Principal's Message

We were very fortunate to be blessed with a wonderful weather day on Monday for our Athletics Sports. Athletes made the most of the good conditions and at the end of the day I was pleased to congratulate the school on the positive attitude of encouragement and the giving of one’s best throughout the day. Congratulations to our two new record holders and we look forward to hearing of the successes of a large group continuing on to the Otago Secondary Schools Athletics Competition in a couple of weeks, while our year 7&8s will compete again later in the year. Thank you to those parents and whānau who were able to come along to enjoy the day with us.

At Kavanagh College we are very aware that we do not stand alone like most secondary schools, but instead we are part of a wider school family in the Catholic school system. The successful Dunedin Catholic Schools Kāhui Ako has provided an active way to live within our wider school family, and we were please to see the first of our “SEEK” programmes run yesterday. St Francis Xavier years 5 and 6 joined Kavanagh for the day to work on digital technology, te reo, science and physical education. We are very pleased to provide this programme to support the primary schools in these curriculum areas as well as giving the children a sense of belonging and familiarity before they begin their transition into year 7.

Our Kāhui Ako schools are coming together next Friday 5th March for Mass and a games day. See more details in the accompanying article and please note that all students are expected to attend this day.

As a school, we are working with the Dunedin Diocese regarding overdue attendance dues. We recognise that there is a cost to attending an integrated school in New Zealand, however the cost is generally much lower than other faith-based integrated schools. It is important to realise, however, that upon enrolment into an integrated school, there is a legal requirement that these are paid. Please refer to the letter from the Attendance Dues Office in today’s newsletter and contact us if you would like any support, advice, or further information.

We are now in the Lenten season in the lead up to Easter, and classes held an Ash Wednesday liturgy within their tutor groups last week instead of our usual whole school liturgy, due to being at Alert Level 2. During Lent, we are encouraged to think of ways to look beyond ourselves and give to others in some way – which of course fits in well with our core gospel value of Service.

You may have seen this before, but I rather like these wise words about Lenten fasting from Pope Francis......

• Fast from hurtful words and speak kind words.

• Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

• Fast from anger and be filled with patience.

• Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

• Fast from worries and have trust in God.

• Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.

• Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

• Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.

• Fast from selfishness and be compassionate.

• Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

• Fast from words and be silent so you can listen

‘Striving to be the best version of ourselves – Kia Kaha’