St Kevin's College News and Reminders Term 1 Week 9

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

It’s been a short week with Otago Anniversary Day on Monday, but a busy one for our students, with Kouper Lynch and Paddy Spillane competing at the Maadi Regatta, our SKC cricket boys away for tournament week, Jarrel Casitas taking part in the Race Unity Speech Awards, and Year 9 student Jordy Elder representing at the Ray White New Brighton Duke Festival of Surfing in Christchurch last weekend. Looking ahead, we’re excited for the Year 12 PE Bike Trip and the Year 11 Retreat next week.

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.

Te Ngakau Nui’s Karaoke Night

Get ready to sing your heart out!

📅 Sat, 12th April 2025
🕡 Doors open at 6.30 PM
📍 St Kevin’s College Auditorium

Tickets: $20 (includes light supper)
Cash bar available
18+ event

All funds raised will support the Edmund Rice Fund.

Secure your spot now: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/15012

Let’s make it a night to remember!

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
• 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 9

25th The ANNUNCIATION of the LORD and Day of Prayer for Family Life

Loving God, We ask you to help each member of our family to be completely humble and gentle in our interactions with each other; and to be patient, bearing with one another's faults in love - even when we're tired, frustrated, angry, or hurt. Help us to make every effort to remain united in the Spirit in this home. Please bind us together in peace.

This week, we conclude the first part of Lent.  We continue our growth in the faith, as our practices of Lent become deeper and more full of grace. We enter into this week reflecting upon Baptism and pray for those preparing for Baptism. 

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

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin Newsletter

Stay updated with the latest news from the Diocese! Click the link below to read the March edition.

Lately at SKC

Chloe's Profiterole Success

Well done, Chloe!

Year 13 student Chloe Southard scored 95% for her profiteroles in Hospitality - high praise from Mr Griggs! 👏🍫

Race Unity Speech Awards

The Race Unity Speech Awards provide an incredible platform for young people to lead conversations about race relations in Aotearoa. Held in support of Race Relations Day (Friday, 21st March), this year’s theme was Te Moana Nui o te Kanorau – The Great Ocean of Diversity.

The Otago Regional Heats took place on Tuesday at the Bahá’í Centre in Wakari, Dunedin, with seven outstanding speakers taking to the stage.

Among them was our very own Jarrel Casitas (Year 12), who delivered his speech with heart and courage. It was a powerful experience for Jarrel, and he’s already set his sights on returning next year.

Jarrel, we’re incredibly proud of you!

Cambridge at SKC

Considering Cambridge at St Kevin’s College?

Mr Herbst shares insight into the subjects available.

What’s Cambridge really like?

Hear straight from our students as they answer your questions and share their experiences with the Cambridge pathway at St Kevin’s College.

School Events

Coming up this term

Monday 31st March - Wednesday 2nd April - Year 12 PE Bike trip
Tuesday 1st April - Year 11 Retreat
Thursday 3rd April - Yr 12/13 Transition Day
Wednesday 9th April - NCEA/Cambridge talk to parents 6.30 pm
Thursday 10th April - House Haka/Waiata competition

Sports

Coming up this term

Friday 4th - 6th April - SISS Athletics
Tuesday 8th April - Senior Quads

Duke Festival

Year 9 student Jordy Elder took on the Duke Festival of Surfing in New Brighton - Christchurch last weekend - proudly representing South Coast Boardriders.

Despite tricky conditions on Friday and Saturday - Jordy pushed through to the finals on Sunday and secured 2nd place overall in the Under 14 division. To top it off, South Coast Boardriders also took out 1st place in the club standings.

An epic achievement Jordy - well done!

Otago Regional Football Trial Experience

On Wednesday, three of our junior footballers – Mikayla Criddle, Emily Chen and Phoebe Pestell – took part in a high-level Otago regional trial game held in Dunedin in front of New Zealand U17 coach Alana Gunn.

A total of 22 girls from across Otago were selected for this 11-vs-11 trial match, which was played with no substitutions – a true test of skill, stamina and teamwork.

Upon arrival, the girls were directed to their team changing rooms, where they were welcomed with full kits prepared for the game, complete with their names and positions displayed above their spots. Mikayla represented the yellow team as a centre-back, while Emily and Phoebe played for the blue team as a striker and attacking midfielder, respectively.

The game was fast-paced and played at an exceptionally high standard. All three of our students rose to the challenge and were impressed. Mikayla was a standout in defence, consistently breaking down attacking plays and distributing the ball with confidence and precision.

Emily and Phoebe combined well throughout the match and were involved in the blue team’s sole goal. Phoebe received the ball in midfield and delivered a perfectly timed through pass to Emily, who calmly slotted the ball into the net with her trademark clinical finish.

