Principal’s Message

RESPECT
- SERVICE
340 Rattray Street
Dunedin
New Zealand
JUSTICE
-
Telephone (03) 477 3408
TRUTH
Fax (03) 479 0468
email: kavanagh@kavanagh.school.nz
Issue 7/14
Principal’s Message
Greetings, Tena koutou Katoa, Malo e lei lei
Talofa Lava Bula Vinaka
One of our key focus points for this year is student engagement
and ensuring that every student has the opportunity for rich
learning experiences. There is a huge amount of information
out there about what raises student engagement. Often this
learned discourse is quite mechanical in its approach. Teacher
knowledge and passion for what they teach are often cited as
key elements to raise student engagement along with things
like positive reinforcement/feedback techniques, classroom
learning strategies like group work/pair and share and the use
of IT/multimedia to stimulate the senses. Whilst these elements
can and do affect student engagement positively we are coming
to the realization that there are more fundamental things at
play.
In a modern, digital world our young are having to deal with
huge shifts in the social order and how they relate to
others.
Driven by popular media they are constantly
pre-occupied with how they are perceived by others (language,
dress sense, what/who's cool and what/who is not). At the
heart of this is their need to connect with each other and those
who come into their sphere of influence. This includes their
teachers of course. Ergo it makes sense that we have to create
a learning environment that is safe, open and empathetic to
where students' are at.
In a Catholic school environment our job is not to so much to
understand our students as it is to accept them-especially when
they are doing it tough and trying our patience. Jesus points us
to "the least of these" as being where he resides. An encouraging post-it note strategically left for a battling student, a visit to
support the "C" xx sports team on Saturday, or a quiet compliment can have a MASSIVE effect on a student, their sense of
well being and their ability/willingness to engage. What? Somebody noticed ME?
Tracy O'Brien
Thursday 20 March 2014
The Caritas Challenge.
ONE DAY OF DIFFERENCE - FOR A LIFE
TIME OF CHANGE
The New Zealand Bishops have asked all
Catholic Schools to support the Caritas Challenge which
runs for the first time this year.
Years 9 - 13 will finish school at lunch-time on Friday the 4th
of April to give students the chance to participate in this 24
hour challenge. (Years 7 & 8 will begin the challenge at
school.)
We need your help! The basic choice will be for kids to go
without technology, but we are hoping you may get creative
with your own child to meet the challenge. We really need
your support for this worthy cause! What work needs doing
around the house or in your neighbourhood? What
challenge might you take up as a whole family?
See Issue 5 of the Kavanagh Newsletter for more details (on
the Kavanagh web-site). Sign-up sheets will come home
next week.
Kavanagh College will proudly
present the 2014 major
production
“A Dream To Share”
From July 1 – July 4
―A Dream To Share‖ will be a
celebration of many years of Kavanagh Musicals. This
production is open to all our students. All Levels—All Ages.
As well as the involvement of our current students we are
inviting ex-cast members to come and celebrate with us.
You’ll remember the shows: 1997 – ―Salad Days‖:
2000 – ―Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour
Dreamcoat‖: 2005 – ―Les Mis‖: 2007 – ―The Boyfriend‖:
2009 - ―Disco Inferno‖: 2011 – ―Grease‖, to name only a
few.
In spectacular revue we will be performing the songs and
dances to set your feet tapping. Rehearsals begin
Wednesday April 2nd at Kavanagh Auditorium.
If you know of any ex-student who was a member of our
Major Productions, either part of a production team, the
band, onstage or back stage we want them back. As we are
forming a data base of interested participants please send
an email to cmanley@kavanagh.school.nz
There is a Face Book page - Kavanagh College Musicals and
"The Company" which will give all the information you
need. Sign up today.
PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS
Parent Interviews will be held on the afternoons
of Thursday 10 April and Wednesday 16 April
in the school Gymnasium. We would strongly
encourage students to attend with their
caregivers. Interviews will be running from 2.30pm until
7.30pm with all staff taking a tea break from 5.00pm – 5.45pm
Interviews are to be held on
Gifted Education - "The OC" (Opportunity Class)
Final date for applications is 24 March.
