St Kevin's College News and Reminders Term 2 Week 9

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

Only one week to go, next week is our annual Waitaki Week, one of the most exciting weeks of our school year. Good luck to all students participating! This week, our Year 11's had practice Cambridge exams, we had our Matariki Liturgy, and we ended it with a long weekend.

We hope you are spending it with family and loved ones.

Principal's Post

Kia Ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College,

Firstly, I wish to congratulate the Religious Education department on the beautiful Matariki liturgy we had today to celebrate this special time of year. It was a very moving acknowledgement of God's creation of the world and our place as travelers to this country in it. Congratulations to Mr Devereaux on organising a great trip for Year 11 Geography last week.

There are several things that families need to be aware of as we navigate the next few school days.  

School reports will be published in the next few school days.  Please ensure that you check these, and if you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact your class teachers.  You will have basic levels reporting on Reading, Writing and Mathematics.  This should give families a quick reference with regards to how well your student is performing compared to their cohort expectations.  These numbers in writing have been taken from across the curriculum areas so are a fair result of their writing overall not just in English classes. 

With the wet weather we are seeing at the moment, it is very important that students stay off the grass.  This is for two reasons, firstly they drag wet grass into our carpets which then need to be cleaned and secondly when their leather shoes constantly get wet and dry out after contact with the acid in the grass, they start to crack which is an expense for families. On the day of the Waitaki matches, if students are watching the rugby or football games on wet turf, I am happy for them to wear gumboots or waterproof boots. 
The wet weather is also bringing out all of the variety of colors of jackets.  Can I please remind families that we have two styles of wet weather jackets available for purchase at the Uniform shop and that the other option is a plain black or navy jacket.  Camouflage jackets, swandries and bright colours are not part of the uniform.  

Lastly (this is a big information dump and I do appreciate that), can we please have a real push by families to remind our young people and ourselves of the importance of good sportsmanship both on the field and on the sidelines.  It is always very disappointing when we have to deal with discipline issues with regards to this and it is my hope that TEAM SKC will conduct itself well in the upcoming events.  I know I sound like I'm betraying my NZ citizenship when I say this, but it is just a game….  Refs will get it wrong, people will make mistakes.  Let's make sure our kids aim for a bigger picture than just what happens on a field for an hour in aiming to be decent citizens and team players. 

Have a wonderful long weekend, rain too is a blessing…

God Bless
Jo 

School Notices

• This is a friendly reminder that parents and caregivers must let the office know beforehand if students have appointments during the day: 03 437 1665 or 021 437 176.
  
  
• All students in Years 9-12 are not permitted to leave the school grounds during intervals and lunch breaks.
  
  

• All Year 9-11 students must get caregiver consent to sign out during school hours. Caregivers can email or call the office to provide consent and reason for the absence. Students cannot sign out until the caregiver is reached.

Attendance Matters

As we venture into Term 2, it is an excellent time to check in on your school attendance. 

Every day matters! 

NCEA Level 1 Review Survey

Researchers at the Education Review Office (ERO) are doing new research about NCEA Level 1. They want to know about your child’s learning and assessment this year because some recent changes to NCEA Level 1 have occurred.

Your answers can help with future decisions about the NCEA qualification and support for the school. 

Please help by completing the survey at this link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HSZ2RPR

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.

SKC Moke Jackets 

The uniform shop is now selling wind and semi-waterproof SKC Moké student jackets.

These lightweight jackets have 90% Duck down lining, so you know they'll be toasty warm.

Available now from the uniform shop for $90.

Comes with its own bag and packs down for minimal space.

Sibling Enrolment at St Kevin's College

Dear families, please ensure that enrolments for siblings of students already attending St. Kevin's College are submitted prior to the enrolment cut-off date. 

Having a sibling at the college does not guarantee automatic entry. Please ensure that application forms are completed and sent to the school office in a timely manner to avoid disappointment.

Domestic applications for 2025 day students close on Friday, 5th July, 2024. Families will be notified of the outcome of their applications during Term 3, 2024.  

Late enrolments will be placed on a waiting list, and contact will be made if space is available.

Ngā mihi

The Senior Leadership Team 

St Kevin's College

NCEA study tips from students

Here are some handy NCEA study tips from students for students; please share them with your student/s to help them prepare. 

Meet students, hear their study advice and learn about the tools they use for success in NCEA exams.

Ngā mihi

School Events

Waitaki Week

During Waitaki Week next week, the back gate (Redcastle Road entrance) will be shut from Monday to Friday between 9.30 am and 2.30 pm and then again from 5.30 pm until 7 am during the week.

The front gate (Taward Street entrance) will be shut from around 9 pm until 7 am.

Also, be mindful that next Friday, North Otago Junior Netball will still be running at the school courts, so please ensure that you drive safely through the school.

Sports

Waitaki Week Schedule - 30th June - 5th July

Here is your sports schedule for Waitaki Week, which runs from 30th June - 5th July.

Go SKC!!

Aoraki Secondary Schools Netball - 23rd June

Last Sunday the SKC Senior A netball team achieved second place in the Aoraki Secondary Schools Netball Championships. 

A huge thank you to everyone who supported the girls!

Timaru Intercollegiate Shoot - 23rd June

On Sunday, our Trap Shooters participated with 70 other students at the Timaru Intercollegiate Shoot. 

After a wet and freezing day, all our shooters were still in high spirits.

Kate Murphy participated in a Shoot-off in Single Barrel and took third place in Point Score Ladies.

Well done, Kate!

