St Kevin's College News and Reminders Term 1 Week 4
Kia ora whānau and friends of St Kevin's College,
This week our Cricket boys participated in the Roncalli exchange, and students were involved in the Aoraki Tennis competition. Looking ahead, we have the Edmund Rice Leadership Weekend. School photos are available; there is a notice below on how to order them. Also a save the date announcement below - make sure to check it out.
Let's hope for some blue skies and sunshine this weekend!
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.
Student stationery for 2025 is now available at the office!
Cash or Eftpos only, no account charges.
📚✏️ Prices include:
- Math Book: $2.70
- Exercise Book: $1.70
- Highlighter: $2.50
- Compass: $4.00
- Colouring Pencils (12-pack): $4.50
All profits go to Te Ngākau Nui, supporting our school community.
Attendance Matters
As we venture into Term 1, 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.
Love Teaching but Need Flexibility? Join Our Relief Team! 🌟
Are you a qualified primary or secondary teacher taking a break from full-time work?
Maybe you're at home with young children but miss the classroom. SKC is seeking relief teachers to join our supportive and welcoming school community!
✨ Stay connected to education without full-time commitment
✨ Be part of a great team and make a difference
Interested? We'd love to hear from you!
Send your expressions of interest to Jo Walshe at jwalshe@stkevins.school.nz to learn more.
School Photo Orders 2025
Kia ora whānau and students,
We have a new supplier for our school photos this year. Each student has received an envelope with ordering instructions. Orders must be returned to the office by Wed, 5th March. Payment can be made by credit card or cash (please ensure you have the correct change if paying by cash).
If you have any questions, please contact the college office.
Ngā mihi
Te Ngākau Nui Karaoke Event - 🎤 Save the Date! 🎤
📅 Sat, 12th April
📍 St Kevin’s College Auditorium
🔞 R18 Event
Get ready for a night of music, fun, and great prizes! 🎶🎤
🎁 Prizes | 💰 Cash Bar | 🎟️ Raffles
More details coming soon—mark your calendars! ⏳✨
2025 Term Dates and Holidays
- 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
2025 Public Holidays
- Good Friday: Friday, 18th April
- Otago Anniversary Day: Monday, 24th March
(The hostel will be closed from 5 pm Friday, 21st March until 2 pm, Monday 24th March) - Easter Monday: Monday, 21st April
- Anzac Day: Friday, 25th April
- King's Birthday: Monday, 2nd June
(The hostel will be closed from 5 pm Friday, 30th May until 2 pm, Monday 2nd June) - Matariki: Friday, 20th June
- Labour Day: Monday, 27th October
(The hostel will be closed from 5 pm Friday, 24th October until 2 pm, Monday 24th October)
Faith Facts
Week 4
| Sunday 16th | Monday 17th | Tuesday 18th | Wednesday 19th | Thursday 20th | Friday 21st | Saturday 22nd |
6th SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME | St Peter Damian, bishop, doctor | The Chair of St Peter, apostle |
Who was St Peter Damian?
If St. Peter Damian had to introduce himself, he might say, ‘Orphan, worker, student, monk, hermit, priest, teacher, writer, abbot, reformer, bishop, Cardinal… Saint… Doctor of the Church’. Peter helped bring the church back on track as it had lost its way for a while. He wrote and preached and was a good role model. He founded hermitages. These were simple dwellings where holy people would choose to live away from society, praying and fasting seeking a closer relationship with God.
The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter is February 22nd and celebrates how the line of popes from St. Peter has, with the help of the Holy Spirit, guided the church for centuries. It is about the office of the pope and his role as a sign of unity and peace. To be seated is to be in a position of patience and listening, hospitality and love.
Laudato Si' note for this coming weekend 22nd-23rd February 2025
LS Sunday 23 Feb 7th Sunday Ordinary Time
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do
not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and
it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will
be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. Luke 6: 28
As Pope Francis reminds us (LS14), we are all needed. We are all part of God’s
abundance. See the Caritas resource “Living Laudato Si” for ways to live in the rich
fullness of generosity.
📢 St Kevin’s Feast Day – 3rd June 2025
Join us for a Mass of Initiation as we celebrate this special day! Any student wishing to be baptised, confirmed, or receive their first communion is welcome.
📩 Contact Mrs. Herbst for details: jherbst@stkevins.school.nz
Lately at SKC
Prefect Retreat
On the 9th and 10th of February our school leaders gathered for the Prefect Retreat at Berwick Forest Camp. 🌲
This special event was a chance for our emerging leaders to unite 🤝, strengthen their connections 💬, hone valuable skills 🎯, plan for the year ahead 📅, push their boundaries 💪, and memorably enjoy themselves 🎉.
