St Kevin's College News and Reminders Term 4 Week 8

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

This week we welcomed our 2025 Year 9 students for transition day to help better prepare them for their first year at the College. Mr Hanning's Year 9 Agriculture class helped Mrs Plunkett plant some harakeke on the hill beside the dining hall. We have also been hosting the junior cricket tournament, our Year 10's have been getting ready for camp next week, and we have been planning activities for the Year 9s to end the 2024 school year.

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.

Te Ngakau Nui Hungry Horse Cafe - Helpers Needed 

🌟 Te Ngakau Nui Hungry Horse Cafe - Helpers Needed! 🌟

📅 When: Wednesday, 11th December

⏰ Shifts:

• 2:30-4:30 - Preparing and selling food
• 4:30 -6:30 - Selling food
• 6:30-8:30 - Selling food and cleaning up.

If you can lend a hand, please get in touch with Sam Growcott at 📞 021 293 1158.

NCEA co-requisite results

Kia ora students and whānau,

Last Friday, 29th November, marks the release of NCEA co-requisite results.

Students can log in to their NZQA account to access the results from mid morning.

If you would like to discuss your options in 2025 following the release of results, they can contact their Dean before the end of the school year or before school starts in 2025. 

Deans will be available for Course Counselling and to discuss option changes and clashes on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd January 2025.

St Kevin's Summer Close down dates

Our school will be closed for the summer break from 18th December, with the office reopening on 20th January.

Wishing you all a relaxing and sunny holiday!

St Kevin’s College – Single Sign On

As part of increasing the security posture of our school environment, St Kevin’s has recently
rolled out a centralised authentication platform via Microsoft Office 365.

This means a slight change to the way staff and students log in when using school systems such as
email.

When prompted to log into associated systems, there will be an extra step asking for your school
email address and password. These are the same details you use when at school to join the wireless
and log onto our shared computers.

All users are encouraged to self-register for Multi-Factor Authentication (aka.ms/mfasetup). As part of
this change, this additional security measure is enforced for all staff users only.

Kolourcare St Kevin's Sport and Cultural photos

If you wish to purchase 2024 St Kevin's Sport and Cultural photos, Kolourcare has just uploaded them to its website, giving all the students who have already finished for the year an opportunity to buy.

https://kolourcare.photoshelter.com/ > First album titled St Kevins Sport 24

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.

SAC Letter to Whanau

Dear Whanau,

As the end of Y10 approaches, we are looking ahead to exams next year.
If you have any concerns regarding your child’s learning and achievement and would like to discuss this, please do not hesitate to contact the SENCo at St Kevin’s as your first port of call.

Tina Dooley - tdooley@stkevins.school.nz
Julie Ardouin - jardouin@stkevins.school.nz 

In order to access Cambridge Special Assessment Conditions, your child will need to have an up-to-date full cognitive report. At the time of examination, these must be no older than 4 years.

Special Assessment conditions include providing a reader, a writer, a computer, extra time or separate accommodation, and adaptations to the paper. These conditions MUST be stated in the recommendations in the report. 
PLEASE NOTE -
having a full cognitive does not guarantee that SAC conditions will be approved with Cambridge or NCEA. 
SAC conditions are not provided, even with a full cognitive for the Cambridge English Language paper

Please contact us at your earliest convenience if you seek further clarification about any aspect of this. We can also provide contact details of places that offer assessments.

Principals Post

Kia ora Kevinians and Supporters of the College,

I have not written a blog for some time, but feel it is a good idea to take five minutes to touch base before our final teaching week of the year next week.

Firstly, I would like to thank families for their support over the year and, especially with regards to the recent examination round. For the first time in many years, we had an almost 100% attendance rate for our RE examination, which was so heartening. We were also very thankful for those families who were able to get students to the holiday tutorials, they certainly helped our young people to feel more confident in approaching the Cambridge examinations.

Results are due out on the 15th Jan 2025, Cambridge results will be due out on the 16th Jan 2025 (these are marked offshore). Scholarship results are usually released mid February.

I would also like to thank families for responding to the various surveys and questionnaires we have put out over the course of the year. All of the data received has gone towards building a picture to inform our strategic planning. Our next strategic plan will take us through to 2027, which is the end of our centenary year.

