St Kevin's College News and Reminders Term 1 Week 10

Kia ora whānau and friends of St Kevin's College,

And with the blink of an eye, Term 1 for 2024 is done.

We ended the term on a big high after coming out as overall winners in the Senior Quads, we also had fantastic results from the South Island Secondary School athletics held last weekend in Timaru, Cricket prizegiving, Cambridge mock exams and our Senior Drama class performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream for their Cambridge and NCEA assessments. 

It was an absolutely fantastic start to the year; we can't wait for Term 2.

Student Led Conferences are on the 3rd May, the first week back, so please book in a time now, all the info is listed below.

School Notices

• 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.
  
  

• Senior report summaries will be emailed out at the end of the term

Attendance Matters

As we approach the end of Term 1, it is an excellent time to check in on your school attendance. 

Every day matters! 

Student Led Conferences - 3rd May

Student-led Conferences will be held during the first week of Term 2, on Friday, 3rd May, from 12 pm to 7 pm.

This is where you can meet with your young person's subject teacher.

Here is how a meeting with a teacher will look:
1) Teachers will act as mentors and guides for discussing your student/s. The student will still lead the conversation.
2) The teacher will guide and focus the conversation. The teacher will summarise decisions and planning.
 
If you cannot attend during these times, please get in touch with your student's teacher to make alternative arrangements.

Booking times are now open. So make sure to secure your spot now!

The link to book is below:
https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/je33e

Or use the QR code supplied.

Cathconnect

Dear Families,

The Catholic Education Office, which collects fees for students in Catholic schools, is using a new system this year called Cathconnect. 

This system went live last night, generating an invoice for families for school fees. 

As the system is brand new and has to interface with an older manual system, not all information is accurate. 

Over the next month, the office will work through the system, ensuring that records are corrected.  

Until this is done, the Catholic Education Office asks that any issues be emailed to them at dues.cdd@cathconnect.nz so that they can work through them methodically.

Please do not use phone calls or messaging systems.  

Note: Cathconnect only delivers invoices, not statements, as the previous system did.  

Warm regards

Jo Walshe

School Magazines

There is still a significant number of 2022 & 2023 School Magazines waiting to be collected from the school office. 

If you have already paid for either of these yearbooks and have yet to receive them, please remind your child to pick them up from the office during break times or before/after school hours. 

School Photos are in!

PhotoLife has emailed their students' unique Key Codes so they can view and purchase 2024 School Photos online.
If they don't receive an email, please make sure to check their trash/spam folder.

SKC uniform shop

SKC desperately needs donations of any and all second-hand clothing for the SKC uniform shop. We especially need pants, shorts, white and blue shirts, and socks. Depending on their condition, we are able to buy back kilts, blazers, jumpers, soft shell jackets, and new PE tops.

Drop off at the shop on Thursdays (1-2 p.m.) or the main school office. 

For all inquiries, call Jane at 0211996525.

Gym Floor Out of Action

SKC gym will be closed from 13th April to 6th May for floor resurfacing. 

For any booking issues, please email Sarah Clapperton at sclapperton@stkevins.school.nz

Last few weeks at SKC

Spark Award Recipients

Well done to our Year 9 Spark Award Recipients today! 

These young people go above and beyond and show our FIRE values in all they do!

South Island Secondary Schools (SISS) athletics - 5th - 7th April

Our athletes achieved fantastic results in the South Island Secondary Schools (SISS) athletics competition held last weekend in Timaru.

James (Jimmy) Miers
U15 Javelin 1st
Jimmy's win was achieved by throwing a massive 44.06mtrs, which was 3mtrs ahead of second place; this is outstanding. 

What an epic win!

Chelsea Laughton
U14 Shot 7th
U14 Discus 7th

Tessa Laughton
U14 Shot 4th
U14 Discus 5th

Allie Laughton
U16 shot 6th
U16 Discus 4th

Tyler Barlow
U14 400m 12th

Jack O'Neill
U15 100m 3rd
U15 200m 4th

Louie Hose
U16 100m 9th
U16 200m 7th
U16 High Jump 9th

Zara Wilson
U15 800m 13th
U15 3000m 9th

Lydia Moffat
U16 200m 9th

Pisi Kaipeti
U14 Shot 7th

Marine Ecology Trip - 5th April

Last Friday, the Marine Ecology group of International students went to Port Chalmers to join Rachel, our wonderful provider at port to port cruises, for a wildlife tour of the Dunedin Harbour. Highlights included the marine food web in action, with the water fizzing with plankton, small fish, and barracuda. We observed the majesty of albatross flight over the water, thirty-two large chicks on Tairoa Head, and seal pups on the rocks.

Huge thanks to Rachel from port to port cruises, an experienced and knowledgeable skipper.

First XI Football trip to Christchurch

Last weekend, our First XI Football team drove to Christchurch to support the Football Ferns, who played against Thailand. Our support helped them win a legendary 4-0, and we are very proud of our Ferns! 

