We’ve had a busy start to the year with many opportunities for our senior students to explore possible career paths as well as gain micro-credentials.

At the beginning of the term, we took the entire Yr 12 & 13 cohorts to take part in the RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) Programme. RYDA is a one-day workshop that aims to give students the tools and understanding to see themselves as active, responsible road citizens. It seeks to motivate students to take action and stay safe on our roads as both drivers and passengers throughout their lives.

It was a fun and informative day with workshops facilitated by people who have first-hand experience in road safety such as police, driving instructors, ambulance officers and a car accident survivor.

As an extension of the RYDA Programme, we recently completed our first Defensive Driving course of the year. Not only does this course build on the student’s driving skills and awareness but also reduces the length of time before they can sit the practical test for their full licence.

Also in Term 1, we completed the first Level 2 Barista course, with 12 Barista’s enjoying their work placement in the Aquinas Coffee Cart making Espresso coffee and hot chocolate for staff and students.

This micro-credential will allow our students to gain part-time work while studying, or follow a career path in the Hospitality industry.

We have an additional 18 Advanced Workplace First Aiders in the senior school that can be called upon to help with an emergency within the school or their workplace. This valuable micro-credential gives our students an advantage going into a workplace environment knowing they are competent and confident in administering Advanced first aid under high-stress/emergency situations.

Several Universities and Tertiary Providers have completed their first round of introductory visits and more will be participating in our Tertiary Awareness Day early next term.

This gives our Yr 13s an opportunity to speak face-to-face with the institutions they’re considering and gather information to help them choose which one best suits their needs.

Last week, we took a group of students to an Aviation Taster day at the Tauranga Aero Club. The day was aimed specifically at Maori and Pasifika students keen to learn more about the aviation industry and its career opportunities. The options are endless, from pilots and air traffic controllers to engineers and ground crew.

It was a great day full of interactive sessions where students could speak face-to-face with industry professionals and get an insight into an exciting and innovative industry.

Next term, we have the following events confirmed for senior students:

• Tertiary Awareness Day – Wednesday, May 3.
• Maori & Pasifika Whānau Tertiary Awareness Evening – Wednesday, May 3. 
•  Waikato University Open Day, Hamilton Campus – Friday, May 26.
• Waikato University Open Day, Tauranga Campus – Friday, June 9.

We’ll send out reminders closer to the time, but in the meantime, please put these dates in your diary so you don’t double-book yourself.