Whether you're fascinated by tech, art, sport, sciences, hospitality, maths, or making a difference, discover your strengths and make informed choices about your future. Start exploring, start dreaming, and get ready to unleash your potential!

• Read past school newsletters for advice and tips

• Explore Careers New Zealand: your one-stop career website

• Check out our Waimate Careerwise website: your source for career news, jobs, and events

• Not sure what you would like to do in the future? Get career ideas from the Inspire Me quiz

• Get personalised support from me whenever you need it

Extra resources:

• Inzone Career Kiosk: interactive career exploration and based in the school library.

• School Leavers Toolkit: advice and resources for finding your way after leaving school.

• Leaving School Magazine: helpful tips and insights (available in Library and year 12 & 13 common rooms).

A Thrive Guide to Acing Exams: Study Smarter, Not Harder written by Coach Prajesh. Timely advice for this time of year for students as it's packed with helpful tips to help students study effectively and reduce stress.

2024 Upcoming Events+:

Zonta Timaru Presents...Girls Can do Car Maintenance: Free event for women to learn basic car maintenance skills in a friendly small group environment. Register via this link - limited places - to be held at South Canterbury Toyota, 34 Stafford Street, Timaru on 25th November from 5.30pm.

SOLE Music Academy Music Competition: Open to aspiring songwriters across New Zealand aged 15 and up. All genres are welcome and the winning songs will have an undeniably catchy chorus, clear message, developed lyrics and a clear music structure. First prize $1000 towards producing a song. Closes 1 December 2024. For further info and how to apply refer to this link.

Experience Ara - refer to link to explore and register for Experience Ara offerings for the remainder of the year. A reminder of the scheduled Experience Ara options coming up at the Ara Timaru Campus - note, you register via links for each taster:

Wednesday 4 December

• Nursing Information Session [TIMARU]

• Pre-Health Study Preparation Information Session [TIMARU]

"Future Designers” High School Level Competition - from year 9 to and including year 13: Future Designers is a programme developed by Victoria University of Wellington's School of Design Innovation to give high school students a taste of university and offer an opportunity to show off their creativity and talent. The challenge is simple: share your creativity. Students can submit any piece of creative work they have done this year. It can be anything from a cool life hack to something from their NCEA portfolios! The deadline for submissions is 9 December 2024.

Innovative Young Minds (IYM) wants to inspire a new generation of female innovators and industry leaders in the STEMM (science, technology, engineering, maths and high-tech manufacturing) sectors.

• IYM Online is delivered online via Zoom and Google Classroom for 100 Year 11 and 12 young women from all over Aotearoa. This engaging and interactive programme will take place in the April school holidays over four half-day weekday sessions. Applications open 1 November 2024 and close 1 March 2025. IYM Online 2025 will take place from 14 to 17 April 2025.

• IYM Anytime: is the on-demand version of our two programmes IYM Online and IYM Residential. IYM Anytime can be accessed whenever, wherever, by anyone interested in STEMM. Check out IYM Anytime to explore your passions and interests!

Te Kura Summer School Courses Open: Te Kura accepts short-term registrations over the summer break. Te Kura Summer School is a learning programme available for eligible ākonga (students) who require up to 12 NCEA credits to progress to further study, training, or employment. Registrations close on 24 January 2025.

The Learning Place now allow parents, caregivers, and students to register learners aged 16-19 for courses advertised around New Zealand. The Learning Place Summer School can help senior students earn up to 15 extra NCEA credits while gaining useful skills! They have a range of courses including bartending, leadership, barista training and so much more. Explore course options and enrol via this link.

2025 Upcoming Events+:

Camp GirlBoss 2025 is a virtual leadership accelerator designed specifically for young women aged 14 - 19. A leadership experience like no other! Register your interest via this link.

Hands-On at Otago 2025 will run from 12-17 January 2025.

Ara Institute of Canterbury's Open Day (all campuses): Thursday 30 January.

Waimate High School Year 11 Study Ready Programme: Monday 3 to Wednesday 5 February.

Waimate High School Year 12 Work Ready Programme: Monday 3 to Wednesday 5 February.

Experience Ara: Explore tertiary study through hands-on taster days, holiday programmes and workshops in a wide range of subjects. Events are held throughout the school year and most are free. Students must register via the link for each taster.

Otago Polytechnic: Steph Kerslake will visit from 1.10pm, period 4, on Wednesday 12 February.

Ara Institute of Canterbury Liaison Visit: Monique Riddell will visit from 10am on Wednesday 19 February.

Victoria University of Wellington Liaison Visit: Tessa Hope will visit from 11.40am on Monday 24 February.

University of Otago Liaison Visit: Sandra Spence will visit at 1.10pm on Wednesday 19 March.

Changemaker 2025: Girls Leadership Development Day in Christchurch on Thursday 10 April.

The 2025 Dunedin Tertiary Open Days will be held on Sunday 4 and Monday 5 May.

South Canterbury Year 11 Pathways Expo on Wednesday 14 May at STEC, Timaru.

