What a whirlwind of a year! We had the year planned and then we had to adjust to Covid and the changes that meant for us all. Most of the events that were scheduled for Term 2 were cancelled which was a real shame for our students. We adjusted like everyone else had to do.

We introduced an online booking system where students could make real time bookings to see me when it suited them. This has proved to be a really effective tool for us and we will continue to use this next year.

This year we have had 8 students taking part in dual enrolment programmes at either Ara or SIT. We already have 23 students for dual enrolment in 2021. The students that participated this year have demonstrated the CARR values while studying offsite. Some of these students are now transitioning on to full time courses in 2021.

Unfortunately we only had a few students take part in Star taster courses at Ara this year due to them being scheduled for Term 2.

This year we have taken students to a wide range of careers events. Some of them were: Pasifika Rise, barista courses, Ekea Yr11, flight attending, forklift courses, table service course, teenage confidence & styling course, UC Amazing Race Year 10, and UC Aukaha Tau 12.

After the senior students signed out we ran a barista course and also a comprehensive first aid course for Year 11 and 12 students. These courses were well supported by our students.

This year we continued to subsidise students’ driver’s licences and this has helped to encourage students to study for and sit their licence. It is very important that our students get their drivers licence whether it is to get them to university or to their employment. We also had two Year 13 students that go their “F” endorsement on their driver’s licence.

This year we have established some links with local businesses and we are hoping to grow this next year. One local business brought three staff into speak to some of our senior students who are looking to move into fulltime employment. I am looking forward to another busy year in 2021. The calendar is already filling up with lots of interesting opportunities for our students.

Barbara Climo

HOD Careers