Speaking of which, the lovely Kara has put together a fantastic plan for celebrating our 100 years. It is very important that we are aware that this is not only a celebration of St Kevin's but also of Teschemakers and St Thomas' schools which were absorbed into SKC in the 1980's. We are very keen to hear from anyone who is interested in helping us with the planning for the centennial events, especially any women who hold the girl's story, so that we can be guided on how to best include that history.

Next week will be 'activities week' for our Year nine students which is a mixture of class time and fun activities. The Year ten cohort will be on camp. I would like to thank all of the staff involved in organizing both sets of activities. We have a set of staff who do go the extra mile to ensure that the school year finishes on a high. Thank you to all of the staff in advance for your hard work.

Junior prizegiving will be held at 11 am on the 13th Dec. Please ensure that students attend in their 'number one' uniform. Boys may wear shorts, but we would like the prize winners in their ties and white shirts, please. Students are free to go home after prizegiving.

Thank you to Ira Mitchell, our artist in residence, for this beautiful shot of the Castle.

Have a happy weekend.

God Bless
Jo

Start Up Procedures for 2025

Welcome to 2025 at St Kevin’s College!

Contact Information

Week 0

School Office opens from Monday 20th January - 8:30 AM-4:30 PM until Friday.

Sunday 26^th January

Hostel students are to come into the hostel between 12 PM and 5 PM. If you have any questions, please contact the Director of Boarding Mr Fowler.

Week 1

Monday 27th January

Everyone arrives at school dressed in summer uniform at the following times: 9 AM Year 9s meet in the Chapel with Mr Devereaux 11 AM Year 10, 11, 12 & 13+ Mihi Whakatau training

12 PM Mihi Whakatau welcome in the Auditorium. Whānau are welcome!

1:30 PM Dean Year Level Meetings

2:00 PM House Meetings

2:30 PM School finishes

Tuesday 28th January Normal School Day: 8:50 AM -3:10 PM.

Timetable begins - Day 2

Wednesday 29th January   Normal School Day: 8:50 AM -3:10 PM - Day 3

Thursday 30th January Students come to school in Number 1’s for this day

(white shirts & ties ready for school photographs) Periods 1 to 4: Class photographs will be taken during timetabled classes in the morning.

Friday 31st January Normal school day: 8:50 AM -3:10 PM

1:50 PM Investiture Mass (Prefects appointed to their roles)

Week 2

Monday 3rd February Normal school day: 8:50 AM -3:10 PM

Tuesday 4th February Meet the Staff Evening at 7 PM for all our students and

their families, especially those who are new to the College.

Wednesday 5th February Normal school day: 8:50 AM -3:10 PM

12:20 PM Dominican Excellence Awards - Chapel

Thursday 6th February Waitangi Day – College is closed.

Friday 7th February Athletics Day

Uniform Shop

The College operates a Uniform Shop and Eftpos facilities are available. During the school term the Uniform Shop is open every Thursday at lunchtime from 1PM-2PM. PE uniform can be purchased from SKC Uniform Shop

Extra Opening Hours for the beginning of 2025

The Uniform Shop will be open on: Sunday 19th January 12PM-4PM Thursday 23rd January 12PM-4PM Sunday 26th January 2PM-4PM

Contact Jane Taafaki (021 119 6525)

Our uniform shop sells new Kilts, Blazers, Ties and PE tops. All other items are second hand and we have limited amounts available.

Communication

College Office

Phone: 03 437 1665

Mobile: 021 437 176

Email: college@stkevins.school.nz

2025 Term Dates

Term 1 Monday 27th January to Friday 11th April

Term 2 Monday 28th April to Friday 27th June

Term 3 Monday 14th July to Friday 19th September

Term 4 Monday 6th October to Friday 5th December

The Pastoral Care Team

At each level of the school, there are particular staff members available to help students in need. Our Deans are the first point of contact where questions, difficulties or concerns are being experienced.

Year 9 Dean: Mr J Devereaux

Year 10 Dean: Mrs L Cooper

Year 11 Dean: Ms J Atabelo

Year 12 Dean: Mrs H Strauss

Year 13 Dean: Mrs H Mellor

Guidance: Mrs E Dupu

Alternative Education: Mrs L Marshall

Vocational Pathways: Mrs M Burton, Mrs C Brenssell & Mrs K McLaren

Absences

Where a student is absent on any one day before 9:30 AM, families are to either:

• Phone the school office on (03) 437 1665
• Email absences@stkevins.school.nz
• Text 021 437 176
• On the College website > Connect > Student Absence

Where a student is going to be absent from school for an extended period of time, a request must be made in writing to the Principal at least 14 days in advance of the intended leave. Students who are granted leave are expected to make up the work that they have missed out on.

