The Ako Tuakana Programme is designed to help new Year 9 students transition to Upper Hutt High School. Over 40 Year 12 and 13 students spent a day with the Guidance Counsellor learning how to facilitate groups and lead activities

The programme is designed to settle our new entrants so they feel a part of their new school and also to train our leaders to be mentors and good role models. 

 Tuakana means big brother or big sister and that is what is expected of our Tuakana leaders.

Each Ako class was allocated three or four Tuakana leaders who then spent the first two days of school with their class and will continue to see them in their Ako class two or three times a week.
They have already formed bonds and built connections with their Year 9s as can be seen from the following comments:

"I joined as an Ako Tuakana leader as it was a good opportunity to help Year 9s with questions and issues I found- when I was in my first year of UHC. Doing this has helped me to become better at public speaking....." (Noah Jones)

"My experience as an Ako Tuakana leader so far has been fantastic, getting to meet new people and to guide them through their first year of college when needed, has been very inspiring and rewarding.......I wanted to try something new and out of my comfort zone and I don't regret it! I will definitely be doing it next year" (Stacey Duncan)

"I've really enjoyed watching my little sister...settle into college" (Olivia Salter)
"I've enjoyed being a Tuakana leader and talking to all of the Year 9's in the Ako class, as well as the training, where I got to meet more people and make more friends. From this experience I've learnt more how to engage with groups of people and talk to people better" (Ryan Smoothy)
"I’ve really enjoyed being a Tuakana leader so far! It’s been great getting to know the Year 9s in my class, and it’s wonderful to see how far they’ve come in just a few weeks. At first they were understandably very nervous, but they’ve really come out of their shells, which is really nice to see. There’s one girl in particular in my class who always says hi when she sees me and stops for a chat occasionally, and I think it’s great that we’ve been able to make these connections with the new students, and make them feel comfortable and welcomed into our school. I’m looking forward to getting to know them all better as the year goes on, and I hope they’re enjoying the start of their journey here at UHC.(Miya Abbott-Tutaki)