Learning advisers guide students

Getting teenagers to create goals and think about their future, can be as difficult as making a hot drink in a chocolate tea pot.

However, Taupo-nui-a-Tia College decided it was time to change this and created Learning Advisory Groups. They are based around helping students set goals for school, as well as being there for advice on everyday life.

Two teachers are assigned to every class and spend two 20 minute and one hour- long session with them a week, where they go through goal setting as well as time management and anything else that might come up.

Principal Peter Moyle said research had shown the system had a positive impact on students’ learning.

Moyle had a group himself and said he would be going through the year with the same 15 students, helping them set goals and guiding them through some of the trickier aspects of life.

‘‘We will help them learn what they are good at, what they need to improve on and things they want to improve on.

‘‘As NCEA gets closer we can really give them support and also monitor them.’’

The LAG programme was accompanied by resources created by teachers at the school and was tailored to each year level.

It is broken right down subject by subject for students and their learning advisor to create goals, highlight strengths and determine which areas that they needed to focus on more closely.

The support was broken down into three categories – support for education, support with day-today living and support to enter the workplace.

‘‘I’m certainly enjoying it. It’s new, so it’s taking a bit of getting used to,’’ Moyle said.

Danielle Harris, 17, said she had been enjoying the new system and wished she could have utilised it earlier than year 13.

‘‘I think it’s really good with the two teachers to help you get on track, especially with year 13 going to university next year and heading out to the workforce.’’

Danielle said the goal setting aspect was great and the time management skills were invaluable.

To help parents understand the new LAG system, Taupo-nui-a-Tia College will be holding a Whanau Day on Wednesday, where parents can meet with their child’s learning advisor.

Whanau Day will be held from 9am until 6pm. To book a 20 minute interview with the Learning Advisor of your child, go to schoolinterviews.co.nz.

Taupo-nui-a-Tia College has created Learning Advisory Group’s to help students get prepared for their school work and lives. They are holding a Whanau Day on Wednesday and invite parents to come along and see what the students have been working on.