St Kevin's College News and Reminders Term 3 Week 10
Kia ora whānau and friends of St Kevin's College,
What a wet way to end term 3, typical spring weather. This last week of Term 3 we had Assessment Week at SKC. Going into the holidays we have several sporting groups away and competing. Good luck to all. Don't forget Daylight Savings this Sunday morning, clocks go forward an hour. We hope you all have a great break and see you in Term 4!
School Notices
- Up to date ATLs have been published and are available to view through the Edge app
- NZQA summary will be emailed this afternoon - 22nd September
- This is a friendly reminder that if students have appointments during the day parents and caregivers must let the office know beforehand. 03 437 1665 or 021 437 176
- Also, students in Years 9-12 are not permitted to leave the school grounds during intervals and lunch breaks.
School Board Elections Notice 2023
St Kevin’s College
School Board Elections 2023
Parent Election Notice
Nominations are open for the election of three parent representatives to the school board.
All eligible voters will receive a nomination form. Use this form to nominate yourself or someone in your community. You will also receive a nomination cover letter calling for nominations. Information on who is not eligible to be a board member is provided with the nomination form.
If you need more nomination forms, contact the school office.
Nominations close at noon on Wednesday 11th October 2023. You may provide a signed candidate statement and photograph with your nomination.
The electoral roll is held at the school and can be viewed during normal school hours.
As nominations are received, there will be a list of candidates’ names kept at the school up until election day, which you can view.
Voting closes at 4 pm on Wednesday 15th November 2023.
Signed
Dee Hayes
Returning Officer
Senior Subject Selection 2024
Senior Subject selection is open from now until Friday, 13th October, please take the time to talk with your student/s about making good subject selections.
Use the link stkevins.school.nz/seniorcurriculum2024 to go through the subjects on offer.
This is open for students going into Years 12 and 13 in 2024. Year 9 and 10 students will complete theirs later in Term 4.
For any further info, you can reach out to Mr Smith csmith@stkevins.school.nz or Mr Devereaux jdevereaux@stkevins.school.nz
Whanau Reading Initiative
Do you want to have an opportunity to win $ 1,000.00 for your family or $500 for your students by the end of the year?
Hopefully, that got your attention!
Over the past year, we have been thinking about the problem of how to support families to develop their student's reading abilities. For most families with students of secondary school age, reading is something that is done by the student independently and it can be a struggle to get them to engage.
We invite families who would like to participate in this programme to collect a copy of the booklet from the office. There are 20 activities in the booklet which range from ice breaker conversation starters to how to analyse text.
The activities are designed to be able to be used with any reading material your student is interested in.
Once you have worked through the activities, please date and sign the back page so your students can register for their reading badge at the office and go into the draw for themselves and their families at the end of the year.
This is a first attempt.
All feedback is welcome!
This Week at SKC
Spark Awards
We finished off the term today with Spark Awards for our Year 9s and 10s.
This is to acknowledge those who demonstrate our FIRE values in all areas of College life.
Well done!
Seating installation
A huge thank you to the Waireka Valley Lions Club, Mark Phillips, and the Leos Club for installing these seats above the netball courts. A great use of the old Carisbrook seats that have been waiting to be utilised for a while!
Chess Tournament - 17th September
On Sunday, 17th September, WBHS hosted a chess tournament.
Representing SKC were Sunny Tian and James Gower. A great day of chess with some wins and awards for both players.
We look forward to more tournaments in Oamaru in the future.
A big thank you to Greg Familton for hosting.
School Events
Sports
- Saturday 23rd September - Monday 25th September SI & NZ Trapshooting
Football 7s
Last weekend several of our Junior footballers travelled to Invercargill to compete in a Football 7s tournament.
Waitaki SKC 7s played 6 games, won 4, drew 2. Goals for: 13, Goals against: 1.
Scorers: Theo Laws (5), Tommy McGeown (3), Jack O'Neill (2), Lachie Curle, Carter McLay, Hunter Growcott.
MVPs: Todd Growcott, Jack O'Neill, Jimmy Miers.
Goalie: Mosstyn Brydges
Awesome work from our SKC Boys.
We express our gratitude to the parent supporters and chaperones of our SKC boys, and Mr. Laws for organising and sponsoring our boys on their journey down south.
Winning team ⚽️⚽️⚽️
Back row: Jimmy Miers, Todd Growcott, Mosstyn Brydges, Lachie Curle, Jack O'Neill.
