‘UCOL Kicks Off A New Year’
Up to 1000 first year UCOL students kicked off a new academic year this week by attending a formal welcoming at the
Regent Theatre, followed by a ‘Powhiri ceremony’ on the UCOL campus.
Damian Peeti, Student Association President was excited to see the fresh new faces, adding to the current student base
returning to complete certificates, diplomas and degrees.
“The first week is a big transition and experience for students who are attending UCOL during this first week, and it
can be quite overwhelming when trying to understand the way of things.” Said Mr Peeti “ We feel strongly that it is
critical during the first week for the student association to complement the internal UCOL systems when advising and
guiding new students to the many resources available for them on Campus.”
As part of the welcome at the Regent Theatre, students were treated to a musical performed by UCOL support services
staff.
The skit featured a first year UCOL student investigating support services (provided by UCOL and the Student
Association) designed especially to help students get through their academic year with success.
These services include the Fay Garnam Center, Librarians, Personal Education Planners, Resource Center, Chaplains,
Health Services, Financial Support, Maori & Pacific Island Liaisons, Graduate Placement, Student Relations and the Association of Students at UCOL (AS@U).
“By providing a more vibrant and exciting presentation like a performance, (rather that the traditional speech), we hope
to have a much greater impact - making ourselves visible and accessible to our students,” said Mr Peeti.
At the conclusion of the performance, students joined with the support service staff, in a familiar song known to most
Kiwi’s, ‘Haere-mai’ the theme song to the former Air New Zealand commercial advertisements.