St Kevin's College, Oamaru facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Kevin's College, Oamaru
Address
44a Taward Street Oamaru New Zealand
Coordinates	45°04′03″S 170°59′00″E / 45.0674°S 170.9832°E / -45.0674; 170.9832
Information
Type	Integrated co-educational secondary
Motto	Latin: Facere et Docere ('To Do and To Teach')
Patron saint(s)	Saint Kevin
Established	6 February 1927; 98 years ago
Founder	His Lordship Most Rev. Bishop James Whyte D.D., J.C.D
Sister school	St Joseph's School
Ministry of Education Institution no.	369
Principal	Jo Walshe BA, Dip Tch, Grad Dip (Theo), Grad Dip (RelSt)
Chaplain	Very Rev. Fr Wayne Healey
Years	9–13
School roll	381 (February 2024)
Campus	St Kevins College Redcastle
Socio-economic decile	7O
Affiliations	Roman Catholic, Christian Brothers, Dominican Sisters
Website	www.stkevins.school.nz/

St Kevin's College (also known as Redcastle) is a high school in Oamaru, New Zealand. It is a Catholic school that welcomes both boys and girls (co-educational). It is also a "state-integrated" school, which means it's a private school that gets some government funding. Students can either live at the school (boarding) or travel there each day (day students).

The school was started by the Christian Brothers in 1927 for boys. In 1983, it became a co-educational school when the Dominican Sisters closed their girls' school, St Patrick's College. The Christian Brothers stopped teaching at the school in the late 1990s. However, they owned the school until 2019, when they gave ownership to the Bishop of Dunedin.

About the College

In 2019, St Kevin's College had about 450 students. Around 80 students lived at the school, and 370 were day students. The school had an equal number of girls and boys. The maximum number of students the college could have was 465.

In 2016, most students (70%) were New Zealand European (Pākehā). Other students included Asian (10%), Māori (10%), and Pacific (5%). St Kevin's College has a strong focus on the Catholic faith.

School's Special Character

In February 1983, St Kevin's College started accepting both boys and girls. Before this, girls who wanted to board went to Teschemakers, a school about 12 kilometers south of Oamaru. St Kevin's College can now house over 100 boarding girls.

Also in 1983, the school became "state-integrated" with a "special character." This special character is its strong connection to the Catholic faith. Students who are Catholic or have a link to the Catholic Church are given priority when applying. A certificate from their local parish priest is needed for these students. The school can also accept a small number of students (up to 5% of the total) who do not have a Catholic background.

Students mainly come from Oamaru and the nearby rural areas. Many of them previously attended St Joseph's School, Oamaru. Some students also come from further away in New Zealand and even from other countries. The school has modern buildings and large grounds. These facilities allow for special programs like an equestrian academy (horse riding) and a primary-industry trades academy. Students also have many chances to get involved in media, arts, and various sports.

Sports at St Kevin's

St Kevin's College has a proud sports history. Seven former students have become All Blacks (New Zealand's national rugby team), and one has become a Silver Fern (New Zealand's national netball team).

Students can play many sports, including:

• Hockey
• Rugby
• Basketball
• Soccer
• Netball
• Swimming
• Rowing
• Cricket
• Tennis
• Squash
• Badminton
• Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Multi-sport events
• Athletics
• Tramping (hiking)
• Kayaking

Swimming, athletics, and cross-country running are very important, and all students take part. The college has its own golf course, swimming pool, sports turf, and gymnasium.

St Kevin's is very active in rugby competitions. There's a big annual game against Waitaki Boys' High School for the Leo O’Malley Memorial Trophy, often called "the peanut." This game can attract up to 5,000 spectators! As of 2014, Waitaki Boys' had won the trophy 53 times, compared to St Kevin's 21 wins, with 5 draws. This friendly rivalry is sometimes called "the blooder" by St Kevin's students. This name came from St Kevin's students calling Waitaki Boys "blood nuts" because of their red blazers. St Kevin's blazers are blue.

Media and Performance

The college encourages students to develop skills in public speaking, singing, drama, and debating. They also have choirs, dance, reading aloud, role plays, and scripture reading. Cultural events, like the yearly choral festival and annual school production, are part of the school calendar. This ensures all students get involved.

The college takes part in the annual Bishop's Shield Competition and has won it many times. Debating is also a popular activity. Many students learn music and play musical instruments during the school day. The college has music groups, and some students play in orchestras outside of school. There is also a Chapel Choir for church services at the college.

Boarding Hostel

In 2019, the school started a big upgrade of its five-building hostel block. This project cost a million dollars and was paid for by the Christian Brothers. The goal was to attract more students to live at the school.

