Term 3 - Week 1

Tēnā koutou,

Welcome back to term three.  I hope you managed some time together as whānau over the school holiday break doing the things that bring you joy.

As we mentioned to the students during assemblies this week, term three is a term where students really need to knuckle down in terms of their academic achievement.  I used the phrase, “if it’s going to be, it’s up to me” with the students.  It is important, especially for those sitting NCEA, that no lesson goes to waste this term. The nature of the new Level 1 NCEA qualification is that assessments are run over several lessons and missing lessons will have an impact upon the ability to achieve.  It is also a term where there are no public holidays and no teacher only days - so in effect, term three is 50 uninterrupted days of teaching and learning.

During assemblies this week we also reminded students of the skirt options for our school uniform.  To help your understanding as well, I have included photos below of the two skirt options which are still part of our school uniform, and the skirt option which isn’t (unless your child is in Year 12 this year).  The key message is, unless a student is in Year 12 this year, splits are out and pleats are in.  A reminder that skirts should also not be altered and should be worn no shorter than mid thigh.

We have been told by the ministry of education (MoE) we will receive official communication about Taupō secondary school zoning early next week.  We have been informed informally there will be no changes to our zone for 2025 but cannot communicate this officially yet.  We will get this out to you ASAP when we are informed.

There are also many events to look forward to in term three.  A brief outline of the term is below:
Week 2

• Year 11 drama performance & Music performances
  
• Manu korero regionals
  

Week 3

• Subject selection evening + online subject selection opens
  
• Sports photos
  

Week4

• Maths week

Week 5

• Subject interviews begin
  
• Last date for external entries - NCEA
  

Week 6

• Enrolment week for Year 8 students from contributing schools

Week 7

• Open evening for parents and community

Week 8

• 2nd round of literacy and numeracy exams
• Interhouse Haka Competition
  

Week 9

• Derived grade week begins
  
• Tūwharetoa festival
  

Week 10

• Derived grade week continues
  
• Last day of term three is Friday 27 September
  

Course selection is fast approaching - students will be required to select their courses for 2025 from the end of week 3.  They are currently having discussions with subject and whānau teachers to support them to make some good choices for the 2025 academic year. In week 2, the Year 10-12 students will have levels assemblies where information about courses will be shared.  We will also be hosting a subject selection evening on Wednesday 7th August from 4:30pm - 6:30pm. If you have any queries about subjects or courses for next year, it is recommended you attend these so you can speak to a faculty representative to support you if you are unsure about the suitability of courses for their future pathways.

If you wish to have further information around the new NCEA Level 1 qualification information evenings will be coming up in Term 4. 

Ngā mihi

Ben Claxton
PRINCIPAL

                                                       Sporting News

Upcoming events:
Get 2 Go Waikato Regionals- Friday 2nd August, Cambridge

                                                     Careers Information

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.
 
Taupō District Careers Roadshow 6 August
The Taupō District Roadshow is held every two years at the Great Lakes Centre. This year our Year 10 to Year 12 students will be attending the Careers Roadshow in Year Level groups with their subject teacher during the relevant period and the Year 13 students can attend during their study period or lunchtime as follows:
Period 1 – Year 10
Period 2 – Year 11
Period 3 – Year 12
The aim of the day is for students to have the opportunity to talk face to face with the widest range of employers, industry, government departments and training providers. Students can also find out more about their pathway if they already know what they want to do.  
 
Physio Career Event Evening 9 August
The Pasifika Physiotherapists Association (PPA) invites your students, aiga/families, and anyone interested to attend their free career event "Interested in Physio" on Friday 9th August from 5:30pm - 7:30pm held at Wintec - Te Pukenga. Aotearoa needs more physiotherapists! There is huge demand for health workers in general, and a huge need for health workers who have Pacific heritage. At this free event they will shed some light on what physios do, hear about how to get into the physio program, have a physio student panel for questions about the journey, and there will be food and lots of opportunities to win free prizes. Whilst there is a definite need for Pacific physios, they do invite anyone interested in a career as a physio to attend!

Upcoming University Open Days
Massey University Manawatū Campus – 7 August
Massey University Auckland Campus – 16 August
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
 
Hands-on at Otago 2025 – Applications now open
This is a unique opportunity for students (who will be in Years 12 and 13 in 2025) to come down and experience a week of Otago student life. If you haven’t heard about Hands-On at Otago before, students stay on campus in one of our residential colleges and choose a subject to study for the week. There are 25 subjects are on offer, from across Business, Health Sciences, Humanities (Arts) and Sciences. They’ll learn from our world-class academic staff, meet students their age from schools across the country and participate in a huge range of activities that will challenge and inspire them for the year ahead. Hands-On will run from Sunday 12 January to Friday 17 January 2025. It’s important to note that we tend to receive more applications than we have places available, so we encourage students to put time and effort into their applications, and share with us why they should be offered a place. Their application is often the deciding factor in their acceptance. Do you want to know more about the programme? Head online: otago.ac.nz/hands-on-at-otago  Here you’ll find videos, info on costs, scholarships (there are lots of these available and we really encourage all students to apply for one), fundraising ideas, accommodation information, transport options and more. However, if you have more specific questions, feel free to contact one of our team: [email protected] – we are always happy to help. Applications close 8 August
 
Pāmu Apprenticeship Scheme
Pāmu are offering an apprenticeship scheme. Be part of the new future of farming, experience both dairy and livestock, get qualified and be guaranteed full-time employment in farming. Register your interest at: www.pamunewzealand.com/apprenticeshipscheme

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.
 
The Future of Accounting 2024
The University of Waikato is hosting an inspiring careers event, 'The Future of Accounting 2024', at their Hamilton campus on Wednesday, 14 August at 4.30pm. This event is open to all secondary school students in years 12-13 and family/whānau. Save the date in your calendar and register now to secure your seats!
 
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

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]

                   
                    New RYDA parent programme launching in Taupo      
                     Free workshop for people teaching teens to drive 

If you are teaching a young person to drive or are about to don't miss this free workshop in Taupo on Tuesday 30th July

We will:
Unlock the mysteries of the teenage brain: What makes driving a challenge?
Decode risk factors for young drivers
Learn the art of coaching a learner driver
Help you support the transition to solo driving
Set a plan for collaborating with driving Instructors
And much more.

Drive Coach is a practical workshop which updates parents on latest research and road safety approaches, outlines some of the conversations our facilitators have with their children at RYDA and gives them an opportunity to ask questions and get advice from the experts. Drive Coach is routinely organised by a school or community group, generally in conjunction with a RYDA programme being held in the area.  Your school has recently attended RYDA so we don't want your parents to miss the opportunity to be involved.
 
Please forward this email to your school community and feel free to post this on your Facebook page as well.  We have attached a flyer with more information and also go to our website for more information:
https://rse.org.nz/our-programs/drivecoach/
 
Complimentary tea and coffee provided
Supported  by Taupō Toyota and the Taupō District Council