St Kevin's College News and Reminders Term 3 Week 7

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

We had several students away for Tournament Week. Well done to all who represented SKC and did us proud. This week, we also had a Special Character Review and Mass, where we welcomed Paul Richardson, Jarlath Kelly, and Paul Olsen to join us. Six of our Caritas members took out a major prize in the INGout4JUSTICE 2024 music competition and preparation is well underway for our Singing Festival next Wednesday, 7pm in the auditorium, all are welcome.

Principals Post

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College,

Spring has sprung here at the College, and the blossoms are out. This always feels like a major turning point in the year as we climb out of winter coughs and colds and into warmer weather. After the stress of examinations last week, hopefully, students will be able to appreciate the time to enjoy the sun.

There are a few things that I need to draw families' attention to as we head towards the real examination period. Firstly, Level 1 Cambridge Mathematics is on at 9 am on the first Monday back. Because this examination is sat on the same day all over the world, there is no chance to delay this or reschedule. If your student is taking this examination please consider this in your holiday planning.

Secondly, we will be sending a 'fridge schedule' of examinations in the next couple of weeks. Please keep an eye on this, as students who are late to examinations start at a real disadvantage. Also please discuss any clashes with your son or daughter to ensure that the school knows about them in advance as we have to make careful arrangements to maintain authenticity.

Last but by no means least. Our Singing festival will be held next week. This is a real opportunity for our students to support one another and their Houses. There is an expectation that students will attend and do their best not only in House competitions but also in support of solo singers. Year 12 students looking for leadership positions in 2025 should take this opportunity to step up to set an example for their Houses.

Have a great weekend.

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.

Sports and Cultural photos

Sports and Cultural photos will take place in the auditorium next Tuesday, 10th September.

Please be in the auditorium 10 minutes before the stated time to prepare for your photo.

Students are to wear sports uniforms for the photo. 

If you do not have a sports uniform, please wear your No. 1 school uniform.

You can find the order of events here: https://bit.ly/3XwkLY0

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.

Is my child well enough to go to school? (Advice from Ministry of Education NZ)

Is my child well enough to go to school?

We know that going to school every day is important for all students. But as a parent or caregiver, it can be difficult deciding if your child is well enough to attend school.

Here is some advice to help you decide when it is okay to send your child to school, when you should keep your child at home, and when you should contact a health professional for advice. This advice is based off in-depth guidance prepared by Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand, which you can view here.

Knowing if your child is well enough to go to school: guidance for parents and caregivers – Te Whatu Ora

My child has mild symptoms that are unlikely to be infectious. Should they attend school?

If your child tests negative for COVID-19 and they do not have any of the symptoms of concern outlined below, there are some mild symptoms that could be caused by a condition or reaction rather than an infectious illness that mean it is okay for your child to still be at school.

Examples include a happy energised child who has mild respiratory symptoms (cough, headache or runny nose) with no fever, their usual hay fever and allergy symptoms (sneezing, stuffy nose or an itchy face), or skin problems that are not infectious, such as eczema or insect bites.

Learn more about these symptoms here:

When a child has symptoms but can still attend school – Te Whatu Ora

If your child has any of these mild symptoms but is well enough to go to school, support them to go and let their teacher know.

When should I keep my child home from school?

You should keep your child home from school if they are:

-too sick to learn and need time to rest and recover 

-have symptoms of concern including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat, skin infections such as school sores, a new rash or difficulty breathing

-have tested positive for COVID-19 (more information on symptoms, testing, and when it is safe to return to school, can be found below)

-a household contact of someone with COVID-19, they develop symptoms themselves and they are testing with a rapid antigen test over a 48-hour period to see if they present a positive result during that time

-have an infectious illness and have been advised to stay home by their local public health team or their healthcare provider.

If you have COVID-19 – Te Whatu Ora

Raising awareness around measles and MMR vaccine

Follow the link below to watch a series of animated videos covering various health topics, including women's and men's health, immunisations, and antiviral medications. 

These videos are available in multiple languages to accommodate your preferred dialect.

https://www.ethniccommunities.govt.nz/resources/videos/health-videos/

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

Congratulations to Chris-Anne Barrientos, Claire-Anne Barrientos, Janelle Casitas, Carter Lambert, Ianna-Marie Abuyabor and Franz Lauglaug.

They have won a major prize in the Caritas SINGout4JUSTICE 2024 music competition, winning $250 in prizes.

Special Character Review and Mass

This week, we welcomed Paul Richardson, Jarlath Kelly and Paul Olsen to our school for a Special Character Review. The purpose of the review is to examine the effect of what is being done to safeguard and strengthen Catholic Special Character and to provide assurance to the proprietor and to the community that our school is authentically Catholic and is meeting the goals of Catholic education, which is the number one reason for the existence of all Catholic Schools.

Reviews are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate how we keep our Catholic character at the heart of our school and to look at ways to continue to strengthen the legacy left by those who have gone before us.

Catholic schools are special places, but this is not possible by chance. It can only happen with dedication, effort, and cooperation from everyone in our school community. The FIRE Value of Family is particularly important here as this emphasises that our school is indeed one Family in Christ.

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School Events

Coming up this term 

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

Sunday 8th September - Smallbore InterIsland Shoot
Saturday 28th - 30th September - South Island & NZ Trapshooting

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

Tournament Week Results

Congratulations to all our students who participated in the 2024 SISS tournament week across the South Island.

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

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

CBM Giving Day 2024 - 11th September

Next Wednesday, 11th September, cbm (whom SKC fundraised for in 2023 via Caritas) is having its very first Giving Day to give the Miracle of Sight to many children and adults living with preventative blindness in the remote Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The aim is to give people new hope for the future, improved access to health, education and livelihoods… plus vital independence.

All gifts on or before Giving Day will be multiplied x5 by a matching grant from the Government’s Aotearoa NZ International Development Cooperation Programme.

Click on this link to find out more.

https://cbmgivingday.org.nz

Our contact at cbm also has a “Team Page” you can support.

https://cbmgivingday.org.nz/cbm/bruce

Plus, there is a 2-minute video highlighting the difference your gift will make.

https://youtu.be/EewKjj8FQMo?si=hyTVwXcfV21oapJC

Any donations you can personally give to cbm for this project will be much appreciated and will make a real difference for many people in Papua New Guinea.

Thank you!

JOT (Just One Thing) - 19th September

JOT (Just One Thing) will hold a community event on Thursday, 19th September, at The Business Hive Oamaru, focused on Slow Fashion.

They invite everyone to join them to swap, sell or show their preloved clothing, as well as provide practical demonstrations on how to ‘repair, repurpose and re-invent’ our wardrobe.

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

5-Day Teen Sailing Adventure! 30th September - 4th October

Embark on an Epic 5-Day Teen Sailing Adventure! 

Calling all teens aged 14-18! 

Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey that blends adventure, skill-building, and lasting friendships.

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