St Kevin's College News and Reminders Term 3 Week 1
Kia ora whānau and friends of St Kevin's College,
Welcome back to Term 3. This week we had an information evening with Filipino parents to discuss all things NZ education to new families. Please remember next Friday is Student Led Conferences, please use the link further down in the newsletter to book your times.
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 3, it is an excellent time to check in on your school attendance.
Every day matters!
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.
Otago University applications for 2025/6
Some essential application form links if your student is looking at attending Otago University, plus a checklist to help prepare a smoother process if applying for Scholarships.
Entrance Scholarships - open 1st July, close 15th August.
https://www.otago.ac.nz/future-students/fees-and-scholarships/scholarships
Residential Colleges - open 1st Aug, close 30th Sept (we recommend it be done by mid-Sept).
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
Student Led Conferences
Student-led Conferences for Term 3 will be held on Friday, 2nd August, 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:
Teachers will act as mentors and guides for discussing your student/s. The student will still lead the conversation. - The teacher will guide and focus the conversation. The teacher will summarise decisions and planning.
If you cannot attend during these times, please contact 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 or scan the QR Code:
https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/zu9zg
This week at SKC
Meeting with Filipino Parents'
Last night we had a very successful evening meeting with Filipino families. There was a high turnout of parents, about 45 came, some with their children. The Filipino group student leaders, Claire Barrientos, Chris Barrientos, Franz Lauglaug, and Quinn Gonzales, helped set up and facilitate.
Thank you to Ms Walshe, Mr Devereaux and Mr Herbst, who spoke about SKC, NCEA, Cambridge, and other important information about NZ education, school expectations, and how we can prepare and train our students for future higher education or careers. The open forum was held in Filipino and English, and there was a very healthy discussion.
At the end, we all said "Maraming Salamat po" to each other, which means "Thank you very much!".
We extend our gratitude to Mrs Laraga, Filipino Dean and Mrs Atabelo, Year 11 Dean, for your continued support of the Filipino school community and to everyone who attended.
Maraming Salamat po 🙏
School Events
Coming up this term
Friday 2nd August - Student-led conferences
Wednesday 7th August - Aoraki Junior Maths comp
Thursday 8th - Friday 9th August - Year 13 PE Ski Camp
Wednesday 14th August - Otago University visit
Friday 23rd - Friday 30th August - Assessment Week
Friday 30th August - SKC Junior Maths comp
Monday 2nd September - Teacher Only Day
Tuesday 10th September - Sports and Cultural photos
Monday 16th - Wednesday 18th September - Literacy and Numeracy Common Assessment Activity
Tuesday 17th September - Year 13 retreat
Tuesday 17th September - Mural project trip
Wednesday 25th September - Year 7/8 SKC Maths comp
Thursday 26th September - Year 11 retreat
Sports
Coming up this term
Thursday 1st August - Smallbore Postal Shoot
Tuesday 6th August - Aoraki Boys Badminton
Thursday 8th August - Aoraki Girls Badminton
Sunday 11th August - Aoraki Trapshooting
Friday 16th August - Aoraki Table Tennis
Monday 26th August - Aoraki Snow Sports
Saturday 31st August - Friday 6th September - Tournament Week
Sunday 8th September - Smallbore InterIsland Shoot
Saturday 28th - 30th September - South Island & NZ Trapshooting
Girls' Football XI Fundraiser
The Girls' Football XI is fundraising for Tournament week.
They are holding car washes to raise funds
- 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
Art and Cultural Events/Dates
Coming up this term
Friday 9th - Sunday 11th August - Bishops Shield
Thursday 15th August - Sponsor a child mufti day
Thursday 12th September - Choral festival
Thursday 19th - 20th September - School Production - 10:30 am & 7 pm
Saturday 21st September - SKC Community Mass
Saturday 28th - 29th September - Edmund Rice Conference
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
Respectful Language
In today’s world, it is common to hear socially offensive language on the streets, on social media, streaming services and in some forms of modern music. While swearing is becoming more common and less taboo, the use of derogatory language or the act of swearing at someone, or about someone, is a form of verbal violence. It transgresses the usual rules of social interaction by impinging on an individual’s self-image and sense of dignity.
It is becoming apparent that some young people are being influenced by the language they hear. Proliferating the use of swear words can sometimes normalise, glamorise and desensitise their impact for young people who may misunderstand the true meaning of some derogatory terms. Whilst some students may use swearing or derogatory terms as a misguided attempt at belonging, others may use it simply because they are still learning how to moderate their language and are not accustomed to making adjustments to suit different situations.
When it comes to swearing and derogatory language, parents and schools play an important role. Parents and carers can be proactive in monitoring what their young person is viewing or being exposed to. Discussing the use of words or the origin of some derogatory terms and gaining insight into the reason behind their use of such language can help prevent inappropriate or disrespectful language filtering into the classroom or the school, which in turn helps to build more tolerant, safe and connected communities.
This Special Report offers a number of guidelines to help manage a suitable approach when discussing the importance of respectful language.
Here is the link to your special report:
https://stkevins.nz.schooltv.
Community Events/Notices
Young Penguins night - 27th July
Don't forget to come to the Penguin Club this Saturday night at 6 pm to cheer on our SKC students performing in the Young Penguins Night along with other Oamaru students who rocked the stage at Timaru RockQuest last term.
Gold coin entry.
Jemima Riley-Duddin will be performing solo.
Nye Jones-Hogan and Oliver Davison will be performing with the band Frog Finger.
It should be a great night to listen to live music and support our SKC musicians.
Jemima Riley-Duddin
Nye Jones-Hogan and Oliver Davison - Frog Finger
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