Term 2 - Week 5

Tēnā koutou and Talofa lava,

From Sunday through to Wednesday this week I had the privilege of attending the Secondary Principals’ Association of New Zealand (SPANZ) conference in Queenstown.  I will share a few highlights and some of my learning with you below.

One of the themes of the conference was artificial intelligence (AI) for school leadership.  The exponential growth of AI, and the implications for education is certainly something I will do my best to keep you abreast of.  We are having discussions with the teaching staff as well.  One of keynote speakers, Sir Ian Taylor, showed us an interview that was recorded live between a real version of an American man and a version of the same man created by artificial intelligence.  The AI version was able to answer questions in real time…  they looked and sounded exactly the same.  It was fascinating and a little scary all at the same time! 

The Minister for Education, Erica Stanford, attended the conference and in person.  She offered some insights into her six education priorities and what some of the aspects within these priorities will look like.  One example was assessment - there is likely to be twice yearly tests (throughout the sector) for literacy and numeracy, using an assessment platform like PAT or e-asTTle.  She reinforced her desire to make better use of data in schools.  In terms of pedagogy (teaching), she spoke a lot about embedding the science of learning into the curriculum, in particular referencing structured literacy and maths mastery.  

Speaking of literacy and numeracy, this week we had the first round of our NZQA Numeracy and Literacy exams. Results will not be available until mid August, but our personnel running these exams have told me that despite a significant increase in entries many students had a positive experience, and the assessment tasks have improved since last year’s version.  The assessment platform also seemed to cope a lot better with the volume of students logging in throughout the country. 

Earlier in the week we sent out a survey link to receive feedback on the ministry of education's proposed amendment to our enrolment zone.  Your feedback is really important, so please complete the survey at your next convenience.  The survey link is below. https://consultation.education.govt.nz/education/taupo-nui-es

Our school ball for Year 12 and Year 13 students will take place at the Great Lake Centre next Saturday night.  It is a real highlight on the school calendar and I know the students and staff are really looking forward to it.

Lastly, the accord teacher only day today was a great opportunity for our teachers to continue working on NCEA level implementation as well as attending a Kāhui Ako wide trauma informed practice session at Tauhara College.  We know teacher-only days can put pressure on families, so we appreciate your understanding.

Have an awesome long weekend!

Other important panui are below:

Attendance guidelines for sport and cultural activities
Taupo-nui-a-Tia College follows the guidelines outlined by New Zealand Secondary School Sport which state that students attendance needs to be at a satisfactory level and be studying at least 80% of a programme.  This implies that a student's attendance needs to be above 80%. As you know, our goal is 90% or higher. However, attendance must be maintained at least 80% to guarantee the opportunity to participate in sports and cultural activities for our kura.

School Docs
As mentioned last week, our term two SchoolDocs policies are up for community review.  You can view and comment on these policies by following this link on our website.  Please use the community username and password listed on the website. 

Winter illnesses
Winter illnesses are taking hold across the motu, with ‘flu season’ arriving earlier than normal. Aotearoa is also at a high risk of a measles outbreak with immunisation rates dropping off since COVID-19. We encourage you to follow Te Whatu Ora advice, particularly that the best protection against an outbreak of measles is the MMR vaccine.
Measles – Te Whatu Ora 

Budget at a glance 2024
If you are interested in the budget 2024 announcements for education they can be viewed here.

Ngā mihi

Ben Claxton
PRINCIPAL

                                               Sporting News

Upcoming Winter Sports Fixtures:

Upcoming events:

WBOPSS Cross Country Championships, Wednesday 5th June, Kerikeri
Clay Target Shoot, Thursday 6th June, Matamata.

                                              
                                      Careers Information

Upcoming career presentations for students
University of Waikato Scholarship Presentation is now scheduled for Friday 14 June at 12.50pm in D16.
 
University of Auckland Online Information Evenings
Explore our exciting sessions for Info Evening 2024. Register and be prepared to join live on the night, Tuesday 25 June, from the comfort of your home. Bring your questions, we'll bring the answers. Link: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/manawa-mai/info-evening.html?utm_
 
University of Auckland Scholarships
It’s an exciting time! You’re finishing school this year, looking ahead and thinking about where to from here. You may be eligible for a scholarship - see https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-types/undergraduate-scholarships/entry-level-and-first-year-scholarships.html?utm
 
Geothermal Week Visit – 1 July
An opportunity is available for Year 12 and Year 13 students to meet with industry leaders and gain insight into Contact, GNS Science, MB Century and Mercury. There are many different careers at these businesses to explore. There are still places available. Please register your interest with Mrs Trent in the Careers Office by 6 June.
 
