College Crest
Kapahaka........Surfing at Gisborne........College production practise













Tararua College Happenings, Week 5


Another busy week at College involving trips away, and a visit by a Television One News crew to do a follow-up story in Heartland New Zealand about the effects of the proposed raising of the age for learner drivers and how this effects rural families.

On Friday, February 26th, our Year 13 Biology class travelled to Wellington Zoo to learn more about human evolution. They looked at primates and noted how they had evolved and changed to adapt to changes in their environment. After lunch it was a look around the rest of the Zoo and a return back to Pahiatua later that evening.

Last Tuesday, a group of 12 students, accompanied by Mrs Teekman, headed for Palmerston North to attend a Site Safe course. They learned various aspects of work-site safety including ladders, scaffolding and electrical safety. It was a very worthwhile day and participants each received a certificate, which is valid for two years, to enable them to work on any work-site in New Zealand.

The Year 9 Science classes visited Mount Bruce Wildlife Sanctuary during the week. Conservation and sustainability was a major focus, as well as looking at endangered species. The class groups were all enthusiastic and were keen to learn more through their interaction with DOC staff and local rangers.


Looking in at the endangered Blue Duck at their enclosure at Mount Bruce



Trying to spot the elusive takahe at Mount Bruce


Tararua College is in its first year of participation in the Secondary Numeracy Project (SNP). We recognised a need in our students to advance their strategic thinking and understanding, to prepare them for greater achievements in the senior school. The implementation of this project involves the whole Mathematics Department and focuses on effective Mathematics teaching. Maths teachers conducted a diagnostic interview on all our Year 9 students last week to assess students' performance against this framework. This interview took about 20 minutes for each student, and was seen as a very rewarding experience as we watched how our students were thinking. Our classrooms will be differentiated to meet the needs of a diverse group of students. Chantelle McNaughton is the in-school Facilitator. She will introduce and model a teaching approach for developing mathematical understanding that progresses through physical representations, imaging and on to abstract mathematical concepts. This is a two year project, and will involve experimentation, learning and reflection from everyone who is involved. It is exciting to open your eyes to different ways of thinking and solving problems.


School Numeracy Facilitator Chantelle McNaughton with Year 9 student Jason Speers during their interview


This week our school student leaders are busy preparing for their annual turnout at Relay for Life in Palmerston North. The College is proud to participate in this event and support such a worthy cause.

Also this week our Year 9 students will be preparing for their camps next week. Their peer support leaders will organise activities for their classes. Also they will experience wall climbing and abseiling as well as spend a night out.

As you are aware the College 50th Jubilee is to be held at Easter on April 2nd-4th. If you are able to billet any people attending the Jubilee could you please ring the College on 376 8344 and leave your details.

For further information on this column or about Tararua College events, including our 50th Jubilee in Easter 2010, please contact the School office, email Mr. Mcknight at the College, or visit our Jubilee website page





Education Review Office Report

The ERO Supplementary Review Report of June 2009 will shortly be available to the College parents and community.
This Report evaluates the quality of education received by students, and the performance of the Board of Trustees, in relation to specific terms of reference. The full Report will be linked to this page when it becomes available.
Meanwhile, here is a summary of what the Education Review Office found:

Staff/student relationships: "A positive, inclusive environment, underpinned by respectful relationships, supports learning. Teachers recognize and place significant value on fostering positive relationships with students."

Teaching effectiveness: "Teachers have participated in extensive professional development to build their understanding of effective teaching. Developing students' literacy skills and providing them with programmes well-matched to their needs has been a focus."

Learning and assessment: "Teachers use student achievement information to identify what students are able to do and their next steps for development. They inform students and involve them in assessment procedures. ERO's observations show that most students are successfully engaged in learning through participation in purposeful, well prepared lessons.

Support for Maori students: "School leaders and teachers effectively support the achievement of Maori students. Culturally appropriate contexts for learning are deliberately planned. The needs of Maori students are catered for through the recognition and appreciation of their cultural heritage."

Behaviour and discipline: "A consistent model is effectively implemented to promote positive behaviour among students. Taking responsibility for and assessing the impact of students' own behaviour is encouraged. Most teachers adopt a non-confrontational approach to discipline, with mutual respect, good humour and a determined focus on learning. The success of this approach is evident in the considerable reduction in the number of students suspended in 2008 and 2009."



