Term 4 - Week 5

Tēnā koutou,

This week we have had the Education Review Office (ERO) visiting our kura for their three year review.  The visit involved the ERO team meeting with various groups of students, staff, and board members, as well as conducting classroom observations.  The full ERO report won’t be available until January next year, but we have gained some valuable constructive feedback which will help guide our annual plan for 2025.  

Our Firearm policy is needing a review.  We have a clay target shooting team, and one of our Year 10 camps may involve clay target shooting, so this policy relates to these two contexts.  We have consulted with SchoolDocs and our key staff members to develop the draft policy below.  If you would like to provide feedback, please email [email protected]
Firearm Policy.docx

As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, during week four, a number of Year 11 students and staff were involved in a credit catch-up program to support students to gain their literacy credits via the teaching of some tagged standards.  There were History, Te Reo Māori, and Science programs taking place to give these students an opportunity to gain their literacy credits.  Students who had 5/10 literacy credits were called back to school.  The program involved an intensive week of learning for the students, working in small groups with a high ratio of teachers to students.  Pleasingly, 38 extra Year 11 students were able to achieve their literacy co-requisite as a result of this program.

During week five, a similar numeracy catch up program took place for Year 11 students who do not yet have their numeracy credits. Students who had 5/10 numeracy credits were also called back for this element of the program.  40 students were involved this week. Preliminary results indicate (as of Wednesday 13 Nov) 25 extra Year 11 students have now gained their numeracy co-requisite.  A number of staff have been involved in these literacy and numeracy catch-ups - a massive thank you to all these staff members who have tangibly changed the outcome of this year for many students.

The Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge will take place on Saturday 30 November. We are needing student and whānau volunteers to help support our staff at the event.  Student sign ups will take place during whānau time next week.  Whānau can sign up by emailing [email protected]. A short video about the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge can be found here.  Any additional support would be greatly appreciated. Our school is one of the main volunteering groups and this event is also one of our major fundraising events each year.  Funds raised go towards supporting the ongoing need to keep our school-based devices up to specifications which allow for the digital component of the literacy and numeracy co-requisite exams and the NCEA exams to be delivered.  The devices also support our long-term loan scheme.

A reminder - Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) members will have a paid union meeting on Thursday 21 November at 1 p.m.  Period 1 and 2 classes will run as normal and school will finish for the students at 12:50 p.m.  Bus students can remain onsite and will be supervised by non-union members.

Have a great weekend.

Ngā mihi

Ben Claxton
PRINCIPAL

                                                       Sporting News

Lake Taupo District Sports Awards!
We are so proud of all our nominees and award winners.
A huge congratulations to the following winners:
Sportsperson of the year- Secondary Female- Sarah Nelson
Team of the year- 1st XV Rugby Team
The Junior Prems Basketball Team got a highly commended award for their efforts.
Keith Crate Elite Scholarship was won by Grace Hura- Karate
Felix Prescott Trophy was won by Brooke Atkinson- Rodeo
The Gary Ramsay Charitable Trust- Outstanding All Round Junior Sportsperson- won by Kamaia Minhinnick
Lake Taupo Sports Foundation Grants- Ty Blake (Rodeo) was a joint winner with three other recipients

Upcoming Events
NISS Junior Volleyball Champs-Monday 18th- Friday 22nd November. Auckland 
Volleyball Satellite Tournament 19th -20th November- Tauranga 
Wahine Toa 10s Rugby- 19th-20th November- Taupo
3x3 Basketball Regionals- 19th-21st November- Auckland 

                                                     Careers Information

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.
 
Must-Know NCEA Resources for Year 11-13
Looking for quality NCEA preparation resources? MoneyHub offers over ten invaluable tools to guide students towards achieving merits and excellence. Perfect for gearing up for internals and externals. Explore now: https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/resources-for-ncea-students.html
 
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