A note from Mr Bennett:

Pressure

This is the time of year when pressure really starts to build for both students and teachers alike. One benefit of pressure is that it can help us to be productive. However, the down side is that too much pressure is at best counter-productive and at worst starts to affect our well-being. In a discussion with prefects recently about this issue as we draw closer to exams, it was encouraging to hear that for several of them, prayer and talking to God was one way they deal with stress. We pray that as external examinations rapidly approach that more of our students would be able to reach out to God and trust Him through this process.

Cross Country

The Senior School Cross Country was held on the afternoon of Friday 16th August. With both social and competitive options for students it was an event that saw some great performances on the day, combined with some outstanding costumes and house spirit. The boys’ races were hotly contested due to Mr Budler’s motivational promise of ice creams to all that finished ahead of him. Overall it was a fantastic afternoon of fun and physical activity, with Cook house finishing on top of the points overall.

Options Evening

Despite the miserable weather on August 20th our KingsWay Senior School Options and Careers Expo for Years 9-13 had a tremendous turnout by our parents and students.

The evening combined a presentation on NCEA and academic options for 2020 with a Careers Expo.

We had over thirty university and industry training organisations presenting the varied employment options and pathways. With our Years 9-12 students selecting options and Year 13 students considering what beyond school can look like it is essential they make well informed decisions on what is required for their future careers. Engaging our youth in this process of pathways exploration can result in purposeful and motivated individuals taking ownership of their learning. It is our desire to equip our students with confidence in selecting tertiary education or training that is informed by the future New Zealand job market and their own interests, passion(s) and aptitudes.

Students can make more informed choices by having career conversations with people who work in the various industry sectors and find out what is required, attend polytechnic and university open days from Years 10 and look for opportunities to gain work experience, even if it is voluntary. ‘Career Central’ is KingsWay’s online platform for career management. Students use their KAMAR login for access to career online assessments and tools that assist in a future focused pathway for their learning while at school and beyond. We encourage students to work through who they are and how they are uniquely wired in God’s image as they process their future options.

We hope that this evening was helpful for those who attended. We are also interested in gaining your feedback on the evening. Please send through feedback to Rene Ames at rene.ames@kingsway.school.nz.

Please see the Link below for the following resources and application forms:

• NCEA information ppt
• Options ppt (how to select subjects for next year)
• Options Booklet (p. 10 instructions on course selection)
• Sixth Subject Application
• Acceleration Application
• Correspondence Application

https://www.kingsway.school.nz/our-school/senior-school/academic-learning/course-selection-pathways

STEM Career Pathways Tour December 2020

As outlined in the last newsletter, last night (28th August) we had a parent information evening outlining a STEM career pathways trip to the USA (San Francisco, Seattle and Orlando).

This includes a four day stay over at NASA.

The purpose of the trip is to explore future study and career options within the fields of Science, Maths, Engineering and Technology. This is a great opportunity for your child. Educational travel adds further context and substance to classroom material and reinforces concepts learned throughout the school year. School trips form long-lasting positive memories for students.

The trip is a life changing one and opens the students experience to planning international travel, a global perspective on many issues, self-management, team work, a pride in their school, and the understanding of the importance of these cities as global commercial and cultural centres.

A copy of the itinerary can be viewed at:

https://travel2learn.travefy.com/trip/6yw9rqrw37xwqz2a4f2xdeypatpjb2q?d=12344060

Please note that if you are interested, we need to know by Friday 7 September of your intention to join and a non-refundable deposit of $500 has to be paid by 25 September. For further information contact Jessica Price Jessica.price@kingsway.school.nz.