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Senior School Notices

KingsWay School —

Please read the following notices for the Senior School:

Dear Parents,

The school term is certainly in full swing now, with students engaged in a wide variety of educational opportunities and experiences, including field trips and training that add an extra dimension to their learning, some of which are outlined below.

A broad-based education that exposes students to various ways of learning and experiencing the world is essential given the rapidly changing world that KingsWay graduates will enter once they leave school. This is one reason why Senior School staff this year are focussing on critical thinking and how we as educators can encourage and model critical thinking skills in our classes. As students navigate the culture and market place of the 21st century, they will need to be able to critically analyse information, as opposed to simply repeating what they’ve heard. In line with our parent partnership model, we encourage you also to discuss issues at home that require critical/lateral thinking. For example, consider discussing news items with your daughters or sons that have an ethical component, have family debates on controversial issues that challenge them to think about various sides of an argument and allow them to make mistakes as they approach problem-solving and planning in their own context.

Overview of Key Events and Achievements

Congratulations to Eden Laing (class of 2018) who will have her Level 3 Design animation featured in this year’s NZ Top Art exhibition!
Please CLICK HERE to view the full article in this newsletter.

Our Level 3 Adventure Based Leadership course has been fully approved by NZQA. This is exciting as it represents a fantastic opportunity for students to grow and develop as leaders, but also reflects our expanding curriculum and ability to cater to students with a wide range of interests and career aspirations.

Year 13 History Trip to Pahia

The recent three-day History trip to Paihia, Bay of Islands was a unique, eye opening experience for our Level 3 History students. The main focus of this trip was to investigate the impact that early New Zealand missionaries had on Maori-Pakeha relations during the early contact period. We explored the Waitangi Museum and Treaty grounds, Russell’s Pompallier House and Kerikeri’s Stone Store, to name a few. This trip exposed students to different viewpoints and encouraged them to form their own opinions on New Zealand’s historical origins. It also strengthened their relationships with each other and encouraged discussion and debate. We are looking forward to building on this knowledge and understanding in class.

Year 12 Media Studies Trip

This past Friday, the Level 2 Media Studies students attended an editing workshop at Yoobee School of Design in Auckland City. This was a fun, participative day of training where the students learnt how to use the Adobe Premiere Pro editing software to edit a music video. Students were fully engaged in the whole process and the different approaches that could be used for editing. The trainer took the students through exercises that showed them how to import camera footage, edit a timeline, add audio, colour grade and export the final product, to name just a few. The students will put these skills to work later in the year when they film and produce their own short film in class. Details regarding screening times for these films will be made public soon. Look out for the ‘Media Studies’ Film Night’, which will be held on the Senior Campus at the end of Term Three.

Pathways Faculty

We know that employers are constantly looking for potential employees who have essential ‘soft skills’. These include communication (oral and written), collaborative skills (working with and relating well to others) and creative thinking or problem-solving skills. At KingsWay, we are committed to offering experiential and tangible learning opportunities where students can gain these skills. These essential skills are vital as they equip and enable students to confidently transition into life after school.

Recently, we have successfully run two courses over Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd February. Firstly, a work experience first aid course whereby our Adventure Based Leadership students have gained an industry certificate in first aid. Secondly, a leadership and communication course for our Gateway students that will build confidence and skills that can be applied to their learning across all aspects of school and personal life, and the world of work.

Next week, we have an event management course running on Monday, 25 and Tuesday, 26 of February. A group of our Year 12 and 13 students will attend an event management course provided by ‘The Learning Place’. They will receive event management training and will have an exciting opportunity to put these skills into practice by planning our annual school ball.

  • 25 – 26 February: Event Management Course
  • 28 February: L2BIO Fisherman’s Cove Trip
  • 28 February: L3 History Library Trip
  • 1 – 2 March: Vanuatu Boot Camp, Event Management Course
  • 4 March: L3ABL First Aid part 2
  • 7 March: L1GEO Waihi Trip
  • 8 March: Yr 10-13 Athletics Day

South American Trip - 2020

Please CLICK HERE for further information.

Kind Regards,

Daniel Bennett
Head of Senior School