EDUCATION TRAINING AND
JANUARY 2022
EDUCATION TRAINING AND
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Ruawai College students tackle a sewing project.
Fencing skills involve a lot more than a hammer.
LEARNING INNOVATION
at Ruawai College puts students at centre Education will look a lot different at Ruawai College this year.
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ssistant principal Jay Warren says the school has totally revamped its teaching material methodologies to better align with the developmental stages of the students. “There were a lot of issues that prompted us to have a conversation about what is the right thing for the kids. We believe we can do better if we turn everything around and use the kids to help guide us,’’ he says. Jay says there are some major transition points as a young person grows to become an adult, coinciding with major developmental and hormonal changes. “They are going through a lot mentally and physically.’’
Ruawai College has three key transition stages – the Junior school comprises Years 7 and 8, Middle school is Years 9 and 10 and the Senior school is Years 11 to 13. “We also have a really close relationship with the primary school, which is just across the road. “We saw our youngest students struggle to go from one room with one teacher to five different classes and five different teachers with their different teaching styles. “It’s difficult for a young person to adjust to when they don’t have the neurological development yet to deal with so much change.’’ Jay says the aim of the new system will be to keep it simpler, with our youngest students able to find a space within the school they can call theirs.
“They will have a ‘Learning Base’ and the teachers will come to them,’’ he says. “We’ll also limit the number of teachers that they have, with our teachers able to teach a range of skills.’’ Jay says pastoral care will be strongly developed, with students able to seek advice and guidance from a familiar teacher that they can turn to when they feel a bit lost. “The next step is to upgrade a 150-year-old model from kids sitting in rows in the same subjects all year long and where some subjects are perceived as having more importance over others. “Forcing students to concentrate on core subjects doesn’t help the students with passions or our teachers with their own teaching passions. “We are creating equity in the subjects, but the core skills will still be covered within those,’’ he says. Ruawai College gained an endorsement from the Ministry of Education for this new approach to education. In the middle school space, students will choose six modules per term from a pool of 50 modules. “These have been colour coded to ensure students are not avoiding any core skills they need to learn. “They will be using core skills in a crosscurricular approach,’’ he says. “School will be a lot more interesting, with students able to pursue modules that capture their interest. We will be closely monitoring their progress in literacy and numeracy to ensure they have covered the national curriculum milestones by the end of the year.’’
WHANGAREI GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL BACK TO SCHOOL DATES FOR 2022 Thursday 3 February: Yr9 students only ë 8:45am FrÀday 4 February: Yr9 students only ë 8:45am Tuesday 8 February: Yr9 students only ë 8:45am ëednesday 9 February: Yr9 and all other new students ë 8:45am Thursday 1- February: Øll Year hecels attend ë 8:45am SECOND HAND UNIFORM SALE ëednesday 19 January at WGHS from 4:3-pm to 6pm in the sãhool Ïanteen For further information refer to the WGHS website www.wghs.school.nz
A bit of maths and science mixed up in a cooking class.
Experts visiting the school and class outings and shared experiences will be used to supply learning material and share knowledge in an interactive, collaborative, almost partnered approach to teaching and learning, he says. “Students don’t all learn by sitting at a desk for an hour, 5 hours a day. People learn in different ways, with about 5 percent through hearing, 10 percent by reading and 15 percent by reading and writing combined. “But 65 percent is learned by doing.’’ Jay says the new system is centred around student choice and preparing them for the outside world. “We will also be teaching resilience as well as participating and contributing to society to develop interpersonal skills. Our values and the New Zealand curriculum’s key competencies can now authentically be delivered through our innovative curriculum’’ He says young people need to have conversations with actual people so they can develop social skills. “It’s important these skills are developed so they can better deal with challenges and setbacks.’’ Nathan Wallis, Neuroscience Educator, endorsed the Ruawai College Innovative Curriculum. He says the school is “focusing on transitions and on wellness of young people”. “That is literally the best way to raise your academic outcomes,” Nathan says. The education specialist says for well over 100 years there has been a social perception that hard work equals misery.
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EDUCATION TRAINING
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MEDITATION:
The Art of Quietening the Mind Improving Focus and Productivity Nathan Wallis, neuroscience expert.
“Frankly that’s wrong. Happy kids are in their frontal cortex, they have more social awareness, are more able to regulate emotion, they have better interpersonal skills. Statistically, this leads to better outcomes in adulthood, in those key areas of employment, mental health and social adjustment. “It’s these people that go on to change the world, that inspire others. They are seen as leaders and people gravitate to them,” Nathan says. Jay says staff are excited to be implementing the new system after working hard to develop the new teaching modules. “We’ve spent a lot of time on it and now we’ll be putting our plans into action.’’
Year 0-13 Enrolments 2022 are being accepted now 22km south of Whangarei, bus services available. Top quality programmes, facilities and staff support. High student achievements at all year levels.
Commencement dates: Year 11-13 course confirmation and new Year 9/10 - Tuesday 1 February Whole School - Wednesday 2 February
Student achievements at all year levels.
Senior students enjoy outstanding NCEA results with the benefits of small classes and flexible programmes.
For more information and enrolment applications visit: www.tauraroa.school.nz or phone 09 4322643
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our health and wellbeing are the key to success in all aspects of your life. This includes physical exercise, eating healthily and taking care of your mental and emotional wellbeing. Meditation is a great way to destress and studies by leading universities have shown the positive benefits that meditation has on both the mind and the body. Meditation not only acts as a natural stress relief but can also help control anxiety, improve your focus and cognitive functioning, enhance self-awareness and improve sleep. Meditation is not about clearing the mind, it is simply about being in a relaxed state in which the mind is free from scattered thoughts and overthinking. It is something that everyone can do to help improve their mental and emotional wellbeing.
