Term 2 - Week 7

Tēnā koutou,

Our school ball, held last Saturday evening, was a fabulous occasion.  A massive mihi needs to go out to Lesley Purdon, the ball committee, and everyone else who stepped up to make the ball as special as it was.  There is a whole bunch of planning that goes on behind the scenes to make the ball a success.  There were definitely a few bleary-eyed students and staff members on Monday morning after a lack of sleep over the ball weekend.  It was neat seeing all the students getting cheered into the venue by the staff and their peers and I am so proud of our senior students who attended.  They exemplified our values of whakapono, wero, and manaakitanga through the way they got involved and supported each other throughout the evening.  I have attended several different balls throughout my career and this year’s version was a real standout!

Our International Languages Week was held in week seven. Did you know we have over 30 different ethnicities represented at our kura? Pretty cool!  Part of our school vision relates to creating an inclusive and dynamic learning environment where all students thrive, so celebrating our different cultures is a big part of that.  There were several activities that took place in week seven relating to celebrating our different cultures in the school.

We are wanting to collect feedback on our recent Parent/Teacher interview afternoons.  We acknowledge that some parents were unable to make bookings with all the teachers they wanted to. We are looking into ways to create more opportunities for a greater number of booking slots to be available.  The survey below asks some questions about a few different models we have developed.  We value your feedback to try and make these afternoons as meaningful as possible for whānau, students, and teachers.
Parent/Teacher interviews survey 

We have had a request from the Taupō Transport Network Group (TTNG) about reminding students of the importance of scanning on and off buses.  The scanning allows the bus controller at our school to track which buses students are on.  If we receive a request from a parent requesting the whereabouts of their child, the scanning will allow the bus controller to quickly find out which bus they are on.

Thank you for the feedback we have received so far regarding the possible introduction of a school hoodie as part of our school uniform.  The survey will remain open for another week and can be accessed via the link below.  
Hoodie feedback from our school community 

In regards to other aspects of our school uniform, as we head into the coldest months of the year in Taupō, it’s important the students are prepared with our current outer layer uniform items.  A reminder that a plain black jacket is permitted to be worn as an outer layer.  We recommend getting prepared with the current jersey and fleece options as other ways to remain warm over the winter.  We are planning an educational programme for our students over the next couple of weeks to help them prepare for the colder months as well.

You still have an opportunity to provide your feedback on the ministry of education's proposed amendment to our enrolment zone.  This survey link will remain open until 5 July. Your feedback is really important, so if you haven’t already, please complete the survey at your next convenience.  The survey link is below. https://consultation.education.govt.nz/education/taupo-nui-es

Ngā mihi

Ben Claxton
PRINCIPAL

                                               Sporting News

Upcoming Sporting Events:
CBOP Senior Badminton Qualifier- Wednesday 19th June, Rotorua 
BOPSS Rockclimbing Championships- Friday 21st June, Tauranga  

Upcoming Winter Sports Fixtures:

                                             Careers Information

Girl Boss Edge: Tech for Good
Applications are now OPEN for GirlBoss Edge: Tech for Good, a 10-day online accelerator designed for young women aged 15- 21 with a passion for Technology, Business, Engineering, Innovation, or Social Impact. No prior experience or knowledge is required. No matter what career you're passionate about, GirlBoss Edge: Tech for Good is perfect for you. Whether you want to build your confidence, make a difference in technology, engineering, business, innovation and more, or just want to make 199 new friends, we've got you covered! Join GirlBoss Edge: Tech for Good and gain 1:1 mentoring with inspiring professionals, inspirational coaching from iconic speakers (such as NASA Astrophysicist and Climate Change Activist, Diana Chao), a CV-worthy challenge, a goodie bag, and most importantly, become a part of an incredible community of young women from across Aotearoa. You can find out more here: https://www.girlbossedge.com/technology
 
Civil Contractors Interactive Careers Roadmap
A new interactive careers roadmap has been launched by Civil Contractors New Zealand to showcase the different opportunities in the civil construction industry and inspire school leavers and other career seekers to explore them. The digital CCNZ Careers Roadmap allows people to discover more than 50 different civil construction careers and understand what each involves, the skills or certifications they might need in work in the role, and future career opportunities the role can lead to. Links to training providers are embedded in the roadmap to make it easy for career seekers to take the first step into the civil construction industry, along with inspiring worker videos and articles to help bring different roles to life.
 
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
  

Te Paewai o Te Rangi – Scholarship Experience Opportunity
Te Paewai o Te Rangi is a 5 day scholarship programme for Maori students who are in their final year of study at a NZ Secondary School/wharekura living outside the Wellington Region. The purpose of this programme is for them to experience being a student at Victoria University as well as living in Wellington City. Throughout the week students will attend different workshops with key staff on campus, explore halls of residence, connect with on-campus support, and explore all the cool things you can do in Wellington (and they’ll get to attend Open Day). There is an application process and successful students will be selected to attend the programme. Link: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Iz7mz1FpfkKGg7uE3PHSDOgur0bXur1Fl6aI8BLeyCdUNFpPV1RJUFBPREFCOENSSUVSS0UzUU1FRS4u
 
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!