Front row: Theo Laws, Carter McLay, Hunter Growcott, Tommy McGeown.
Congratulations to Olivia Mavor
Congratulations to Olivia Mavor for her nomination to attend the Netball South Pathways Camp in Dunedin.
The Pathways Camp aims to identify players who intend to play ‘performance-level’ netball in our zone in 2024.
This camp will allow Netball South to assess, observe and select players into the following squads: Southern Blast (NNL) Summer Training Squad – final trial for the NNL Team and Emerging Talent Squad.
All the best Olivia 🫶
Dates to Note for Term 4
Thursday 12th and Tuesday 17th October- Cambridge English exam
Friday 13th October - Course Selection Yr 11/12 due
Tuesday 17 - Thursday 19th October - Yr 11 PE Camp
Monday 23rd October - Labour Day - School closed
School TV
Having the Alcohol Discussion
Having the Alcohol Discussion
With the impending festive season and end of school celebrations, some teenagers may be feeling ready to party, wanting to put the disruptions, frustrations and disappointments of this past years, behind them.
To ensure our young people stay safe during this time, families are encouraged to have the alcohol discussion - no matter how difficult or overwhelming it may be. It is important to outline the rules and boundaries around age-appropriate alcohol consumption and what the legal implications may be.
Young people are at greater risk of alcohol-related harm than adults because their brains continue to develop until their mid-twenties. The safest level of alcohol consumption for teenagers is no alcohol at all, but this may be difficult to enforce and may not prevent them from experimenting. However, families can influence sensible drinking habits and help minimise the risks.
In this Special Report, a series of discussion points are offered to help make the conversation about alcohol consumption a little easier.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your young person, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report:
https://stkevins.nz.schooltv.
Extra Curricular
Y-Drive Driving Lessons
Learners Licence Driving Lessons
Y-Drive offers learner licence driving lessons for high schoolers at a discounted rate. These will be starting week 1 of term 4.
Learner Licence classes usually are $50/per hour per lesson, however, they are offering the following:
$150 per student for a Learners Licence course (5 lessons at $30 per hour)
or
$250/ 1 hour session with 10 students ($25 per student a lesson)
If you are interested in this or have any questions, please contact:
Lativia (Via) Kaufana
Driving Instructor & Educator
M: 027 227 0335
E: lativia@ymcasc.org.nz
The Great Waitaki Brick Build-Off
We have our teams and they are ready to take on the LEGO brick building challenges of The Great Waitaki Brick Build-Off on Saturday, September 23!
Come along and support the teams!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1032104374628654
Science Scholars Programme at The University of Auckland
Science Scholars is a flagship programme of The Faculty of Science of The University of Auckland, designed to provide exceptionally motivated students with a unique platform to immerse themselves in a world of scientific discovery and collaboration. Our aim is to nurture the next generation of scientific leaders, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and passion needed to make a meaningful impact in Science.
By joining the Science Scholars Programme, students will gain access to:
1. Exclusive Research Opportunities: having the chance to work alongside our distinguished faculty members on cutting-edge research projects spanning various scientific disciplines.
2. Tailored Learning: Our programme offers specialized seminars, and hands-on experiences that go beyond the standard curriculum, allowing students to delve deeper into their areas of interest.
3. Networking and Mentorship: Scholars will interact in a tightknit community of like-minded peers and have the chance to be mentored by experienced academic staff active in the scientific community, fostering growth and connections.
4. Engaging Events: We host regular and exciting events tailored to Science Scholars students and guest lectures that provide a platform for scholars to engage with current scientific debate and advancement.
5. Recognition and Scholarships: Exceptional performance within the programme will lead to recognition and scholarship opportunities that pave the way for further academic pursuits.
We believe that your school's science enthusiasts possess the potential to excel within our Science Scholars Programme. By promoting this initiative among your top year 13 high school science students, you'll be providing them with a gateway to a world of possibilities, setting them on a path to become leaders in their chosen scientific fields.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Davide Mercadante at davide.mercadante@auckland.ac.nz
Fundraising Events
Hungry Horse Cafe - Te Tgakau Nui (SKC Home and School) Fundraiser
Hungry Horse - a cafe run at the Oamaru Race Course
We need helpers for the Hungry Horse on the following dates:
Sunday 15th October 10:30 am-6 pm
Thursday 9th November 12 pm - 7:30 pm
Wednesday 13th December 12 pm- 7:30 pm
Wednesday 24th January 10:30 am -6 pm
Sunday 4th February 10 am -6 pm
Wednesday 6th March 12 pm -7:30 pm
Sunday 24th March 10 am -6 pm.