Meditation has been practised for thousands of years and is now commonly used for relaxation and stress reduction. Shannon is offering a six week ‘Introduction to Meditation & Mindfulness’ workshop with Community Education Whangarei where you will learn simple and basic meditation and mindfulness techniques. Each week will build upon the techniques you learn, providing you with the skills to easily integrate the practice into your day-to-day life. The best thing about meditation is that it can be practised anywhere! As little as 5 minutes a day can help, on many levels. Spontaneous moments of mindfulness can happen anywhere, anytime, in any situation. Experiment with what works for you and make meditation and mindfulness part of your life. Past students have found this workshop very helpful: “The meditation classes have been most beneficial. I have already used the skills at work, in my lunch breaks, to get me through the rest of the day.” “I have much better focus, I’m not distracted by outside influences or over-thinking, so I’m far more productive at work.” “I’m sleeping so much better.” “It helps me control my anxiety.” “I find I can face emotionally charged situations from a much calmer place.” To find inner peace amongst the noisy confusion of life, join Shannon and start your meditation journey. Visit www.cew.ac.nz for details or ph 435 0889.
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Take the steps to give something new a go in 2022, NorthTec offers programmes in the following areas: • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Accounting Agribusiness Agriculture Apiculture (Beekeeping) Architectural Technology Automotive Engineering Baking Beauty Therapy Business Carpentry Civil Engineering Commercial Transport Conservation
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Programmes will run subject to minimum enrolment numbers. Courses and programmes may be cancelled, postponed or have their content or configuration changed from time to time at the discretion of NorthTec.
OPEN
DAY
THURSDAY 27TH JANUARY 10AM – 2PM NORTHTEC RAUMANGA CAMPUS GATE 1, 51 RAUMANGA VALLEY ROAD, WHANGAREI
This is your chance to get answers to your questions. Meet the tutors!
p: 0800 162 100 e: study@northtec.ac.nz www.northtec.ac.nz
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EDUCATION TRAINING AND
6
Whangarei A & P Society
FARM INTERN PROGRAMME Interview with Rana-Jade Henare-Paraha
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ast year Rana-Jade Henare-Paraha completed her Level 3 Certificate in Agriculture after a year of living and working on Stephen Herries’s Alpine Angus beef farm in Kawakawa, Northland. We caught up with Rana-Jade to find out what she thought of the programme and why other young Northlanders should enrol today...
connected with cows more than the sheep. I really like working with the bulls, you know where you stand with a bull. I just rescued a bunny today actually; I’m gifting it to my sister as a present!
How did you find out about the intern programme? I found out about the programme through my school Te Kapehu Whetu Whangarei. My Careers Adviser was great. She knew I wanted to do something a bit different, and that I wasn’t sure about the length of time to get a degree and the cost. She saw this course and immediately thought of me. I read about it and thought yes this is the one for me!
What was your favourite part of the course activity wise? In class working with the chainsaws was cool. I’ve used chainsaws before, but I enjoyed learning all the ins and outs and safety aspects. I also really enjoyed the team building activities we did with the other interns at the start of the year. We went to the Adrenaline Park with all the others which was cool. Helped to connect us as a group and get ready for our Monday class sessions at Barge Showgrounds Events Centre.
Why did you want to get your Level 3 in Ag? I think I always knew I wanted to work outside but wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I grew up in the Far North, living the bush life and I loved it! I have such great memories of going hunting with my dad and going bush. So, when my Careers Advisor suggested the course, it seemed the perfect fit for me. The living and working on farm while I learn also really appealed to me. What is your favourite thing about living and working on farm? I like working with stock. And like I’ve said, I really like working outside. It’s quite unusual really, to go to a city school and end up out here. Lots of my friends have stayed in the city and are studying, I’m so glad to be living and learning back where I grew up. What is the most important thing you have learnt so far this year? I have learnt that there’s a lot more to farming
than what people think there is. They think it’s just moving cows from one paddock to another, but it’s so much more than that. Would you recommend the programme to others? Yes, for sure! I haven’t come from a big intensive, farming background but that hasn’t held me back. I’ve met so many new and different people. Do you have a favourite animal on farm? I love all the animals on farm, although I’ve
How did you find the coursework? It was easy as long as you kept on top of the work book. My advice would be fill it in daily to save a last-minute scramble at the end… Not that that’s what I did of course! What are your future plans? I’m planning to do my Level 4 Certificate in Agriculture and after that my cousin has offered me a job on his sheep and beef farm down in Turangi. I would love to own my own beef operation one day though, in the Far North. But I think I need to head away from Kawakawa for a while, keep learning, gain some more experience, then head back home to the North.
HOLY earn while you learn
Have we got an offer for you...
NO FEES! A life changing course where you live in, get qualified and get paid
ENROLLING NOW FOR 2022 - LImItEd spacEs! 42 week programme Feb - dec
• Live, learn and earn on farm – 4 days per week, one day a week in class • Fees free applies (if you are eligible) • No exams – just practical learning & theory with other young farmers to be! • At the end of year one you will have the NZ Certificate in Agriculture Level 3
Find out more Download our prospectus att
www.gumboots.kiwi Or contact Steve at (09) 438 3109
farm@wap.org.nz
Tū i te OrA SchOlarship
LEt us help you reach your full potential
Are you a future environmental champion? We’re awarding eight scholarships, worth $3,000 each, to help support tertiary study or research. Find out more at scholarships.nrc.govt.nz Applications close Wednesday 2 March 2022
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