Student Support

At the heart of our philosophy is academic achievement. However, in order for students to flourish academically, we see pastoral care as the base on which to build fine achievement.

Students who are safe, happy and cared for tend to develop a healthy self-esteem and this flows into their study. This does not happen without structure and commitment.

The College has a well-defined pastoral care system as seen below.

Pastoral Care System
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The Student

We aim to teach students to be responsible. We set up the structure and the student must access this. Each student is assigned their own tutor who is usually one of their teachers. Meeting individually with this tutor ensures the student has appropriate advice and guidance. This happens once a week or fortnightly so that a relationship is built between the two.

Students can also see their other subject teachers for assistance with their studies. This takes place in the teacher's office and can be for remedial help or extra challenges. Twenty minutes spent here is very worthwhile and students are encouraged to seek this individual tuition.

In the lunch breaks and after school, different groups and sports are offered. Students should consider committing to some of these activities as it helps them to meet others, develop inter-personal skills as well as exercise leadership where appropriate.

The Role of the Tutor

The tutor is a personal mentor to the student. Meetings will occasionally involve a group but usually the tutor meets with the student individually to offer advice and guidance. At the start of the year, these meetings happen weekly but as the student becomes more confident with the College and their independence, the meetings usually become fortnightly. The tutor is also the person who keeps in touch with parents and is the first point of contact with the home.

Tutor Interviews

All students in the College are assigned a tutor teacher at the commencement of the year. Ideally, the tutor is one of their classroom teachers and sees them both in class and out of class. All staff, including the Principal and Senior Management team have a tutor group. It is not like the regular form class that many secondary students have experienced.

Induction

Prior to commencing the academic year, all new students are invited to an Induction morning. This time is organised by the Dean of each year level and supported by current senior students. In this allocated time, new students receive a tour of the building, meet all other students and are given help and assistance to make easy their transition to ACG Senior College. In the afternoon, the student and their parents/caregivers meet with the tutor teacher.

The Interview

At the interview, tutor teachers take the time to get to know the student and find out any important background information. This information relates to such things as how a student gets to school, learning difficulties, goals for the future and other relevant information. The tutor teacher explains through the Student Diary, outlining clearly the school rules and the opportunities available to students in the College. The student will have received their timetable and the tutor teacher will check this to ensure that it is correct. Information is given about purchasing a locker, text books and ID cards. Parents have the opportunity to ask questions about any aspect of the College.

At this interview, the tutor teacher will gather information that enables them to contact parents on a regular basis. Likewise, the tutor teacher will book a time to meet with the student one on one on a regular basis.

The Role of Dean

Our Deans do not deal with discipline but rather are involved in student welfare. They induct students who are new to the College and ensure everyone becomes familiar with the building, their timetables, the services on offer as well as gets to know others. It does not take long for friends to be made but the Dean is keen to see that everyone settles in well.

Throughout the year, the Deans meet with students individually. They monitor the academic progress of each student, assist with course selection and provide a listening ear if anyone needs help with an issue. Also, the Deans co-ordinate the Focus Groups that operate as a student body discussing current issues and ideas and, periodically, they hold Level Assemblies so that guest speakers can address everyone on issues like keeping safe.

The Year 11 Dean runs a social-education, life-skills and leisure course at the end of the academic year. During this time, the Year 13 Dean is organizing the Leavers' dinner for the graduates.

Year 11 Modules

All Year 11 students are timetabled for Physical Education and modules. The modules involve being taught study skills, organizational systems as well as drugs, alcohol and sexuality lessons.

Scholars Groups

Unashamedly the College acknowledges the success of students. Those who score the top marks in their Year 11 Cambridge examinations as well as those who score the best results in Year 12 are selected for the two Scholars Groups. Each of these groups has a room to work in privately. They also undergo an enrichment programme of lectures, seminars and visits.

Role of Attendance Officer

We do not waste time each day holding a form period to take the roll. Instead, in order to maximize teaching time, students report directly to their subject classes where the roll is taken electronically. Our Attendance Officers monitor the roll returns and contact parents if anyone is missing and we have not heard from their family.

Role of Careers Counsellor

Because we are teaching students who are preparing for their tertiary education, our Careers' Counsellor serves a vital role in advising and supporting decision-making. Mrs Bell liaises with all New Zealand universities as well as many overseas and brings them to the College to meet our students. Individual guidance is offered to students, identifying the best courses on offer and Mrs Bell informs students of the Scholarships on offer as well as assists them to complete their applications.

The Careers Counsellor also runs a module with the Year 11 students where she psychometrically tests them to help identify their strengths and hence possible career options.

Role of the Classroom Teacher

The classroom teacher delivers the curriculum but also monitors the students to ensure they are coping with the course. Our classrooms are safe learning places. We operate a non-harassment policy where students feel safe to answer questions and discuss issues. Critical thinking underpins our practices so that students learn to be independent.

As our periods are eighty-five minutes, teachers vary their lesson content to ensure the different learning styles of students are met. Students can also enjoy individual tuition with the teacher in their office should they require it for remedial or extension work.

Role of the Assistant Principal

The Assistant Principal has oversight of the pastoral care systems to ensure that students are safe and being supported. Counselling will be arranged if it is felt necessary and Mr Lee also spends time offering guidance to students on how to study and organise themselves.

Role of the Deputy Principal

Discipline lies with the Deputy Principal and he says he has to devote very little time to this as our students want to be here and are well behaved.

The Principal

In a college of our size, the Principal "“ Ms Parker "“ is readily available to the students and her door is usually open for them to visit. Many students, especially girls, like to ask her advice and she is active in supporting groups, even serving on the Ball Committee.

Student Diary

Your Student Diary has the information required by all students at ACG Senior College and will be given to you at Induction. You are expected to have read it through and understand the rules. The aim of this booklet is to provide international students at ACG Senior College with all the additional information they might need or are required to have.

Careers Counsellor

Many international students are planning to study overseas once they graduate from ACG Senior College. The College has a Careers Counsellor, Mrs Pam Bell, who supports students who are making applications to New Zealand and overseas tertiary institutions. There are numerous events held in the College that give students access to representatives of a range of American, Australian and New Zealand Universities. Likewise, Mrs Bell has experience in assisting students in preparing their applications for foreign universities.

We look forward to receiving applications from prospective students. If students or parents have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Director of International Services on 64-9-3060444 or by emailing Paul.Godfrey@acgedu.com.