2015pro

kapiti college prospectus 2015

WELCOME A MESSAGE FROM TONY KANE - Principal It is a pleasure to welcome you to Kapiti College, a thriving, dynamic and diverse educational environment. I am pleased to have this opportunity to invite you to visit us to find out more and to see for yourself how we can help your child fully unlock their potential.

We parents want similar things for our children - to be happy, to be safe and to be successful. Kapiti College provides all of these things. Our school is based on strong values: achieving academic success, involvement in the wider life of school and community, and service to others.

Our school has all the advantages of a large school, yet offers the warmth, encouragement and family feel of a small school. We place an emphasis on the individual: their achievements, their development as a person and their preparedness for life beyond school. We understand that digital learning will be a feature of our children’s lives and we are at the forefront of this revolution in New Zealand education.

Kapiti College is a school which is going from strength to strength. The vision, drive and determination of our staff and students is infectious. Come along to our Open Evening and see for yourself.

Sarah Gulley - Year 11 Kapiti College has opened up a world of opportunities for me and my brother. I have given service through taking part in 40 Hour Famine, the Global Leadership Convention, Amnesty International and Youth United Nations events. I was inspired to start New Zealand’s first Girl Up club - a UN initiative supporting adolescent girls in developing countries. My peers chose me for Year 11 Council and we are working with EcoAction on a recycling campaign. Through Arts Council, I helped organise the Junior Talent Show. KC produces a show every year, participates in Stage Challenge, and has won many awards in everything from barbershop to Kapa Haka competitions. In Sheilah Winn Shakespeare, I was thrilled to co-direct a winning piece and to act in a piece selected for nationals. There is wonderful support for the Performing Arts here. Balancing everything with my academics can be difficult but teachers here are fantastic. I graduated junior school with Excellence and my target this year is an Excellence endorsement in

Level 1 NCEA. I couldn’t have chosen a better secondary school. I am so glad that Robert and I are both at Kapiti College.

Robert Gulley - Year 9 In my first few months at Kapiti College I have made so many new friends, in my classes, and through sport. It’s so easy to make new friends because everyone here is so welcoming. Kapiti College is a big school but it feels like a close-knit community: I know nearly all of the Year 9s and there are loads of them! My form class is wonderful-we have a great bond with each other and everybody is happy to be at school. We do things like Tabloids and Kapa Haka together and our Peer Support helpers make us feel comfortable at school. I am loving my involvement in sport. I am in a football team coached by my dad, and I played tennis for the school competing at the Renouf Centre, an amazing learning experience. Kapiti College has loads of sports, two gyms, heaps of PE gear and great sports fields. All this is probably why we are so successful in sports. For me, the opportunities I am given makes the difference.

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ROBERT AND SARAH (Pukerua Bay)

PROSPECTUS

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JOINING US Entering secondary school for the first time is an exciting prospect for our new Year 9’s but we know it can also be daunting, so we make every effort to make the transition from primary school as seamless as possible. As a first step, the pre-entry collection of information on each student means we can place students in the right classes from their first day at College. In the first weeks, senior student mentors are attached to each Year 9 form class to be a friendly, approachable face around the campus ready to answer questions and offer any needed support. From the beginning of the year, the Year 9 cohort is immersed in activities beyond the classroom, both in form classes and as a year group, which are designed to introduce them to one another and to life at college.

SUPPORTING YEAR 9 Students in their first years at college have different needs to those of our senior students and our Junior School pastoral programme is designed specifically with these needs in mind. An Assistant Principal heads a large group of specialist staff including form teachers, deans, guidance counsellors and a Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour, whose sole focus is our juniors. The junior school team’s commitment to an open-door policy ensures they work closely with students and their families. The MyKC Parent Portal allows you to immediately track your child’s progress online in achievement, behaviour and attendance.

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THE JOURNEY BEGINS PROSPECTUS

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STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE Area

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Year 12

Year 13

Language & English/Social St English English 101 or Languages Literacy Skills Literacy Skills English 102

Maori Maori Maori French French French

Japanese Japanese Japanese

English 201 or English 301 English 202 English 302 Media Studies Media Studies Maori Maori French French Japanese Japanese

The Arts Art Art Art

Film Making Arts Extension Film Making

Drama Film Making Drama Music Drama Music

Dance Music Dance

Dance

Art Photography Painting Drama Music Dance

Design Photography Painting Drama Music Dance

Mathematics

Mathematics 201 Mathematics 202

Calculus Statistics

Mathematics

Mathematics

Mathematics 101 or Mathematics 102

The Sciences Science Science Science 101 or Biology Biology

Science 102 Chemistry Chemistry Health Science Physics Physics Science 202 Technology

