Term 3 - Week 4

Tēnā koutou,

This year’s Year 11 students are the first year group to experience the new-look NCEA level 1. It has been an interesting first half of the year for our Year 11 students and their teachers as they have both tried to navigate uncharted territories with new achievement standards and new assessment formats.  The intent behind the new-look NCEA level 1 was to have fewer, larger standards, hopefully meaning more time for teaching and learning for the students and less administration for the teachers.  In reality, the larger standards and new assessment formats have brought some unexpected challenges.

We have learnt a lot this year, and no doubt there will be changes to Year 11 programmes as we head into next year.  The literacy heavy content of the larger standards has brought with it challenges for some of our students.  Curriculum level six, which is where students need to be to access NCEA level 1 with confidence, is a big leap for some of our students. It is clear we will need to re-think our junior programmes moving forward in order to best prepare our students for the larger achievement standards in Year 11.

Reading, writing and numeracy are obviously fundamental elements for success, so your support at home in this space is really important.  We have identified our boys in particular are needing the most support with their literacy and numeracy.  Although for some the desire and motivation to read and write may be a struggle, we encourage any support you can provide at home in these areas.  For our Year 11 students who do not have their literacy and numeracy co-requisite yet, this support is even more necessary.  If you have a Year 11 child in this category, you should begin to see specific homework tasks related to literacy and numeracy start to come home. On Thursday night at 5:30pm, we will be hosting a session to discuss support strategies specifically for Year 11 students in the school hall.

Online subject selection has now been activated via the login section on our website.  Many of our students have already favourited particular options that are of interest to them, so hopefully the actual selection aspect should be relatively smooth.  It is a good idea to go through the selection process with your child to ensure you are also informed about what the different options include.

We are also in the process of planning our Year 10 camps for week eight in term 4 (2-6 of December).  Due to the popularity of particular camps, we have established another beach camp and have had to ballot some students from their first choice.  There are lists on the hall windows for students to see what camp they are on.  Next payment for these camps is due in week five.

Lastly, this term’s policy review on SchoolDocs is available for review.  If interested, use this link to log into school docs and select current review.

At the end of next week we will be halfway through the term already - crazy!

Have a great weekend.

Ngā mihi

Ben Claxton
PRINCIPAL

                                                       Sporting News

Upcoming events:

21st August- Senior Badminton Finals, Tauranga 
22nd August- BOPSS Elite Basketball Championships, Tauranga 

                                                     Careers Information

Year 13 Learning Hub
Students wanting to pursue a vocational pathway can be part of our exciting Learning Hub. The Learning Hub is a 3-part programme aimed at giving students an experience within their chosen trade, practical hands-on experience through a Gateway course and a classroom theory component, giving students a “real world” understanding. Students will be in a dedicated Hub class.
Students attend a Level 3 Trades course aimed at preparing them for apprenticeships within their chosen trade. The number of credits available from the different trade programmes vary between 30 and 50+ credits. The following courses could be available in Taupo (dependent on numbers)/ alternatively they would run in Rotorua:

• Electrical Pre-Trade Foundation
• Construction
  
• Automotive Engineering
  
• NZC in Automotive Engineering
  
• Farming & Agriculture
  
• Barbering
  
• NZ Certificate in Make-up and Skin Care
  

The Gateway component is designed to give students a “workplace experience” within a local business organisation in their chosen trade. Here they can get an understanding of the day-to-day work life routine of their trade and also participate in the work life culture. There are units of work that are completed as part of the Gateway experience. Students also gain 12 Level 3 credits by completing the health & safety in the workplace course.
The in-classroom theory component of the course consists of 5 unit standards covering topics such as career planning, employment relations and personal financial management. There are a total of 16 Level 3 credits available within the in-class component.
Students need to select 13HUB when making their course selection.
See Mrs Trent in the Careers Office for further information.