Go Girls!

Special thanks to Mr Eugen Dupu, Claire Elliot, Stuart Dowling & Danny Fountaine for taking the team & Ralph Davies for organising the trip.

Senior Quads

We are happy to share with you the final results from the Senior Quads event that took place in Gore last weekend. 

Verdon & SPC tied on points, but Verdon will take 2nd after countback.

Congratulations to SKC on 1st place.

SKC girls' vs Trinity girls' Football

On Monday, the SKC girls' Football played Trinity girl's Football at the Southern football turf in Dunedin.

The girls played 2 fantastic games.

Thanks to Mr Mawson for taking these awesome 📸s

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A Midsummer Night's Dream - Senior Drama class

This week, students in the Senior Drama class have been performing excerpts from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream for their Cambridge and NCEA assessments. 

Students have thoroughly enjoyed getting into character with full Victorian costumes and added accessories. 

Year 13 student Alysha Johnson used her sculpting skills to create a mask for the character of Puck. We want to express our gratitude to Dawn from the Victorian Wardrobe for providing costumes for our students, Mr Carter for his constant enthusiasm and love for the stage, and our Drama students for their hard work in learning their lines and giving their best performances on the day.

Special thanks to Isabel Matern and Sara Plunkett for these fantastic photos 📸

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School Events

Term 2 Dates

Wednesday 1st May - ANZAC Service 
Thursday 2nd May - Yr 12 Ryda
Friday 3rd May - Student Led Conferences
Tuesday 7th May - Year 12 retreat
Thursday 9th May - Open Day
Wednesday 29th - Thursday 30th May - Prefects Retreat
Friday 31st May - Teachers Only Day

Term 2 Holiday Dates

Monday 3rd June - King's Birthday 
Friday 28th June - Matariki

Sports

Term 2 Dates

Wednesday 1st May - Smallbore Postal Shoot
Monday 6th May - Aoraki Golf 
Tuesday 14th May - Aoraki Cross Country 
Wednesday 22nd May - Roncalli Exchange 
Friday 24th May - Aoraki Swimming 
Sunday 26th May - SISS Cross Country 
Sunday 26th May - Aoraki Chess
Saturday 1st June - Smallbore Postal Shoot
Monday 1st -5th July - Waitaki Week

Rugby 

Rugby Registrations are now open.

If your son or daughter has not yet registered, please register at this link to register

We are also looking for people to coach the boys under 16.5 team and another coach for the girls under 15 team. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Justin Fowler at jfowler@stkevins.school.nz 

Art and Cultural Events

Term 2 Dates

Wednesday 8th May - Oamaru Music exchange
Thursday 6th June - Caritas Mufti Day

2024 National Youth Art Awards

The National Youth Art Awards entries will be open on 11th March. 

This award and exhibition are attended by schools throughout Aotearoa, and over 300 students and young artists entered. 

A new drawing prize has also been added this year, so there is plenty of opportunity and choice for any artist between 13 and 25 years old in 3 age categories.

Below is the entry form, with all the details. 

Mattering - a political play

MATTERING a play by Dr. Delia Baskerville

Attention Youth Actors/Singers:

Mattering is a political play about the lived experiences of youth who truant class and school.

This play brings into the light real-life stories that have been pushed into the darkness. We hope to stir the audience to reflect, think about the action on stage, and to see the need for social justice. Student actors will have the opportunity to engage professionals, decision makers, and community members in a post-performance discussion about truancy, based on the voices of the marginalized youth showcased in the play.  

In a previous production, students said:

For me, Mattering was really interesting cause it was really good to be that character’s voice, performing in front of an audience.  (Actor 1)

I really related to the character Rose. It was really hard for me to go back to that time in Year 11 when I wagged. I was happy to have acted to it because it was part of my life, and these things are real.  (Actor 2)

There was one class I never went to because I felt dumb. Like Christina, the teacher did not notice me. It was great to know someone understood my story.  (Actor 3)

Delia is inviting students to audition for a role in her play and/or ensemble. The audition will be held in the Ink Box Theatre, Oamaru Opera House, on Saturday, 8th June 2024. There is a group audition (10 am -11 am), and then individual audition times will be between 11:00-12:30 or 1:00 to 3:00. You can still audition even if you do not sing. Rehearsals will be timetabled between 3 and 5 in term two and the first week of the July school holidays.  

Dress Rehearsal and performances will occur from Monday, 15th July – Saturday, 20th July, 6:00 to 9:00.

Please contact Delia if you are interested: baskervilledelia3@gmail.com

Guidelines for Attitude to Learning

General philosophy.

The purpose of ATL feedback is so that parents and students can have real time information about how students are engaging in each subject.

The overarching objective should be to have ‘no surprises’ for caregivers.

