Term 3 - Week 9

Tēnā koutou,

On Monday, we held an assembly for our Year 9 and Year 10 students to set our expectations for the remainder of term. Term three is generally one of the harder terms for students to manage, so we wanted to make it clear what we expect and need from our students for the last two weeks. If you wanted to get an insight into what was shared, you can view the presentation by clicking this link Term 3 - week 9 junior expectations assembly.pptx.  As always, we appreciate you reinforcing our expectations at home too.

Our derived grade exams kicked off on Tuesday of this week, and will continue until Tuesday of next week.  As mentioned last week, these exams are not only an important rehearsal for the NCEA exams in November, but they also provide an evidence-based grade for students who, for an approved reason, can't attend an NCEA exam later in the year.  Interestingly, the derived grade exams also provide an opportunity for our senior students to focus, be still, and be mindful for an extended period of time.  I know for many teenagers the experience of being still, away from distractions, would have been a unique experience.

On Wednesday evening, we received an NCEA update from Tui Rolleston, our regional director of education for Bay of Plenty Waiariki.  A key update was the removal of submitted reports as an external assessment method from 2025.  Our Year 11 cohort, and their teachers, were the first to experience NCEA changes.  The submitted report assessment method has created many headaches for students and staff alike.  It is good to know the ministry has listened to the education sector and has responded with this announcement.  The literacy and numeracy co-requisite qualification and online assessment method will remain in place.

It was Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori this week (Māori language week) this week.  We have celebrated Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori around school in various ways.  Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori also aligns really nicely with Taiopenga, The Tūwharetoa Festival.  I was able to make it up to watch two of my sons performing with Taupō Primary this week - it is so cool to see the community coming together to celebrate this event.  Our own rōpū, Te Awhiorangi, closed off the festival this afternoon. As always, the amount of time, mahi, and dedication paid off for the students on the stage.  They were outstanding!  We are so proud of Te Awhiorangi and all the students and staff involved - ka rawe!

The out-of-zone ballot has now been completed.  Communication was sent out on Wednesday via email to whānau who have been offered a place here for 2025.  There is the possibility of a subsequent out-of-zone ballot in January for anyone who may have moved into the Taupō district following the recent ballot.

Looking ahead to next term, we will be holding two subject/teacher interview evenings in Term 4 on Wednesday 16th of October and Wednesday 23rd of October from 1:30pm - 6pm. To enable us to conduct subject/teacher interviews, classes will finish at 12:50pm on both days. To book an interview, simply log into the school website - www.taupocollege.ac.nz, and click login at the top of the homepage. Then click on the ‘Subject teacher interview’ icon. Please be aware you may be asked by "magic Link" to re-enter a new verification logon to access your booking and continue. 

This week our Board of Trustees has celebrated the mahi our teachers do by hosting a ‘Staff Appreciation Week’.  Our staff were surprised daily with various surprises of gratitude and thanks from our Board members.  On behalf of the staff, we would similarly like to thank you for the mahi you do in supporting the teachers at Taupo-nui-a-Tia College.  Ngā mihi nui koutou!

Lastly, we have quite a bit of unnamed uniform at our BayTrust centre which is lost property.  Please ensure school uniform items are clearly labelled with your child’s name so if the item(s) get lost we can return the item(s) to the correct owner.

Have a great weekend

Ngā mihi

Ben Claxton
PRINCIPAL

Free Uniform Competition 2024!
If you have a Year 8 student who is going local this year with Taupo nui-a-Tia College and you enrol by September 27 you will automatically go in the draw to win a free uniform! Already enrolled for 2025 as a Year 9?  You are also automatically in the draw to win.  These prizes are worth over $400.00! Take advantage of this great competition by enrolling your child early.