Hard Materials Fabric Technology Food Technology Electronics Graphics (DVC) Digital Technology

Hard Materials Fashion and Textiles Food Technology Graphics (DVC) Digital Technology

Mech Engineering Building & Construction Fashion & Textiles Food & Nutrition Hosp. & Catering Digital Technology Graphics (DVC)

Mech Engineering Building & Construction Fashion & Textiles Hosp. & Catering Graphics (DVC) Computer Skills Digital Technology

Product Design Fashion & Textiles Hosp. & Catering Graphics (DVC) Digital Technology

The Social English/Social St History History History History Sciences Philosophy Social Studies Psychology Classical Studies Classical Studies

Business Studies Global Connections Geography Geography Geography

Business Studies Economics/Business Economics Economics Studies Tourism Tourism Social Studies Physical PE/Health PE/Health Physical Education Education & Outdoor Education Outdoor Education Career-Directed Health

Sports Performance Learning

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Physical Education Outdoor Education Career-Directed Learning Childcare

Setting High Standards Kapiti College has high expectations for the academic achievement of every one of our students. Over the last three years, the College has outperformed all other co-educational secondary schools in the Wellington region for overall NCEA passes. A focus on personalising learning has fostered this culture of achievement. On the back of their outstanding results, our students have embarked on study towards careers in medicine, law, film-making and much more.

Supporting Individual Achievement At senior level Students are supported in reaching their full academic potential through our personalised learning support networks. Every student has an academic coach, this may be their form teacher, a dean or a member of senior management, who regularly interviews them about their academic progress and identifies where and how they can lift their achievement to meet their goals. Students at risk of not doing as well as they should are identified at key points throughout the year and given the extra support they need. Parents are kept up-to-date with this process through the MyKC Parent Portal. Weekly afterschool and holidaytime tutorials, up to scholarship level, are run by all departments.

In Junior School The work habits and subject knowledge needed to achieve success in NCEA are built at Junior School level. Our Junior Graduation system challenges junior students to set goals for their academic achievement. They can track their progress electronically and are supported in this by form teachers and deans. For identified students, individual needs are

met through our Learning Support programme which may include in-class teacher-aide time, a Literacy option headed by a trained SPELD teacher, and dedicated SENCO support time.

Combining English and Social Studies reduces class changes for students who have been used to a single teacher at primary school. A wide range of option subjects (see option grid page 4) ensures students’ interests and skill areas are catered for, as do ability-based Mathematics classes and offering junior students who have a proven area of talent the opportunity to study at higher levels.

Learning in context Placing students into real-life situations that complement their classroom learning is an important element of modern learning. From day trips to local businesses, galleries and recreation venues to week-long field trips to the South Island, many subject areas support their students’ learning in this way. We also have strong links with universities, polytechnics and the Correspondence School for students who would like some hands-on experience in their chosen career. Careers interviews, courses and evenings provide information about further education and the workplace.

Physical Education Childcare

PROSPECTUS

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LEARNING FOR THE FUTURE A Digital Focus Today’s workplace relies on a high level of skill with technology and this increases year on year.

For three years now, we have been building capacity across the school by inviting successive Year 9 groups to bring their own digital devices to work on. Senior students are also using devices as a tool for learning in many of their classes. NCEA have announced that they will begin trialing exams in digital form from this year; we need to be ready for this and aim to have all students at every level with devices by 2016. To meet the need for this, the College has wireless throughout and students are able to log on to the internet from wherever they are on the school grounds. We understand that this is a significant cost to parents. To assist, we have set up a trust which will enable parents to take advantage of our bulk-buying power and to purchase a computer over three years. The College will, of course, continue to provide 250 computers for specialised student use and available outside school hours as well as during the day.

A State-of the Art Campus The College has been transformed into a modern campus over the last five years as we go about providing the best for the young people of the Kapiti area. Our new, bright classrooms, with fully glassed walls into break out spaces, are great learning environments; they have been designed to make students feel part of a community of engaged learners. Our new Science laboratories and fantastic commercial kitchen allow students to experience their subject in a ‘real life’ environment. Our Sport and Recreation Centre, with its 250 capacity seating and attached function rooms, is the envy of other schools in the region and our sports’ grounds are magnificent year round.

On the Horizon The Kapiti Performing Arts’ Centre will begin construction later this year and will provide an outstanding facility to complement our excellent arts programme, as well as becoming a centre for the arts in the wider Kapiti community. Specialist music and drama spaces, state-of-theart recording studios, a studio theatre and a 350 seat main theatre will further enhance the creativity already so evident at Kapiti College.