Students are welcome to help for Service Hours.
If you can provide support please let Sam Growcott know -0212931158 or email tengakaunui@stkevins.school.nz.
Maheno School fundraiser
Heli-biking fundraiser for Maheno School and Cure our Ovarian Cancer, November 11th 2023.
Heli-bike the 800m descent from the peak of Mt Misery over 15km through Glencoe run and the Herbert forest mountain bike tracks.
The Glencoe Gravity Base Camp is located 25 minutes south of Oamaru on Reid Rd, Herbert.
Food, coffee and a bar will be available.
Hub and Sprocket will have a bike repair station and there will be facilities for bike cleaning.
The Dunedin Brick Show
The Dunedin Brick Show is a very popular event for children of all ages.
We would love to see children of all ages enjoying themselves creating with LEGO, admiring the fantastic LEGO displays.
The show is being held at the MoreFM Arena, Edgar Centre on September 30th and October 1st.
This show is a charity event and proceeds from the show this year will be donated to The Otago Youth Wellness Trust.
North Otago Mountain Biking Chocolate Fish Race Series
North Otago Mountain Biking's Spring Series of the Chocolate Fish Race is locked in!!!
Dates: October 1st , October 15th and October 29th
Where: Oamaru Reservoir
Time: Registration 9.30 am
Who: ANYONE!!
Kids race first starting at 10 am and then adults at 10.30 am
Price: $2 for all
Come for one or enter all of the races and be in to win the overall series
Request to hold a Fundraising Event
If you wish to hold a fundraising event for school sports or recreational activities please follow the appropriate channels by completing this form.
Community Events
Love Your Library
This September, Waitaki District Libraries are offering new members the chance to win one of four $50 Prezzy cards.
New members can sign up in person, or through the Waitaki District Libraries website. There will be a weekly draw of the new members.
The six Waitaki District Libraries are host to a world of resources, and your library card is the key to unlocking them. By signing up to the library, you can borrow books but also get access to our e-book and e-audio collection on the Borrowbox platform.
For more information check out the Waitaki District Libraries website at:
https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/Libraries/
Antioch Camp - 22nd-24th September
Antioch empowers taiohi / young people to recognise the incredible person God has created them to be. This weekend camp is a time to explore faith and journey together into prayer and the sacraments. It is also a time to make new friends, play games, listen to inspirational speakers, ask big questions, make music, and much more!
Antioch aims to inspire, encourage, and equip young people to be the church of today and disciples in their communities.
2024 Fully Funded Outward Bound Courses for students with disabilities
Enrolments are now open for the following Outward Bound courses for secondary school students with physical disabilities. These courses run once a year in January and April.
These courses are fully funded. The only cost to students is getting a pre-course medical done by a GP and getting themselves to and from Picton via bus, ferry, personal vehicle or air.
These 6-8 day courses are based in the Marlborough Sounds. Students build confidence, resilience, and make new friends through activities such as sailing, waka ama, ropes course, and camping.
YOUTH HORIZONS 2024
A 6 day course for youth with an intellectual disability (16-21yrs)
Sat 6 – Thu 11 Jan 2024
(Supervision on flights from Auckland and Ferry from Wellington is provided for this course)
LEAPS & BOUNDS ACTIVATE 2024
An 8 day course for physically disabled youth (13 to 16yrs) to attend with a parent or caregiver
Sun 7 - Sun 14 April 2024
YOUTH ACTIVATE 2024
An 8 day course for physically disabled youth aged 16-17 years
Sat 20 - Sat 27 April 2024
To find out more see www.outwardbound.co.nz/adapted or contact us:
Email: adapted@outwardbound.co.nz
Freephone: 0800 688 927
Musac Edge portal and app guide
We have an updated guide on how to use the Edge caregiver portal/app that allows you to view school information about your child(ren), and to pay school bills online if your school supports this. The portal & app gives you quick and easy access to the information for the children in your care and can receive announcements and notifications from the school. Please view the guide here
Got any News to Share?
We love celebrating our students' success. Photos are always a bonus! Please let me know via email any relevant news we could share - srees@stkevins.school.nz
You can follow St Kevin's College on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
Have a great weekend!
Ngā mihi
Shane Rees
Communications and Events