St Kevin's College News and Reminders Term 4 Week 3
Kia ora whānau and friends of St Kevin's College,
What a way to end the week, with the winter wardrobe reappearing. With the countdown on for many of our Seniors, exams start in a few weeks and the Juniors become the school leaders.
This week we had our annual Stayers vs Leavers Rugby match, SKCs Got Talent Caritas fundraiser (total raised coming in the next few weeks), and several of our Peer Support Leaders were awarded with new badges. We have several SKC rowers away this weekend for the 2023 Aoraki Regatta in Twizel, best of luck to all involved in the start of the rowing season.
School Notices
- ATLs are available to view through the Edge app.
- 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.
- All students have been invoiced for this year's school magazine/yearbook. If you do not require this, please contact the school office to have the charge removed from your account.
We will advise when these are ready to be collected.
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!
Year 10 Course Counselling
Course Counselling for Year 10 students subject selection is now open for booking.
Parents, caregivers and students are encouraged to attend.
Please use the link or QR code to book a time.
This Week at SKC
Annual Stayers vs Leavers Rugby Match
On Thursday we had the annual Stayers vs Leavers rugby match, with the Leavers managing to get the win 20-5.
Great game boys!
2023 Peer Support Leaders
Tuesday's assembly recognised the 2023 Peer Support Leaders and awarded them with new badges.
Our Peer Support programme ran throughout the year with our Year 9s to welcome them into their first year at St Kevin’s College.
Special thanks to Conor Waldron in Year 12 who designed the badge!
High Performance Guest Speakers
On Wednesday Aileen Kuhn & Emanuel Molleker came and spoke to the Junior High-Performance class. They are up-and-coming athletes from Germany here visiting family.
They did a fitness session with the class and gave some insight into the level of competition they are at, and how much training they do to compete to that level. Aileen finished 3rd for her age in Europe in the Hammer Throw and Emanuel is the top-ranked Decathlete in Germany at Under 18 and 20 levels.
We wish to extend our thanks for taking the time to speak to our students.
School Events
Coming up this term
Saturday 28th October - SKC Community Mass - Basilica 5 pm
Monday 30th October - Hostel High Tea
Wednesday 1st November - Graduation Mass 6:30 pm with Senior Prizegiving following
Thursday 2nd November - Writing Common Assessment Activity
Friday 3rd November - Numeracy and Reading Common Assessment Activity
Monday 6th November - NCEA exams start
Tuesday 7th - Thursday 9th November - Year 10 Course Counselling
Monday 13th - Thursday 17th November - Junior Assessment week
Friday 17th November - Subject selection due Year 9 and 10
Friday 17th November - Teacher Only Day
Monday 11th December - Thursday 14th December - Yr 10 Camp
Friday 15th December - Junior Prizegiving
Sports
Sporting Events
Coming up this term
Friday 3rd November - Aoraki Secondary School Sport Awards
Sunday 19th November - Willows Cricket
Monday 20th November - Friday 24th November - Aoraki Junior Sports Week
School TV
Discussing War & Conflict
Young people are frequently exposed to distressing news through the 24-hour news cycle and social media. These experiences can provoke anxiety, especially in young minds still forming their worldviews. Families should be mindful of overexposure to such content as it can lead to symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. Young people’s responses to trauma can vary, from being strong emotional reactions to being indifferent. It can leave an emotional imprint that can affect a person's behaviour and perception of danger.
Young people need reassurance about their safety as they navigate uncertain times. Tailor conversations to your young people's age and emotional maturity. Younger children benefit from simplified explanations focusing on peace, empathy, and cooperation, whilst older children can delve into historical events, root causes of conflict, and the complexities of international relations.
Before discussing these topics with your young person, it is also important to assess your own emotions and comfort level. By staying calm and providing physical comfort will help your young person regulate their own emotions. In challenging times, compassionate adults play a crucial role in helping young people cope with anxiety and providing hope and understanding in our complex world.
This Special Report provides guidance on how to tackle this difficult topic and helps young people understand there is still hope in our complex world.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
Here is the link to your special report:
https://stkevins.nz.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-discussing-war-conflict
Extra Curricular
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
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:
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.
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 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
Noel Leeming or Warehouse Stationery Friends and Family deals are back
Friends and Family is back and kicks off from Monday 30th October – Sunday 12th November 2023!
Simply print the flyer or show it from your phone in store between these dates to receive discounts, just in time for Xmas. Or use the unique code online to apply the discount to your basket!
Multi Colour Dash 2023
Multi Colour Dash 2023 – Saturday 28 October 11 am at the Oamaru Race Course, enter online (Multi Colour Dash Facebook page) or at the Rec Centre. 5km colour dash with fun obstacles, great family fun! Raising funds for Sporting Chance North Otago.
10 week circuit challenge at the Rec Centre
Train with like-minded people, strength & cardio workouts with a focus on safe and effective technique and targeted to individual needs, all levels. Mon / Wed / Fri 9 am, casuals welcome, you can join at any time, creche available.
Check out the Rec Centre website or call Di 021 08150688 for more info
http://www.sporty.co.nz/waitakicrc
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