St Kevin's College News and Reminders Term 4 Week 6
Kia ora whānau and friends of St Kevin's College,
Thanks to a Teachers Only Day today, we had a short week, although no less busy with Senior NZQA exams and Junior assessments taking place. Well done to everyone who took part. After the exams on Wednesday, Year 9's headed up the mountain bike track and learnt about the history of the College from Mr Fowler. Next week we have Aoraki Jnr Sports Week so we wish everyone taking part the best of luck!
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!
Food Tech dept needs your help
Our Food Tech dept is on the lookout for any clean takeaway containers you don't need for us to use for practical purposes, if you would like to donate these, please drop them off at the school office.
Oamaru Santa Parade - Saturday 25 November
If you are keen to be a part of the Oamaru Santa Parade this year, Saturday 25 November, please email Mrs Herbst ASAP for more information. jherbst@stkevins.school.nz
Parish Picnic - Sunday 10th December
Bring a picnic and have lunch together on the lawn.
Games provided for younger children by our 2024 prefects.
When: Sunday 10th Dec
Time: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Where: Redcastle Lawn, St Kevin's College
This Week at SKC
Junior Assessment Week
This week the Juniors had their examinations in the gymnasium. Students worked diligently throughout the week, and it served as great preparation for future Senior exams.
Wednesday Mountain Bike Track Walk
With the Year 9s finishing their exams on Wednesday, they headed up the mountain bike track for some physical activity!
Mr Fowler shared the local history of the land and St Kevin’s College which was fantastic.
School Events
Coming up this term
Monday 11th December - Thursday 14th December - Yr 10 Camp
Friday 15th December - Junior Prizegiving
Friday 15th December - Junior reports sent
Sports
Sporting Events
Coming up this term
Sunday 19th November : Willows Cricket
Monday 20th November - Friday 24th November : Aoraki Junior Sports Week
Monday 4th December - Friday 8th December: SKC Junior Cricket tournament
Stationery 2024
It's the festive season again, and we’ve teamed up with OfficeMax to make your back to school shop super easy. And if you order in December, you’ll go in the draw to WIN 1 of 5 $1000 cash prizes*
Stationery lists will be available from 1st December.
Just head to https://www.myschool.co.nz/stkevins
Simply add your details, check that you want everything on the list, then click and confirm — and OfficeMax will get your delivery underway with free delivery on orders over $70^.You can pay by internet banking, credit card or debit card. Laybuy* is also available, so you can pay in 6 weekly, interest-free payments and still get your order right away. Plus you’ll be helping our school earn school rewards* that we use to purchase much needed extra resources for our school.
We encourage you to order early to ensure your child has all their stationery requirements ready to go in plenty of time for the start of Term 1.
So go ahead and beat the back to school rush, order today and give them the best start possible.
*Terms and Conditions apply, see myschool.co.nz for details. ^Exclusions apply, see myschool.co.nz/delivery for details.
School TV
Managing Screen Time
There has been a noticeable shift in the amount of time people spend on screen-based devices. Families and whānau may be transitioning back to pre-COVID routines but many are still struggling to re-establish the boundaries and rules around screen use. Some continue to deal with digital conflict and tech tantrums on a daily basis. The latest research found that 77% of teenagers spend more than five hours on screens per day, but it is important to note that not all screen time is considered equal.
People at home play a crucial role in modelling a positive and healthy approach to using screens and assisting children to navigate the content they watch. It is better to model and mentor screen use, rather than monitor it. Young people tend to do more of what they see us do and less of what we tell them to do. However, it is still important to outline the risks and highlight the benefits of screen use to ensure you keep a balanced attitude. Encourage discussions around the issues that people experience in monitoring their screen time and be honest about your own difficulties.
Families and whānau need to remain firm in their approach to managing screen time. Excessive screen time can be detrimental to a young person's overall wellbeing. Ensuring the correct privacy settings are in place is vital to prevent young people from being inadvertently exposed to inappropriate content or online predators. Families and whānau need to be mindful of the potential impact screen time can have on a young person's social, emotional, educational, behavioural, and even physical domains.
This edition of SchoolTV will be provided with a range of guidelines and strategies to help manage screen time at home.
Here is the link to the Managing Screen Time edition of SchoolTV
https://stkevins.nz.schooltv.me/newsletter/managing-screen-time
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
Oamaru Swim Club Fast and Furious Swim Meet
Oamaru Swim Club Fast and Furious Swim Meet is coming up on 24th November 2023 at the Waitaki Aquatic Centre.
They would love to see as many swimmers, at all different levels of swimming.
There are events for beginners and also experienced swimmers.
Entries need to be back at the pool or emailed through by the 22nd November 2023, as per the flyer.
Fundraising Events
School Fees Fundraising
Less than 2 months till Christmas!!!
Need a little something for employees or family and friends?
We have some fundraising opportunities that could help with sports or camp fees.
Cookie Time Buckets and Sheep Cheese - (great alternative to bovine and plant-based dairy)
Cookie Time Buckets
2L buckets for $20 & the Gluten Free for $18
The Christmas cookies 2023 range features the return of our super popular strawberries & cream, plus five more much-loved 2l bucket flavours. and two flavours of 1l gluten free.
Jones Family Sheep Cheese
$20 for a 4-pack of cheese (480g total) - RRP $31.96, save $11.96
$5 from every pack sold goes to your school/club!
Varieties included: Creamy Havarti, Classic Gouda, Peppered Havarti, Aged Cheddar
For more information please get in touch with Sarah sclapperton@stkevins.school.nz
Nov 15th orders to Sarah. Cookie time bucket delivery Approx Dec 5th
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:
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.
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/Notices
Job Opportunities
Multiple positions are available at the Phoenix Complex over the summer with the possibility of ongoing work after this period.
Experience is preferable, but willing to train the right applicants enthusiastic about learning new skills.
A new & exciting menu launching soon- unique to Oamaru.
For All positions, the applicants Must
be available nights & weekends
be reliable
be flexible
be able to communicate well, and have a very good understanding of written & verbal English.
Senior/ Uni students and tourists with a valid work visa already in place are encouraged to apply.
Positions available
Chef/Cook:
Some experience is required in a la carte dining. Experience is preferred over qualifications- willing to train someone who is passionate about food and wants to step up their food experience to the next level.
Ability to follow instructions- verbal, and written and able to fill in forms on a digital food safety system.
Kitchen hands:
Ability to follow instructions- verbal, and written and able to fill in forms on a digital food safety system.
Ability to prep food and willing to prepare some simpler menu items such as pizzas and desserts
Wait Staff:
Enjoys interacting with people from all walks of life
Excellent communication skills
Enthusiasm in promoting the menu to customers
Great at multi tasking and pays attention to detail
Bowling Alley:
This is a customer facing role as well as some technical/mechanical knowledge required.
Apply by sending a CV to: restaurant@phoenixcomplex.co.nz
or call into the Phoenix Complex at 500 Thames Hwy, Oamaru
Foster Care with CCS Disability Action
If you’re interested in welcoming a child into your family, either on a short or long term basis, give us a call to find out more about shared care or foster care with CCS Disability Action.
Contact them today on 0800 227 900
https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/become-a-foster-carerhttps://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/become-a-foster-carer
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