Aurora Collage - Prospectus 2023

Wecome

“It’s not just the stars that shine”

Kia ora koutou katoa,

Welcome to Aurora College - Te Mūranga a Rangi, where we foster a vibrant learning community based on perseverance, whanaungatanga, and citizenship. We are dedicated to providing a nurturing environment that promotes inclusion, academic excellence and personal growth.

At Aurora College, we value perseverance, encouraging our students to embrace challenges and strive for their goals. Through our academic programs and support networks, we empower students to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.

Whanaungatanga, the spirit of kinship and connection, is at the heart of our college. We believe in fostering strong relationships among students, staff, and families, creating a sense of belonging and support that nurtures personal development and well-being.

Citizenship is an integral part of our college community. We cultivate responsible global citizens who contribute positively to society. We instill a sense of social responsibility, encouraging students to make a difference in their local and global communities.

Respect, responsibility, and safety are our core expectations. We expect all members of our college community to treat one another with respect;, demonstrating empathy, tolerance, and inclusivity. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and make ethical choices. Creating a safe and secure environment is paramount; ensuring the well-being and welfare of every individual.

Our pastoral care system is designed to provide comprehensive support. Horizontal homebase classes for Years 7-10 and small Year 11-13 homebase classes with academic mentors foster a sense of belonging and personalised attention. Additionally, Year level deans are available to guide and support students through each stage of their academic journey.

We warmly invite you to join the Aurora College whanau, where we strive for excellence, celebrate diversity, and empower our students to become confident, compassionate, and successful individuals.

Nau mai, haere mai ki te wharekura o Aurora!

Welcome, welcome to Aurora College - Te Mūranga a Rangi!

Noho ora mai,

Craig Taylor Principal/Tumuaki, Aurora College

Why choose AC?

DEVICES & STATIONERY SUPPLIED

HEALTHY SCHOOL LUNCHES PROVIDED NO SPORTS FEES

STUDY SUPPORT CENTRE ZERO SCHOOL FEES

Year 7

Year 7 teachers pride themselves on their ability to form and maintain positive relationships with their students. Students spend the majority of each day with their home base class, where they learn English, Maths, Science, Social Sciences, and Health. They also experience a range of specialist subjects throughout the year from areas such as Technology, Languages, Performing and Visual Arts, and Physical Education.

Omaui Camp is run early in Term One to encourage students to build strong relationships with peers and staff. Students participate in team-building activities, outdoor education, and adventure activities all while getting to know each other better.

Year 8

"Ma te huruhuru ka rere te manu; Adorn the bird with feathers so it can fly."

Year 8 consists of small class sizes, giving students more one-to-one teacher time and increasing their ability to succeed with their learning. Teachers know their students and cater to individual learning and behavioural needs. All students have the opportunity to participate in eight specialist subjects, including The Arts, Information Literacy, Technology and Te Reo, to experience practical skills and creative learning.

Year 8 Students experience Deep Cove and experience which is in a remote part of Fiordland National Park. They learn about conservation and the region’s variety of flora and fauna.

Our Year 8 students will:

feel empowered and excited about their learning set personal learning goals and develop skills to self-manage make links with our community and the wider world, learning about the past and thinking about the future acknowledge and observe the tikanga connected to Te Ao Māori.

Year 9

In Year 9 we are very community-minded, and project-based, providing students with an array of experiences and opportunities in a variety of areas. Each term we have inquiry-based projects that strengthen our social, emotional, and cognitive needs.

The year includes a series of projects which develop key competencies, project designs, and community engagements.

In Year Nine we can balance our everyday learning essential skills with our engaging and exciting community focus and project-based learning, giving our students several ways to shine!

Year 10

Year 10 - 13

In Year 10 students will continue to learn through an integrated curriculum in some areas but will have more choice of specialist subjects in preparation for the senior school. Career advice will assist each student in choosing subjects.

Learning in Year 10 continues to develop the knowledge and skills of the New Zealand Curriculum and prepares students for NCEA. There is a focus, in all subjects, on literacy and numeracy.

Years 11 – 13

In the Senior School, each student will be able to choose a course designed according to interests, strengths and chosen pathways. These may lead to one or more of University, Polytechnic or other training opportunities, apprenticeships, or employment.

