Friday, June 30, 2017

Principal's Post

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

On Wednesday, our Mandarin Language Assistants, Cynthia and Regina, introduced the staff to jasmine and chrysanthemum tea and and biscuits as we enter the winter season. The aim of the morning tea was to familiarise our staff with the work the pair are doing with the junior classes.
For Cynthia, this is her last week at St Kevin's. We are grateful for her knowledgeable and enthusiastic contribution to our College and wish her all the best with further study as she returns to China over the holidays.

Reminder to Caregivers:
As we are well through the winter sports season, please ensure that outstanding sports subs are settled. Also, a number of people have outstanding NCEA Fees that need to addressed before NZQA will put the credits on their website. Payment can be made on the caregiver portal or at the school office. Thank you for giving this your prompt attention. If there is an issue with payment, please make contact with me to explore payment options.

May God bless you
Paul Olsen, Principal

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Digital Learning and Chromebooks for Students

Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced on Wednesday that the school curriculum is in for a shakeup, with the Government proposing to shift education into a "digitally oriented system".  She said the Government would spend $40 million on raising teachers' skills to deliver the new curriculum, which will involve all pupils from Year 1 to Year 10 taking part in digital technologies education.  The new content will cover two key areas – "computational thinking" and "designing and developing digital outcomes" – which are likely to include computer programming.

To support our students, the Board of Trustees have agreed that the time has come to ask all caregiver's to provide a device with a keyboard, such as a Chromebook, for day to day use.  Almost all students currently have a device, however for many it is their phone, which creates added distractions and does not have an effective key pad.  The cost of a Chromebook is currently about $280 and continues to drop.  This decision will free our existing computers to support families in financial need or students whose machines have a technical issue.

The Board accepts that it is the school's role to provide the specialist software and computers needed for NCEA and will continue to do so.

SKC Blanket Fundraiser

NETBALL FUNDRAISER

The St Kevin's Netball Club has been selling polar fleece blankets as a fundraiser this year and they are still available to buy. They are blue, have St Kevin's College printed in red writing in the middle of the blanket and the seams are over locked. The blankets cost $49 each and are great to take away on trips, wrapping around you on a cold day etc.

We are fundraising for new balls and other netball equipment which will benefit all netball teams.

The blankets are on sale in the office and you can pay for them by either cash or eftpos.

We thank you very much for supporting our fundraiser this year.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Chinese Tea Ceremony Experience

Cynthia and Regina held a Chinese Tea Ceremony during Mandarin classes this week!   There are a number of reasons a tea ceremony may be performed.  In this case it was a lovely experience for Cynthia and Regina to share with their students.    Thank you Mrs Buckham for these great images.

South Canterbury Intercollegiate Competition

Our trapshooters traveled to Timaru on Sunday for the South Canterbury Intercollegiate Competition and came away with some impressive results.  Anna Craig took High Overall Ladies Skeet and first place in Ladies Skeet, and came second in both the Points Score and Single Barrel.  Ellie placed third in Ladies Skeet and Single Barrel, and took first in the Single Rise.  The boys placed third in the team competition and individually Clark Ewing placed third in Skeet and won his 50 Long Run Badge.  Everyone, both the boys team and the girls, had a great day shooting - well done!

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Trustpower Youth Community Spirit Award

Last Thursday Jacqui Malcolm was named the 2017 recipient of the Trustpower Youth Community Spirit Award, and justifiably so!  Jacqui has long been an advocate for social justice issues and takes a hands on approach when it comes to playing her part.  Among many other things she has been an active member of the JAG Club and spent time volunteering in Cambodia over the summer through Projects Abroad.   Congratulations Jacqui!

Pat Kraus

Pat Kraus joined us for assembly yesterday.  He is an Auckland musician who has been described by the Listener as 'a national treasure' and 'one of the most quietly important people making music in New Zealand'.  Pat is in Oamaru at the invitation of Mrs Plunkett and will be working with a small group of students on a Creativity Technology Sound Workshop this afternoon.  

