St Kevin's College News and Reminders Term 4 Week 9
Kia ora whānau and friends of St Kevin's College,
As we wrap up 2024, 🎉 we’re proud to celebrate a year of hard work, learning, and meaningful achievements! 📚 From successes in the classroom 🏫 to milestones in extracurricular activities 🏅🎨, our school community has shown dedication and excellence. 👏💪
We ended our last week with Year 10 camp 🏕️, a huge success and a fantastic time for all students! Meanwhile, our Year 9s enjoyed a week of fun afternoon activities. 🎯🎭
Wishing you all a fantastic summer break ☀️🌴 and a wonderful Christmas 🎄🎁 spent with family and friends.
See you in 2025! 🎆🎊
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.
NCEA co-requisite results
Kia ora students and whānau,
Friday, 29th November, marked 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.
SKC Auditorium Hire
🎭 Host Your Event at St Kevin's College Auditorium! 🎶
St. Kevin's College auditorium is available to groups, clubs and individuals by contacting the school office. The auditorium can seat 500 at maximum capacity in rows of 250 connectable seats plus 250 in tiered steps. The connectable seats can be removed so that the floor area can be used for spatial activities.
The stage is 12m across and 4m deep, with wings, curtains and rear access. The renter should provide speakers and instruments if live music is required. Please get in touch with the school to arrange lighting/sound/seating arrangements, or rehearsal(s).
For bigger events; please note this equipment must come with the technician we supply. Note also the Theatre Lighting uses two banks of Flat Par Lighting; 8 with colour plus UV, 6 with electric zoom.
📞 Contact us now for inquiries or to book your event: 03 437 1665 or college@stkevins.school.nz
2025 Course confirmation
Deans will be available to assist Year 11-13 students with course confirmation for 2025 on Tuesday January 21st 📅, Wednesday January 22nd 📅, and Thursday January 23rd 📅.
This assistance is intended for students with scheduling conflicts or who wish to change their subjects 🔄.
A booking schedule will be sent out early next year ✉️.
Start Up Procedures for 2025
Welcome to 2025 at St Kevin’s College!
Contact Information
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 | |
Filipino Dean | Mrs S Laraga |
Week 0
School Office opens from Monday 20th January - 8:30 AM-4:30 PM until Friday.
Sunday 26th 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.
Past few weeks at SKC
Year 10 Camp
Year 10 camp was an unforgettable experience! 🎉
Thank you to all the teachers and staff who went above and beyond to support and accompany our students. 🙌 We also thank Pearson Buses 🚌 for ensuring smooth and reliable transportation. 🚐
Here's to the memories made and the adventures shared! 🌟⛺
Year 9 Activity Afternoons
This week, the afternoons were full of fun activities for our Year 9s! 🎉
Several students got creative with a fantastic card-making activity. 🎨 A big thank you to Mrs. Dooley and Mrs. Ardouin for supporting and guiding them through their designs – the results were excellent!
We also had Archery practice, where students had the chance to sharpen their skills and focus. 🏹 Thank you to Mr. Gower for leading this session and helping the students hit their mark!
On the sports field, we had an exciting game of Rippa Rugby, with Magee taking the win! 🏆 Meanwhile, the turf was buzzing with football and basketball matches, giving everyone a chance to stay active and competitive. ⚽🏀
In the tech space, students explored their creativity through website design and digital drawing activities led by Dr. Maret. 💻🎨 These sessions were a hit, showcasing the students' digital talents!
Attendance Hui - 5th Dec
Last week, we organized an Attendance Hui and a Professional Learning and Development Day for our teachers, Deans, Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCos) 😊, Primary and Secondary Senior Leadership Teams, Social Workers, Youth Workers, Health Professionals, and the local Ministry of Education team.
The day began with a powerful Mihi Whakatau 🙌 and featured guest speakers Dr Nicola Atwool, Deputy Mayor Hana Halalele, the CAFS Team from Waitaki Mental Health 🧠, representatives from the Ministry of Education, and Dr Richard McLeod from Central Medical Oamaru.
St. Kevin's College proudly operates the North and East Otago Attendance Service 🎓.
Thanks to Michelle Buckham for the 📸s
Ira Mitchels Tūrakawaewae Mural Project Last Day farewell at SKC - 6th Dec
On Friday 6th December, we said goodbye to our artist in residence, Ira Mitchell, with a farewell in front of the art studio.
Ira has been with us for Term Four, leading our Tūrakawaewae Murals Project. Our Year Nine and Ten students have worked very hard researching, designing and painting nine murals depicting the history of our takiwā, Waitaki, and our kura, St Kevin's College. The finishing touches were put on the murals only yesterday, just in time before the Year Ten students leave for camp.
Ira was thanked with two cards made by Georgia Thornley, Lulu Heyes and Katherine Fountaine. Ikuna Prescott and Warren Pardede led all the Year 9's and 10s for the haka, and the Kapa Haka group performed the waiata, Tau Ana.
A formal opening will be held in Term One next year when the panels have been installed in the upper quad.
Kā mihi nunui ki a koutou katoa!
Thank you especially to Ira Mitchell, Michelle Buckham, Tim Hitchcock, and Sara Plunkett for their vision, expertise, and stamina in seeing the project through to completion.
A special thanks to Ken McCallum for your help cutting the panels and ongoing project support.
Many thanks to all the students for their hard work and the teacher's guidance.
Thanks to Creatives In Schools for the funding and Resene for the paints.
Ira, you are an art star! We will all miss you and wish you all the best for the future.
📹 Michelle Buckham
📸 Sara Plunkett
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
🎓 Top Up Your NCEA Credits This Summer with Te Kura!
Are you just a few credits away from achieving your goals for NCEA, University Entrance, or endorsements? Te Kura Summer School is here to help!
From 17 December 2024 to 9 February 2025, this program offers flexible online learning designed to fit your summer schedule.
Whether you’re aiming to move on to further study, training, or employment, you can catch up on up to 12 NCEA credits (6 credits if you enrol after 15 January 2025).
Why Te Kura Summer School?
🌟 Online Convenience: Study anytime, anywhere with My Te Kura’s online platform.
🌟 Expert Support: Get guidance from qualified kaiako (teachers).
🌟 Tailored to You: Choose from a wide range of NCEA Level 2 and 3 subjects to meet your needs.
🌟 Affordable: Free for most eligible students; adults pay a nominal fee.
📝 Important Dates:
- Registration opens now!
- Final submission deadline: 9th February 2025.
https://www.tekura.school.nz/summer-school-registration
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
Papakaio School 2025 Fundraiser
Battle of the Bikers Ride - 15th March 2025 - Willow Park
Compete against other schools to take out the title.
How to score and represent your high school:
- Lap Crushers: Every lap earns 1 point for your school.
- Team Power: Each team entry gets 5 bonus points.
- Solo Legends: Individual riders score 10 points for their school.
- Chill Points: Every entry on the Easy Rider track earns 1 point.
Register online from 1st January 2025 at www.papakaio8hour.nz.
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 summer!
Ngā mihi
Shane Rees
Communications and Events