SKC 1st XI Cricket Fundraiser

SKC 1st XI Cricket is selling Poplar wood ready to burn to raise funds for their Australian tour later in the year. 

$80 per cube

Free delivery within Oamaru.

For orders, please email csmith@stkevins.school.nz

Girls' Football XI Fundraiser

The Girls' Football XI is fundraising for Tournament week.

They are holding car washes to raise funds

• Saturday 29th June
• Saturday 27th July
• Saturday 31st August

9 am to 3 pm at the BP2GO garage next to McDonald's

Car washes cost $10 per vehicle, including a free hot drink from the garage barista.

We will also offer a full service, which will take an hour and cost $80 per vehicle, including an inside and outside clean. These need to be booked with Ralph Davies 021682461

Thank you for your support

Holiday Basketball Training Programme July

The programme will run in the upcoming July school holidays. 

Coaching Sessions will be held at the St Kevin's College gymnasium (Monday 8th July to Wednesday 10th July) 

This programme has been designed to enable young players (Years 7 - 8) in the Waitaki district to access high quality and specialised coaching without having to travel out of the area. 

St Kevin's College Basketball head coach Jacob Fowler will lead the programme, assisted by members of the St Kevin's College Top V Basketball team. This is a fundraiser to help the Top V Basketball team attend the South Island Secondary Schools tournament in September.

There is a special "Girls Only" session available for those girls who would like to attend this session.

Please complete the following form to register for the July holiday basketball training programme. The focus will be on specialist and up-to-date basketball training, developing ball handling, dribbling, and passing skills in a fun and supportive environment.

You can choose which sessions (two-hour sessions) you would like to attend at $20 per session. 

Payment needs to be made before attendance at the session(s) please.

Scan the QR code to register or visit stkevins.school.nz/bbtrainingprogramme to reserve your spot, as space is limited.

Highlanders Schools Development Camp 2024

Congratulations to Harry King, Kobe Narruhn & Louie Hose for being selected to attend the Highlanders Schools Development Camp for 2024, which will take place during the July school holidays.

The camp is designed to support and improve our secondary school's programs, providing students with a complete understanding of the commitment and skills needed to become a Highlander. We are excited to witness the development and potential of these young athletes as they begin the next phase of their rugby journey.

Enjoy lads!

https://thehighlanders.co.nz/news/highlanders-schools-development-camp-2024/

Art and Cultural Events

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

Having the Alcohol Discussion

Having the Alcohol Discussion

With the upcoming school celebrations, some teenagers may be feeling ready to party, wanting to put the disruptions, frustrations and disappointments of these 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 crucial 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.

This Special Report offers a series of discussion points to help make the conversation about alcohol consumption a little easier.

If you have any concerns about your young person's well-being, 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.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-having-alcohol-discussion-nz

Community Events/Notices

Strapping Workshop

Sport Waitaki is holding a strapping workshop with Mike Stewart (Physio) on Wednesday, 3rd July.

Come along and learn some simple strapping techniques from Mike, which you can take back to your team.

Waitaki Boys Auditorium on 3rd July. Starts at 7 pm

$20 cash (this will cover the cost of the tape you will use on the night)

Meet the Otago Nuggets - 3rd July

Whitestone Cheese Diner & Deli, Wednesday, 3rd July, 3:15 pm - 3:45 pm

• Spot Prizes
• Signed Posters
• Free Hot Chocolate

Youthtown Free Guitar & Keyboard Workshops

Youthtown will be running free guitar and keyboard workshops during the July School holidays for students in years 7-10.

If your student/s are interested, please get in touch with kale.sandri@youthtown.org.nz

Spaces are limited!

https://www.youthtown.org.nz/oamaru

Plastic Free July Expo and Repair Cafe - 21st July

An informative, inspiring and interactive event for the whole family!

Plastic Free July Expo and Repair Café held at the Waitaki Recreation Centre on Orwell St. (Sunday, 21st July, 10 am-2 pm)
 
This will be a free family event with something fun for everyone – from sourdough and kombucha demonstrations, sustainable art making, colouring in comps, slow fashion displays and info, interactive exhibits on plastic issues and solutions, stalls on the impacts of plastic on our marine environment and local penguins, plus there will be a kids tinkering corner at the Repair Café and local handy people ready to help you fix your treasured items, plus much more.

Oamaru Rowing Club Coach

Oamaru Rowing Club is looking for a coach.

Could this be you?

For further details, please contact President Lynda Wilson at oamarurowingclub@gmail.com

Active Kids Waitaki Holiday Programme July 

Rec Centre Active Kids Holiday programme - Active Kids Holiday Programme - Monday 8th to Thursday 11th July 2024, mornings from 9.30 am-12.30 pm. Only $10 per child per day, or $36 for four days. Primary / Intermediate age. REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN

https://www.sporty.co.nz/waitakicrc/Active-Kids-Holiday- Programme/REGISTRATION

(If the link does not work, please go to our website's Active Kids Holiday programme and click on Registration. Thanks).

Thanks to local sports clubs and volunteers who make this programme possible!

Rec Centre group fitness

Rec Centre group fitness options to suit all levels and all training needs: strength, cardio & flexibility.

We have a broad range of programming, including 7 different Les Mills classes, hour-long and 30-minute express classes, bootcamps and individual training options.

Come and check out our friendly, affordable options. Indoor courts available for hire, and lots of activities including basketball, taekwondo, rock climbing, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, roller skating, and much more.

Check us out https://www.sporty.co.nz/waitakicrc/Home

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

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 weekend! 

Ngā mihi
Shane Rees
Communications and Events