All 2025 startup information can also be found on our website here

Stationery Orders for 2025

Your student/s stationery lists are available for purchase now, and we’ve teamed up with OfficeMax to make your back-to-school shop super easy. And if you order in December, you’ll go in the draw to WIN 1 of 5 $1000 cash prizes*.

Your child’s class list is already loaded. Just go to myschool.co.nz. Simply add your details, check that you want everything on the list, then click and confirm - and OfficeMax will get your delivery underway with free delivery on orders over $70*.

You can pay by internet banking, credit card or debit card. Zip# is also available, so you can pay in 4 interest free payments over 6 weeks and still get your order right away. Plus, you’ll be helping our school earn school rewards* that we use to purchase much needed extra resources for our school.

Quotes for WINZ are available by contacting 0800 724 440 or via email enquiry@myschool.co.nz.

We encourage you to order early to ensure your child has all their stationery requirements ready to go in plenty of time for the start of Term 1. 

So go ahead and beat the back to school rush, order today and give them the best start possible.

^#Zip Pay in 4 is available to approved applicants only and subject to the completion of satisfactory credit checks. For more information, visit myschool.co.nz/zip. T&Cs and late fees apply. Zip Co NZ Finance Limited FSP 598969.

*T&Cs apply. See myschool.co.nz for details.

Year 9 Activity week 9th - 13th December

Next week marks the final week of school for 2024! 🎉 While the Year 10 students are away at camp, we have planned an exciting week of activities for the Year 9s. 🌟

Daily Timings
8:50 - 9:50: Period 1 📚
9:50 - 10:50: Period 2 📘
10:50 - 11:20: Interval ☕
11:20 - 12:20: Period 3 📖
12:20 - 1:00: Lunch 🍽️
1:00 - 3:00: Activities 🎈

Students:
1. Choose one activity from the list below to attend each day. 🗒️
2. A roll call will be taken for each chosen activity. ✔️
3. Students must wear their school uniform. If participating in the Turf Games, Rippa Rugby, or the Waterslide, please bring a change of clothes. 🏉💦
4. Students wishing to participate in Archery with Mr. Gower and Mr. Mawson must sign up by Friday. A sign-up sheet will be available at Mr. Gower's door (Room 20). Please note that numbers are limited. 🎯
5. The waterslide activity is dependent on weather conditions and may be subject to change. 🌧️

The countdown to Christmas has begun! 🎄✨

Past few weeks at SKC

The 2025 Year 9 Cohort 

We were thrilled to welcome our Year 9 students for 2025 to the College! 🎉📚

They are an incredible group of future Kevinians! 🌟👩‍🎓👨‍🎓

We look forward to seeing everyone in 2025. 🚀✨

2024 Transition Day

We welcomed our Year 9 students for their Transition Day on Wednesday.🎉 

This event included a tour of the College 🏫, introductions to our new Prefects 👩‍🎓👨‍🎓, and opportunities to meet other students 🤝. 

Bring on 2025! 🚀

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Marine and Freshwater Class

The past fortnight has been busy for the Marine and Freshwater students. We kicked off our activities on the Otago Peninsula with a day at the Marine Science Centre in Portobello, where the students applied their identification skills during a shore study, toured the "touch tanks," and participated in a lab dissection.

After bidding farewell to the Year 10 group, we took a bumpy trip across the harbour to Quarantine Island for an overnight stay at St. Martin's Lodge, enjoying stunning harbour views and the sounds of nature.

The next day, we joined a wildlife cruise with Rachel from Port to Port Cruises. Although the albatross were elusive, we spotted other wildlife during nesting season and visited the Albatross Centre, where the students were excited to see hoiho at the rehabilitation centre.

Our Friday adventure took us to Karitane Inlet for a waka expedition and a Pa tour, where students did some restoration planting and learned about local history. 

Last week, we explored Orokonui, enjoying views of the takahe family and many other bird species. We concluded our learning trips with a two-day exploration of Upper Waitaki Valley, hiking Kurow Hill, visiting the historic Waitaki Dam, and stopping at a salmon farm in Twizel.

On Friday, we took an early trip to Tasman Lake for a glacier explorer experience, where students learned about icebergs and even handled ice that had just calved off. As the fog lifted, we enjoyed the incredible views on the Hooker Valley walk. One student captured the experience perfectly, saying, "I just can't get enough of this!".

