Invercargill put on a stunning, sunny and calm autumn day for an event jam-packed full of interaction, food, and music. Most of the action happened at Hansen Hall, which was decked out with stalls showcasing the many options SIT offers - over 190 courses - in a variety of subjects: Electrical, Automotive, Advanced Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Carpentry, Architecture/Quantity Surveying, Beauty Therapy, University of Otago College of Education, SIT Online, Hospitality/Cookery, IT/Computing, Screen Arts, Massage Therapy, Environmental Management, Sport and Exercise, Music, Audio Production, TWOA, Social Services, Nursing, Business and Commerce, Chartered Accountants, Hotel Management, Vet Nursing, Hairdressing, Telford and STAR/MTA Secondary pathways, as well as Student Services, SIT Accommodation and International support.
With more than 30 schools represented from across the southern region, Years 11 - 13 students checked out the interactive displays and spoke directly with tutors to ask questions and find out more about SIT programmes. In between the information gathering, students had fun at the photo booth and enjoyed the free food options; popcorn and wraps were available in the hall, while the SIT barbecue, manned by Student Support Services, dished out dozens of the ubiquitous sausage in bread with tomato sauce.
Outside, the hall carpark was transformed into an outdoor entertainment area for the barbecue and a band; SIT Music students created good vibes, performing well-known covers, supported by Audio Production students. Large groups of students made the most of the sunshine and music to stop a while and listen, dance and sing along.
Tours of the campus were held throughout the day for students, parents and teachers, giving them a firsthand look at training spaces, workshops, and classrooms. Beauty Therapy treatment rooms and the automotive workshop were popular stops, as well as the Nursing clinical suites, where Year 2 student nurses showed a range of skills: blood pressure checks, CPR, high fidelity mannequin, virtual and mixed reality, manual handling, wound moulage, blood sugar testing and injection practice.
Year 12 Aurora College student, Tyla Dunn, came to check out SIT’s Cookery programmes with her mum, Jolene Dunn, and sister, Alannah Manukau. Tyla admits vet nursing caught her attention on the day, (their display had a very friendly long-haired dachshund), however, the visit helped affirm her decision to pursue Cookery. “Coming along has helped,” she said.
And Mum, Jolene, also thought the day was helpful and interesting. “It’s really good and very interactive; the SIT staff have been very kind and it’s been great,” she said.
South Otago High School (SOHS) STAR - Gate way co-ordinator, Willow Lunam, and two other teachers travelled from Balclutha with three vanloads of students for the event. “Our students are really enjoying the day,” Miss Lunam said. She had taken the opportunity to tour the campus and saw the Nursing clinical suites; “It was really informative”, Beauty Therapy – “It’s a nice set-up” and noted some of her students went to see the Automotive workshop and learn more about the range of programmes on offer.
SIT Marketing Manager, Warrick Low, says the day was a win for students and SIT alike. “This is why we do what we do; seeing rangatahi (youth) thinking about their options – we’re here to assist in them finding the right qualification which will facilitate a successful pathway into work. That, plus showing off the great kit and people SIT has; very southern proud!”