It has been a busy start to 2021 for Tertiary Pathways.

Our January Intensive Catch Up College was a little more complicated than usual, due to the NCEA Covid-adjustments. It seems that the extra Learning Recognition Credits and the reduced requirements for University Entrance allowed many students to gain their qualifications without having to take summer courses, as enrolment numbers were down across all the institutions that offer summer programmes. Still, we saw 75 students complete their entry requirements through Hagley Catch Up, in spite of the delayed release of results and the late start to classes. Well done to those students! A big thank you also to all those support staff and teachers who made the extra effort this year, with a more challenging overlap of the Intensive with the start of regular classes – as always your work is much appreciated. Students and whānau have appreciated the opportunity to complete their entry qualifications, as have our partner tertiary institutions with many recommending our programme to prospective students.

In the Certificate in University Preparation (CUP) for which we partner with the University of Canterbury, students have just completed their mid-semester break. Both Hagley-only and UC students have begun their research essays, on the final stretch to the exams in early June. Applications for enrolment into the Semester 2 intake close on June 20. If you are interested in enrolling for the full certificate or just the Academic Writing and Study Skills part-time course, you’re very welcome to be in touch with us with any questions: transitionsteam@hagley.school.nz

There is substantial overlap in the work of Careers, CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) Transitions, and Tertiary Pathways. Often staff are working alongside the same students, or working on similar issues with different students. With time available for staff last year during Wednesday morning professional learning time, we decided to formalise the connections in work areas to put together a Transitions Collaborative. Part of this collaboration has resulted in fortnightly lunchtime sessions for students interested in university and tertiary study. Kim Swann has organised a series of provider visits, and later in Term 2 we will begin some Tertiary Pathways sessions on academic communications and thriving in a university environment. Any students are welcome – keep an eye on the notices.