Hagley has again offered students an opportunity to complete unfinished University Entrance qualifications over summer, allowing them to move on to tertiary study and other chosen pathways.

Over 150 students were enrolled in January for our Catch Up College. After the release of NCEA exam results on January 15th, the phones rang hot and our eventual enrolments this year were the largest we have had in the twelve years of the programme. We were fortunate that teachers in twenty learning areas made themselves available so that these students could complete UE requirements. While the majority of our Catch Up students came from high schools in Christchurch, there were many from around Canterbury and some from Dunedin, Nelson, Wellington and as far afield as Auckland and Kaitaia. Similarly, while most of our students have now begun their tertiary studies at the University of Canterbury, students have gone from this year’s Catch Up College to Otago University, Ara Institute of Canterbury, Lincoln and Victoria Universities, the defence forces, and two students are pursuing sports scholarships at overseas universities.

Enrolments became a little more complex this year because of the government’s announcement in November of one year’s fees free for first year tertiary students. This gave rise to some confusion as there was a lack of information available about students’ eligibility. Most students, however, will be eligible for ‘fees free’ which means they are entitled to have course fees up to $12,000 covered for their first year of study.

So on behalf of the College and the students and families who have benefitted from Catch Up this year, a sincere thank you to the teaching and support staff who again made themselves so available.

Emma Lumb & Marie Stribling