School Leaders (Rectors)

• 1927–1933: Brother B. F. Magee
• 1933–1936: Brother M. M. O'Connor
• 1936–1938: Brother J. B. Gettons
• 1939–1945: Brother M. D. McCarthy BA
• 1945–1951: Brother P. C. Ryan BA
• 1951–1952: Brother J. A. Morris
• 1953–1957: Brother J. I. Carroll BA, MusB
• 1958–1961: Brother J. B. Duffy BA, BEd (Hons)
• 1961–1967: Brother P. A. McManus BA, DipEd
• 1968–1971: Brother J. M. Hessian BSc, MACE
• 1972–1974: Brother P. A. Boyd
• 1975–1979: Brother M. B. Scanlan BSc, DipEd
• 1980–1996: Brother B. J. Lauren BA, TTC, DipEd, DipCat, DipRE
• 1996–2001: Mr J. G. Boyle BA, DipTch
• 2002–2010: Mr C. B. Russell BA, DipEd, DipTch
• 2010–2021: Mr P. R. Olsen BSc, DipTch
• 2022–present: Ms Jo Walshe BA, Dip Tch, Grad Dip (Theo), Grad Dip (RelSt)

How St Kevin's Began

The Idea for the School

The idea for a Catholic boarding school for boys in Otago was first suggested in 1890. However, it wasn't until 1925 that plans really started. The Bishop of Dunedin, James Whyte, asked the Christian Brothers to open the school. The Christian Brothers had already run a school in Dunedin since 1876.

The Bishop and the Christian Brothers looked at different places for the new school. They chose a property in Oamaru called "Redcastle" as the best spot.

The School's Land

The land where the college stands was first developed by the McLean and Buckley families. John McLean was born in Scotland in 1818. He became wealthy by developing and selling large sheep farms in New Zealand's High Country.

McLean bought the Oamaru land in 1857. He kept the area that is now the school and lived there from the 1860s. By 1871, he had 10,000 sheep on the property. He was also a politician, serving on the Otago Provincial Council and the New Zealand Legislative Council. John McLean died in 1902, and the land went to his nephew, St. John McLean Buckley.

The first house on the property was a single-story building with a thatched roof. When it burned down, Buckley built a new red brick house with Oamaru stone. This building is now known as "the Castle" at the school. Because he loved horse racing, he also built large stables, which are now a school building called "The Stables." St John Buckley died in 1915, and his son, John Buckley, sold the property to a group of local people. The property was known as "Redcastle."

Redcastle was famous for its beauty and its connections to sports, especially through St John McLean Buckley. The main house (the "castle") was a very important country home. The Christian Brothers bought the property, which was about 40 acres (16 hectares), for £8000 in 1925. They added another 10 acres (4 hectares) in 1928 for £1000. Today, the school's campus is 27 hectares (about 67 acres).

In May 1926, Brother Moore, who was good at raising money, came to Dunedin. He organized a bazaar and a lottery to help pay for the land and build the college. Another Brother, Brother Dowd, traveled around the country to collect donations. These efforts raised £7000. In 1926, construction of the school buildings began, overseen by Brother Prunster.

Opening Day

The college was named after an Irish saint, Kevin (498–618 AD). He founded a monastery and school called Glendalough.

The official blessing and opening of St Kevin's College happened on Sunday, February 6, 1927. Many important church leaders were there, along with over 2,500 friends and supporters from Dunedin and other parts of Otago and Canterbury. Classes officially started on Tuesday, February 8, 1927. There were 60 boarding students and 31 day students.

The first teachers from the Christian Brothers included Brother Magee (the Rector, or head of the school) and Brothers Bowler, Brennan, Le Breton, Dowd, Ryan, Mills, and Maye. The head of Waitaki Boys' High School, Frank Milner, also attended the opening. When Frank Milner died in 1944, the St Kevin's boys formed a guard of honor at his funeral.

School's Early Spirit

For its first 55 years, St Kevin's College was like many other Christian Brother boarding schools in Australia and New Zealand. They aimed to provide a Catholic education for boys from farming families. The Christian Brothers who taught there worked very hard. They taught classes all day, coached sports teams after school, supervised meals and study, and were in charge of the dormitories at night. The Brothers usually had to be young and full of energy.

St Patrick's Dominican College, Teschemakers

St Patrick's College was a boarding school for girls run by the Dominican Sisters. It was located at Teschemakers, 10 kilometers south of Oamaru. The school operated for 65 years, from 1912 to 1977. The McCarthy family of North Otago donated the property. The school opened with seven Dominican sisters and seven boarding students.

In its early years, the school tried to be self-sufficient. Students even started their day at 4 AM by milking cows! There was no running water, so it had to be pumped by hand. There was also no electricity, only oil lamps and candles. The college's beautiful buildings and peaceful surroundings had a big impact on the students and teachers. The Gothic revival chapel of the Holy Rosary was designed in 1912 and finished in 1916. It was paid for by a generous local person from Oamaru, Frances Grant.

Teschemakers, which once housed 140 boarding girls, closed as a school mainly because there weren't enough sisters to teach and manage it. In 1980, it became a conference and retreat center. The Dominicans sold it in 2000. After the sale, there was a discussion about the future of the chapel's beautiful Carrara marble altar, which showed The Last Supper. The Dominicans had given the altar to a church in Dunedin. However, a court decision meant the altar stayed at Teschemakers.

