Comcol alternative to high school
Struggling to get your teenager enthused about returning to school next year?
Not sure of the importance of NCEA qualifications in your teenager’s future?
Then talk to Community College North Canterbury (Comcol).
Quietly getting on doing what it does best, helping those who walk through its welcoming doors succeed, Comcol is an alternative to traditional schooling, offering NZQA approved programmes with a focus on hands-on learning.
Earlier this year Comcol was formally reviewed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and received its highest accolade, being awarded Category 1 status.
Small class sizes and a strong values-based environment means students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and behaviours. Success breeds success and the positive atmosphere created by the dedicated staff gets results.
Over 85 percent of students in 2015 graduated with NCEA qualifications and either went directly into employment or onto further education. 2015 graduate career paths vary from installing spouting, butchery apprenticeships, cafe´ work, to working with horses. Those choosing to stay in education are completing qualifications equally diverse, from attending the Deep Sea Fishing School, ARA, CPIT and NZIS to name a few.
This year’s students are on track to celebrate graduation in December. The focus for term 4 is – where to from here, ensuring all graduates leave not only with qualifications but prepared for the next step. Interview skills, CV prep and work/study readiness are integrated into the programmes and for those that meet eligibility criteria, the opportunity to sit Drivers Learner Licences, thanks to local COG (Community Organisation Grants) funding.
Right now Equine students are reaping the rewards from their end of programme work placements with job opportunities opening up.
Sport students are putting their practical skills to good use offering coaching assistance to local schools.
Hospitality students are enjoying sharing their skills with their families as they host evening restaurants for whanau while Adventure + students are exploring career options and gaining credits engaging in a range of adventurebased learning activities, adding archery and high ropes to their growing list of experiences.
Feedback from students and parents often refers to the enormous effort and support offered to students by their tutors.
The tutors are passionate about the young people in our community and work incredibly hard to make success possible for all.