Waimea College Prospectus
Mar 17, 2016
Welcome to Waimea College
Nga mihi nui kia koutou.
A special welcome to you all.
Waimea College is commited to providing a high quality education for its
students and emphasises the importance of achieving personal standards
of excellence in academic, sporting, cultural and recreational activities.
There are several key features of Waimea College that make it a successful
school as well as a busy and friendly community.
The CurriculumWe have the resources and staffing to provide a wide range of courses. At
junior level the curriculum has a number of compulsory subjects from the
eight learning areas of the National Curriculum. In addition students have
the opportunity to select from a range of option subjects to complete
their programme. In the senior school, students select more specialised
subjects in preparation for a career, further training or tertiary study.
We aim to have our students leave school with a nationally-recognised
qualification. We also cater for different individual abilities and needs
through our extension, support and special education programmes.
Student SupportWaimea College has established an excellent reputation for its
commitment to student support provided by teachers, tutors, guidance
and support staff. Every student has the opportunity to receive guidance
to plan their course of study, set short and long-term goals and receive
assistance in achieving them. The College adopts a firm, fair and
consistent approach to managing students’ behaviour, and emphasises
the importance of self-discipline, commonsense and respect for others.
Welcome02
Welcome
The StaffOur teachers and support staff are this school’s most valuable resource. It is
the quality of our staff that is the most important factor in determining that
successful learning takes place. At Waimea College we have professional,
well-qualified and trained staff with whom I am proud to be associated.
The FacilitiesWaimea College occupies attractive, park-like grounds that provide a
relaxed and spacious environment for our students and staff. The school
has excellent facilities and has developed a long-term programme to
maintain and enhance the buildings, equipment and environment as well
as allowing for expected roll growth in future years.
In recent years we have built a new gymnasium and eight new teaching
classrooms. In addition we have upgraded and expanded a number of
specialist facilities including Food Technology rooms, Science Laboratories,
our Special Education Unit, Music, Performing Arts and Visual Arts suites.
Our school also has extensive Information and Communication facilities
available to students and staff.
Co-Curricular OpportunitiesWe provide a wide range of co-curricular sporting, cultural and
recreational activities that create additional opportunities for all students
to experience success in individual and team pursuits.
At Waimea College we are proud of what we offer and of what our
students achieve. I invite you to join us.
Larry Ching
Principal
03Welcome
The Curriculum
Our aim is to encourage and assist our students to develop their academic
potential and to provide opportunities for them to enjoy success. This will
help them to develop positive attitudes that will encourage further study,
training and life-long learning.
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) Levels One, Two and Three. Waimea College
students have a very good record of success in national qualifications.
The school places a strong emphasis on academic achievement and believes
it is our responsibility to provide every student with the opportunity to
reach their potential. Considerable emphasis is placed on ensuring that our
classrooms are stimulating, well-managed environments.
There are additional opportunities to accelerate and extend students with
special abilities. Students in need of additional assistance with their learning
are provided with specialised support through our guidance network.
A Broad, Balanced CurriculumStudents at Waimea College enjoy a broad, challenging and stimulating
curriculum. At junior level, all students are required to study in the
eight learning areas of the National Curriculum. In the senior school we
encourage more specialisation in preparation for national examinations
and qualifications.
The Curriculum - An Academic Focus
04
The Curriculum
In Year 9Students will be required to study English, Health and Physical Education,
Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. Students will also study a
number of other subjects in short courses (called units). These include Arts,
Languages and Technology units.
In Year 10Students continue with English, Health and Physical Education,
Mathematics, Science and Social Science. They will select two, three or
four optional subjects. Some options are half-year options.
In Year 11Students must study English, Mathematics, Science and Physical Education
and three other subjects earning credits towards NCEA.
In Year 12Students must study English, Resource and five other courses earning
credits towards NCEA. Our Headstart programme allows a reduced
number of subjects and provides work experience placements.
In Year 13Most students will select five subjects. Depending on their abilities and
goals, some students may wish to do a combination of academic courses
and others that lead to more vocationally-based qualifications. The
Headstart programme is also available at Year 13.
