Mission Statement Whai mana, whai oranga Awatapu College challenges students to achieve excellence, develop a sense of self worth and become motivated and responsible citizens.
NEW PIC TO BE SUPPLIED
Awatapu College is an innovative school educating students for the 21st century. That is why we have spent the past three years training in the use of ICT in teaching and learning. The Board has invested considerably in ICT to ensure our students have access to up to date facilities and highly skilled teachers. Our school is a vibrant and diverse community with a strong focus on meeting the individual needs of our student body. This is what a recent Dux, Lisa Onland, had to say about Awatapu: “There was always an option, always someone there to help you every step of the way, independence and space to grow and achieve great things. They always believe in you to do your best.” Our Learning Support and “Students With Special Abilities” (Extension) programmes ensure that all students’ learning needs are identified and addressed. A broad curriculum offers extensive
subject choices for all students. Academically advanced senior students are studying subjects through Massey and Auckland Universities while completing their NCEA qualifications. Awatapu College is a lead school for the Youth Apprenticeships Project. A wide range of co-curricula activities enables students to follow their personal strengths in sport and culture. Awatapu College provides its students with a pathway to success. We expect excellence in all that we do. We set high standards for personal behaviour and students are accountable for the choices they make. We provide structure and discipline alongside a supportive and nurturing pastoral care system. At Awatapu College we are proud of what we can offer and of what our students achieve. I invite you to join us.
Tina Sims Principal
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An Academic Focus The College offers all students a comprehensive range of subjects from Year 9 to Year 13 leading to the national qualifications of National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), Level 1 - 3. All students are required to study
Courses of Study
in the Essential Learning Areas of the National Curriculum to the end of Year 10. In Year 11 we encourage more specialisation in preparation for national examinations and qualifications.
Years 9 and 10
Year 11
Year 12
Year 13
LANGUAGE
English ESOL French Japanese Te Reo Maori
English/Alternative English ESOL French Japanese Te Reo Maori
English/ English Alternative Classical Studies ESOL French Japanese Te Reo Maori Media Studies
English/English Alternative Classical Studies ESOL Media Studies French Japanese Te Reo Maori
MATHEMATICS
Mathematics
Mathematics Mathematics Option Mathematics Applied
Mathematics Mathematics Option Mathematics Applied
Mathematics with Calculus Statistics & Modelling Mathematics Applied
SCIENCE & THE ENVIRONMENT
Science
Science Alternative Science Science Option
Biology Chemistry Physics
Biology Chemistry Physics
TECHNOLOGY
Electronics & Control (Y10) Graphics Digital Technology Hard Materials Technology (Y9) Textiles and Fabric Engineering Skills (Y10) Wood Skills (Y10)
Electronics & Control Furniture Construction Digital Technology Mechanical Engineering Textiles and Fabric Engineering & Construction Drawing
Electronics & Control Furniture Construction Digital Technology Mechanical Engineering Textiles and Fabric Computer Studies
Furniture Construction Graphics Digital Technology Mechanical Engineering Textiles and Fabric Computer Studies
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Social Studies
Economics Geography History Life Skills (ASDAN)
Economics Geography History Life Skills (ASDAN) Career Focus
Economics Geography History Life Skills (ASDAN) Gateway
BUSINESS STUDIES
Enterprise Studies (Y10)
Accounting
Accounting Business Studies
Accounting New Zealand Institute of Managment Papers
THE ARTS
Art Drama Music
Art Drama Music
Art Drama Music Photography Toi Ataata (Maori Visual Arts) Performing Arts
Art-Design Art-History Art-Painting Art-Sculpture Photography Music Drama Toi Ataata (Maori Visual Arts) Performing Arts
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL WELLBEING
Physical Education Food & Health Nutrition
Heath and Recreation Home Economics Physical Education
Heath and Recreation Home Economics Physical Education
Heath and Recreation Home Economics Physical Education
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Student Development Student Leadership
The development of leadership is regarded as extremely important at Awatapu College and opportunities are provided through a wide range of sporting, cultural and recreational activities.
