COLLEGE FACULTIES
The Arts:
Arts Staff:
Mrs L Purda - B Design (Hons) Dip Tchg - TiC Visual Art
Mr D Lynch - BPR&TM, Dip Tchg - TiC Music/Arts Coordinator
Miss J Sheridan - BA, LLB, BTchg - Drama
Miss E Look - BA (Hum), Dip Tchg - Drama
At Tararua College, an education in the Arts is valued for its role in preparing students for life beyond school. Whether students wish to become effective practitioners/performers, develop literacy in the Arts so as to become appreciative members of an audience, or use their acquired skills and knowledge to gain entry to tertiary level Arts courses, the College provides a comprehensive Arts programme in 4 disciplines:
Music:
The Tararua College Music Department is a hive of industry. Over 120 students learn a musical instrument through our in-school tuition programme. Our tutors are of a very high standard enabling us to offer a wide range of choice: Tuition in 13 instruments, from drums to piccolo, is available. The College has both concert and stage bands who play at school and community occasions. There are a number of rock bands, some of who enter into national competitions. We offer vocal tuition and the opportunity to join one of our choirs.
Visual Art:
This is a popular choice at the college, with 160 students each year learning at Year 9 through to Year 13. In senior classes, students specialise in Painting, Photography or Design. Other disciplines are taught where demand is evidenced.
The Visual Art Department has a brand new studio with superb facilities, including a spacious and well-equipped darkroom and state-of-the-art computer graphics suite.
Announcing The Dream Team Inspiration Tour To Dubai & Italy:
We will be traveling in April 2011, but as we progress on our adventure we would like to share updates with you.
Drama:
A purpose-built Drama Suite was completed in 2005 to house the growing Drama curriculum taught and school productions at Tararua College. The Department was granted state-of-the-art technology with the latest sound and lighting equipment on the market today. With this equipment came the rigging needed to hold the lighting equipment and speakers. Along with a large wardrobe, rehearsal room, mobile staging and large teaching space, the Suite has a well-resourced lighting den. This lighting room stores a selection of spotlights, fresnel lighting, pendant lighting, a sound desk and lighting board. Students learn to use this equipment for productions and assessments.
Though the Drama Suite is used primarily as a teaching space, it doubles as a mini theatre. Here students can develop their skills in the technical roles of theatre as well as performance.
The Department has equipment that has already catered for three stage productions, a fashion parade and a College ball.
Senior Drama is very strong within the College, with students achieving in both performance and technical NCEA Achievement Standards. Students experience a variety of Drama forms and technologies such as make-up, lighting, improvisation, clowning and mask. Drama at Tararua College takes a process-based approach where students learn to develop their ideas in group situations.
Drama as an extra-curricular activity is also thriving with a variety of performances and trips to theatres in the area.
Kapa Haka:
Languages
Languages Staff:
Miss J Sheridan - BA, LLB, BTchg - HoD English
Miss E Look - BA (Hum), Dip Tchg
Mrs K Forrest - BA (Hons), Dip Tchg
Mrs R Vincent BA (Eng and Media), Postgrad Dip Secondary
Ms M Zambasos - BA, Dip Tchg, Postgrad Nat Cert First Time Principals
Ms K Cotter - Dip Vis Com Design, Dip Tchg Food
Miss E Prentice - B Agr, Cert Wool PG, Dip Com, Dip Tchg
Mathematics
Mathematics Staff:
Mr D Ngatuere - BSc, TTC, Dip Tchg - HoD Mathematics
Mr A McKnight - BSc - IT Manager
Mr P Turner - M. Ed Admin (Hons), BSc, Dip Tchg
Mr R Moffitt - B.Ed, Dip Tchg, Cert TESOL
Mrs C McNaughton - BSc, Dip Tchg (on Maternity Leave for 2011)
Mr M Phillips - NZCE, Dip Tchg, Dip Spec Subj
Mrs D Pester
Mr A Neho
In 2010 the Tararua College Mathematics Department was composed of the following teaching staff; Mr David Ngatuere Ng (HOD), Mr Andrew McKnight MC (former HOD of the Department), Mr Paul Turner TR (DP and a former Maths HOD), Mr Rob Moffitt MF, Mrs Chantelle McNaughton MN, and Mr Mike Philips PH.
Ng, MC & TR have been teaching mathematics since Pythagoras was a boy, while MN and MF have several years experience teaching mathematics. PH is an experienced Technology teacher and has spent his first year teaching the joys of mathematics to his Form Class (9PH).
Year 9 and 10 classes are taught in Form Classes. There are four Form Classes per year level. The Form Classes are structured as follows: a lower ability class (with around twelve to fifteen students in them), a “higher expectations” class, with the remaining students placed into mixed ability classes. These typically have around twenty-five students in each.