Ara Institute of Canterbury Liaison Visit: Monique Riddell will visit from 10am on Wednesday 21 May.

Ara Senior General Sector Day on Wednesday 28 May. (Years 11-13)

Ara Senior Health Sector Day on Thursday 29 May. (Years 11-13)

Waikato University Liaison Visit: Victoria Gray will visit at 1pm on Wednesday 10 June.

Ara Institute of Canterbury's Open Day (all campuses): TBA June.

Lincoln University Hui Whakatuwhera Open Day Friday 18 July.

Ara Institute of Canterbury Liaison Visit: Monique Riddell will visit from 10am on Wednesday 20 August (Dual Enrolment & Course Application).

University of Canterbury Open Day/ Rā Tōmene Friday 5 September.

Victoria University of Wellington Open Day - TBA

Waikato University Open Day - TBA

University of Auckland Open Day - TBA

Massey University Open Days - TBA

AUT | Auckland University of Technology Open Days - TBA

USEFUL RESOURCES & LINKS

Thrive Coaching for Life offer a range of services, including a comprehensive University Ready online programme and new University Ready eBook —the ultimate guide to preparing for university life! Waimate High School has invested in the Thrive Coaching for Life guides for our students (available from Mrs Shearer):

• University Campus Visit Guide

• Scholarship Guide

• Job Ready CV Guide

• Job Ready Interviewing Guide

• Job Ready Workplace Guide

Helpful CV, Cover Letter & Job Seeking Information

For valuable insights and practical advice on transitioning into the workforce, including expert tips on CV crafting, cover letter writing, and interview preparation, refer to this informative article.

StudyLink

StudyLink is the government department which manages student loans and allowances for tertiary students in New Zealand. Check this article for further information, links and contact details. Students must apply before 16 December 2024 to ensure they receive their first payment on time. Fees Free 2025 update and information can be located via this article.

MTFJ Student Driver Licence Support

Refer to this article for support provided by Lisa Dobson and the Waimate Mayor's Taskforce for Jobs. Students to contact Lisa directly for help with support for learner's licence, driving lessons, restricted licence, defensive driving courses or full licence.

Yoobee College of Creative Innovation: go to this link for info on NCEA credit courses. Yoobee also provides unique school holiday opportunities to students, check out this link!

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA): These awards are designed to help young people develop their team work and communication skills and fulfil their potential as leaders. Sponsorship is available through Waimate Rotary. Please refer to following links for upcoming awards and deadlines:

• Christchurch RYLA

• Queenstown RYLA

High school exchange with STS: Are you 14-18 years old and ready for the adventure of your lifetime? A high school exchange - 20 countries - will give you the inside scoop on a different culture, broaden your worldview, and find a second home away from home. You'll make life-long friends, unforgettable memories, boost your independence, and gain new confidence.

Future Leaders Academy | 2025 Student Leaders Programme: Experience a week-long advanced leadership course with fellow young leaders from diverse ethnicities at various Pacific locations, combining personal growth with adventure and lifelong connections.

New Ventures Worldwide offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain international experience, immerse in new cultures, and make a real impact.

MoneyHub Student Resources:

• Looking for quality NCEA preparation resources? MoneyHub offers over ten invaluable tools to guide students towards achieving merits and excellence. Perfect for gearing up for internals and externals.

• Discover MoneyHub's invaluable resources for CV writing, cover lettersand interview preparation These tools are designed to empower students in their job application journey.

• Looking to learn a trade or explore apprenticeships? Check out MoneyHub's comprehensive guide, a must-read for anyone considering an apprenticeship. 

• Looking for a part-time job? Check out MoneyHub's newly updated Student Jobs guide - with over 60 employers and valuable job application tips!

• MoneyHub's ultimate checklist for anyone finishing high school at the end of 2024.

• MoneyHub's Scholarship guide lists scholarships from all universities, along with exclusive opportunities for Maori, Pacific, and International students. The guide, updated regularly, includes application tips and deadlines, helping students easily navigate the scholarship process.

• MoneyHub's Student Loans and Allowances guide explains everything you need to know about student loans, student allowances, StudyLink and repayments.

• MoneyHub has crafted a comprehensive "Money in a Nutshell" guide for students, designed to provide essential tools and knowledge for building a healthy relationship with money.

• MoneyHub's review of student bank packages explains everything you need to know about your options.

• MoneyHub's checklist of 50 money empowering tips to help you stretch the student dollar for the time you’ll spend at university or any tertiary study. Many of them are easy, quick wins that will make a difference to everyday student life.

• MoneyHub's list of different offers available exclusively to school students which they believe to be valuable for education and personal financial development.

• MoneyHub has published a detailed guide for Year 13 students planning to study Health Science or Biomedical Science at Otago or Auckland University.

• MoneyHub's guide to "Alternative Study Providers for 2025": covers non-university options for anyone looking to enrol in career-starting skills-based courses, valuable learn-as-you-earn apprenticeships or specialist training providers.