Multi-level studies designed around: Individual programmes | Work experience | Introduction to apprenticeships | Mentored learning | Gateway Programme

Qualifications:

NCEA Levels 1-3 and Scholarship | National Certificates

Focus Feature Courses for Senior Students

Secondary-Tertiary Partnership –Electrical, Engineering, Gaming Art & Design, Café/ Hospitality

Career Pathways – Catering & Hospitality, Tourism, Gateway and Tertiary Courses Enterprise – Entrepreneurship, Business Opportunities, Mentors, Sustainable Enterprise

Self-management, Life Skills, Study Skills, Leadership Training Programme

Students will be guided in their choice by career advice and access to career planning information.

English as a Second Language Learners

Students with English as a Second Language (ESOL) are a significant part of the Aurora College whanau.

The ESOL classes have welcomed students from Colombia, Chile, Fiji, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Cook Islands, Samoa, Argentina, and the Republic of Congo. These students attend an ESOL class as well as individual home base or subject classes.

The ESOL class supports students’ development of an understanding of the English language.

Inclusive Education

Aurora College prides itself on being able to provide inclusive education for a very diverse range of students. The college welcomes students with significant physical and cognitive needs, as well as students who have mental health and high health needs or identify as being neuro diverse.

All students are mainstreamed except for those who are in the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS). These students will have a weekly timetable that is a combination of mainstream classes and an individualised programme. Students benefit from the involvement of Active Southland for an introduction to several sports through an adapted programme. Special Olympics New Zealand provide the opportunity for students to compete in sporting competitions throughout the year.

Service Academy

A military-based programme with a strong focus on engagement in the classroom and achievement.

Students can join in Year 12 or 13 through an application and interview process.

The Service Academy is a fully funded programme where students will be involved in various camps, school and community service, physical training, and leadership opportunities.

Our military based teaching and learning environment includes well defined boundaries, clear consequences and high expectations of attendance, punctuality, personal presentation, initiative, energy and a commitment to achieving academically.

Students will gain a great sense of belonging and confidence through meeting and overcoming challenges both as individuals and as a group.

Junior Services Academy

Students can join the Junior Service Academy in Year 10 as an option. The Junior Services Academy provides the basic skills, knowledge and education required for the Services Academy. The Junior Academy are given the opportunity to perform Drill, do PT (physical training) and learn about the school and academy values in a militarystyled environment. We provide opportunities for students to learn about the military and develop into future leaders.

Sport at Aurora

At Aurora College we are very proud to have a strong sporting culture.

We offer a wide range of sports and physical activities to all our students and all sports are free to play!

There are no sports fees for any school sports teams, except for tournament teams. This removes one of the many barriers that prevent our rangatahi playing sport and enables them to play multiple sports as well!

Some of the sports on offer include:

• Touch Rugby

• Football

• Rugby

• Table Tennis

• Disc Golf

• Volleyball

• Futsal

• Badminton

• Waka Ama

• Cricket

• Basketball

• Netball

• Hockey

• Ki-O-Rahi

There are also our intra-school sport competitions including athletics, cross country, and swimming.

We work closely with neighbouring schools to field teams when our own numbers do not permit. This partnership has proved particularly successful with rugby.

The Aurora College Sports Facebook page is a great way to keep up with all the upcoming sports, draws and results.

If you have any questions relating to sport at Aurora College, please feel free to email our Sports Coordinator at sports@auroracollege.school.nz

Basketball Academy

The Aurora College Basketball Academy was implemented following a surge in the popularity of the sport. The Basketball Academy consists of timetabled sessions within the school week, focusing on practices, video sessions, and games. The expectation is for students to maintain achievement, attendance, and behaviour in the classroom in order to participate.

Since implementing the Basketball Academy our teams have been competing in Premier Grades.

The Aurora College Basketball Academy has also helped to support the development of coaches and referees at Aurora College, providing an environment for experience and growth in these areas. With the continual support of the school and its coaches, along with the organisation of our Sports Coordinator, the Aurora College Basketball Academy continues to provide a positive influence on the school and the students involved.

Aurora College Pasifika

At Aurora College there are different opportunities for students to learn about and connect with Pacific cultures. The students that have been involved with our Pasifika programme have had the chance to represent the school at the Murihiku Polyfest, plan and lead activities for Pacific Language Weeks, as well as connect with local Pasifika communities. These experiences allow our students to develop a deeper understanding of their own culture and the culture of others.