This is an academic Year 7-10 mixed class that will meet two
periods a week from Term 2 to pursue a course of study of their
own design. Students are expected to be self-motivated and will
undertake an independent programme in negotiation with me.
This will culminate in the presentation of their project to the
parent body.
Interviews ( Surnames Beginning A – L)
Term 1 Week 11
Thursday 10 April
Students and parents must apply via letter to be in this class and
provide some evidence of their academic ability.
Interviews ( Surnames Beginning M – Z)
Term 1 Week 12
Wednesday 16 April
For more information contact Kerron
Thomson
khthomson@kavanagh.school.nz
You will need to know the names of your child‟s teachers.
Bookings will be open from 9:00am on Wednesday 26th
March and will close at 3:00pm on the Tuesday of the
relevant week of interviews.
The web address is http://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz or you
can click on the link at the top our website
www.kavanagh.co.nz The school code for Thursday 10th
April is 4P8LD and for Wednesday 16th April is DEN22. After
logging on you can book interviews with each staff member.
Kavanagh Parents and Friends Association (PFA)
The next PFA meeting will be held in the staffroom at Kavanagh
College on Tuesday 25 March at 5.15pm. All parents are
welcome, we are always looking for new helpers to join the
committee. If you can't attend and would like to add your name
to our list please e-mail sread@kavanagh.school.nz
On both Thursday 10th April and Wednesday 16th April
school will finish early at 2:00pm for all students. Buses will
be running at the usual times on both these days.
Please note that Tricia James is only available for interviews
on Thursday 10 April and Tim Lucas is only available for
interviews on Wednesday 16 April, so caregivers of students
in these classes should book accordingly (don‟t worry about
the restriction on surnames for these two staff).
The Level Two and Three Drama students present
"Shakespeare at Toitu"
April 3
from 5.30 - 7.30pm
Staff will be available for two blocks of interviews
Block 1
- 2:30 to 5:00pm
Tea Break
- 5:00 to 5:45pm
Block 2
- 5:45 to 7:30pm
Yours Sincerely
Steve Read
Deputy Principal
See Shakespeare performed in surprising spaces
.
Toitu Otago Settlers Museum
Kavanagh Uniform Shop
Are you in need of a winter uniform for your child? The
uniform shop has a good supply of kilts and blazers ready
for the winter terms.
The uniform shop is open each Tuesday 3pm to 4pm
during Term time.
If there are any Youth or not so
Youthful people out there who would
like to be involved in a Youth Mass,
we are having one on the 22 March,
2014 @ 6.00pm, Saturday Vigil Mass, St Peter Chanel.
Anyone who is interested can come along to our
practice on Friday, March, 21 at St Peter Chanel
Church 7.00pm – 9.00pm.
If you would like to find out more please call Donna
Mapley, ph 4817215, 021 1331696,
Email:donnaroselee@yahoo.com.
Science Wānanga at Ōtākou Marae
Last week some of our budding scientists attended a
wānanga (place of learning) at Ōtākou marae. Nick Parata,
Meihana Kewene, Shade Rowe, Aliyah Tautuhi, Ani Marsh,
Tessa Jorgensen, Savanah Kumura and deLilah Tamatea
experienced a noho (overnight) marae.
The focus for this wānanga was fisheries management and
coastal erosion. Our students were given the opportunity to
gain practical scientific skills and knowledge in real-life
contexts, working alongside scientists from the local community, university scientists and postgraduate students as
inspirational role models who respect the mātauranga
(knowledge) that students bring.
The science was presented alongside mātauranga Māori
(Māori knowledge), encouraging students to understand
connections and actions through science that are relevant to
their lives. Year 9 student, Shade Rowe loved the wānanga.
When asked what was the best part? He said "Getting up at
6am and checking the flounder nets and learning about the
fish and other creatures was pretty cool. Also, when I got
home, I had over 20 new facebook friend requests, oh, and
the kai was pretty mean too!"
Year 13 TDT Wearable Arts trip to Wellington
Hot Cross Bun Fundraiser
►
$3.69 per packet of six,
traditional or chocolate
►
70 cents per packet goes
to our trip
►
Orders by Tuesday 25th
March for Delivery on 11th April.
Email Sue Robinson srobinson@kavanagh.school.nz if
you are interested in ordering any.