Thinking about University
Universities New Zealand—Te Pōkai Tara’s 2025 Thinking about university? resources are now live at www.thinkingaboutuni.nz. This has information on all the undergraduate degrees and majors New Zealand’s eight universities are offering for 2025.  
 
Scholarships
MoneyHub has compiled a comprehensive guide to scholarships for students planning to start university in 2025. Available at MoneyHub Scholarship Guide, this resource lists scholarships from all universities, along with exclusive opportunities for Maori, Pacific, and International students. The guide, updated regularly, includes application tips and deadlines, helping students easily navigate the scholarship process.
 
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). These tools are designed to empower students in their job application journey. Explore and step into the job market with confidence!
 
Money Guide
MoneyHub has crafted a comprehensive guide for students, designed to provide essential tools and knowledge for building a healthy relationship with money. Explore it here: 
https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/money-in-a-nutshell.html
 
Any business wanting to host a student for work experience?
Every year we are funded to put out 70 of our senior students on voluntary work experiences. From these work experiences come some amazing things….... confidence, a sense of belonging, the knowledge that they can add some value, learning about industries that they know very little about and sometimes the opportunity of potential employment. Everything that is learned on a work experience contributes to a future decision and learning work ready skills are vital for life beyond school. Do you know a business that would like to host a Taupo-nui-a-Tia College student for a 10-day work experience? If this is something that you would like to know more about, please contact Nicola Thomsen, Gateway Coordinator, e-mail: [email protected]

      Volunteering: A Gateway to Unparalleled Growth for Students
 
Volunteering as a student isn't just about giving back to the community; it's a rich soil for cultivating a diverse skill set that can flourish in any professional environment. It's the kind of experience that doesn't just pad up your resume; it builds you up as a person.
 
First off, volunteering offers a playground for developing transferable skills. Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership are just a few of the many skills that you can hone. These are not just buzzwords for a job interview; they're real-life abilities that will serve you in any career path you choose.
 
Then there's the work experience aspect. In a world where entry-level jobs ask for experience, volunteering provides that crucial foot in the door. It's a space where you can learn by doing, make mistakes, and grow without the pressure of a paycheck on the line.
 
But perhaps the most beautiful part of volunteering is the 'so much more'—the personal growth, the connections you make, the lives you touch, and the joy of knowing you've made a difference. It's an experience that shapes your character and gives you stories to tell, not just tasks to list on a job application.
 
So, if you're a student on the fence about volunteering, hop off and dive in. The skills, experience, and fulfillment you'll gain are beyond measure. It's not just about what you give; it's also about what you get back, which is priceless. 
 
Come and check out Comavol on the 22nd of June - 10 - 2 PM at the Great Lake Center 
 
Happy volunteering!

Are you looking for a rewarding opportunity to open your home to international guests and create meaningful connections across cultures? Look no further!
We are seeking warm, welcoming families to join our homestay program and become ambassadors of hospitality in our community.
Hosting international guests can be financially rewarding (our allowance is $300 per week, to cover food and transport costs). Earn supplemental income while enjoying the enriching experience of hosting and building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
In term 3, we are welcoming our new international students.  Some are staying for two term, others for a year.
We are looking for families who like to host:
Y12 female student  who has a passion for mountains, plays football and does athletics.
Y12 Boy  who is very active and likes to participate in sports and outdoor/cultural activities. Triathlon, mtb, football, rugby
Y12 girl who likes to experience the outdoors and is looking for a warm welcoming family.
Y12 girl who likes to cook and bake who descroibes herself as a friendl, happy and reliable person.
Y12 girl, active christian, she loves playing and listening to music, board games and spending time with friends. 
If you have a spare room and a passion for hospitality, we invite you to become part of our homestay family. Whether you're a single individual, a couple, or a family with children, your warmth and openness are what matter most.
We will allow families to host up to 2 students ( from a different nationality).
You can rely on full (24/7) support from the college in this exciting journey.
To learn more about becoming a host family, please contact [email protected]. We love to have you on board to support our school’s biggest “fundraiser”.