From the Future Pathways Desk
Term 1 has been a particularly busy term despite COVID trying to slow things down. We started the year well, with 10 students studying at the Toi Ohomai campus in a variety of Trades Academy courses including Building and Construction, Automotive and Logistics, Cookery, Hair and Beauty Retail, and Hospitality. Our Level 2 students attend Toi Ohomai one day a week and our Level 3 students twice a week. Each student gains between 20-30 credits towards NCEA and specific industry qualifications.
This year we also have a record number of Year 13 students studying university papers. Some are even doing two! We have students studying in areas of Law, Social and Moral Philosophy, Screen and Media, He Hīnatore o te Ao Māori, Psychology, Engineering Maths and Modelling, Macro Economics and an Introduction to Leadership Communication. Overall, we have 17 Year 13 students who have been offered the opportunity to get a head start/Unistart for future study in 2023.
2022 has also seen an increased number of Year 13 students interested in studying the Police Pathways Course. This year we have four students (up from just one in 2021) studying each Monday with 20 students from the other schools in the Western BOP. The course is designed to help support their application to Police College and gives students a real insight into a possible career in the New Zealand Police Force.
A number of our Pasifika students have been enjoying the AIGA program each Tuesday and Thursday at the new 14th Avenue premises of the Tauranga Boxing Academy and BOP Youth Development Trust. The AIGA initiative is designed for our Pasifika rangatahi to celebrate their culture, meet their educational and personal goals and get fit at the same time. This week we were entertained by amazing artist Mr G. He shared his life story, including his struggles and simple strategies to overcome challenges and set goals to achieve our dreams and aspirations.
Our Gateway courses have begun and a dozen Year 13 students are working hard to fine-tune their Barista skills at the Aquinas Barista Club. Each student has passed their Barista Training course and is now completing the work-placement requirement. As well as practising the art of making a good coffee they are developing their customer service skills, business acumen and work readiness.
We are ready to support students in any Future Pathway they would like to investigate as a Gateway/Work experience opportunity and would welcome any connections from our parent community in this regard. If you can support a student in your business or know someone who can, then could you please contact Natasha Kahle at nkhale@aquinas.school.nz
Essentially, the student is required to spend a minimum of five days in a work-placement, investigating/trying out the job and deciding whether or not they may want to pursue further study or employment in the same or similar job.