With no Wi-Fi or phone reception at the campground, our leaders were able to fully disconnect from the distractions of technology 📵. This peaceful environment encouraged deep reflection on their personal journeys 💭, a greater understanding of Spiritual leadership ✝️, and the lasting impact they aspire to create in the year to come 🌟.
Marine Science Course
Last Friday our international students, accompanied by Mrs. Gower and Lorena Marshall, visited Kakanui as part of the Marine Science course. 🌊📚
The day began with surf lessons led by Lindsay from Learn to Surf, Kakanui. 🏄♂️ Two of our gap students joined in on the fun, and everyone successfully stood on their boards, making it a perfect experience for beginners. 😊
After a short break, we headed to Catseye Point at low tide to identify organisms in the different tidal zones, observe patterns, and explore the rocky shore. 🐚🔍
We concluded the day with ice cream and hot chips from the Kakanui Store, leaving everyone with smiles. 🍦🍟
A big thank you to Lindsay from Learn to Surf Kakanui and Lorena for capturing the wonderful moments with photos! 📸🙏
Peer Support - Session One
The St. Kevin's College Peer Support program started last week, featuring over 75 Peer Support Leaders from Year 12 and Year 13 who are guiding our new Year 9 students through their first year at the College. 🎉
Creating a welcoming environment is crucial for young people to learn and grow. 🌱
This program helps students build confidence and resilience by fostering supportive relationships and friendships with senior students, who act as positive role models and mentors in leadership positions. 🤝✨
Student Achievement
A huge congratulations to Year 13 student Janelle Casitas for achieving the top mark in New Zealand for Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English at the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards! 🎉
This is an incredible accomplishment, and we are so proud of Janelle’s dedication, talent, and hard work. Her achievement is also a testament to the passion and commitment of our English department.
Well done, Janelle—your St Kevin’s College whānau celebrates with you!
School Events
Coming up this term
Friday 21st - 23rd February - Edmund Rice Leadership Weekend
Wednesday 26th - 28th February - 12GEO Trip - Aoraki Mt Cook
Wednesday 26th February - Mural Project Celebration Period 5
Tuesday 4th March - NCEA/Cambridge talk to Yr 11s
Wednesday 5th March - Otago Uni visit
Tuesday 11th March - Year 12 Retreat
Friday 14th March - Health and Safety course
Tuesday 18th March - Year 9 Retreat
Wednesday 19th March - Year 13 Bio trip
Thursday 20th March - Otago Polytechnic visit
Tuesday 1st April - Year 11 Retreat
Thursday 3rd April - Yr 12/13 Transition Day
Sports
Swimming Sports Day 2025
Last Friday we also held our Swimming Sports Day at the OIS pool 🏊♂️🏊♀️, it was a fantastic day filled with energy, fun, and excellent school spirit 🎉✨.
The event featured competitive races 🎖️🙌, showcasing the involvement and support of so many students. It highlighted both individual effort and teamwork, making it a truly memorable day 🥇🤝.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the day's success, and a special thanks to Mr Mawson and Mr Devereaux for capturing all the fun 📸!
Roncalli exchange
A tough 1st up loss for our cricketers vs Roncalli over the last couple of days, however, there were some great acheivements.
Oscar Waldron, Nick Kelly, Flynn Sanford and Jimmy Miers earned their caps for playing their 5th Interschool and being regular starters in the 1st XI club team.
Tai McLean in his first Interschool took 7 wickets for 30 runs in the 1st innings bowling effort and Hamish Fowler took 5 for 27 in the 2nd innings.
Nick Kelly also took 2 wickets and finished with 10 for the match in a great display of bowling. 
Network Waitaki 2024 Sports Awards
🎉 Congratulations to Kobe Narruhn for being nominated for Junior Sportsman of the Year! 🙌
Also to Kouper Lynch and Payton Dickson (Cox) for being part of the Oamaru Men's Coxed Four, which has been recognized as Team of the Year in the Network Waitaki 2024 Sports Awards! 🏆
This is an outstanding achievement, and we are incredibly proud of your dedication and success in sports.
