St Kevin's College News and Reminders Term 3 Week 5

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

This week, we were visited by former student Logan Docherty, who spoke to the school about his rowing journey and what it takes to be an elite-level rower. We had a group of students performing in the Fie Fia event; our junior and senior girls' Basketball teams play in the finals tonight, and our senior boys' Football will play tomorrow in the finals. Today, our Senior exams started and run until next Friday, and we also opened up our sales for the school show - That's Life! (grab your tickets today)

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.

Senior exams 23rd - 30th August

Senior exams start today, and finish on Friday, 30th August. Cambridge exams are green, and NCEA exams are yellow.

Seniors are allowed to wear mufti for these exams.

Attached is a link to the timetable: https://bit.ly/3yOWRgO

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

Recently at SKC

Logan Docherty Visits SKC - 19th August

On Monday, we were visited by former student Logan Docherty, who spoke to the school about his rowing journey and what it takes to be an elite-level rower.

The students learned about the benefits of hard work and the positive outcomes of taking up rowing.

It was great to have Logan back at the College!

Fie Fia Event - 22nd August

On Thursday, several students participated in the FieFia event at the rec centre.

A massive shoutout to our students Siara Sam, Leilani De La Ford, Kacymea Tahitu'a, Toe Halalele, Wade Smith, Lisiate Hausia, Kobe Narruhn, Ikuna Prescott, Marc Mafi, Ana Malafu, Mele Fangupo, Tine Tavai, Frank Vatubai, Capri Dowling, Kenton Tokai and Viliami Otunuku for their beautiful live performance we captured in the school chapel.

The group sang the Fijian Hymn Oqo Na Noqu Masu / This is My Prayer. Kenton Tokai, Ikuna Prescott and Viliami Otunuku performed a Tongan Mako to Me'a pe mu'a.

Tongan Language Week 2024

This week, 18th - 24th August, we celebrate Tongan Language Week 2024.

The 2024 theme for Tonga Language Week is 'E tu'uloa 'a e lea faka-Tongá 'o ka lea'aki 'i 'api, siasí (lotú), mo e nofo-'a-kāingá - The Tongan Language will be sustainable when used at home, church and in the wider community. 

We had a great time chatting with SKC students and staff about Tongan culture this week!

Enjoy!

School Events

Coming up this term

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 24th September - Mural project trip
Wednesday 25th September - Year 7/8 SKC Maths comp
Thursday 26th September - Year 11 retreat

School Production

St Kevin's College is proud to present - That's Life!

That's Life is a New Zealand created musical comedy where the fairy-tale world clashes with modern day. 

From teenagers in a modern day classroom to a variety of well-known fairy-tale characters, we follow the story of two young ladies - Cinderella and Sarah.

Sports

Coming up this term

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

Aoraki Table Tennis - 16th August

Todd Growcott and Johan Gulinao displayed great sportsmanship at the Aoraki Table Tennis event in Timaru last Friday.

Nice work guys!

2024 Bodkin Shield Competition

Over the weekend, our team competed in the 3-day Bodkin Shield Event.
 
This takes place in Central Otago each year. There are 10 rounds over 3 days, and it is an Open event, meaning that youth and adults compete as equals and have the same opportunities to win.

So, some of our school dads took the opportunity to shoot with us. Talk about boosting the competitive nature!
 
Congratulations to Stirling Heffernan, Hamish Robertson, Katie Murphy, Blake Taylor, and Riley Cannan (Michael Lane and Andy Sales, go the dads!), who all achieved at least 1 possible (maximum scores in a single round)

It's pretty challenging competing against 190 other shooters from all over NZ and standing beside people who have been shooting for 50+ years, but our team did this and did it well. The feedback from all the clubs was phenomenal.

Well done, team!!!

Girls' Football XI Fundraiser

The Girls' Football XI is fundraising for Tournament week.

They are holding car washes to raise funds

• 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!

Oamaru Rowing Club Open Day - 8th September

Oamaru Rowing Club is holding their Open Day on 8th September, 9.30 am - 1 pm, down at the Esplanade, so come along to learn more about rowing in North Otago!

For further information, they can contact the club at oamarurowingclub@gmail.com

Art and Cultural Events/Dates

Coming up this term

Wednesday 11th September - Choral festival
Thursday 12th September - Polyfest
Thursday 19th - 20th September - School Production - 10:30 am & 7:30 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

Exam Jitters

Every year, more and more emphasis is placed on achieving good results in exams causing many students to feel extraordinary pressure and having unrealistic expectations. This month on SchoolTV, families will find advice on how to help young people cope with the pressure and how students can work smarter to achieve the results they desire.

Exams are like a game. Once you know how to play the game, your chances of achieving great results rapidly increase. Families can learn how to assist their young people to maintain perspective and keep their sanity intact during exam time.

Diet, exercise and sleep all play an important part in helping a student balance a busy schedule and study smarter. Keeping stress levels to a minimum and reducing anxiety can be easily achieved through careful planning and having a supportive environment.

If you have any concerns about your young person, please contact the Pastoral Care team for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Exam Jitters edition of SchoolTV

https://stkevins.nz.schooltv.me/newsletter/exam-jitters

Healthy Study Habits

In today's world, where distractions are abundant and the pressure to excel is high, guiding young people to develop healthy study habits is more important than ever. As young people aspire to achieve academic success, the cornerstone of that achievement lies not just in their intelligence or drive, but in the study habits they cultivate.

It's essential for young people to recognise that good study habits aren't merely about spending extra hours hitting the books. It's more about quality over quantity and having a more balanced approach. Emphasising the value of a routine is essential. Consistent study times establish a sense of structure and discipline, turning studying into a natural part of their daily routine rather than a burdensome task.

Additionally, how young people approach their study sessions is equally important. Taking regular breaks is a crucial part of this process in maintaining focus and preventing burnout.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and consistent physical activity are indispensable elements that will significantly impact your young person's ability to study effectively. Fostering these healthy habits is one of the most valuable gifts we can offer young people, paving the way for a lifetime of learning and achievement.

This Special Report will help you support your young person as they embark on studying for exams.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the Pastoral Care Team 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-healthy-study-habits-nz

Community Events/Notices

Summerjam Family Fun Day! - 7th September

Waitaki Community Recreation Centre

Saturday 7th September 2024

9 am - 3:30 pm

Waitaki Community Recreation Centre

Schools Alpine Competition Trans-Tasman Schools Winter Festival 2024 - 23rd to 27th September

The Schools Alpine Competition aims to provide young ski and snowboard enthusiasts with a platform to showcase their skills, foster sportsmanship and promote the sport of skiing and snowboarding.

This event serves as a gathering of talented skiers and snowboarders aged from 8 to 13 years of age and provides an exhilarating, supportive atmosphere while at the same time fostering healthy competition.

More details in the PDF attached below

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