LEADING A FULL LIFE Serving Others We place a high value on students taking action in the service of others. The range of causes our students take up are considerable. For instance, large numbers are involved in the 40 Hour Famine, Relay for Life and Operation Christmas Child, and part of Workday earnings go to charity. Groups such as Amnesty International, Girl Up and EcoAction are also very active within the school. The work our young people do is highly visible in the community, promoted online and celebrated in regular assemblies.

Students Leading Change Developing student leadership is a responsibility we place particular importance on. College years are a time for society’s future leaders to test themselves and to develop their people and event management skills. Above all else, we place our young people ‘out front’ and emphasise ‘students leading students’. Our Head Student team front assemblies and run Student, Arts and Sports councils. As Peer Mentors, senior students run events for juniors such as tabloids and Haka competition; in this way, they set great examples of leadership. Juniors take up leadership in their form classes, Houses, sports and the arts and are well-supported to also lead school-wide initiatives.

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Bonnie Hayvice- Head Girl 2014 The support I’ve had from Kapiti College has been incredible since day one.

I have always been backed to pursue my goals by the teachers; even when I may have doubted myself, they didn’t. I have been able to develop my leadership skills in so many different areas.

Being involved in the Student and Arts Councils every year, planning activities for students, and choreographing for so many shows, from Stage Challenge to smaller school-based performances, ultimately led me on the path to becoming Head Girl.

Each new task I have been encouraged to take on has grown my confidence to lead. This year, my role in the Head Student team allows me to work with peers, teachers and people in the community. I have loved leading younger students undertaking the 40 Hour Famine, and bringing back “Dancing with the Staff ”. I encourage any new student to get involved as much as they can and to have the confidence to grasp any opportunities they are given. There are no boundaries that can’t be overcome, or paths that can’t be explored, at Kapiti College.

Angus Allen-Head Boy 2014 Since I started here back in 2010, Kapiti College has provided me with a strong and stable foundation for development, both personally and academically. During my time here, and particularly in my two years as Student Representative on the Board of Trustees, I have seen the lengths to which the staff and management team go to ensure that every student has the best chance to succeed, whether that be through academic, arts, sporting, leadership or cultural activities. There is an atmosphere of success and community at Kapiti College which inspires participation, friendship and unity. Being part of the Kapiti College community has been an amazing and life changing experience.

I have built confidence and skills beyond the scope of ordinary schooling and been encouraged to take an active role in planning my future, creating the doors I want to open and opening new doors to paths unknown. The doors to Kapiti College are open to you now. You won’t be entering by yourself, the Kapiti College community will be by your side.

PROSPECTUS

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MAKING THE MOST OF TALENT A Focus on the Arts Kapiti College has a proud tradition of excellence in the Performing Arts. There is a vibrant artistic life in the school. As part of the curriculum, students can choose to study creative arts from Drama and Music to Film Making, Dance and Arts Extension. Students will be working in well-resourced, modern spaces with highly qualified, dedicated staff. Beyond the classroom, Arts students and those with an interest who do not formally take an Arts subject, are offered an enviable number of extra-curricular opportunities to master skills and display their talent.

Music Through the Music Department, professionals offer tuition in instruments from violin to voice. In groups from chamber music ensembles to rock bands, you can participate in music competitions, concerts and tours and provide music for school productions and celebrations. Our students are competitive in regional and national competitions such as Rockquest, the Manawatu Jazz Festival, the Secondary School Chamber Music Competition and the Barbershop Championships.

Kapa Haka We are privileged to have the College’s Kapa Haka group, Kia Aio te Noho, represent us at all our ceremonial events. Their expert tutors prepare them for the regional Kapa Haka competition each year. All-comers are welcome to join this enthusiastic, talented group.

Drama and Dance Drama and Dance are high-profile performing arts at the College. Opportunities for performance include the annual College Variety Concert, Performing Arts Tour and Dance Show, as well as the many smaller productions performed

by Drama classes. Past major productions have included the musical, ‘West Side Story’, ‘Wizard of Oz’ and ‘Little Shop of Horrors’. Bi-annually we showcase students’ talents in choreography, acting, singing, dance, costume making and set design by entering them in Stage Challenge. In 2013, Stage Challenge involved 90 of our students, with seven awards won. Kapiti College teams have had great success in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare in Schools Competition, winning the regionals for the last seven years and performing with distinction in the national finals, claiming several major awards.

Film Making We are very conscious of being Peter Jackson’s old school and keenly support student film making. Films produced both in the Film Making option at all levels and those made independently can enter our College ‘Koscars’ which is sponsored by Fuji Xerox and ends with a Hollywood-style awards ceremony. Students and staff also enter the 48 Hour Film Competition. Our film studio contains an editing suite for students to learn a wide range of academic and technical skills.

