Tēnā koutou katoa, Mālō e lelei,

Term Four has included some exciting new improvements to the way we manage learning and the opportunities we provide students to make choices to personalise their learning.

Firstly, it seems appropriate to consider what motivates students to want to learn and achieve. Research (Pink, 2009) indicated that the strongest influences on motivation for all people include:

• Mastery - practising something in order to improve;

• Autonomy - being able to choose what you do and/or how you do it;

• Purpose - knowing why you are doing or learning something.

So, how are we using these ideas to better support student learning, motivation and overall achievement?

In 2018 our senior students had study periods throughout the year, usually one period per day. In 2019 we decided to move all this study time into Term 4 so we could offer a more personalised approach to learning during the last part of the year. In week 1 students had Derived Grade Exams (practise NCEA exams) and teachers have marked these exams and returned to students now. This means students can now, using their exam results, choose what their next steps to success are and what support they need to best prepare for the upcoming NCEA exams.

Senior students do not have any timetabled classes for the rest of the year. Instead there are a range of tutorials/ workshops offered by teachers. Students are expected to choose which tutorials they will be attending, by signing up on the Tutorial Website. Tutorial/ workshop sizes will be smaller than normal classes as students not sitting external exams will not be in attendance. NCEA exams start on Friday November 8, 2019.

There are also students who do not have any external exams. This may be because they have completed their NCEA qualification. These students are not required to come to College and if they wish are able to work during this period. Others who have not yet successfully completed their NCEA qualification will be coming back into the College to work with our staff during the ‘Mini C’ Semester. These students will be provided with additional opportunities to be successful and gain those further credits that they need. Again, class sizes will be smaller than normal, as most students will be either sitting exams or having completed their qualification.

These changes to our Senior Student Term 4 learning programme have allowed our students to choose where they need to go, to achieve what they need to achieve, allowing  them to personalise their learning and maximise the opportunity to be successful. This means there is real purpose to each individual's learning.

In contrast, our Junior Students continue with the five-day timetable. This changes in Week 4 with our Year 10s going on camp and then in Week 5 our Year 8, 9 and 10 students begin their Project Learning for one full day a week. Students have been able to choose from a range of different projects and we are excited to offer this to you.

Lastly all the best to senior students in their planning and study towards their exams. Give it your very best and enjoy the well-deserved summer break that follows.

Nāku noa na

Carolyn Pentecost

Principal/ Tumuaki