Well done! 💪🎊
Coming up this term
Friday 28th February - Aoraki Senior Touch
Sunday 2nd -3rd March - Taieri Cricket exchange
Sunday 2nd March - Aoraki Triathlon
Tuesday 4th March - Aoraki Senior Girls Volleyball
Thursday 6th March - Aoraki Senior Boys Volleyball
Friday 7th - 9th March - SISS Rowing
Wednesday 12th March - Aoraki Athletics
Wednesday 12th - 13th March - St Thomas Cricket exchange
Saturday 22nd March - SISS Touch
Saturday 22nd March - SISS Mountain Biking
Monday 24th -30th March - Summer Tournament Week - MAADI Cup
Thursday 27th March - Aoraki Croquet
Thursday 27th March - NZSS Triathlon
Friday 28th March - NZSS Triathlon NZ Mixed Relay
Friday 4th - 6th April - SISS Athletics
Tuesday 8th April - Senior Quads
Rugby Registration 2025
For those students wanting to play rugby at SKC this year, NZ Rugby has a new registration and scoring platform called Rugby Xplorer, which requires all players, coaches, and managers to create a profile. From there, students and management will be able to register to their club. I am working through the process with North Otago Rugby, but in the meantime could you all create a profile. Below is a 2 minute YouTube clip to explain how this can be done:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcjP-8UVvZY
There is also an app that will need to be downloaded on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store for scoring during the season. If you search 'Rugby Xplorer', it will pop up. Once you have created your profile, you should be able to link it to your app. The 3 dots on the bottom right are where you can view your profile and register to St Kevin's College Rugby. You can also register on the following link (this needs to be done once your profile is created):
https://myaccount.rugbyxplorer.com.au/choose-registration?name=St%20Kevin's%20College
Are You Interested in Coaching Rugby in 2025?
St Kevin’s College is seeking passionate and dedicated coaches for the following teams:
- Boys Under 16.5
- Boys Under 14.5
- Girls St Taki Under 18
- Girls St Taki Under 15
If you'd like to be part of our coaching team, please email Mr. Smith, TIC of Rugby, at csmith@stkevins.school.nz to register your interest.
Support the SKC Senior Boys' Rugby Team on Their Fiji Tour! 🏉✨
Support the team with your purchase of firewood: 🔥
Pine: $105 per cube 🌲
Poplar: $90 per cube 🍃
For orders, please contact: jfowler@stkevins.school.nz 📧
Free delivery within Oamaru town boundary. 🚚
Deliveries expected late March. 📅
School TV
Sleep
As the school year is about to begin it is timely to consider our holiday sleeping routine. Young people today have extremely busy schedules, with ever increasing responsibilities at school and at home. Many young people, especially adolescents, are going to bed later and later and are at risk of sleep deprivation. This affects three areas of a young person’s development: psychological, physiological and psychosocial. All three are essential to a person's growth, learning ability and overall well-being. Sleep is vital to a young person's overall development and is as important as diet and exercise.
Sleep also strengthens a young person’s immune system and supports their ability to function properly on a daily basis. Young people who do not get enough sleep show increased levels of aggressive behaviour, are less attentive and are much less active. Trying to catch up on sleep on weekends is not the answer and can still lead to severe sleep deprivation.
In this edition of SchoolTV, families will learn about the importance of sleep and how sleep deprivation can have adverse effects on a young person's health and wellbeing.
If you have any concerns about your young person, please contact the Pastoral Care Team/Dean or our school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to the Sleep edition of SchoolTV
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
🧶 Calling All Crafty Souls! 🧶
The St Kevin’s College Knitting Circle desperately needs wool, knitting needles, and crochet hooks! If you have any spare needles (sizes 6 to 8), hooks, or wool gathering dust at home, we’d love to use them.
Your donations will help us continue creating warm, handmade items for those in need. 💙
📍 Drop-off Location: St Kevin’s College School Office
Every little bit helps—thank you for your support! 🙌
❄️ Winter Sports Footwear Night ❄️
📅 Wednesday, 26th February
⏰ 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 223 Thames Street, Oamaru
🔥 Get ready for the new winter sports season with the latest footwear! 🔥
✅ Exclusive in-store specials – one night only!
✅ Exciting giveaways!
✅ Meet the Asics New Zealand rep!
✅ Enter the draw to WIN a pair of Asics shoes! 👟*
(*Conditions apply)
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.
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
Edge is Becoming Helix! 🚀
We're thrilled that Edge is evolving into Helix—an upgraded platform for secondary and area schools! 🎓
For now please still use your existing Edge logins
What's new?
✅ Specialised Features: Helix offers enhanced modules and tools tailored to secondary and area schools' unique needs.
✅ Dedicated Teams: Helix and Edge are now separate products, allowing us to focus on delivering the best for each school type.
✅ Continued Development: Helix will grow in ways that support secondary/area schools, while Edge remains the go-to platform for primary and intermediate schools.
What about the mobile app?
📱 The Helix App is coming soon! In the meantime, you can continue using the Edge app to stay connected.
With Helix, you'll still get the same great functionality you love from Edge; it's just upgraded for your needs.
Stay tuned for more updates! 🎉
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