WHĀNAU HUI
Please join us for the next whānau hui
Tuesday, 1 April
5-6pm in the Kavanagh College staffroom
New whānau are especially welcome
Music Extra-curricular –
Term 1
Tuesday – A Cappella Choir at 3.15 – 4.30pm in the
Auditorium with Mr Kelly. Places are generally by
audition, please contact Mr Kelly.
Ōtākou marae
Shade holding a pāpaka (crab) with
marine scientist Dr. Chris
Hepburn explaining the 'hurty
bits'.
Wednesday – 88 strings at lunchtime in the Band
Room with Miss Watts and Mrs Tucker. All players of
string instruments (including guitars) are most
welcome.
Thursday – Ukes, Gats and Songs at lunchtime in
M3.2 with Miss Railton and Miss Watts. Whether you
want to sing, or play, or do both, or learn to do both,
come along at lunchtime. Bring your instrument if you
have one (ukuleles, guitars, vocal chords)
Thursday - Jazz Band at 3 – 4pm in the Band Room
with Miss Watts. Open to people with more experience on their instrument, and willing to give it a go.
St.Brigid's School
75th Jubilee
23-25 May 2014
Register your interest at:
jubilee
@stbrigidsdn.school.nz
C
WINTER SPORTS
ongratulations to Madi Sutherland,
7 OST, who finished third in the Year
7 Girls section of the Dunedin Primary
Schools Triathlon held on Wednesday.
REGISTRATIONS
The registration process
for winter sports is underway.
Well done Madi!
The Year 9 - 13 forms are
available from next to the main
office. The Year 7&8 forms are
available from the Year 7&8
Sports Office.
KAVANAGH COLLEGE
SWIMMING SPORTS
Thursday 3rd April 1pm at Moana Pool
The Swimming Sports are being reinstated in 2014.
intending to turn this into a successful annual event.
We are
Entry will be optional. We strongly encourage all capable
swimmers to participate.
The „House‟ races section will include 25m races and relay races.
The „Championship‟ races will include 50m freestyle, backstroke,
breaststroke and butterfly races,100m freestyle races, and 4 x
25m medley races.
Participation will be by entry only – students
will be able to get entry forms from their tutor
teacher.
Kavanagh College First XI Boys Football
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be
glad in it”-Ps118:24
With Sunday producing a full day of rain things did not bode
well for our Monday morning training at Kensington Oval, but
an evening inspection revealed no puddles and no “Stay off
the field” sign.
With an expected 9°C at 7am, the morning proved fantastic
for a great team like ours to train. As preseason gets into its
second week the car is starting to smell like wet sports gear
and damp grass. Cones, balls and spare gear fill the boot
and the excitement quietly builds.
The Catholic Schools tournament isn‟t too far away and we
look forward to competing with our whanau schools along
with Netball, Rugby, Basketball and Hockey. In the mean
time the “Up and Go”, Weetbix and bananas take a hammering at the end of a good early morning workout. Keep it up
boys you are doing fine.
Richard Kerr-Bell, Coach
All forms can be downloaded from the Kavanagh website.
The due date for all registration forms is Friday 28th
March.
BASKETBALL ORGANISATION
2014
Basketball is for both serious and
social players. Anyone interested is
encouraged to play.
K
C
Registration:
Registration forms can be collected from next to the main
office, and need to be returned by Friday 28th March
please.
Organisation of teams:
Senior Boys:
Trials for Tournament Team (serious / competitive players)
– Tuesday 18th and Tuesday 25th March 4.30 – 6.00pm in
the gym.
All other senior boys need to register and teams will be
organised after registrations close.
Junior Boys:
Trials for Tournament Team (serious / competitive players)
– Friday 21st and Friday 28th March 3.15 – 4.30pm in the
gym.
All other junior boys need to register and teams will be
organised after registrations close.
Senior Girls:
All players to meet in the gym at 3pm on Wednesday 19th
March.
Junior Girls:
All junior girls wanting to play need to sign up on the signup sheet outside the Sports Office next to D22. Teams will
be organised after registrations close. Trials will only be
run if numbers warrant it.
Any questions to Mr Waterworth.
