It has been a great start to the year, with a quick visit to the Year 13 camp and lots of start up meetings, new courses and a continuous flow of updated information arriving.

Daily notices are a huge link to our communication and our first step in sharing information. Please encourage your students to check these daily.

In Week 4, we had our Vocational Pathway (VP) focus on Construction and Infrastructure Industries. We had four guest speakers during two lunchtimes who ran an activity for students, and also chatted about their work in building and surveying. The Whanau competition was to complete a set of drawings, and to build a house from popsicle sticks, match sticks, glue and whatever else they could find. We had thirteen entries and our judge, local builder Zac Mitchell, after huge consideration chose the top three structures:

1st place - 13Ha. Well done to them - prize coming your way this week.

2nd place - 13Rc

 
3rd place - 9Sl.

Thanks to everyone who participated.

The next VP focus is in Week 8 - Service Industries.

As I work my way through the Year 13 student list, I hope to support and encourage our students to make informed decisions as they transition into work or further study. Appointment times are sent to their school email addresses and students will need to confirm or accept they can come or alternatively decline for another time. I am available everyday except Wednesdays. I am also more than happy to meet with parents if they wish to come in.

UNIVERSITY VISITS - Careers Room

Waikato University are holding an info evening for the Taupo community Information Evening Please register your interest using the link Registration for information evening in Taupo

Canterbury - Thursday 14th March 11 am - 12 pm

Victoria - Monday 25th March 11 am - 12 pm

Lincoln - Thursday 28th March 11 am - 12 pm

Otago - Thursday 11th April 11.15 am - 12.15pm

Auckland - are not coming this year, if this is one of your options please come and see Mrs Roberts

Wintec Polytechnic - are not coming this year, if this is one of your options please come and see me.

Minimum wage increasing in April

Please read carefully to fully understand the differences between Adult and Starting out - training wage.

If you are under 16 years of age -

There is no minimum wage for employees under 16 but all the other minimum standards and employment rights and obligations apply. When an employee turns 16, they must be paid the relevant minimum wage

Moneyhub Scholarship

Great website to help find scholarships, budget, CV help, course choices etc

OCE - Otago University

Did you get your NCEA Level 2 endorsed with Merit ??

This is a fantastic opportunity for any Maori student currently in Yr 13 who is wishing to attend Otago Uni next year.

TOPCAT DEFENSIVE DRIVING
A defensive driving course will start late in March, and another one in term 2. For the learners theory course it will start in term 2. Please come and put your names down in the careers office now, to secure your place.

SCHOOL EXCHANGES
If you are considering a High School Exchange in the next few years, it pays to start gathering information early, so you can plan, save some money and choose which provider. Please see the attached link to join an information evening High School Exchange

Please note this is just one of many agencies offering student exchanges. We have more information in the careers room and also Camp America information.

That's it from me, lots happening in our space at the moment, so if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of us.

Delwyn Roberts - Careers Lead

GATEWAY
Gateway is ready for another exciting year. Students have started going out on their 10 week work experience doing anything & everything they are interested in, from aircraft engineering to vet nursing. Our students are testing out their favoured career path and getting a feel for the industry. In class, the students have put together their C.V’s and are now exploring and comparing two different career pathways. We have a great group of students and I look forward to seeing their progress throughout the year.

Samantha Perry - Gateway Teacher & Gateway Co-ordinator

TRADES
We have 44 students in trades this year across Levels 1,2 and 3. We have students participating in Agriculture, Automotive, Construction, Go-Kart building, Tourism, Sports Leadership, Cafe Service, Engineering, Game and Realtime Design, Wood Manufacturing and Hospitality.

Students are getting used to life on campus at Rotorua or Taupo. Feedback from both Toi Ohomai tutors and students has been positive.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Delwyn Roberts - Careers & Trades Academy

LICENCE TO WORK
Students have an exciting year ahead of them. Last week they met with Taupo Pathways to begin the Set for Life programme. This will see Year 12 and Year 13 students learning about employability skills, visiting worksites, completing volunteer work; before they head out to complete 80 hours of work experience.

In class, students have been working hard on job exploration and CV unit standards to gain credits towards NCEA Level 2. Students have also had lessons on buying their first car and the difference between salary and wages.

Paula Burnett - Licence to Work Teacher

Te Haerenga- The Journey is a Year 11 based Pathways Course where students are exploring jobs, picking A and B pathway, then completing an inquiry to research both choices thoroughly. This will give students an in-depth perception of what is required to enter their plan A and B and to start putting an action plan into place. Students have been working on job exploration unit standards as well as CV's.

Paula Burnett - Te Haerenga - Journey Teacher