ATL numbers should cover how students are working generally in relation to:
How they are developing the habits of an independent life long learner.

This means: 

Teachers will be providing opportunities within classes for independent, differentiated learning opportunities.

ATLs will be used with the Junior reports. This will require additional weight to be given to ATL, meaning that periodically, a curriculum statement will be added to the ATL report. At the end of Term 1, the focus will be on setting goals and identifying learning challenges for the students so that we head things off before they become a problem.

Comments.

These should be specific and address immediate concerns or celebrate recent, specific achievements.  
These should provide caregivers the opportunity to be able to participate in supporting their student.
These should be brief and accurate. 
Only be provided for immediate and relevant issues.  

What ATL’s are NOT.

They are not a method for punishing a student.
They are not a forum for diagnosing medical or learning issues e.g. suggesting a student is dyslexic
They are not a place for long term guidance such as large general statements about learning.
They are not a report which you must feel compelled to write every fortnight.
They are not a replacement for Dean involvement, discussions with HoF’s, phone calls to parents etc.
They are not a ‘restorative chat’.

School TV

The importance of physical activity and exercise

In the last decade, young people's participation in physical activity and exercise has been in decline. In this digital age, young people are using computers and mobile devices, not only for learning, but for relaxation and recreation purposes. This sedentary lifestyle is having a detrimental effect on today’s youth. The key is finding the balance.

Research shows, that regular physical activity and exercise leads to changes in the brain. It improves cognitive function, elevates mood, enhances learning and improves academic outcomes. Playing sport helps young people develop fundamental movement skills impacting positively on their confidence, self-esteem and ability to develop social skills. Parents and whānau play an important role in helping young people establish positive habits that will benefit their long-term health and well-being.

This edition of SchoolTV explores practical advice relating to the benefits of regular physical activity and exercise, as well as tips on how to get our young people motivated and moving more.

Here is the link to the Physical Activity & Exercise edition of SchoolTV
https://stkevins.nz.schooltv.me/newsletter/physical-activity-exercise

Situations Vacant

Chef/Cook Permanent Position Available

Company St Kevin's College Hostel
Location: Waitaki, Otago
 
Listed
Type Full time, Permanent

This is a term-time role of 40 Hours per week, although there would be a need for flexibility to work weekends and varied shifts for additional catering when required; this may include some term holiday time.

Start date asap
Duties will include:
Food preparation/cooking, baking skills as well as general kitchen duties

Our ideal candidate will have:
Experience working in a Commercial Kitchen
Thorough Comprehension of Food Hygiene practices

Be a team player

You must be eligible to work in New Zealand to apply for this position.

To apply for this role, please email us for an application form – applications close 25th April 2024

Colleen Rusbatch crusbatch@stkevins.school.nz

Community Events/Notices

Wild Dunedin Festival 19-28 April

This year's festival has 140 events and nature-related activities for all ages all over the city. 

With discounted deals on albatross, penguin and boat trips, kids go free at Orokonui Ecosanctuary and Larnach Castle, films, crafts, scientific talks, garden tours, a walk around Sutton Salt Lake and guest Suzy Cato; a lot is happening. 

Complete programme and bookings here http://www.wilddunedin.nz

Herbert Forest Walking Tracks Open Day

Sunday 21st April

Guided Walks through Swallows and Podocarp Tracks (1-4hrs)

Bring water, snacks, and sturdy footwear or boots.

Meet at 10 a.m. at the Middle Ridge Rd/Queens Rd junction in Herbert Forest. 
Follow the signs from the SH I Breakneck Rd turnoff.

North Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club Inc.

Autumn Holiday Programme

Waitaki Museum Te Whare Taoka o Waitaki
Tuesday 16, Wednesday 17, Thursday 18 April 11 am – 2 pm
Drop-in holiday sessions are suitable for a variety of ages. Explore the clay crafts, design techniques, and fashions of Temuka Pottery with hands on activities for families.
museum@waitaki.govt.nz

Forrester Gallery
Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24 April, 11 am-2 pm
Drop-in activities| no need to book| adult supervision required| free
Join educator Liz King in Under Pressure a Te Taiao| environment exhibition in the wonderlab.
Learn about our environment through art with a different activity each day.
gallery@waitaki.govt.nz

Totara Estate
565 Alma-Maheno Highway, SH1 8kms South of Oamaru
Saturday, 27 April 2024
1 pm – 4 pm Free entry
Have a go at digging, cleaning, sorting and analysing artefacts with assistance from a Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga archaeologist. 

Wear old clothes as water and dirt will be involved! 

No booking is required; just come along and join in. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on the day. 

We will go ahead, rain or shine, and if the weather is poor, activities will be moved to one of our historic buildings. 

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

https://culturewaitaki.org.nz/

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 email these as Facebook messenger compresses the quality!

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 holiday break! 

Ngā mihi
Shane Rees
Communications and Events