New Zealand’s First Tertiary High School Official

New Zealand’s First Tertiary High School “Officially Opened”

New Zealand’s first Tertiary High School, the School of Secondary-Tertiary Studies, is to be officially opened on Friday, 21 May 2010, by the Hon Anne Tolley, Minister of Education and the Hon Steven Joyce, Minister for Tertiary Education.

Both Ministers will address an audience of staff, students and their families and the wider community, to declare Manukau Institute of Technology’s (MIT) new, dedicated School of Secondary-Tertiary Studies teaching facility officially open.

The school, which is a collaboration between MIT and a consortium of Counties Manukau secondary schools, aims to provide a seamless pathway into tertiary education from Year 11. It offers students an alternative method for completion of their senior schooling and at the same time, enables them to gain a two-year vocational and technical qualification.

Those selected for the School of Secondary-Tertiary Studies often prefer the vocational, practical education available in a tertiary environment rather than the more traditional academic pathway offered under the mainstream high school system. Under this unique system, students remain enrolled in their secondary school while at the same time being enrolled in the School of Secondary-Tertiary Studies.

Chief Executive of MIT, Dr. Peter Brothers says the School of Secondary-Tertiary Studies is an evolution of teaching structures.

“At MIT we strive to innovate and the School of Secondary-Tertiary Studies is a prime example of this,” he says. “It provides a great opportunity for new ways of teaching and the students currently enrolled are responding well.”

The first intake of students at the School of Secondary-Tertiary Studies began in February 2010. The purpose-built facility, located at MIT’s Otara campus, ensures students have a dedicated, modern teaching environment for their studies.

Dr Stuart Middleton, MIT Director of External Relations and architect of MIT’s School of Secondary-Tertiary Studies, says “This will be a significant day for our School of Secondary-Tertiary Studies staff, the students and their families and the wider community. By combining the best of both the tertiary and secondary school systems we are making New Zealand education history and ensuring that students reach their full potential.”

The School of Secondary-Tertiary Studies is fully funded and is therefore free for students for the four years they are enrolled, including funding for their tertiary qualifications.

MIT’s School of Secondary-Tertiary Studies Key Features:
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The School:
• Combines Years 11-13 of secondary schooling with Years 1-2 of tertiary education in a four year programme.
• Delivers a programme in which students can gain equivalence of NCEA Level 3 plus the first two years of a tertiary qualification in areas including early childhood education, health and pre-nursing, business, sports and recreation, the trades, hospitality and visual arts.
• Offers a supportive environment that utilises personal pathway plans, supplemental instruction, supported by the resources of a large institute of technology.

The programme consists of:
• 30 hours instruction per week.
• English, Maths, Technology, and a range of secondary school subjects.
• MIT qualifications: MIT Certificate in Tertiary Pathways leading into MIT qualifications and/or national qualifications.
• Support through personal development, pastoral care and a personal pathway plan.

ENDS

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