Archive of Previous Tararua College Happenings:




Bulletins




Past Students Events and Reunion News

Tararua College will celebrate it's GOLDEN JUBILEE (established 50 years) in 2010.
Because of name changes and changing residential addresses, the College's database is not useful for contacting former students. The College will instead need to rely on public notices in the media to promote this occasion.
If you are a former student or staff member and would like to attend, or assist with organisation, you can register


If you know of a former student, could you please make them aware this event is coming up!



TeamUp logo

FREE Team-Up Secondary Booklet For Parents

Team-Up has produced a FREE Secondary booklet for parents of teenagers to help them support their teen through the secondary school years.
Covering all the topics parents are likely to be thinking about, the Secondary School booklet is packed full of tips, activities and information to help parents play an even bigger part in their teenager's learning.
Along with an interview with Tana Umaga about challenges of being a parent, some of the topics for parents featured in the 56-page colour booklet include:
  • NCEA
  • Hanging in there through the teenage years
  • Choosing subjects for their future
  • What do employers look for
  • Bullying
  • Homework.
Click here to order your FREE Secondary School booklet from Team-Up or call us on 0800TEAMUP (0800 832 687).


Technology Through Techlink

Tararua College is featured on the Techlink website again. Sarah Angove's Spud In A Tub has been selected for the Student Showcase section.
Tararua students have previously been featured on the site here, here, and again here. Others will be appearing on the site later this year.
The latest Techlink case study joins the following others about Food Technology at Tararua College:

Batters In A Bottle ..........Tararua Chocolates ..........Tararua Meal Innovation

Every aspect of our daily life - food, health care, transport, communications, entertainment, our environment - uses technology. Technology is a compulsory subject at Years 9 and 10 and is on the list of subjects approved for university entrance. Techlink offers a section for parents explaining what Technology is and how it is being taught in New Zealand schools. The Techlink team invites you to trial this material. Does it improve your understanding of the subject? Visit the Techlink website and follow the Make a Comment link on the left hand toolbar.


Tararua College Educational Trust

This Trust (established in 1962) uses income, generated from a capital fund, to benefit our students. In accordance with Trust objectives, income provides educational equipment, sporting gear and cultural resources which the College would otherwise not be able to obtain. In addition, the income is used to provide scholarships and bursaries to individual students.
Contributions by way of donations, membership subscriptions or bequests can be added to the Trust fund. You can make a donation or become a member by simply contacting the College office. (Any contributions qualify for a donation rebate of one-third the contribution).


Community Education - Courses and Enrolment


Past Students

The College is compiling a register of past students. Some famous past pupils are:
  • Reece Robinson - New Zealand Maori Rugby Player

  • Tara Drysdale - Black Sticks (New Zealand Women's Hockey Team) Player

  • Roger Sowry - MP, National Party

  • Ron Mark - MP, New Zealand First Party

  • David Lea - Deputy Mayor, Tararua District. Past Chairperson, Tararua College Board of Trustees

  • Paul Mabey - QC, Tauranga

  • Ross Urwin - US leading micro-technology brain surgeon, St Louis, Kentucky

  • Byron Bentley - Principal, McLeans College Howick

  • Roger Twentyman - Chief Executive Officer, Tararua District Council

Perhaps you could let us know of others. We are keen to foster a sense of community amongst all those with a Tararua College heritage. However, because of privacy issues, we cannot publish a comprehensive list, and individuals must register here if they wish to make their name publically available on this site.


Please tell us what you think about our web site or School. If you provide us with your contact information, we will be able to reach you in case we have any questions.
Any information you submit will only be used to process and respond to your request or comment. It will not be on-sold, distributed or shared with any other parties.


Home.... Administration.... Senior Curricular.... NCEA.... Junior Curricular.... Co-Curricular.... Student Support

Facilities/Services.... Faculties.... Staff e-mail.... WELcom.... Contact Us.... 50th Jubilee Page


While every attempt is made to ensure the information provided on this website is accurate,
details change from time to time and we are not liable for any omissions or errors. Last updated March, 2010.