Friday, June 23, 2017

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

Last evening, Jacqui Malcolm was presented with the Trust Power "Youth Spirit Award" at the annual ceremony held at the Oamaru Opera House. Jacqui has made an outstanding contribution to our College, our Leo Club and our wider Community. As part of the prize, Jacqui nominated the St Vincent de Paul Society as her charity.
Representatives from St Joseph's Young Vinnies joined us to receive their $250 cheque.   Jacqui's award highlights the commitment of the College to community outreach which helps us foster actively involved young people.

May God bless you
Paul Olsen, Principal

Year 9 Rotation

Our Y9 students began a new rotation this week.  Today in the staff room Mr Fulton shared some of the creative projects that have come out of the Hard Materials classroom over the last nine weeks.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

U14.5 Rugby Score A Result

The U14.5 Rugby team had a strong showing against Waitaki Black on Tuesday, winning 33-22 at Milner Park.  The boys play in the South Canterbury competition and are currently placed second behind a team from Roncalli College.  We're looking forward to following them through the rest of their season!

Thank you to Elizabeth Prentice from Waitaki Boys High School for sharing some great photos with us.


Mercy Cup 2017

It was an early start for the girls competing in the Mercy Cup Tournament on Tuesday, leaving the College at 5am to travel to Christchurch. With games against Catholic Cathedral College, John Paul II, Marian College, Roncalli College and Villa Maria College in netball, football and hockey it was a great day of sport, and whilst it was chilly there was blue sky all round!  Congratulations to all of the girls who represented the College.  Y9 and Y10 Netball teams both placed 2nd in their competition and the Hockey, Football and Senior A Netball teams were all awarded their respective Fair Play Awards.  Fantastic!  Thank you to the students, parents and staff who traveled with the teams as umpires, coaches and managers.
CLICK HERE to view some photos of the day's action!

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Solid Win For Girls Top 5

The Top 5 Girls Basketball team hit the court last night against WGHS Top 5, a game that was deferred from the Queens Birthday Weekend.  With a number of injuries within the ranks Kelsey Mills, Ellen Swanson and Siva Katoa stepped up into the team, and Molly Kay came back for the game.  The girls came away victorious with a 66-32 scoreline.  Sophie Brien topped the scoring with 24 points followed by Laura Preston and Molly both with 14 each.  Brylee More scored 12 and Froukje Edzes played a steady game on defence.   Well done girls!  Thank you to Colleen Newberry for your ongoing coaching of the team.

Canterbury SS Trap Shooting

A team of trap shooters traveled to the Waihora Gun Club on Sunday to take part in the Canterbury Secondary School Trap Shooting Competition.  Captained by Brandon Howell, the team of Corbyn Hocken, Clark Ewing, Ryan Kennedy, Joel Klenner and Jack Murphy came second in the teams event out of the ten teams competing.  Individual results saw Corbyn winning the Skeet, and Clark taking out the Point Score and coming second in both the Single Rise and Single Barrel.  Joel also got into his first Shoot Off - well done!   

Monday, June 19, 2017

Sandalwood Trophy

The Sandalwood Trophy was held in Geraldine over the weekend and our Equestrian riders were in fine form and looking very smart, their presentation completed with new hat covers. They had a great day, although with only four riders in each team unfortunately both teams were eliminated. However, there were some excellent individual performances and with comments made at the prizegiving about SKC being the most supportive team and showing impressive sportsmanship, the girls can all be very proud!!