Today, the chapel is open to the public daily and is used for weddings. The old convent buildings are now a boutique hotel. Many of the sisters and female relatives of St Kevin's College boys attended this school. The closure of St Patrick's was one reason St Kevin's College became co-educational in 1983. Dominican sisters from the closed school even joined the staff at St Kevin's. The memory of Teschemakers is still an important part of St Kevin's College's history.

Famous Former Students

St Kevin's College has seen many students go on to achieve great things. These include:

• 19 Christian Brothers
• 7 Brothers from other religious groups
• 101 Priests
• 1 Bishop
• 1 Archbishop (who also became a Cardinal)

In sports, 2 Silver Ferns (national netball players) and 7 All Blacks (national rugby players), including 3 captains, have studied at St Kevin's.

St Kevin's College celebrates not only its own famous former students but also those from its sister school, St Patrick's Dominican College, Teschemakers, which closed in 1977.

Here are some notable former students:

• Miles Anderson – a politician and National Party MP for Waitaki (2023–present).
• Bridget Armstrong – an actress (attended St Patrick's College, Teschemakers).
• Maree Bowden – a New Zealand netball international.
• Leonard Anthony Boyle (1930–2016) – the fifth Bishop of Dunedin (1983–2005).
• Kevin Brady CNZM (born 1947) – the 17th Controller and Auditor-General of New Zealand (2002–2009).
• Dan Buckingham – an Olympic Paralympian athlete.
• Donald John Cameron (born 1933) – a journalist and sportswriter.
• Thomas Desmond Coughlan – an All Blacks flanker in 1958.
• Jacqueline Fahey – an artist (attended St Patrick's College, Teschemakers).
• Peter Gresham – a National Party MP for Waitotara (1990–1996) and List MP (1996–1999). He was also a government minister.
• Gavan Herlihy – a National Party MP for Otago (1996–2002).
• James Charles Kearney – an All Blacks first five-eighth (1947–1949).
• Kevin Francis Laidlaw – an All Blacks centre three-quarter (1960).
• Francis Steven McAtamney – an All Blacks prop (1956).
• William Alexander McCaw – an All Blacks Captain in 1954, playing Number 8 and flanker (1951–1954).
• John McKinnon – an eye doctor, mountaineer, and the first volunteer doctor at Kunde Hospital.
• Denzil Meuli (Pierre Denzil) (1926–2019) – a priest, writer, and former editor of the Zealandia newspaper.
• Sione Misiloi (born 1994) – a rugby union player for the Highlanders in Super Rugby.
• Alec Neill – a National Party MP for Waitaki (1990–1996) and List MP (1999, 2001 and 2002).
• Tim O'Malley (born 1994) – a rugby union player for Tasman.
• Craig Smith (born 1985) – a first-class cricketer for Otago.
• Matt Saunders – a rugby union player.
• Cyril Laurence (Larry) Siegert (1923–2007) – an Air Vice Marshal and Chief of Air Force (New Zealand) (1976 to 1979).
• Kevin Lawrence Skinner – an All Blacks captain in 1952, playing prop (1949–1956). He was also a champion heavy weight boxer.
• Robert Charles Stuart – an All Blacks captain and loose forward (1949–1954). He was also a rugby coach and a naval commander in World War 2.
• Tom Taylor (1925–1994) – a sculptor and architect, who was Head of Sculpture at the University of Canterbury.
• Owen Tracey DFC (1915–1941) – a fighter pilot and flying ace who flew for the Royal Air Force during Second World War.
• Jane Watson (born 1990) – a New Zealand netball international.
• Gordon Whiting (1942–2018) – a judge.
• Thomas Williams ONZ ChStJ (1930–2023) – a cardinal and Archbishop Emeritus of Wellington.

See also

• St Joseph's School, Oamaru
• St Patrick's Basilica, Oamaru
• Congregation of Christian Brothers in New Zealand
• Roman Catholic Diocese of of Dunedin

Sources

• J.C. O'Neill, The History of the Work of the Christian Brothers in New Zealand, unpublished Dip. Ed. thesis, University of Auckland, 1968.
• Redcastle Recollections, A Golden Jubilee Volume, St Kevin's College, Oamaru, 1977.
• Robert Pinney, Early Northern Otago Runs, Collins, Auckland, 1981.
• Paul Malcolm Robertson, Nga Parata Karaitiana The Christian Brothers, A Public Culture in Transition, A Comparative Study of the Indian and New Zealand Provinces, an unpublished thesis for MA in Anthropology, University of Auckland, 1996.
• Graeme Donaldson, To All Parts of the Kingdom: Christian Brothers In New Zealand 1876–2001, Christian Brothers New Zealand Province, Christchurch, 2001.
• St Kevin's College website (Retrieved 2 September 2014)