Kia ora and Tolofa.

Welcome to Term 3 and the Karaka Seniors' Newsletter. It is crazy to think we are already halfway through the term and our seniors only have 11 weeks of school to go.

Our House Assembly this week was a great opportunity for our House Leaders to show their leadership skills while they were helping to run the assembly. Well done to those who took this chance to show leadership. It is never easy to talk in front of a large group of people so Ka pai koutou!

A big focus this term is checking in with students and their academic progress. We are looking at how many credits students require, how many literacy and numeracy credits they require and also looking at what options they are going to be choosing for next year.

A reminder that the following requirements are required for NCEA Qualifications this year:

• Year 11 - 70 Overall credits with 10 Numeracy and 10 Literacy
• Year 12 - 52 Overall credits
• Year 13 - 52 Overall credits (with extra requirements if ākonga are looking at university)

It is really positive to hear the conversations that students are having with kaiārahi and myself about celebrating their successes. Students will be aware of what assessments they still have to go and what they have in exams at the end of the year.

A reminder: please get in contact with the school office for explained absences so they can be appropriately marked on our system.

In the first instance the kaiārahi follows up on the attendance and for any unexplained absences, students may be required for a lunchtime “Give Back Time” where they can make up the time they have missed and also any learning.

As we move into the second half of the term, students will be busy and there may be numerous questions about NCEA and assessment. I am able and available to help students as needed so please encourage your ākonga to come and see me for some awhi.

Please don’t hesitate to get in contact with me at any time.

Erin Chamberlain

Karaka Senior Dean

ech@tearataicollege.school.nz