Multi-Level StudyMulti-Level study is encouraged, particularly for senior students, who may
select a combination of Year 11, 12 and 13 courses in any one year of study
provided they meet the necessary prerequisites to do this.
The Curriculum - An Academic Focus
05
Co-Curricular Opportunities - Waimea College has strengths in a wide range of co-curricular activities
Visual and Performing ArtsEach year we aim to provide opportunities for a large number of students
to participate in acting, singing, dancing, instrumental music, drawing,
painting and design. Our students also play a key part in the technical
production of special events by assisting with stage make-up, lighting,
sound systems, set design, construction and stage crew. The College is
very active with students taking part in Stage Challenge, Shakespeare
festival, competitive drama, public speaking, and creative design
competitions.
A highlight of the school year is our Arts Festival Week which features
many of the creative talents of both students and staff.
Kapa HakaTama Tu Tama Ora, our Maori Culture Group performs at a variety of school
functions. It also represents the school at other events and has achieved
high performance standards, gaining several successes at both regional and
South Island competitions.
Co-Curricular Opportunities06
MusicThe school offers a variety of musical opportunities for students at all levels.
There is an excellent tuition programme available in a wide range of instruments
and there are opportunities to participate in a number of specific interest groups.
• vocal and instrumental
• specialist groups (concert band, solo vocals, rock and jazz groups)
• musical productions and tours
• orchestra
• nationally acclaimed choirs
Outdoor EducationThe College has made a major commitment to education outside the
classroom and has an outstanding Outdoor Education programme for Year
11, 12 and 13 students which includes a variety of outdoor pursuits such as
kayaking, rock-climbing, tramping, alpine skills and mountain biking.
Year 9 students have the opportunity to attend a five-day camp at Rotoiti
Lodge in Nelson Lakes. The focus of the camp is personal challenge and
working as a team and includes activities such as tramping, skiing or rafting,
canoeing or sea-kayaking and a confidence course.
Special Education and International Students also experience Outdoor Education
activities.
Co-Curricular Opportunities - Waimea College has strengths in a wide range of co-curricular activities
Co-Curricular Opportunities 07
We encourage students to take advantage of the wide range of
sporting activities that are available to them. Waimea College has
an excellent record of achievement at regional and national level
in a number of sports, and is represented by teams and individuals
in many codes including cricket, athletics, swimming, tennis, rugby,
soccer, golf, hockey, netball, volleyball, basketball, badminton, touch
rugby, bowls, squash, sailing, mountain-biking, cycling and multi-
sport. The school continues to build on its strength in these and other
sporting codes through a system of development squads.
Emphasis is placed on participation in sports for social as well as
competitive reasons. We have a very popular lunchtime sports
programme that includes inter-house and inter-form competitions.
There is a Sports Committee consisting of senior students who
promote sport within the school through involvement in such
activities as the inter-house sports. The school supports the Fairplay
Charter. A strong emphasis is placed on team loyalty and teams taking
pride in their appearance as well as their performance.
Our achievements in sport are the result of skilled coaching and
management by staff, parents and members of the wider community
and the energy, enthusiasm and support among the students.
Co-Curricular Opportunities08
Sport Student Development
Supp
ort S
yste
ms
Student LeadershipThe development of leadership is regarded as very important at Waimea
College. An innovative programme that provides opportunities to gain
leadership skills and experience in a wide range of activities is available
across all year levels.
Board of Trustees Student Representative: Students elect a
representative to the Board of Trustees. The representative attends all
Board meetings and reports on student activities, achievements and
suggestions to improve the operation of the College.
Head Students: There are four senior student leaders who are selected
through a process involving their student peers, teachers and senior
management staff. They have a significant part to play in leading school
assemblies, representing the College in the community and as role
models to the wider school.
Each of the four Houses has two elected leaders who take an active role
in organising and supporting inter-house activities and competition.
There are also other leadership positions including academics, sports,
performing arts, culture, environment, international student support,
visual arts, community services and student welfare.
Peer Support: Senior students are selected and trained as student
contacts to assist junior students who have concerns and to act as
mentors where appropriate. Others provide assistance as peer tutors and
work in class or at other times helping junior students with their learning
and homework.