                                                       Sporting News

Sports Award Nominations:
Sport awards nominations are now open until Friday 27th September.
Click on the link to find a digital copy of the nomination form:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pEU3oZ4th35v0bep5Ylqr5iGdBzbOBsv/view?usp=sharing
Alternatively there will be paper copies at the front office. 
Send completed nominations to Nicole Dickins at [email protected]
 
Upcoming Events:
Junior Kiorahi Regionals- Tuesday 24th September, Turangi
Hardisty Cup- Thursday 26th September- Turangi
NZSS Clay Target- 27th September- 10th October, Christchurch

                                                     Careers Information

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/
 
Whitecliffe College – October Holiday Programmes
Whitecliffe College is delighted to share our October Holiday Programmes with you for our Auckland Central, Auckland Manukau and Wellington campus’. Whether it’s fashion, IT, fine arts, jewellery design, digital media + design, we would love to see students exploring our campuses and discovering our pathways. More information can also be found at: https://www.whitecliffe.ac.nz/whitecliffe-holiday-programmes-oct-2024
 
Worley Engineering Scholarship 2025
Worley is excited to announce that they have opened their scholarship for 2025! This is a fantastic opportunity for students in their final year of secondary school who are committed to starting a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Hons) in 2025. Worley New Zealand is passionate about supporting our communities and want to help pave the way for the future of New Zealand. The Scholarship’s aim to help students “Unlock Brilliance”, in alignment with their core values. They are proud to support aspiring engineers across New Zealand, with a specific focus on women, Māori and Pacifica, and those passionate about sustainability. They are committed to empowering people of all backgrounds, believing that “We are Stronger Together”, and are here to support you in your journey towards a career in engineering. Worley NZ are providing three scholarships to students who are New Zealand Citizens or Permanent Residents enrolled to start their engineering degree in the year 2025. Scholarships will be awarded to students who are committing to study as a full-time engineering student in one of the following disciplines:
· Chemical, Process & Materials
· Civil / Structural
· Mechanical
· Mechatronics
· Electrical & Electronics
Online applications are open 13 September – 13 October 2024.
Applications can be made by following this  link: https://worleyparsons.taleo.net/careersection/ext/jobdetail.ftl?job=NEW00JD&tz=GMT%2B12%3A00&tzname=Pacific%2FAuckland
 
 
Toi Ohomai Secondary School Leaver Scholarships
We’re welcoming applications for our Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology Secondary School Leavers scholarships for 2025. This scholarship encourages local school leavers to pursue a vocational qualification with Toi Ohomai and financially assists with their fees or learning resources. Several scholarships are available. Please note that the application criteria no longer requires students to be nominated by their school, however, applications must include two references from people who know the applicant well and can testify to their attributes and the Award Criteria. Link: https://www.toiohomai.ac.nz/about/toi-ohomai-secondary-school-leav
 
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/
 
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.
 
Mercury Apprenticeship Programme
Mercury has recently re-introduced a four-year apprenticeship programme for people looking to build a career within the mechanical or electrical trades. They are looking for four apprentices (two mechanical and two electrical) where the successful applicants will work towards achieving a Certificate in Electrical Trade (Level 4) or a Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Trade) (Level 4). This programme is open to school leavers (who have achieved NCEA level 2 literacy and numeracy) or those looking to embark on a new career path. The start date is flexible based on the successful candidate’s availability. Link: https://careers.mercury.co.nz/jobdetails/ajid/5h2u8/Apprentices-Electrical-Mechanical,36060.html
 
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
 
Rural Health Career Webinar
We would love to invite you to join us for our Rural Health Career Promotion programme Webinars! Do you have a current student interested in studying health? Or do you have students not yet certain about what they want to pursue after high school? We have 11 webinars all focused on a different career in health, presented by current tertiary students studying those degrees. Medicine, Physiotherapy, Paramedicine, Midwifery and more! These informal webinars are a great way to get some information about the varying health careers, and a channel to ask questions and get quick answers. For more information and to register interest, please see here: https://forms.gle/3VKJh3xp6jEH9Dcr6
 
Upcoming Course Planning Sessions
Massey University – 16 October
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
 
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
 
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
 
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.
  

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]