Term 4 - Week 6

Tēnā koutou,

We are rapidly approaching the end of the 2024 school year.  I thought I would take this opportunity to update you on a few upcoming events.

Friday 29 November:  NCEA exams finish

Saturday 30 November:  Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge - we still would love more student and whānau volunteer support.  It is our major fundraising event for the year.  Whānau can sign up by emailing [email protected]

Monday 2 December-Friday 6 December:  Year 10 Camps

Wednesday 4 December-Friday 6 December:  Year 9 Activities

Tuesday 10 December:  Effort and Industry Prizegiving

Thursday 12 December:  Junior Prizegiving and last day of term four

It is important our students understand these last three weeks are just as important for attendance as other weeks during the school year.  We expect and need continued high attendance rates at school.  We would appreciate your support in communicating these messages to your children.

The cycle of school life continues with our preparation for next year.  Our Year 9 cohort is looking large again, which is great, but also provides some logistical challenges for us regarding the timetable and rooming.  Our large numbers in the senior school (again, really pleasing) is also a challenge to accommodate the needs of the students.  Pleasingly, we have already appointed new staff to all the positions vacated by outgoing staff members.  We have a couple of new appointments to make due to roll growth.

Have a great weekend

Ngā mihi

Ben Claxton
PRINCIPAL

                                                       Sporting News

Upcoming Events:
Yr 9 & Yr 10 Condors Festival- Thursday 28th and Friday 29th November, Tauranga 

                                                     Careers Information

Innovative Young Mind’s (IYM)
IYM’s goal is to educate young women in Years 11 and 12 about the wide range of research and career opportunities available in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and high-tech manufacturing). IYM seeks to encourage diversity in New Zealand’s science and technology industry by inspiring a new generation of innovators and industry leaders. IYM is offering young women from all over New Zealand the opportunity to take part in their IYM Online 2025 programme. The programme will be delivered entirely online over four half-day sessions during the April school holidays. Participants will be exposed to:

• inspiring interactive career panels
  
• research and innovation showcases
• virtual tours of labs and tech workspaces
  
• hands-on digital technology sessions
  
• team-building and networking sessions
  

Participants will also have the opportunity to meet women working in science and technology and make friends with like-minded young women. Places on IYM Online 2025 are limited to 100 and there is a small participation fee of $30. Key dates are:
Applications open: 1 November 2024
Applications close: 1 March 2025
Programme dates: 14 - 17 April 2025
Apply through the website: https://www.iym.org.nz/
 
Opportunity Grows Here – Primary Industry Jobs
If you’re looking for work, there are food and fibre sector opportunities across Aotearoa New Zealand right now. Our vineyards, forests, farms, orchards, and seas have roles for everyone – from immediate jobs and careers, to training and taster courses to get you started. We need people with a range of interests, skills, experiences, and backgrounds. While there are seasonal jobs, many may be the start of a long-term career with opportunities to grow and advance.
Link: https://www.opportunitygrowshere.nz/
 
Seafood New Zealand – Catch a seafood job
If you love the ocean and action-packed days, then the seafood industry could be for you. From working on fishing boats in New Zealand waters to getting hands on with fresh kaimoana back on land, there are plenty of jobs for the taking. Jump onboard and help us feed the world with delicious and sustainable seafood.
Link: https://www.seafood.co.nz/people-careers/careers/jobs-at-sea
 
Pure Exploration – Travel and Adventure Scholarships
This is your opportunity to join an adventure travel and outdoor education programme at a reduced rate! Not only will you gain hands-on outdoor skills in hiking and rock climbing, but you'll also grow in confidence, leadership and resilience. Explore breathtaking locations while being guided by professionals and supported by a close-knit group of fellow adventurers. Whether it’s your first gap year abroad, a career pivot, or a push out of your comfort zone, our programs provide the experiences to make it unforgettable.
Applications open Nov 1st 2024 - December 1st 2024
Link: https://pureexploration.com/pages/scholarships?utm_campaign=scholarships&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9hRE5crBQKtk4YXjEK_NZl0FAUUU9cCVPpx0lsv1z_XC2aQXe9y8WDnaxid6POxDSqCk49mXE0yMZkgVxXQiTsDzuEzg&_hsmi=332422265&utm_source=hubspot

Leaving School Magazine
The next issue of the Leaving School Magazine is available. This issue contains information on CV’s, exam advice, articles on the following careers: vehicle sales, environmental consultant, fisherman, accounting technician, forestry machine operator, production supervisor and meat industry careers. To find out more you can access it online at: www.oliverlee.co.nz/leavingschool-issue31


American Summers Opportunity 2025
Applications for the 2025 American Summers IENA camp program are open. As young people throughout New Zealand are weighing up their options for their future endeavours, we think an American Summer is such a fantastic opportunity for them. If you want to know more about what an American Summer Camp looks like? Check out my video here, showcasing the camp I’ve spent the last 3 years at. American Summers IENA has been around since 1996, we know the camp game better than anyone else! Below is a rundown of the perks we offer.
AMERICAN SUMMERS PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

• You get paid! Minimum of $2,250 USD. This is the highest earning regardless of age, skills or experience (approx. $3700 NZD)
• Program price: $525 NZD broken into 2 simple fees.
  
• What else do you get:
  - Free food and accommodation while at camp;
  - 4 months (123 days) medical insurance;
  - 30 days prior to camp and 30 days after camp to travel and sightsee America;
  - Visa sponsorship. IENA – American Summers is your visa sponsor (not a 3rd party). We have been a Visa sponsor since 1996;
  - 30 year’s experience. Our staff have years of experience in the American camping industry;
  - Top-level customer service and support from today till you return from camp in September 2025!
  
• 3rd Party costs:
  - Visa fees – $185 USD paid to the US Consulate (don’t need to pay for this till you are placed and when visa appointments start in early 2025) – plus costs to get to the US Consulate in Auckland;
  - Flights to the USA, your camp and home or out of the USA (don’t need to pay for these till your placement and visa is approved. You have plenty of time to save)
  - Police check - just wait for us to send you the instructions.
  

Learn more on our website: https://americansummers.com/
 
Survey & Spatial NZ Scholarship
Survey & Spatial NZ offers an annual scholarship of $1500 for school leavers intending to enrol in a tertiary surveying or spatial qualification. Students within the Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatane and Taupo region can apply, with a 31/12/24 closing date for applications. See the notices in Career Central for more information and an application form.
 
Looking to learn a trade or explore apprenticeships? 
Check out MoneyHub's comprehensive guide, a must-read for anyone considering an apprenticeship. Visit MoneyHub's Apprenticeship Guide to learn more:
https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/apprenticeships.html
 
Looking for a part-time job? 
Check out MoneyHub's newly updated Student Jobs guide! With over 60 employers and valuable job application tips, find your next opportunity here: https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/student-jobs.html
  
CV Writing and Interview Preparation
Discover MoneyHub's invaluable resources for CV writing (https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/cv-template-students.html) and interview preparation (https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/common-job-interview-questions-students.html

                                                   Summer River Safety Campaign
We’re into the summertime swim-time fun, for us and whānau visiting from out of town.  
A reminder that the Aratiatia Rapids is a great place to take visitors, but it is an extremely dangerous place to swim, and sadly death and injuries have occurred here in the past.   
Huge volumes of water can be released from the dam into the rapids at any time. Water levels and flows can change quickly. 
Follow the rules and read the signs – please do not swim below the Aratiatia Dam, stay out of the rapids and downstream areas. 
There are safe viewing points where you and your visitors can watch the Aratiatia Dam gates open. 
Keep your friends and whānau safe this summer.