Kavanagh Cricket Prizegiving
Where: Eureka Café and Bar (116 Albany St, North Dunedin)
When: Sunday 30th March 2014
Time:
7pm
Who:
The prize giving is for the Kavanagh 1st X1 and Kavanagh
Junior Team.
All players, parents, and supporters welcome.
Cricket Report
As the 2013/14 cricket season draws to a close the Kavanagh College First X1can look back on a
season that’s had its fair share of highlights.
There are two or three in particular that stand out. One was competing in the 37 th biennial Christian
Brothers tournament in Brisbane in January. The 2014 tournament attracted 30 teams from Catholic
schools from Australia and New Zealand. Kavanagh competed in the middle division “Cup” section.
A concerted fund raising effort over several months, plus the generous sponsorship of several
businesses made this trip possible. In particular, we would like to acknowledge the following
sponsors. Mr Doug Hall, Programme Maintenance, Barry Dell Plumbing, Eureka Café and Bar, SBS
Bank, ANZ, St Clair Four Square Centre, Steve Martin & NZ Rugby League, Kavanagh College, Rose
and Bob Nettleton, West Harbour Lions, NZ Police, Chisholm Park Golf Club.
Once in Brisbane the whole 10 days ran like clockwork thanks to the superb organisational skills of
Dave and Ann Marie Eathorne, along with the support of several parents who made the trip. This is
the 7th time Dave and Ann Marie have supported Kavanagh teams to this tournament and have done
it brilliantly. It’s also a tribute to their dedication and enthusiasm for cricket in the school, that they
made this level of commitment over so many years. Because Dave and Ann Marie had so much
experience and the right contacts from years of involvement in these tournaments everyone had a
great trip.
There were also a number of cricket experiences the boys and team supporters will remember for a
long time. Among these, was witnessing one of the most thrilling one-day cricket internationals in
years. This was at the Gabba Ground, when the Aussie’s stole an unlikely victory from the hapless
and by the end of this game, dazed touring English side.
The match against St Columbians at Caboolture just north of Brisbane saw one of the strangest and
scariest moments on the trip. Here the team were told to keep away from long grass near one end
of the ground, where a family of deadly brown snakes had apparently been seen the day before.
Thankfully, none of them slithered out to take in any of the on field action in what was a highly
entertaining game that the team narrowly lost. The hospitality shown by the St Columbians side, its
management and supporters was among the best we enjoyed.
Other highlights included our trip to Southbank in Brisbane, our team dinner at the conclusion of
the tournament, Dreamworld, and our rather terrifying flight back into Dunedin airport!!
The team had success on the playing field winning two of their six games. However, there were at
least three other games where they were highly competitive and with an ounce of good luck, could
have won these. There were several good performances with the bat and ball from a number of
players.
While there were a number of commendable efforts by individual players, what really impressed was
the way the team worked as a unit. During the tournament the big improvements in fielding and
bowling was a source of real satisfaction for everyone.
The team is in a rebuilding phase and this tournament, saw them lay some solid foundations as
part of that process. On their return to New Zealand there were promising signs of that, with the
side running up six wins in a row including notable victories over St Kevins in a school interchange.
Then the following day, they beat St Kevins and Waitaki Boys.
These two victories took them to the next round of the Gillette Cup against Kings High School
where they put a good fight, but were unable to pull off a win.
The team is now at a stage where they are competing very well in second grade having won several
games and narrowly lost a few more. This was the team’s goal at the start of the year and they can
be well pleased with the progress they have made towards achieving this goal. Special mention
should be made of Liam Eathorne who has scored over 800 runs for the season including three
hundreds and Sean Collings who has taken over 40 wickets for the season. Well done boys!
A special thanks to Ant Harris, Mike Waterworth, Shaun Haig and other members of the Kavanagh
College teaching staff, for the time and effort they have given to the team over the course of the
season. There has also been a good group of parents who have turned up at every game to support
the team and provided a team BBQ. Special thanks to Gerard Collings and the group of master
chefs/parents for making this happen.
This season, the side has become a tighter playing unit and players have worked hard to increase
their individual skills. With the improvement in the small group of younger players who have been
introduced to the team, the signs are there for even better things next season.