Principal's Message

It is wonderful to hear of various practices and co-curricular activities getting underway again. The ‘flatness’ that many in our college community have felt over the last few weeks while we have been limited in our activities should begin to disappear as we re-engage with all the extra opportunities that are offered at school. I think that the absence of these opportunities during the past few months has highlighted their importance in allowing us to live fully as human beings. This is where the richness of competition, social connections, gaining confidence in unfamiliar settings and setting goals for oneself in the cultural or sporting arena becomes evident. We talk about education for the whole person and holistic approaches to education and these are phrases heard frequently at this time of the year as enrolment marketing begins to ramp up. The opportunities at Kavanagh are immense and I have been very impressed since my arrival at the myriad of co-curricular events that our college provides. We are not a school that prizes one area over another, and we are a safe place where everyone is accepted for and encouraged in their talents. Young people can comfortably take part in a chess tournament one day and top-level sport the next. It is timely to link our offerings at school to the gifts we have been given. 

The celebration of Pentecost in the church calendar highlights for us the gift of Christian community. It also highlights for us the gifts we have each been given to contribute within our communities. In this way, there is a wonderful synergy between our role as a Catholic college and the wide range of opportunities we offer to allow our young people to feel safe and supported to develop their individual gifts. Our students and staff were treated to a wonderful sight yesterday as our Pentecost liturgy finished with the rhythms of Pasifika drumming and the release of many doves by the different year levels. It added a beautiful touch to our celebration and my thanks go to Matua Pesamino Tili and Mrs Kathleen O’Kane who put this together for us.

Congratulations to Mr Lawrence Bishop and his wife Caroline who welcomed a baby boy, Kolbe, into their family last week. This is the third staff baby born this year and we look forward to two more as the year goes on.

You will remember that we lost Fr Sani Lam as our college chaplain at the end of last year. I am pleased to let you know that it has been confirmed that Fr Vaughan Hook will begin to work with our college in the chaplaincy role. You will be aware that Fr Vaughan has had a very difficult six months in terms of his health, but he is much improved now and is looking forward to gradually becoming more involved with Kavanagh College once again.

Due to the disruption of the year so far, it was great to read the reassuring news from NZQA for our NCEA and UE students yesterday. For more detailed information, please refer to the email sent to parents and senior students from Mr Steve Read.

Ngā manaakitanga

Theme for 2020: ‘Ahakoa he iti he pounamu’

(Do the little things well)