Last week marked an exciting milestone for our senior students as our Academies Tertiary Training officially commenced. Across our Building, Automotive, Hospitality and Health Academies, students began the tertiary component of their programmes at Unitec and NZMA - an important step in bridging school learning with real-world industry experience.

Our Building and Automotive ākonga were warmly welcomed at Unitec with a formal pōwhiri, followed by a shared kai. This meaningful start set the tone for the year ahead — grounded in respect, partnership and a shared commitment to success. It was a powerful reminder that our students are stepping into professional spaces where they are recognised as emerging tradespeople and future industry leaders.

Meanwhile, our Hospitality and Health Academy students began their training at NZMA, where they were introduced to the expectations, standards and practical environments that will shape their learning journey. From commercial kitchens to health training facilities, our students are now immersed in authentic industry settings designed to build both confidence and capability.

Each year, our Academy students attend tertiary training for over 20 weeks, developing hands-on skills and working toward recognised industry standards within their chosen pathway. These programmes are intentionally structured to provide practical, real-world learning experiences that complement classroom study. Students are not only gaining technical expertise, but also strengthening essential employability skills such as time management, professionalism, teamwork and communication.

The Academies model reflects our commitment to meaningful pathways beyond school. By partnering with respected tertiary providers like Unitec and NZMA, we are ensuring that our students are exposed to high expectations, modern facilities and current industry practice. This early exposure allows them to make informed decisions about apprenticeships, further study and future careers.

We are incredibly proud of the maturity and enthusiasm our students demonstrated in their first week. Stepping into tertiary environments requires responsibility and resilience, and our young people rose to the occasion.

We look forward to seeing their skills, confidence and leadership grow over the coming months. The journey has begun, and the future is full of opportunities.