Anna Wallis - 3rd overall in the 90cm class
Kayleigh Gill - 3rd overall in 80cm class
Brooke Clark - 2nd overall in 70cm class and 1st in second round of Showjumping
Nikita SewHoy - 3rd overall in 70 class
Ella Sanderson - 2nd in 70cm second Showjumping round

Lions Speech Competition

The tradition of public speaking at SKC is in fine hands.  The Lions Speech Competition was held over the weekend and Anna Craig (Y12) took out the Y11 &12 section while Rhea Ratgali (Y9) placed second in the Y9 & 10 section.  Rebecca Kinney (Y10) also represented the College and did herself and St Kevin's proud.  Well done girls!

Friday, June 16, 2017

Principal's Comment

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College


Despite the cold weather in Dunedin on Wednesday, our juniors accredited themselves well in the annual quadrangular winter tournament hosted by Kavanagh. As a Principal, I am inspired by the personal development that comes from active participation in team sports. Self management, commitment to practice and tolerance are some of the skills and dispositions that are fostered. It was a privilege to see all of these were on display during the tournament as well as a real sense of fair play. My thanks goes to coaches and supporters as well as the senior students who umpired and mentored teams. The links with St Joseph's and mutual support that results are an example of our Special Character being lived.


May God bless you
Paul Olsen, Principal

Thursday, June 15, 2017

COL Steam Meeting

Yesterday teachers from around the district met at the College for the first Whitestone CoL STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths) Engagement Group Meeting.   Early Childhood Educators, Primary, Intermediate, Secondary.  All working together, sharing resources and ideas for the benefit of our students.

Junior Quad Tournament 2017

Yesterday students from St Kevin's and St Joseph's (Yrs 7-10) traveled to Dunedin to compete in the Junior Quad Tournament against teams from Kavanagh, St Peter's and Verdon.  The weather was a challenge for the rugby and footballers but they tackled it head on in the spirit of competition!  With some fierce games across the basketball and netball courts as well, it was a great day of sport.  Congratulations to all those students who represented the College so well, and thank you to our coaches, managers, parents and caregivers who supported the students for the day.


Waitaki District Youth Forum

The Waitaki District Youth Forum was held at the Oamaru Opera House yesterday and students from the College joined other young people from across the district for an event which encouraged participation and gave them the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas.


Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Otago Secondary Schools Netball

It's been a full on couple of days at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin as our trio of A teams competed at the Otago Secondary Schools Netball Tournament.  With some tough games to battle through the girls  played with determination.  The Junior A team placed 6th overall, Intermediate A 7th and the Senior A team placed 9th.  Well done girls, and a big thank you to our coaches, managers, parent helpers and supporters.

Southern Steel

Last Wednesday the Senior A and B teams got the opportunity to host the Southern Steel at their game in Dunedin.  They did a great job welcoming the crowd and handing out thundersticks so everyone could get in behind the team!  SKC Old Girl Jane Watson stopped to say hi and snap a photo with the girls.

Friday, June 9, 2017

Aoraki Cross Country

 

A team of cross country runners ventured up to the Aoraki Cross Country on Wednesday and came away with plenty of top ten finishes. Amy Coutts placed 3rd in the Intermediate Girls, with River Cunningham 10th in the Junior Girls and Penny Keeling 7th. Ben Cullimore took 6th place in the Junior Boys and our best result came via Max Yanzick who came top of his pack .... 1st in the Intermediate Boys! Well done everyone.

Senior Art Adventures

Students from the Senior Art class got a hands on experience at the Dunedin School of Art yesterday but not before exploring the Dunedin Art Gallery with Gallery Educator John Neumegen.  They also had the opportunity to listen to a lecture on Contemporary Drawing by Peter Belton and take in some of the Street Art on display around the Dunedin streets and allies.  A big thank you to John at the Gallery and Marion Wassenaar for organising the afternoon at Art School!  Thank you also to Mr and Mrs Dixon for coming along, and to Mrs Plunkett and Ms Keep for organising the day.

CLICK HERE to view more of what they got up to

Obirin Visit 2017

For 3 weeks in July, Obirin High School students from Japan will visit us this year.  They will arrive around 5pm on Tuesday 25th July and stay 21 nights, attending school on weekdays, away on arranged day excursions on Saturdays 29th July and 5th August, then with you for the last weekend, before departing around 8.15am on Tuesday 15th August.

