Purpose

Tauhara College recognises that many students have the potential to be high achievers in fields as diverse as: academic subjects, languages, practical skills, or sporting, artistic, musical, cultural and outdoor activities.

We want to foster student success and nurture development.To see that our high achievers in a range of fields achieve to their potential and are supported in the areas where their talents can shine.

We started this co-ordinated programme for participating Year 9 students in 2009 and supported their progress. We bring in new groups each intake. Currently we are already able to get to know our students well through smaller class sizes.

We want to nurture the whole person, the body and the mind and to establish a solid base for high participation and success. We want to identify a group of students who will be future high achievers and leaders in whatever field they pursue.

Background

Tauhara runs musicals and instrument tuition, language exchanges, has performance drama and cultural groups, dance, multi-sports,sports, ski/snowboard opportunities etc - areas in which students can find opportunities to shine.

We have developed a junior leadership programme which students opt into. These students take on a range of activities, both within and outside of the College.

The College has language and cultural exchanges with Japan, New Caledonia and Singapore.

Tauhara is looking to foster our high achievers, laying a base for their future success.

Proposed Programme

The participants in the Aspiring Achievers’ Programme are identified by testing and parental and contributing school comment.  We will support them in the following ways :

• We will nurture the body by running fitness clinics for the students two mornings a week (students should attend one). This will focus on a healthy body leading to a healthy mind. The activities will target individuals’ strengths and needs.
• High achievers in sport or other related fields will be guided to areas where they can develop their talents.
• All students in the programme are expected to be part of a school sports team or involved in events.
• We will nurture the mind by running extension classes two afternoons a week (students should attend one) for students to access specialist teachers and a programme based on developing the creative and cognitive abilities of the mind.
• Students can also access the Gifted and Talented Programme we run for a group of students each week. This has a specified programme and a group of teachers and outside providers who dedicate their time to it.

Students learn about themselves and their innate abilities, through specially designed extension projects. The work in this programme enhances knowledge areas needed for their core subject areas, as well as stimulating our high achievers.

Commitment to the Programme 

Participation is voluntary. Students and their family must decide whether it is the right option for them. Students who choose to participate are expected to make a strong personal commitment to it, as well as to the College goals around attendance, achievement and attitude.

They will participate in various events such as athletics and swimming sports, speech competitions, cross country, camps, Science Fair and competitions such as the ICAS Maths/Science Competitions.

Students should commit to attending fitness and after school activities each week. These may be averaged out over the year if necessary. It may be possible that involvement in another high commitment sporting or cultural activity can substitute for the fitness session by negotiation with the programme co-ordinator.

A contract for the provision of these services will exist between the students, the family and the school.

Through high participation and commitment we will grow skills and potential in our students, including that of leadership.

Links To Other Programmes

Tauhara Awards... these activities link through to the Bronze Award which can be accessed at Years 9 and 10.

Young New Zealanders Awards... these are run in the school by Mrs Harrington.

Junior Leadership Programme... this programme is designed to identify, support and develop juniors with leadership potential and is led by the Deputy Principal, Mr Kirkwood.

Taupo Youth Awards... these awards are sponsored by the District Council. The College has consistently won major categories in this, including the Overall Achiever Award in recent years.

Programme Leadership

Staff involved with the programme for liaison/co-ordination/teaching are: The Year 9 and 10 Deans, Mr Kirkwood, Mr Astwood, Mr Gibbs, Mr Prestidge, Mrs Bromley and other interested staff. Other staff expertise will be used wherever possible and appropriate.

Programme Responsibility

Membership of this programme will carry responsibilities and privileges. Students will attend an annual presentation evening to recognise achievement though certificates and awards for those students who have performed well in a particular field.

Individual mentoring and monitoring of performance will occur as part of this programme. An individual career plan for each student will be established and then reviewed annually. Students will keep a "log of participation and achievement", along with a "commitment sheet" to monitor the compulsory attendance at one of the fitness and extension opportunities offered weekly. Students who are part of the gifted and talented programme will have to make up work missed through any class absence.

Looking to the Future

In 2008 the College will establish the Aspiring Achievers' Programme for Year 9 students. It is our intention is that this programme will grow and follow the students through the school.

While running this programme, it is our absolute intention to grow the innate capabilities of every student in our school. This programme has been developed to support the desire that particular students and their families have, to be high achievers in certain fields. We want to support them in this pursuit.

We recognise that belonging to this programme requires commitment from all, but believe that high achievement across a wide range of fields will benefit the students and their families, as well as the wider life of the College.

Through this programme Tauhara College will grow the potential of its young people and it will be part of the special character of our school.

How to Join

An Expression of Interest can be downloaded with the programme brochure. A form is included in this. See 'Enrolments' on this website. Please complete this and attach it to the front of your enrolment forms. Alternatively email the College at info@tauhara.school.nz and type Aspiring Achievers' Programme in the subject line. It will be forwarded to the Programme Co-ordinator.