In 2009, the Department trialled the Secondary Numeracy Project (NumP), and formally entered this program by signing a contract with the Ministry, in 2010. Mrs McNaughton has been responsible for implementing the NumP into our Year 9 curriculum. Unfortunately for the Department, she is taking maternity leave for 2011. However, we intend to continue NumP next year in year 9 while extending it into year 10 for 2011.
In the Senior school, the Department will be adopting some of the realignment standards. We have decided to continue with Level 1 Unit Standards in their current form (until 2012) but we will be revamping our current NCEA Level 1 course, teaching to the new realigned Achievement Standards. For 2011, our Level 2 and Level 3 Unit & Achievement Standards based courses will remain unaltered.
We offer maths courses to all levels, including Level 3 Maths with Statistics. Maths with Calculus is offered via video conferencing with several schools in the Wairarapa.
The Mathematics Department is professional, hard-working and experienced. It operates in a friendly, collegial and mutually supportive environment and is well-resourced. Our External examination results across all the NCEA Levels are consistently pleasing ones, and over 90% of students gain their Numeracy requirement at Level 1.
Physical Education And Health
Physical Education And Health Staff:
Miss S Arends - BHuman Performance, DipTchg, Sports Coordinator (on Maternity leave 2011)
Mr S Bennett - BEd, Dip Tchg Sec, Postgrad Dip Counselling
Miss M Tua-Davidson
Ms S Murphy
Rural Studies
Rural Studies Department Staff:
Miss E Prentice - B Agr, Cert Wool PG, Dip Com, Dip Tchg - TiC Rural Studies
Science
Science Department Staff:
Mrs N Harding - BSc , Master Applied Sc, Dip Tchg - HoD Science
Mrs K Fiedler-Muck
Mr G Parker - BSc, Dip Bio, Dip Tchg
Mr C Pester - BSc (Hons), Dip Tchg
Science students follow the New Zealand Curriculum with many extension activities which keep inquisitive and bright young minds satisfied. Students and staff regularly go on outings to enhance Curriculum learning and to expose students to real-life situations. Visits typically include: The Science Roadshow, Te Manawa and/or Mt Bruce.
Senior students can specialise their study into either Chemistry, Physics, or Biology
CREST:
Students are encouraged to take part in the CREST programme, in which they choose a topic of interest to research. In 2006, there were 29 year 9/10 students on this programme.
ICAS:
This international science quiz is well supported by Tararua College students. Last year 48 students took part.
Social Sciences
Social Sciences Department Staff:
Mr K Forrest - MA (Hons), Dip Tchg - HoD Social Sciences
Mr D Wines - BA (Geography), Dip Travel and Tourism, Dip Teaching
Ms M Mika - BA (History/Political Sc), Dip Tchg
Recently our Year 11 Geography Team had a huge success in a regional competition. The team of Sam Tylee, Lauren Nyhan and Brendon Matthews were the winners of the Manawatu-Wanganui round of the Maatangi-Whenua Competition. It involved most secondary schools from the regions and participants faced ten challenges ranging from NCEA Level One Geography skills to Landform modeling to general geographic knowledge. Their success in winning the competition was an excellent achievement.
Technology
Technology Department Staff:
Mr C Leigh - Adv Trade Cert, TTC, Dip Spec Subj - HoD Technology
Mr G Craig - Adv Trade Cert, Dip Tchg, Dip Spec Subj
Mr M Phillips - NZCE, Dip Tchg, Dip Spec Subj
Clothing & Textiles: Ms K Cotter - Dip Vis Com Design, Dip Tchg Food
Technology: Mrs R Ireland - BSc (Human Nutrition) Postgrad Dip Tchg
Computing
Computing Department Staff:
Mrs P McKay - BA (Communications), Dip Tchg, Dip WP - HoD Computing
Mr A McKnight - BSc
Special Education
Special Education Department Staff:
Mr R Moffitt - B.Ed, Dip Tchg, Cert TESOL - HoD Special Education
Mrs G McKnight
Other Support Roles
Careers Advisor/STAR Coordinator: Mrs E Teekman-Lieshout - DipSpEd, B.Ed, Higher Dip Tchg,TTC
Gateway Coordinator: Mr G Craig - Adv Trade Cert, Dip Tchg, Dip Spec Subj
Alternative School: Ms M Zambasos - BA, Dip Tchg, Postgrad Nat Cert First Time Principals - Head of School
Mr J Metekingi
Ms L McMurray
Tararua College, Churchill St, PO Box 94, Pahiatua, 4941.
Phone 06 3768344, email: admin@tararuacollege.school.nz
Content © to Tararua College
Site last updated August 18, 2011