St Kevin's College News and Reminders Term 4 Week 4

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

NCEA exams are currently underway, leading to a quieter atmosphere at school. In addition to the exams, we held Course Counselling for Year 10 students transitioning to Year 11 this week.
It's important to note that there will be a Teachers Only Day on Monday, November 11th, as appointed by the Ministry of Education. This means there will be no school for our junior students, while seniors will continue with their NCEA exams. Juniors will return on Tuesday and jump straight into Junior Assessments for the week. Please find the timetable attached below.

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.

Mountain Bike track closed

The mountain bike track is closed for maintenance until further notice.

Attendance Matters

As we venture into Term 4, it is an excellent time to check in on your school attendance. 

Every day matters! 

2024 School Magazine

Just a quick reminder that all students have been invoiced for this year's school magazine/yearbook. Please ensure payments are made by 30 November 2024 so we can print enough copies for everyone who has paid by then.

If you don't want the magazine, just contact the school office, and we will be happy to remove the charge from your account. 

We willl also keep you posted about when the magazines are ready for pick-up.

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.

Junior Assessment Week 12th - 15th November

Please find attached the daily structure and timetable for next week's junior assessments.

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

Past few weeks at SKC

Congratulations to Our Newly Appointed Top 6 for 2025!

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of our Top 6 for 2025, unveiled during last week's Senior Prizegiving Evening alongside our Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

In the Photo (Left to Right): Carl Herbst, Claire-Anne Barrientos, Jo Walshe, Atlanta McDowell-Williams, Leilani De La Ford, James Devereaux, Louie Hose, Craig Smith, Lisiate Hausia, and Franz Lauglaug.

Appointments:

• Head Boy: Louie Hose
• Head Girl: Leilani De La Ford
• Deputy Head Boy: Lisiate Hausia
• Deputy Head Girl: Atlanta McDowell-Williams
• Special Character Boy: Franz Lauglaug
• Special Character Girl: Claire-Anne Barrientos

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students on their well-deserved positions.

We are confident they will lead with excellence and dedication throughout the year.

Congratulations to you all for your achievements in 2025!

All Souls Liturgy

On Monday the junior school gathered for an All Souls Liturgy.

As Catholics, November is when we pray for the people we love who have gone before us. 

During the Middle Ages in England, peasants and children called "soulers" would go about town singing and praying for the souls of the dead. They would stop at homes and beg for a "soul cake" and promise in return to pray for the household's deceased family members. Many Catholic families around the world still bake soul cakes during this time.

At the end of Monday's liturgy, students were given a soul cake to remind them that because we believe in the Communion of Saints, we can pray for those we love who are no longer with us.

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Caritas Challenge - Labour Weekend

Chelsea Koay (Year 9) - participated in this challenge by cooking meals for my family for 24 hours. I did this because my parents work long hours and usually come home late. I learnt how to cook new meals and realised that learning new skills can be a challenging and enjoyable experience.

About what Caritas is doing for the world - learning new skills is a way for those out there who don't know where they might get food next. I believe Caritas will do great things with the money, and the experience was great. 

Hana Davies (Year 13), Franz Lauglaug (Year 12), Ianna Marie Abuyabor (Year 12), Janelle Casitas (Year 12), and Jarrel Casitas (Year 11) slept outside for the night for our Caritas challenge. We all really enjoyed it, even though it got a little cold and a few of us woke up with sore backs!

Carter Lambert (Year 12) - this year, I decided to go blind, deaf and mute. 

I used a double blindfold to ensure I couldn't see anything, a combination of earplugs and noise-cancelling headphones to go deaf and sheer willpower not to speak.

I was inspired by the work of cbm (Christian Blind Misson - which the school has fundraiser for previously), and I thought I might as well make it more interesting by being deaf and mute. 

It gave me insight into how some people actually live this way, and while it was (somewhat) fun, apart from constantly stubbing my toes, I couldn't imagine living like this permanently. However, the sad reality is that some people have to live this way, and I'm glad I had the experience of spending a day in their shoes. 

This was a fantastic effort from our dedicated Caritas Group members, and we couldn't be prouder of you for representing our school through this challenge and all the outstanding work you have done all year!

St. Joseph’s and Te Pākihi o Maru Athletics Day

We had a fantastic time supporting the St. Joseph’s and Te Pākihi o Maru Athletics Day last week!

It was awesome to see everyone out there having fun and giving it their all. 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️👏

School Events

Coming up this term

Monday 11th November - Teachers Only Day
Tuesday 12th - Friday 15th November - Junior Assessment 
Monday 9th - 12th December - Yr 10 Camp
Friday 13th December - Junior Prizegiving & Liturgy 11am

Sports

Coming up this term

Monday 18th - Friday 22nd November - Aoraki Junior Sports Week
Sunday 24th November - Willows Cricket
Monday 25th November - Rippa Rugby Tournament

Aoraki regatta Report

Despite the disruptive weather on Saturday, which caused an early end to the day. The Aoraki regatta was a fantastic learning experience for our novice rowers. It was a very successful weekend for our SKC students and the Oamaru Rowing Club, and seeing so many of our crews at the front of the pack was great. 