Kapa Haka

Kapa Haka at Aurora College is more than just performing. It fosters teamwork, discipline, and a strong sense of pride in one's identity and culture. Participating in Kapa Haka allows the chance to develop vocal abilities, learn traditional waiata, enhance coordination through dynamic choreography, and engage in cultural storytelling.

Kapa Haka at Aurora College allows students to:

• Embrace Māori culture (customs, history, costumes, and waiata)

• Develop Confidence through performance

• Showcase their talents

• Build friendships through unity and teamwork.

School Haka

Te Muranga-a-Rangi – Aurora College (Fire Light In The sky)

Kia rite, Kia rite

Kia Mau

Hi!

Ki runga!

E hara ko nga – Whetu nahe e kanapa –napa I te rangi! He aha tenei na?

Ko Te Muranga-a-Rangi!

Ko Te Muranga-a-Rangi!

Hi!

Ahakoa nga uauatanga – Era he taimahatanga

Ki runga!

Kia whatia - whatia nga herehere nei ki raro!

Ki runga – Ko wai nei!

Ko Te Muranga-a-Rangi

Ko Te Muranga-a-Rangi

Hi!

It is not only the stars that shine in the sky, so therefore who is this?

We are Aurora College!

We are Aurora College!

Although there will be many hardships in life, and many burdens that will weigh us down

Break the restraints that are holding us down

And rise up and ask – Who are we?

We are Aurora College!

We are Aurora College!

P R I D E at Aurora

Here at Aurora, we are proud to support the LGBTQ+ community. Our school community embraces diversity and celebrates all people. We are continuing to develop our already established PRIDE Club and find other ways to support the community within our school.

Our PRIDE club is run by senior students and consists of Pride Prefects in each year level who promote inclusiveness and activities.

PRIDE club meetings provide an opportunity for questions to be asked and discussed in a safe and supported environment. Anyone can be part of the group; they do not have to identify as LGBTQ+.

The group co-ordinates with guest speakers and outside providers to offer out-of-school activities, for example, Rainbow Rangatahi Festival at the YMCA, and an Activity Day Camp at Omaui.

PB4L to be a learner I will: BE RESPECTFUL BE RESPONSIBLE BE SAFE

POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR 4LEARNING

PB4L is an educational approach that prioritises positive behaviour for learning. Aurora College believes in creating an environment where every student can thrive, succeed, and reach their full potential.

Our behaviour management is based on the Positive Behavior for Learning framework, which fosters a culture of respect, responsibility, and resilience. It focuses on proactive strategies that address behavioural challenges, promote social-emotional development, and enhance academic engagement.

With PB4L at Aurora College, you can expect the following:

1. A positive and inclusive environment.

2. Targeted support for students that may need additional support.

3. Strong relationships are prioritised between students, teachers, whanau and the wider school community.

4. Proactive teaching practices reinforce desired behaviours rather than focusing solely on punishment or discipline.

5. Whole-school approach: We engage teachers, students, whanau, and caregivers in creating a shared vision for positive behaviour.

TE WHARE TAPA WHĀ

At Aurora College we follow a “community hub model” with the intention of providing an onsite facility where students can access a wide range of school-based and external support services. We aim to reduce barriers to access services and to ensure support of our students’ hauora/wellbeing. The four cornerstones of health, as described in the Te Whare Tapa Whā model, provides a foundation for the service provision at links@ aurora.

Services available include:

• School Counsellors

• Careers advice, information, and guidance

• Public Health Nurse

• Physiotherapy

• Social Worker in Schools (SWIS)

• Counselling, mentoring and social service external agencies

• Group programmes such as ‘Travellers’ and ‘Seasons for Growth’

Te Taha Wairua Spiritual

Te Taha Hinergaro Mental & Emotional

Te Taha Tinana Physical

Te Taha Tinana Family & Social

Whenua Land, Roots

Aurora College Uniform

Main Uniform

• Navy skirt or skort

• Navy shorts or trousers

• Navy lavalava

• White drop collar blouse

• White school polo

• Long-sleeved shirt and tie

• Aurora College hoodie

• Navy school socks

• White ankle socks

• Navy tights

• Black shoes or black leather sandals

• Blazer and tie

NB: sandals must not be worn in workshops or laboratories.

Aurora Outerwear:

• School jacket or plain navy or black jacket

Additional Information:

• PE Uniforms, School Blazers, School Hoodies and School Jackets can only be purchased from Student Services at Aurora College.

• PE Uniform is compulsory for Years 7 to 9.

• Uniform items are available from The Warehouse.