The new Te Uki Ou Junior College is off to a roaring start with positive feedback from students, families and teachers, says the school management.

With Term 4 underway, this fresh start to the Junior College programme at Apii Te Uki Ou has been a hit with students, families, and teachers alike.

In a statement, Te Uki Ou says there is an excited buzz around the senior end of the school – having now implemented various changes to accommodate the Junior College. This includes timetable structure that utilises teacher’s strengths and experience with students moving around the Junior College teachers for different subjects, upgrading waste treatment infrastructure to support an expanded and exclusive Junior College zone, and development of a Junior College specific space for the students to relax and unwind during break times.

Students have reported that the timetable has helped them to become more organised and responsible for managing themselves, and that they are finding themselves more focused during their lessons with specific subject teachers, the statement said.

Subjects being covered are Science, Maths, Digital Technology, Health & PE, Integrated Literacy, Enterprise/Social Science, Art, Performing Arts, Te Reo and Culture.

Te Uki Ou’s newly appointed principal Kim Noovao said: “Teachers have been the real drivers of change in this timetable and are enjoying the opportunity to teach to their strengths across the whole Junior College. More importantly the teachers are also saying that they have noticed a difference in the students’ focus and engagement levels.”

As part of a community and parent engagement evening on July 19, plans were announced that the school will invest in upgrading its waste treatment infrastructure by installing a foreshore compliant septic system.

Board of Governors chairperson Miranda Doran explains “this is now complete and has allowed the school to add an additional toilet block specifically for Junior College students, and will form the basis of an exclusive junior college zone and supporting infrastructure for our senior students”.

And there are more changes afoot to excite the students, the school said.

Assistant principal senior school, Sophie Panzerella shares: “As part of Junior College we have been working on special privilege areas and as such the students have designed and trialled a tuck shop. It is going extremely well and as part of honing in on entrepreneurial skills we will be opening up a school wide tuck shop run entirely by the students.”

Another aspect of the Junior College that is very appealing for the students is the Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) opportunities, including camps.

In November this year, the Year 7 and 8 students will be attending a camp for a week to the outer island of Atiu where they will immerse themselves in the local community, and the Year 9 students and teachers will have the opportunity to travel to Tahiti for five days to learn about Tahitian culture and language and how it connects to our own.

In both camps, students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities and a chance to make new friends as they are hosted for a visit by a local school.

“I’m so excited about going to Tahiti,” said one student. “I’ve always wanted to visit Tahiti and I can’t wait to learn about the culture! I’m also looking forward to making new friends.”

Another student shared her excitement about the upcoming trip to Atiu, “I can’t wait to get to Atiu. I want to visit as many of the outer islands as possible and this is the first time I will go there.”

There is also a renewed focus on engaging in educational opportunities outside of the classroom, using the wealth of knowledge and resources available on the island to ensure the students are getting the best possible teaching, skills and knowledge that Rarotonga has to offer, especially celebrating our cultural heritage.

Plans are also being developed to design learning opportunities following vocational pathways to ensure students are prepared for life on the island once they finish schooling, for those who do not head overseas.

Junior College sub-committee lead and board member Nikki Hill says: “We believe the refreshed Junior College programme at Apii Te Uki Ou School is a great opportunity for students to get a head start on their future. With its focus on academic excellence, personal development, relationship-based teaching, smaller class sizes, and global citizenship, the programme is sure to prepare students for success in whatever they choose to do.”

Apii Te Uki Ou says it offers smaller class sizes in a bid to offer a much more personalised approach to learning.

“Our staff pride themselves on knowing their students and how best to engage with them as individuals to help them achieve their learning goals and expectations.”

In Years 7-9, students are grouped into a home class. They remain together in this class across all subject lessons, (unless any student requires extra support which can be catered for with the school’s specialised Learning Support Teacher).

“They will be required to move around the campus throughout the day, as lessons are held in different classrooms. We recognise this is a new experience for our younger pupils, so support is available if needed. A home class structure creates stability for our younger students, aiding in their transition from primary school.”

Students follow a compulsory course in Years 7-9 which introduces a broad range of subjects and experiences aligned with the Cook Island curriculum levels for this age group, but flexible enough to be adapted to the learning needs of individual students.

“This method of teaching provides a strong foundation for students to achieve across a wide range of learning opportunities, and prepare them for High School learning structures such as NCEA.”

Registrations for Year 9 for 2024 are open to the wider community – more information and the link to the enrolment form can be found at www.teukiou.com.