Would you like to enjoy becoming friends with a student from Japan’s Obirin High School to live and have fun with your family for this time? Families who have hosted in the past have made long-term friendships with these visitors.

If your family may enjoy this opportunity, have chat about it at home as a school representative is currently telephoning SKC families to arrange homestays for these students.  This will be a fun time for everyone and you may make a lifelong friend.

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Masters Rowing

We were delighted to hear from Stew Mitchell who relayed some exciting news from the World Masters Games Rowing Regatta, being held at Lake Karapiro.  Old Girl Rebecca Kingan, who was the Girls Captain for our first SKC Rowing team, has won gold in the Womens B Class Coxless Four and Silver in the Quad Skull competing for the Dunstan/Cromwell team.  She also won Gold in the Womens A Pair, Silver in the Mixed B Double and finally added a Bronze in the Mixed B Quad.  The Dunstan/Cromwell team also contained Maude O'Connell who, Stew says, was the Coach in the early days of rowing at the College.
The SKC Rowers from 1998!!



Swimming Sisters

The 2017 National Development Squad (swimming) has not one, but two Mansfields in it's ranks!   Iessha (Y9) and Tiana (Y11) are two of only seven swimmers from Otago and seventy-one nationally named to the squad.  The girls will attend a national team camp in October and receive support for an individual performance programme.  Congratulations on your selection Ieesha and Tiana!

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Maori U18 Rugby Selection

Tama Wooldridge (Y12) has been selected to play for the South Island Maori Under 18 Rugby team which will attend the National Maori Rugby Tournament in the July holidays in Rotorua.  From there a New Zealand Maori Under 18 team will be formed to play the New Zealand Secondary Schools Barbarians team at the end of the year.  Congratulations Tama and all the best!

Agriculture And AgriLearn

Max Smith, Fem Bootsan and Lucian Gulinao joined other local agriculture students in a hands on experience at a local dairy farm with ArgiLearn last week.  Thank you to our farming community and the Primary Industries Sector for giving our students these great opportunities!

Friday, June 2, 2017

Deputy Principal's Message

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College

Mr Olsen is away at the MUSAC Conference in Christchurch and was the Key Note Speaker at last night's function, so I am pleased to be able to take the opportunity to touch base with you.  

Yesterday's volleyball battle between staff and prefects marks the start of a number of inter-House winter activities.  These are arranged by our prefects and are a great way for students to become involved in fun, friendly inter-House competition.
Queen's Birthday Weekend marks the half way point in this term.  We have held our Open Day and a Rural Schools Open Afternoon and the feedback from the families who attended has been constantly positive and in particular, complimentary of the students who were involved in the running of the days.  Looking ahead past the long weekend, we have Junior Catholic Schools Tournament in Dunedin and on the 20 June we are set to host St Bede's, ahead of the Waitaki Interschool on the last day of term.  I hope that you will be able to take the opportunity to support those competing for the College in the coming weeks.

Student reports will be out in the next couple of weeks and uploaded to the Parent Portal for you to view.  I encourage our parents and caregivers to ensure that they have sorted access to the portal as this is a major component of the communication between school and home.  Please contact us if you are having trouble with portal access.

May God bless you
Kerry Ryan, Deputy Principal

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Volleyball Victory

 A friendly game of volleyball between staff and prefects ....

The gym was packed with fans who cheered and chanted during the fiercely competed three set game!!  The staff, captained by Mr Fowler, took out the first set but conceded the second.  With the lead see-sawing in the third and final set, the bell for Whanau Time meant the game win to the next point scored.  Congratulations to the staff team for taking the win and well done to the prefects who gave them a good run for their money!

Thanks Clark for taking some awesome shots of the action!  CLICK HERE TO SEE THEM