Strong Start to Learning Link Between Schools And Tertiary Education
There has been a positive response to learning links introduced this year between secondary schools and tertiary
education. For the first time NorthTec is piloting a series of programmes that engage secondary school students in
learning with NorthTec.
Students from seven Whangarei schools are involved with Secondary Tertiary Partnership Programmes at NorthTec during
2014. Students attend classes at NorthTec one to two days per week and gain knowledge, skills and credentials that will
allow them to staircase onto higher level programmes.
Julian Blank, Youth Development Manager at NorthTec, says the programmes are getting an enthusiastic response from the
students. “Collaboration with Secondary schools and the Te Tai Tokerau Trades Academy have allowed NorthTec to support
students in a contextualised learning environment that provides pathways to higher education and employment.”
One of the programme options is the Art Academy where students attend NorthTec every Friday. Lisa Clunie, the Art
Academy tutor, says that working with her academy class is really rewarding. “The students all have exciting and varied
ideas and a passion for making art.
NorthTec is the Tai Tokerau (Northland) region's largest provider of tertiary education, with campuses and learning
centres in Whangarei, Kerikeri, Rāwene, Kaikohe and Kaitaia. NorthTec also has over 60 community-based delivery points
from Coatesville in rural Rodney to Ngataki in the Far North.
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