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PROSPECTUS 9

REALISING POTENTIAL

Sporting Options Most of our students choose to be involved in sports outside the classroom and we offer a wide range of team and individual sports. Whether it be for fun, fitness or serious competition, students are spoilt for choice. All the traditional sports are on offer and new options, such as the recent additions of archery and waka ama, are constantly being added according to student interest.

ODE Classes Outdoor Education is a popular option class for juniors, with a course also available at senior level.

These provide opportunities for students to challenge themselves and go beyond their comfort zone. There is an outdoor education component in senior Physical Education classes as well. For budding representative sportspeople who wish to develop their sporting talents with a tailored programme, Sports Studies begins at Year 10.

Taking Part More than half of all Kapiti students play sport for the College playing at local, regional and national levels, representing the College in weekly fixtures and exchanges. A number of our students are national and even international champions. Kapiti College places an emphasis on good sportsmanship. The camaraderie and good-hearted competition between Houses at our annual Athletics’ Day is a highlight on our sporting calendar.

Beyond the Classroom Opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors beyond the classroom include taking part in a variety of outdoor challenges. College teams have represented the Wellington region in recent years in both the Hillary Challenge and ‘Get to Go’ competitions. A significant number take part in the Outdoor Pursuits programme in Year 10. All Year 12s have the opportunity to take part in a Leadership camp in Tongariro National Park at the end of the year.

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PROSPECTUS

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Hanna – Equestrian and Golf Academies I liked joining sports teams here because everyone is very friendly and it made me feel like a real part of the school. At Kapiti College, you choose your own subjects and you can speak to a teacher like an equal and they help you with all sorts of situations, not just your school work.

GLOBAL CITIZENS Overseas Students Because we are situated in a small, safe, clean and friendly beach community, Kapiti College attracts international students from as far afield as Russia, China, Germany, Japan, Chile and Thailand. While here, students improve their English and gain qualifications for a New Zealand or overseas university.

ESOL classes and our Language Academy ensure that non-English speakers get a great start. An exciting element is our expert-led Academies in flying, horse riding, rugby, basketball and golf.

Involvement in College Life Students are here to have a Kiwi experience. They live in approved homestays with Kiwi families close to the College and monitored by Home-Stay Co-ordinators.The Director of International Education, Steve Burt, oversees student welfare and academic progress and students’ next steps.

He maintains contact with families and visits them overseas. Internationals are totally integrated into classes and take part in extracurricular activities. There are also shared experiences such as day and overnight trips, a formal ball, dinners and a staff/student lunch.

Kapiti Abroad Students from our sister schools in China, Japan and Thailand visit us each year and stay with our Kiwi families.

In turn, Kapiti students travel overseas and live with a local family.

College groups also travel overseas to further their study, work on a service project or to take part in a sporting or cultural activity.

Most recently, groups have visited France, USA, Vietnam and Cambodia. The experiences that our students have are life-changing.

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Hyeongseok – Flying Academy The main thing is to get to communicate with lots of people, Kiwis and internationals, in English. There’s more freedom here, I can do my sport, football, and flying. My parents like it that I get to learn to fly for so much cheaper than in Korea.

Yu-Jen – Archery I like the nature here, it’s so open and the air is very clean. It’s close to the sea and I can walk on the beach. My homestay is very nice and close to the school. If I have a problem I can talk to my Kiwi ‘mother and father’.

YuUki – Tuba I have been here for over a year now. Before I came, I was ner vous but New Zealanders are nice and kind, and so are all the people I meet from around the world through the international programme. I like having time to play my music. Next, I will go to a Japanese university then I want to work in trade bet ween Japan and NZ.

Dennis – Football I have lots of Kiwi and international friends who speak in English to me and my English is improving fast. I keep up with the class work but, if I get stuck, other students explain it and show me how to do things. I like having time to play football and chat to friends after school.

Nicole – Piano At the beginning I didn’t know anyone but you make friends so easily and now I feel part of a community. I have got to know people with the same interests as me and do my favourite interests as school subjects!

ENROLLING AT KAPITI COLLEGE The Board of Trustees invites applications from parents who wish to enrol their children at Kapiti College for 2015. Enrolment at the school is governed by an enrolment scheme. All living within the home zone have a right of entry. As we have a reasonably small home zone, almost half of our students for 2015 will gain entry through the ballot. This follows Ministry rules of priority outlined in the documentation attached and also detailed on the school website.

If you are out of zone, it is important that your application is received by the College by Friday 8th August. The ballot will be held on 15th August and parents notified as soon as possible.

www.kc.school.nz 04 902 5121 | Margaret Road. Raumati Beach. New Zealand