Advance Education Medical Industry Pathway Summit
Considering a career in the Medical Industry? Want to get first hand insights about the workplace reality and income potential from different roles from those who are working within it? The Medical Industry Pathway Summit is FREE for students and has just gone live. It involves interviews with active medical professionals who share their journey, industry insights, day to day realities, income expectations at the various stages, and insight into the roles they serve. Link: https://www.advanceeducation.nz/medical-industry-pathway-summit
 
School Leaver Scholarship Closing Dates
Just a reminder that the following school leaver scholarship application closing dates are coming up:
21 August - University of Auckland
31 August - University of Waikato
1 September - Massey University and AUT
2 September - Victoria University
 
Upcoming Course Planning Sessions
University of Canterbury – 11 September
University of Otago – 23 October
Please register with Mrs Trent in the Careers Office
 
University of Auckland Course Planning
To assist prospective students in preparing for their first year with us, we have recorded comprehensive course planning advice for all our 2025 undergraduate programmes, except for Law. Information regarding the Law programme will be finalized in the coming weeks, with the planning video expected to be completed by the end of August. We aim for this resource to be invaluable for students in planning their first year, selecting courses, and staying informed about all enrolment details. Go to: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/study-options/undergraduate-study-options/information-for-parents/course-advice-2023.html

Upcoming University Open Days
Massey University – Wellington Campus – 23 August
Victoria University of Wellington – 23 August
AUT University Open Day – 24 August
The University of Auckland – 24 August
The University of Canterbury – 30 August
 
University of Auckland Open Day 24 August
Get a taste of your future. Explore our vibrant campus in the heart of Auckland, meet staff and students, and get a feel for what Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland is all about. Register at: https://manawa-mai.ac.nz/register?utm_source=OpenDay-page&utm
 
AUT Open Day 24 August
Don’t miss the chance to explore your study options at AUT’s open day. Attend information sessions, discover our world-class facilities, and meet our academic staff who can help you make the best decision for study in 2025. Register now: https://www.aut.ac.nz/live?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=bms-aut-live-2024&utm
 
Studying Health Science or Biomedical Science next year?
MoneyHub has published a detailed guide for Year 13 students planning to study Health Science or Biomedical Science at Otago or Auckland University. Our detailed guide has been prepared by two top-performing 4th year Auckland Medical School students and is the first of its kind in New Zealand:
https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/tips-for-studying-biomed-and-health-science.html
 
Fees Free Study
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free scheme will replace it, starting from January 2025 with the following parameters:

• Learners entering their final year of study or training from 1 January 2025 and who have not received first-year Fees Free may be eligible for the new final-year Fees Free scheme.
• Eligibility will include provider- and work-based study or training at Levels 3 and above on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.
  
• Repayment will be made after the learner completes their qualification, with refunds starting from 2026.
  

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. 
 
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
 
2025 Keystone Trust Property and Construction Tertiary Scholarships
Keystone Trust Study Awards are the premier industry scholarships offered to students taking up studies for a career in the property and construction sector and we are inviting applications from 1 June until 1 September 2024. Students can apply for both a Study Award and the Keystone Trust and C3 Construction scholarship provided they meet the necessary criteria for both.
A Study Award offers a recipient:

• a scholarship of $5,500 per annum for up to three years for tertiary study/ textbooks/course costs/accommodation ($16,500)
• industry mentoring and networking opportunities
  
• a first-year study buddy with an existing Keystone Trust student
  
• introductions to our industry sponsors
  
• workshops, site visits and paid internships
  
• pastoral support through our dedicated Student Liaison Manager
  

Mobile Health Group | Hauora Taiwhenua Rural New Zealand Health Scholarships
Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network is partnering with Mobile Health Group to offer our rural youth financial support in their pursuit of health studies. The four scholarships (with at least one targeted at Māori/Pasifika students), each valued at $5,000, will be offered to any rural secondary student entering their first year of full-time undergraduate study in Nursing, Medicine, or allied health-related courses at any New Zealand Universities, Polytechnics, or PTEs. Supporting the rural youth in these communities is a crucial solution to reducing the rural healthcare worker shortage. The closing date for applications is 5pm, 30th September 2024. For more information on how to apply and the eligibility criteria, see:
https://htrhn.org.nz/news-media/scholarship/
 
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
 
Gateway
Gateway provides structured workplace learning across a range of industries. Senior students are provided with opportunities to try out potential careers, gain experience and build links with workplaces that could lead to potential future employment. We still have spaces available, specifically for Yr12 and Yr13 students. See Nicola Thomsen in the Gateway Office to register your interest.
 
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]