Student Council
Students elect two Co-Leaders, a Secretary and a Treasurer who meet with representatives from each form class. The leaders meet regularly with the Principal to discuss student issues.
House Leaders
Each of the four Houses has elected leaders. House leaders take an active role in organising inter-house competitions.
Board of Trustees Student Representative
Partnership with Parents Personal Contact Between College and Parents
The College places a great emphasis on working with parents. We believe that a partnership between school and home is crucial to creating a positive and effective learning climate. To help foster that relationship, the Deans remain with their year level as it progresses through the school. The Deans and teachers will generally initiate contact if concerns are being expressed about a student’s progress. At the same time, the College encourages parents to contact the appropriate Dean or Form Teacher if either the parent or student has concerns about progress. All Deans are available by phone, and voice mail messages can be left.
Parent Teacher Student Interviews and Reports
The College runs two sets of interviews each year, during which parents and students can meet with each of their teachers. Students are encouraged to attend the interviews wherever possible. Students receive one interim and two formal reports each year.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Awatapu College PTA is a very important group of parents and teachers who meet on a monthly basis. Some of the areas within the school that the PTA is involved in are fundraising, information evenings, and a Study Skills programme. Details about PTA meetings are published in the term calendars and College newsletter.
Years 9 to 13 students elect a representative to the Board of Trustees. The student representative attends all meetings of the Board of Trustees.
Peer Support
Year 13 students who are selected to be Junior Form Mediators provide help to Year 9 and 10 form classes.
Student Support Services
We can provide support through our Guidance Network, as we believe students achieve their best academically and socially when they are happy and secure in a caring and supportive environment. Specialist teachers offer: • learning extension • guidance • careers • special needs • remedial assistance • behaviour management and • second language assistance • learning support The Deans provide excellent pastoral care for the students.
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Special Needs The aim of the Awatapu Special Needs Department is to: • Create a supportive environment to enable our students to learn. • Enable access and inclusion within appropriate mainstream classes and activities. • Set individual goals that are relevant to each student (IEP). • Maximise personal autonomy and Independence for our students. • Enable students to form social relationships. • Develop our students communication skills. • Encourage maximum mobility. • Prepare students for the opportunities, experiences and responsibilities of adult life.
Key Focus Areas
• Mainstreaming and Inclusion. • Personal Autonomy and Independence. • Literacy and Numeracy. • Social Skills. • Life Skills. • Work Experience. • Information Computer Technology (ICT). • Personal Social Health Education (PSHE). • Senior Transition. • Comprehensive Work Experience Programme.
About Us
Awatapu Special Needs Department Has: • Over 9 experienced teachers. • Over 25 trained Teacher Aides. • Students from Year 9 through to Senior Transition. • An Assistive Technology Teacher. • A Speech and Language Therapy Assistant. • A Physiotherapy Assistant. • Ongoing specialist involvement.
