On their recent visit to Southland to compete in team sports, students of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Huiarau, Māori-language immersion school, from rural Bay of Planty were introduced to SIT through a connection with another Southland school, Menzies College. SIT Marketing School Liaison, Bintang Priesa, who organised the group tour on 2nd June, says the school thought it would be a great idea to include SIT on their sports trip.
“While the primary reason for their visit was sports, (the athletes came to play netball or basketball games), they managed to squeeze the SIT tour in as well. They wanted to bring their students and see our facilities, to see what we have to offer regarding tertiary education and what's possible for the next step that they'll be taking.”
Mr Priesa tailored the tour to meet the students’ interests, who ranged from year 10 to year 13 and came with school support staff and whānau/caregivers.
“They were intrigued in the School of Sports, Exercise and Health, which includes the gym and human performance centre; the girls were interested in seeing our hairdressing and beauty therapy rooms, which are set up as salons and treatment rooms. We also showed them construction, and J block (Creative Industries Centre) as they were interested in the music programmes as well.”
Mr Priesa says the group was pleasantly surprised by SIT. “They were surprised at how big the campus was – I walked them around it; it was quite a long distance. They commented on the quality of the facilities and were even more amazed on how it was possible to have all this with our SIT Zero Fees Scheme - I think that was the best part about it for them.”
The group went home with plenty to think about and there was some strong interest in enrolling, especially from the Year 13 students. Mr Priesa added it was a big adventure for the group, flying to the other end of the country and seeing what the south could offer them.
“From our perspective, the tour was a ten out of ten; we gave them such a beautiful welcoming ceremony with the mihi whakatau - it was very well received. The students were just having a great time; there were a lot of good conversations with myself and the marketing team.”
TeAroha Heke, SIT’s Ākonga Māori Navigator - Youth Guarantee Coordinator, noted that for some members of the group, this was their first time travelling on a plane, let alone leaving the North Island. “It was evident that the experience had a meaningful impact, and for some of the rangatahi it inspired them to think more broadly about their future education opportunities,” she said.
“They spoke positively about the warm welcome they received through the mihi whakatau, the kai that was shared, the opportunity to tour the campus, and the time spent with staff and tauira.”
Ms Heke said viewing SIT’s Music and Audio Production department was a particular highlight for many of the rangatahi. “The whānau from the small community of Ruātāhuna were genuinely appreciative of the time and effort that was invested in hosting them and ensuring they felt welcomed throughout their visit.”
Wharekura HOD, Mike Te Kurapa, extended his thanks to the SIT team for providing the tour. “This was an amazing day and something that allowed our tauira the chance to look at tertiary pathways as a means of improving lifelong opportunities. The powhiri was amazing and the southern hospitality was exactly that - warm and welcoming.”