The final score saw the yellow team win a 3-1 win. After the match, Alana Gunn addressed the group, offering valuable advice and encouragement for the girls’ football journeys. She also spoke with Mikayla, Emily and Phoebe individually, answering their questions and offering support.

It was an incredible experience and opportunity for our girls – and they all did St Kevin’s proud.

Support the SKC Senior Boys' Rugby Team on their Fiji Tour! 

Support the SKC Senior Boys' Rugby Team on Their Fiji Tour!

Help the team by purchasing firewood:

- Pine: $105 per cube  
- Poplar: $90 per cube  

To place your order, please contact: jfowler@stkevins.school.nz 

Enjoy free delivery within the Oamaru town boundary!

Deliveries are expected in late March.

St Kevin's College Golf Day

Join us for a fantastic day on the green while supporting the SKC Senior Boys Rugby tour to Fiji!

Venue: Lower Waitaki Golf Club
Date: Sunday, 6th April
Start Time: 11:00 AM
Format: Ambrose teams of 4
Prizes: Longest Drive & Closest to the Pin
Entry Fee: $200 per team

Food & Refreshments:
A BBQ will be available throughout the day, along with refreshments.

Post-Golf Activities:
Enjoy a cash bar, food, raffles, and an auction!

All proceeds will support the SKC Senior Boys Rugby tour to Fiji in July.

To enter your team email: csmith@stkevins.school.nz

School TV

SPECIAL REPORT: Social Media & Comparison Culture

Young people today are growing up in a world where exposure to other people's lives is constant. Through social media and other platforms, they are regularly presented with curated highlights - from flawless holiday photos and academic milestones to the latest fashion trends and fitness achievements. This continuous stream of idealised content fuels what is known as comparison culture, where self-worth is often measured by how someone stacks up against others.

For children and teenagers, who are still figuring out who they are, this culture can be particularly damaging. Constantly comparing their appearance, achievements, or social standing to friends, influencers, and even strangers can lead to unrealistic expectations and a skewed sense of self-worth. This relentless need to measure up can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and anxiety - undermining both confidence and emotional wellbeing.

It's vital that parents and caregivers understand how deeply comparison culture can influence a young person's self-perception and sense of value. Left unchecked, it can foster perfectionism and a dependence on external validation, where a 'like' or comment becomes the measure of their worth.

The good news is, families have a powerful role to play in helping young people navigate these challenges. This Special Report will help you empower your young person to build the resilience and confidence needed to navigate today's comparison-driven world and embrace their own unique path.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://stkevins.nz.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-social-media-comparison-culture-nz

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

Weston School Rogaine

Mark your calendars for a fun and adventurous day on Saturday, April 5, 2025! The Weston School Rogaine is a family-friendly team event similar to orienteering, where you design your own course based on your ambitions and abilities.

Event Details:  
- Map Handout: 9:00 AM  
- Rogaine Starts: 10:00 AM  
- Rogaine Finishes: 1:00 PM  
- Location: A farm near Windsor, North Otago (20 minutes from Weston School)  
- Postponement Date: April 6 (in case of bad weather)  

Categories:  
- Year 7/8  
- Year 9/10  
- Year 11-13  
- Family/Open  

Registration Fees:  
- $10 per student  
- $15 per adult (plus booking fee)  
- Teams of 3-4  

How It Works:  
Collect as many checkpoints as possible within the timeframe while traveling on foot with a map. It's a great way to challenge yourself, enjoy the outdoors, and support Weston School!

Register Now!  
Online registrations close on March 30. Scan the QR code or sign up at [rogaine@weston.school.nz](mailto:rogaine@weston.school.nz).

Don’t miss out on this exciting fundraising event for Weston School. Gather your team and get ready for a day of adventure!

Have-a-Go Day

Curious about trying a new sport? Come along to our Have-a-Go Day—a fantastic opportunity for students and parents to get involved!

Sun, 6th April 2025

11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Waitaki Rod and Gun Club, 32 Hayes Road, near Kurow

BBQ lunch provided

Experience a fun-filled day of outdoor activities and learn more about this exciting sport. All welcome!

For more details, contact Stephanie Moore – 021 564 016.

Pathfinders Gymnastics Club Quiz Night

Get your thinking caps on and join us for a fun-filled evening at the Pathfinders Gymnastics Club Quiz Night! Expect laughs, quick-fire cash raffles, and the draw for our special Mother’s Day raffle.

Date: Monday, 12th May 2025

Venue: Northstar Restaurant & Bar

Time: Be seated by 6:15 pm; quiz starts at 6:30 pm

Cost: $10 per person (teams of 4–6)

Spaces are limited, so RSVP by Friday, 9th May, by emailing pathfinders.funding@gmail.com

Come along and support a great cause!

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