Congratulations to all who competed. We look forward to seeing what you can achieve at our two regattas, Lake Hood and the Otago Championships on Lake Ruataniwha.

Aoraki Sports Awards

The Aoraki Sports Awards were held in Timaru on Friday night.  We were proudly represented with 4 finalists in 5 categories.

The Aoraki Future Champion – Sportsperson of the Year award is a prestigious recognition for students who have excelled in their chosen sporting code as a participant.  They can earn this award by achieving NZ honours if selected into a New Zealand team or by placing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at the National Championships in their sporting code. 

Winners of their sporting codes
Kobe Narruhn - Rugby
Emma Gillies - Equestrian HONOURS
Quinn Burge - Touch

Finalist
James Miers - Athletics

Outstanding Referee/Umpire - This award is for students who have excelled in their chosen sporting code as an umpire or referee.
Quinn Burge - Touch

Junior Volleyball

St Kevin’s Junior Volleyball report from Benya Dogterom, Year 10

On the 2nd November, the St Kevin's Junior Volleyball teams travelled to Dunedin for the Otago Junior Volleyball Championships. I was captain of the girl's team, and I personally loved the experience. We all got to have great bonding moments through losses and wins, all cheering for each other. You could see the steady improvement of some players throughout the two days that we played. There were many moments where we shared laughs and created favourite memories.

The junior boys' team ranked 3rd out of 8 teams, and the girls' team was 5th out of 16.

Even though the girls' team didn't get a top 3 placing, I still enjoyed the experience that I had the opportunity to be a part of. 

Art and Cultural Events/Dates

Coming up this term

Sunday 24th November - Christ the King & World Youth Day
Friday 6th December - ESOL Gala

Chess Tournament in Wellington 27th October

Over 200 invited chess players from across New Zealand gathered in Wellington on Sunday, 27th October, for the Chess Power Champions Trophy. Sunny Tian from SKC was among the participants.

It was a challenging day of chess featuring some of the best young chess players in the country.

Great job, Sunny!

Chess tournament at WBHS - 18th November

Attention SKC Year 9 and 10 Students:

If you're interested in playing chess for a day, join us on Monday, 18th November!

Please email Mrs Gower at jgower@stkevins.school.nz as soon as possible.

Event Details:

• Event: Oamaru Schools Summer Chess Competition
• Date: Monday, 18th November, Term 4, Week 6
• Venue: Waitaki Boys' High School Library
• Who: This is open to students from Years 1-10 of all skill levels from Canterbury and Otago. School uniform is preferred but not required. Only 80 spots are available!
• Sections: Players will compete in age-based sections.

Schedule:

• Players' Meeting: 9:45 a.m.
• Games Begin: 10:15 a.m.
• Prize-Giving: Aiming to finish by 3:00 p.m.
• Game Format: Each player has 15 minutes per game (15|0), so each game should last around 20-30 minutes.

Thanks,

Mrs. Gower

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

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’.

Community Events/Notices

Oamaru Chorale Presents Dixit Dominus - 9th November

Music By Marianna Martines

 Saturday 9th November 3.00 pm

Entry by koha (donation)

St Paul's Church, 7 Coquet Street, Oamaru

Network Waitaki Sports Awards

This is a reminder that NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN for the 2024 Network Waitaki Sports Awards. 
Nominations are open to the end of November.

The Nominations are made online at the following link

Nomination guidelines here

We know many talented and high achievers in our sports in Waitaki. 
We encourage you all to nominate your highest achievers and highlight not only your sporting code but also your amazing athletes, officials, and administrators. 

The Awards will be held on 17 March 2025. 

Categories are: 

Female emerging talent (yr8 in 2024)
Male emerging talent (yr 8 in  2024  ) 
Junior female sportsperson (under 18)
Junior male sportsperson (under 18) 
Athlete with a disability
Female sportsperson
Male sportsperson 
Masters sportsperson (50 years +) 
Coach of the year 
Team of the year 
Services to sport 
Official in sport 

Oamaru Swim Club Fast Furious info

Oamaru Swim Club invites you to a fun night of festive swim racing!
There's an event for all levels, from beginners to experienced swimmers.
Warm up from 5.30 pm with racing starting at 6.00 pm.
Entry forms are available at the pool reception desk or use Google:  FESTIVE Fast n Furious 22 Nov 2024
Please enter by Wednesday, 20th Nov 2024. 
Email entries can be sent to oamaruswim@gmail.com

Aoraki Pasifika Festival - 23rd November 

Aoraki Pasifika Festival will be held on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024, at the Caroline Bay Soundshell. This vibrant celebration will showcase the rich culture and creativity of the Pasifika community, featuring a market filled with delicious Pasifika cuisine. Your involvement will greatly enrich the festival and resonate with Pasifika families in your area, fostering a sense of community and celebration.

Should anyone in your community like to have a stall at the festival, please contact Fakafetai lahi lele at aorakipasifika@gmail.com or 022 018 4647

Registration: https://bit.ly/4001tvY

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