Early in Term 1, the students and whānau of the Ignite Extension Programme were invited to attend a hui outlining the opportunities and support on offer…

Every year HGHS invites the top 30 or so academic students coming into Year 9 to join the Ignite Extension Programme. This year 28 students joined and approximately 80 people (students and whānau) attended our Ignite Parent Hui in Week 5, hosted by Mrs Coulson and Mr Wood. The families were encouraged to connect with one another over kai, before a presentation that outlined the aims and offerings of the Ignite Programme.

The Ignite Programme is a multi-level programme that runs from Year 9 to Y11 that offers students the opportunity to experience learning at a level that extends, challenges and supports them. It includes the Cambridge IGCSE in English, Maths, and Science in Years 10 and 11. In particular, Ignite promotes critical and creative thinking and a culture of thinking and questioning through the use of deliberate pedagogies designed to extend and challenge students.

While there is a strong focus on academic challenge, we also highly encourage a rounded education through involvement in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities. Many of our Ignite students opt for Debating, Philosophy Club, Writers Club, the BP Science Challenge and other such exciting offerings. Students also participate in two Ignition Days per year, including a science and maths-inspired challenge day and a Model UN day.

Student wellbeing is also paramount and teachers are well versed in supporting the specific needs of academic and gifted students. We also run an Ignite mentoring programme alongside the Ignite classes, based on a tuakana/teina model. Our top Year 13 and Year 12 scholars are handpicked to participate in the mentoring programme and individually paired to offer the best support.

The evening was a very positive one, with parents and students keen to hear about the opportunities and support available. Many families stayed for a kōrero afterwards and to ask clarifying questions. It is always a delight to host these whānau and to set them on a positive path for their journey here at HGHS.