by Kaiya Jones, Year 13 Student, Kaipara College
Kia Ora, reader!
Back to school, and back with a bang! Parents will be happy to hear that Kaipara College wastes no time thrusting its students into learning and assessments. Students are writing so fast to keep up with information being thrown at them that their pens are smoking.
Settling into term one has highlighted a noticeable rite of passage. At the start of the year you will always see year 9’s walking around with big bags, twice the size of them, packed with books, PE gear, lunch, togs; the list goes on. This will continue, likely for another year or so, until they realise the only thing you really need is a computer and a pen (much to the dismay of parents who bought the ‘required stationary’, only for it to sit in a cupboard collecting dust).
Winter sports registration are also out, the selection including; athletics, basketball, football, hockey, netball, rugby, rip rugby, swimming, MTB and trail running. However, with Kaipara being a smaller school, these are not the set amount of options for students. Any sport that gains interest from enough students can have a term put forward and entered. For example, Kaipara just started volleyball teams recently after an influx of student’s interest during games at lunch and interval. Badminton also gained popularity and a team was made up and entered for the first time last year.
Students are slowly adjusting to the new whanau class system, though some grumbles are still circulating. Despite whanau teacher’s fruitless attempts at getting the year levels to interact with one another, it would appear that no matter their age, students resent being made to be social. Along with the new whanau classes, Kaipara has introduced a new house system for assemblies and activities/sports days.
Another notable subject circulating the senior students’ minds (mainly the year 13s) is university. The idea of school being over and having to make decisions that could decide your life path at just 17-18 years old is terrifying to say the least. Add in scholarships, financial planning, accommodation and a butt load of responsibility and you have yourself a potent mix of overwhelming soup.
On a more positive note, the PSSP (Peer Sexuality Support Programme) has organised a Valentine’s day special. Students have the opportunity to buy chocolate hearts for each other to show their appreciation for one another. This is not limited to those in relationships, but also those who want to show Aroha (one of our WAKA values at Kaipara College) to their friends.