Support Systems 09
Sport Student Development
Supp
ort S
yste
ms
Contact Between the College and ParentsThe College makes a special effort to provide a caring and supportive
environment which encourages the best possible achievement and
personal development for our students.
We place a strong emphasis on working with parents and believe that a
partnership between school and home is essential to creating a positive
and effective learning environment.
The tutors and teachers will generally initiate contact if there are
concerns about a student’s progress. At the same time the College
encourages parents to contact the appropriate tutor or form teacher if
either the parent or student has concerns about progress.
Student SupportGuidance is provided to help students choose which pathways to follow to
achieve their personal, educational and career goals.
Our support network is wide and includes guidance and counselling services
and extension opportunities, careers advice, remedial assistance, second
language support, a Special Education department and a Learning Support
Centre.
We have two tutors at each year level who provide excellent pastoral care
for our students.
Support Systems - A Partnership with Parents
Support Systems10
Special EducationWaimea College has a modern Special Education facility that is well
resourced and staffed by energetic, enthusiastic teachers and teacher
aides.
The curriculum is based on individual education plans that are developed
in consultation with students, caregivers, whanau, teachers and
specialists and where appropriate, students are included in mainstream
classes and activities.
Celebrating AchievementWe are proud of our students, their positive attitudes and of what they
achieve. The College acknowledges and celebrates their achievements in a
variety of ways. These include school assemblies, newsletters and special
prize-giving ceremonies that recognise academic attainment, leadership,
service to others, and success in sporting and cultural activities.
Support Systems - A Partnership with Parents
Support Systems 11
CareersCareers support for students begins at Year 9 and progresses each
year through to Year 13. Career concepts are integrated into classroom
programmes and students can receive individual assistance from the
Careers Advisors and Guidance Counsellors.
Parent Teacher Interviews and Student ReportsThe College runs interviews each year, during which parents and students
can meet with each of their teachers. Students are encouraged to attend
these interviews. Students are issued with two formal reports each year.
Junior Graduation reports are issued at the end of each term for Year 9 and
10 students. These reports cover such things as attitude, having the correct
equipment, use of class time, homework and attendance. Students need to
gain 75% to graduate to the next year level. Year 9 and 10 students receive
a report at the end of each term that records their progress towards junior
graduation.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)The Waimea 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 and support for parent-teacher
information evenings. PTA meetings are published in the term calendars and
the College newsletter and participation by parents is welcomed.
Support Systems12
International StudentsWaimea College offers a limited number of places to overseas fee-
paying students who add another dimension to the diverse nature of our
school. Specialist teachers provide both an extensive English language
and academic support programme for these students who are fully
integrated into normal classes after a period of orientation.
Our International Programme provides:
• Experienced and committed staff dedicated to supporting our students
• Teacher assistants who support students in their mainstream classes
• High academic standards
• ESOL classes from elementary to upper intermediate
• A safe environment which allows our international students to reach
their full potential
• A wide range of sporting, cultural and recreational activities
Overseas ExchangesEach year the College accepts a limited number of exchange students
from overseas countries and offers its own students the opportunity
to participate in a number of internationally-recognised exchange
programmes.
International Students 13
International Education
We offer our students• A co-educational learning environment that is safe and supportive
• Enthusiastic, committed, caring teachers and support staff
• A strong academic focus
• An extensive leadership programme
• Challenging, diverse courses of study
• Modern facilities and resources
• Extensive landscaped grounds
Innovative programmes and approaches to learning that include:
• The development of modern thinking and learning techniques
• A Learning Support Centre
• Pre-employment training and personal development programmes
• Emphasis on information and communication technology skills
• Opportunities for students with special abilities
• A modern, well resourced Special Education Unit
• Guidance and support to set personal, educational and career goals
• A wide range of co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities
• Flexibility to study at different levels
Other documentation included with this enrolment folder:
• Application for Enrolment
• Enrolment Scheme Information Sheet
• Curriculum Information
• Student Handbook
So, what makes Waimea College special?
Why
Wai
mea
Col
lege
?
Why Waimea College?14
Salisbury Road, Richmond 7020, Nelson, New Zealand
Phone: +64 3 544 6099 Fax: +64 3 544 1052
Email: [email protected] www.waimea.school.nz