The Future Pathways team have had a busy term playing catch-up after working around the disruptive COVID restrictions. However, it’s been surprisingly productive, and we’ve had some positive results for our students.
In August, we had 36 senior students complete an Advanced Workplace First Aid Course specially designed for students who plan to study Nursing, Medicine, Teaching, Early Childhood and Sport & Recreation.
We also took all year 10 and 12 students to the Canvas Careers Expo in Tauranga. In the past, this event was only for year 12 students, but we included Year 10s as part of our strategic plan to engage students before they entered the NCEA process. They were able to see what is available in a fun, relaxed environment learning about the bigger picture and choosing subjects for next year. The feedback from students and tertiary providers was extremely positive.
So far we’ve had Student Advisors from Lincoln, Waikato, Otago, Massey and Canterbury Universities come to the College and host a planning session with the year 13s attending their university. These sessions have been beneficial for the students to know that regardless of the COVID disruptions, they are still on track to start their tertiary education next year.
Throughout the term, we’ve had students attending Toi Ohomai as a ‘Student for a Day’ to experience studying in an area of interest before committing to the application process. Courses included Media, Farming, Electrical, Marine studies and Mechanical Engineering.
Work experience has also taken place at Ballance Agri-Nutrients working in Electrical and Mechanics. Students on the Retail Ready programme are waiting to complete their placements now we’ve gone to Alert Level 1.
For the first time, we offered a Defensive Driving course for students on their Restricted license. Interest was high, and an assessment of the instructor and student feedback is underway to determine whether this becomes part of our annual programme in the future.
Earlier in the term, six Year 11 and 12 boys complete a 2-day Small Motors course. Not all of the boys were thinking of pursuing mechanics as a career. Still, the students learned useful life skills in problem-solving, the care and repair and maintenance of standard hand tools and small machinery – weed eaters, chainsaws and lawnmowers.
COVID has played a massive role in many students re-thinking their future, and we’ve seen an upsurge in interest in the Trades sector.
In early September, two guests spoke to students either interested in making a trade their career or were undecided about their plans.
In Term 4, we’ll be preparing our senior students to either leave school or to go on study leave. This allows us more time to spend with the junior school as well as planning our 2021 programme.
If you have any ideas of areas you might like us to offer, we’d love to hear from you. Please email Natasha Kahle on nkahle@aquinas.school.nz
As always, we have a real need for gateway/work experience placements for five days across the term in a variety of industry sectors: law, farming, electrical, plumbing, early childhood (plus many more).
If you, or anyone you know, would be willing to offer this type of support, please contact Mikaere Smith at msmith@aquinas.school.nz
