are undertaking for the benefit of all our students. The Community of Learning (CoL) is working steadily on the achievement challenges facing our schools. We are deliberately taking our time to consult widely and gain consensus on the path forward.

May God bless you
PaulOlsen, Principal