Kei aku nui, kei aku rahi, tēnā koutou katoa i roto i ngā āhuatanga o te wā,
We have arrived at the end of another term. Term 3 is always a busy one for students and staff alike. We have had a more settled term than previous, which has helped everyone! Having a more settled school and environment has helped us all focus on improving the outcomes for our students.
All of our staff and students have earnt a well deserved break. Term 4 is shaping up to be another busy one for everyone.
Nga mihi nui
Literacy and Numeracy Pilot - Yr 9 and Yr 10
As you may be aware, Tauhara College has been part of a pilot for the new Literacy and Numeracy Standards at Year 9 and Year 10. The purpose of the pilot is for the Ministry of Education and New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) to trial the level of the assessments and delivery of the assessments.
We have received the results for the first Common Assessment Activity (CAA), which was held a few weeks back and students can access their results online via KAMAR.
In most cases, the results match expectations, although there are anomalies, where students who may have expected to pass did not, and vice versa. Those who did not pass will be given the opportunity to resit the assessment, after further learning and practice. We will be discussing with students if they wish to enter the second opportunity in Week 9 (19 September onwards).
The community should be proud of the way that the students approached this pilot - in what can be a stressful situation. The learnings and results are valuable to the students, teachers and NZQA to design next steps. Our NZQA representative said that our school has exceeded national norms.
Thank you for your understanding and support for Tauhara College to be participating in a valuable experience.
Course selection process for 2023.
In week 1 of Term 4 we'll be holding a Subject Information Evening for whanau to attend if they would like further information or support with students subject/course selection. This session will be held on Wednesday 19th October from 4-6pm at the College in the village area.
All students will have their opportunity to select their courses for 2023, in week 1 of Term 4. This will be completed using our KAMAR portal so it is important that students know their log in for this.
It is important that whanau talk with their child about their pathway and passions, as this helps provide guidance and support through this process.
We encourage all Students and whanau to use the careers central https://careercentral.school.nz/ site (using their school student login). This is a great platform to explore pathways and get information about all careers and their required qualifications/skills.
Prizegivings in Term 4
We will have our Yr 11-13 Senior Academic Prizegiving on Wednesday 2 November starting at 6pm in our Hall. At this event, we will celebrate the achievements of our students who have gained first in subjects, first in Year Level and Special Awards and Scholarships. Recipients of these awards and their whanau will be notified via the school email a few days out from the event. This year the event will be public and all whanau and community members are welcome to attend. Like in 2021, we will also be holding Merit Assemblies for each Year Level on 2 November during the school day to celebrate other awards and achievements.
The Yr 9-10 Prizegiving will be held on Friday 9 Dec starting at 10am in the Hall. This event is also open to all whanau and community members.
Student leadership positions 2023
We would like to update our community on the student leadership positions and process for 2023.
Written applications for Student Leadership positions for 2023 have been submitted in the last week of term. In the first week of next term, the applicants will be shortlisted via interviews and speeches at assembly. Following this, all students will vote for the 2023 Student Leadership team consisting of 2 Head students, 2 Deputy Head students and the Executive team of 6 students. The announcement will be made at our Senior Prizegiving on 2 November at 6pm in the Hall.
Building program update.
We have been working with the Ministry on the development of our new school. The master planning phase of the new school is due to be completed by the end of next term. This process will provide insight into the layout of our new school campus.
The remediation work on the Gym is due to start in late December or early January. This build project will be completed in 6 months. The Gym will almost be completely rebuilt from what it is now. This has been a complicated project that has had significant delays. It will be great to have this space once again for our staff and students.
The Hall is also about to undergo a makeover of sorts. This building will be completely reclad and updated. This work is due to start at the same time as the Gym.
The next projects after these will be the first buildings of our new school. These buildings are likely to be a Technology building, a student services building, and an administration building.