Tamatea High top scholars (from left to right) Ashley Baker, Maria Karini, Moetu Ria and Beng Phiansamoe.
Most schools celebrate their top scholars with a certificate at a school assembly. Robin Fabish, the principal of Tamatea High School, decided to take a different approach when he took the Tamatea High School top scholars out to lunch last week.
Mr Fabish said “These students have worked really hard to gain merit and excellence endorsements in their NCEA courses and we wanted to make a big deal of that. Treating them to a special lunch shows how much we value their achievement.”
The school sent embossed invitations to each students home requesting the pleasure of their company. The group were also joined by Ironmāori creator and local personality Heather Skipworth. Over lunch Heather and the students talked about their goals for the future.
Head boy, Logan Carroll, plans to go to Canterbury University to do a science degree. He is considering a career as a teacher so that he ‘can give back to his community.’ Albany Howe, who achieved NCEA level 1 endorsed with excellence says her goal is to go to Auckland University to study medicine. Maria Karini is a year 12 student who plans to go to Victoria University to study to become a writer.
The school arranged for the students to go to lunch at ‘Scholars’ Restaurant at EIT. The lunch included a delicious menu that was prepared by secondary school students who are on the EIT Trades programme.
Robin said “ We wanted to take the students to EIT because we have a strong relationship with them. After lunch we went on a tour of the facility and the students were surprised by the variety and quality of the programmes on offer there. I think EIT is genuine option for students to study at. Financially, it makes great sense to stay at home and not be saddled with a huge loan to pay off. On top of that there are great degrees on offer.”
At Tamatea High School the students understand the opportunities that open up to them with good qualifications. The school has a goal this year to double the number of students passing NCEA with merit and excellence endorsements and Mr Fabish reports ‘Merit and excellence passes are already well ahead of last years. Our teachers are working hard to get the best out of our students. It makes me very proud – our school is a real little rockstar!.’