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International Students Location and Facilities
• Modern co-educational secondary school located close to city centre and tertiary educational institutions • Facilities are spacious, specialised and well designed • Physical environment attractive and welcoming • Safe and supportive community • Frequent and direct air links to Auckland International Airport • Within easy reach of Wellington, mountains, lakes and beaches
Academic Programme
• Courses registered with NZ Qualifications Authority (NZQA) • Senior Students study towards National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) and Scholarship examinations • IELTS exam preparation • Automatic entry to all NZ tertiary education institutions and universities following exam success and graduation from Year 13
English Language Support • Highly experienced, qualified ESOL Teachers and support staff • Includes ESOL, study skills, academic English for university study, subject and in-class support, IELTS preparation
International Student Programme
• Academic and English Language assessments, orientation programme and counselling for future study planning • Subject placement for examination purposes negotiated following assessments • Priority for students to gain national qualifications to provide entry to all NZ universities • Students study in classes alongside NZ Students • Additional ESOL Classes 5
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Cultural Activities Performing Arts (Music and Drama)
Awatapu College offers many opportunities in the Performing Arts for students at all levels. All students are encouraged to join the many music and drama and co- curricular activities including productions, bands, choirs, Stage Challenge and many others. Students regularly perform for school occasions, community groups and in regional and national events. The college has twice won a place at the National Finals of the One Act Play festival
in recent years, while the jazz and rock bands have also gained a great reputation for the college at their various competitions. Instrumental Tuition is available on orchestral instruments and in piano, guitar, drums, and vocals. Classes are open to students in Year 9 and to all music students. Both Music and Drama are offered as a curriculum subject to year 13. Performing Arts is also offered as a subject in Year 13, giving selected students the opportunity to strengthen their expertise.
Visual Art
The strength of visual arts in the college is reflected in a large number of students who select Art courses and in the high level of achievement they obtain. All 3 teaching staff are practising artists in their field. We cover all five practical disciplines – painting, print making, design, sculpture and photography as well as art history Students gain both skills and creativity that enable them to move into a large variety of creative fields. It is exciting to follow our students’ progress in their tertiary and career choices.
Kapa Haka
Kapa haka is an intrinsic part of te reo Maori me ona tikanga at Awatapu College. It is governed by customs and disciplines pertaining to Maori lore, where the Maori language is its cornerstone. The students learn traditional and contemporary waiata, poi, haka and Maori martial arts called Rakau. Te reo Maori and Kapa Haka reiterates the importance of mana whenua, ma tangata to the Maori students who participate with pride and passion, and it offers a view for other nationalities into the uniqueness of Maori culture. The kapa haka group perform at a variety of school functions, as protocol dictates. It also represents the school at a number of festivals throughout the year. The kapa haka group is open to all students at Awatapu College. 6
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Sports We encourage students to take advantage of the wide range of sporting activities that are available to them. Skilled staff and friends of the school assist students in all sports. As part of school policy on promoting leadership opportunities for students, there is a Senior Sports Committee.
This group of students promotes sport within the school, through involvement in such activities as the inter house sports and school assemblies. The school supports the Sport Manawatu Fairplay Charter. A strong emphasis is placed on team loyalty and teams taking pride in their appearance.
Sports Enhancement Programme
The Awatapu Sport Enhancement Programme involves a strategic alliance with UCOL and is aimed at raising students sporting performance to “the next level�. Up to 20 Awatapu athletes are selected to work with UCOL staff and 3rd year degree students. After initial testing and consultation, an individual sport specific training programme is written in consultation with coaches. Regular monitoring occurs in addition to re-testing to monitor progress. In the two years the programme has been in existence we have had a number of notable successes including Scott Burch who represented New Zealand in the 400 metres in Japan in May 2009.
We Offer Athletics Badminton Basketball Bowls Cricket Cross country Cycling Equestrian
Golf Hockey Inline hockey Karate Mountain Biking Multisport Netball Orienteering Rugby Skiing/Snowboarding
Small bore Rifle Shooting Soccer Squash Swimming Table tennis Tennis Touch Rugby Volleyball
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Outdoor Education Year 9 Camps
All Year 9 students have the opportunity to attend an overnight camp early in Term 1. The focus of the camp is personal challenge and working as a team.
Year 10 Camps
Students have the opportunity to select from a range of activities which include: sailing, fishing, tramping, and various trips around NZ including outdoor adventure activities.
Senior Students
Year 12 students have the opportunity to attend a week’s course at Sir Edmond Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre at Turangi. Students also have the opportunity to attend 10 day courses with the Spirit of Adventure sailing boat, and at Outward Bound.
Overseas Trips Students have the opportunity to travel on school trips to countries including; Australia, Japan and Vietnam
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