It has been such a busy term, with students actively taking part in University and Polytechnic sessions, Trades Academy, Gateway programme and our Vocational Pathway focus weeks. The Year 13 interviews are well underway. Please make contact (below) if you have not had an interview yet. These chats are really important to gauge where you are at with your thoughts for next year and what support I can offer around this.

As always we will continue to keep the school website, daily notices and school Facebook page up to date with any changes that are happening at the moment in regards to University and Polytechnic and careers type events.

Vocational Pathways Manufacturing Week

For the first week of March, the Careers Department hosted a Manufacturing week. This involved a tutor challenge which required students to answer questions related to manufacturing jobs/ local manufacturing businesses. Students were also asked to guess how many lollies were in the jar. The winner was Manaia. Cumulative points are being awarded to Waka’s for student participation and the tutor quiz.

During lunch times the careers room was open with loads of information about different manufacturing and tech jobs, courses to study and stories of people's experiences in the industry. Guest speakers from Laminex, Natures Flame and Pilbrow Watchmakers came to share the processes of manufacturing within their businesses. Students were engaged in Q&A and saw video clips of wood processing from the tree being felled to the packaged shelved product, and how watches are made and the precision they must hold to keep time.

Tainui and Mataatua are leading the race at the moment. We have six of these weeks over the next two terms, so come on guys, participate and earn some WAKA points. Our next Vocational Pathways week was to be March 23-27th - CREATIVE Industries. So this is on hold for now. We are currently working hard to bring these events to you as an online form.

NZ Defence Force Visit

On March 12th we had Sergeant Wiseman in to guest speak about the NZ Forces. We have students interested in all areas Navy, Army and Air force. He covered entry requirements, application processes, physical testing and life in the force. Students were then lucky enough to have guest appearances from eight army soldiers from Waiouru. These special guests shared their experiences of joining the army then broke off into smaller groups with the students for Q&A.

Gateway

Our Gateway students have worked hard to produce their CV’s ready to take out to our local businesses in hope for a Gateway work experience placement. Students have had a solid idea on which industry they would like to enter, with a lot having contacts in local businesses already. Thank you to those businesses who are having discussions with our students. So far we have students placed in Aviation, Building, Diesel Mechanics, Automotive mechanics, Teaching, Programming, Chefing, Electrical, Radio announcing.

First Aid

Our first group of students have completed their First Aid Certificate. Practicing on dummies and role playing real life situations. The next First Aid Course will be May 29th.

Trades

All students are doing well at trades, and attendance seems to be settling down. Our students have some good projects in the making and are learning great skills out and about on the land course.

Please remember to advise me if you are not going to make your trades course, for whatever reason. That way I can justify the absence, if I don’t know I cannot do this. Email or txt message is fine.

COVID19

With the uncertainty at this time, and daily changes and updates, I would like to advise I am 100% contactable; via mobile phone, texting, email and Whats app video calling and Skype. It is important for conversations still to happen around career pathway ideas/concerns and for me to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

More information will be out to our senior students/school leavers shortly, but for now please DON’T PANIC, just settle into school life from a distance and look after yourselves.

Kia Kaha everyone!

Delwyn Roberts                       Paula Burnett
Careers Advisor                      Gateway Co-ordinator
Trades Academy                     Email: bp@tauhara.school.nz
Email: dr@tauhara.school.nz
Cellphone - 027 316 0632