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Harakeke planting with Year 9 Agriculture students

On Tuesday Mr Hanning's Year 9 Agriculture class helped Mrs Plunkett plant some harakeke on the hill beside the dining hall.
We started in the classroom and had a kōrero about the different types of harakeke plants, their uses, and the different propagation methods. 

At the site, we started with a karakia and then got into the mahi of digging the holes, adding potting mix, planting, and watering. The larger plants higher on the hill are specific weaving varieties donated by Sue Hensley from the Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary. The smaller harakeke was grown from seed donated by Patrick Tipa from Moeraki in 2022. We hope that the Harakeke roots will help to stabilise the hill and that SKC weavers can use the plants in the future.

Kā mihi nui to Mr Hanning and his Year 9 class for all your hard work planting, and to Sue Hensley and Patrick Tipa for the plants and seeds.

Thank you to Warren Pardede and Pisi Kaipeti for taking the photos.

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Marine Science 2024

Marine Science is a "wrap", finishing on a high note with a morning spent surfing at Campbells Bay, Kakanui.

Thanks to Jeremy Holding of Soul, Surf and Skate for his endless patience and humour while dispensing excellent instruction and help in the waves. All the students managed to ride at least one wave. 

It was a unique opportunity for the students to experience our marine environment from a recreational point of view and what is better than an empty surf beach on a beautiful morning? Also, thanks to Aidan Haig and Lorena Marshall, who supported the students.

Throughout the programme, the students have been encouraged to keep a digital diary reflecting what they have experienced and learned about our unique coastal environment.

They will present these next week.

School Events

Coming up this term

Monday 9th - 12th December - Year 10 Camp
Friday 13th December - Junior Prizegiving & Liturgy 11am

Art and Cultural

Senior Visual Arts Portfolios 2024

Congratulations to all our Year 12 and 13 Visual Arts students for a successful year of creating art! 🎉✨ 

Here is a selection of the portfolios completed in 2024. 🎨📚 

Well done, everyone, for your creativity and perseverance! 🙌👏

School TV

Managing Screen Time

There has been a noticeable shift in the amount of time people spend on screen-based devices. Families and whānau may be transitioning back to pre-COVID routines but many are still struggling to re-establish the boundaries and rules around screen use. Some continue to deal with digital conflict and tech tantrums on a daily basis. The latest research found that 77% of teenagers spend more than five hours on screens per day, but it is important to note that not all screen time is considered equal.

People at home play a crucial role in modelling a positive and healthy approach to using screens and assisting children to navigate the content they watch. It is better to model and mentor screen use, rather than monitor it. Young people tend to do more of what they see us do and less of what we tell them to do. However, it is still important to outline the risks and highlight the benefits of screen use to ensure you keep a balanced attitude. Encourage discussions around the issues that people experience in monitoring their screen time and be honest about your own difficulties.

Families and whānau need to remain firm in their approach to managing screen time. Excessive screen time can be detrimental to a young person's overall wellbeing. Ensuring the correct privacy settings are in place is vital to prevent young people from being inadvertently exposed to inappropriate content or online predators. Families and whānau need to be mindful of the potential impact screen time can have on a young person's social, emotional, educational, behavioural, and even physical domains.

This edition of SchoolTV will be provided with a range of guidelines and strategies to help manage screen time at home.

Here is the link to the Managing Screen Time edition of SchoolTV
https://stkevins.nz.schooltv.me/newsletter/managing-screen-time

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 Tongan Tennis Club Open Day - 7th December

This is an opportunity for our Pasifika students to get involved in a summer sports program, get active, have fun and stay fit during the summer season

Grass Court

39A Chelmer Street

Contact:
'Aisea Fifita 0210550804
Takau Toetu'u 02102237491

Meikle & Willetts Memorial Hunting Programme

Applications are invited for participation in the 2025 Meikle Willetts Memorial Hunting Programme.

Successful applicants will receive a free guided weekend deer hunt in March 2025 under the guidance of experienced hunters.

Applicants should be between the ages of 12 and 18 and may elect to hunt with either rifle or camera.

Preference will be given to less-experienced young people.

Application forms are now available and may be uplifted from Oamaru
Sports and Outdoors Ltd or email aaron.meikle@gmail.com

Applications close 31st December 2024

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