Hagley Community College

Significantly different from any other secondary school in New Zealand, Hagley Community College serves the educational needs of people of different ages, ethnicities and learning abilities.

Located in central Christchurch, the College attracts students from throughout the city and surrounding area and from many countries throughout the world. Our student population represent a diverse range of age, culture, and socio-economic backgrounds. The diversity of learners and the fact that there is no uniform requirement creates an informal and friendly relationship between staff and students and a positive learning environment. This is a learning environment that is creative, innovative and at the “cutting edge” of education.

Hagley Community College’s Refugee Programmes have been a particular focus over the past five years. With the help and funding assistance of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Development, TEC, Adult and Community Education Aotearoa, Partnership Health Canterbury, CCT and the Christchurch City Council, Hagley has been a lead organisation in developing programmes that support quality learning for former refugees.

Seventy percent of refugee families settling in Christchurch attend the College for formal and informal education sessions such the English language courses in the ESOL department, the After Three Evening Programmes or the Adult Evening Programmes for Refugee Men and Women, pathwaying into mainstream subject areas. The College encourages a “whole family” approach to help ensure that refugee families can remain united as they adjust to a new and very different life in New Zealand.

Projects 2012
Multi-Ethnic Homework and Study Support Centre

A centre where former refugee students of primary, intermediate and secondary levels from any schools in Christchurch can attend to receive support and extra educational attainment from qualified and specialist teachers on subjects such as English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry. Bilingual support is also available at the Centre.

Adult Evening Programme for Refugee Men and Women

Alongside the Multi-Ethnic Homework and Study Support Centre, programmes are run for the parents and extended families of the children who attend the Centre. These include opportunities to further gain literacy and numeracy skills through classes such as Computer Skills, Cooking, Barista, Driver Theory, Home Maintenance and Woodwork.

Home-School Partnership Programme

Parents and family workshops held termly to inform and impart parents with the knowledge and skills to successfully support their children in their educational attainment and career pathways at home. Relevant and important topics are covered, for example, Understanding NCEA and Assessments; and Choosing a career and job search.

Community Liaison

Hagley Community College employs two community liaison officers to work across schools and external agencies in supporting communication, translation, interpreting, cultural advice, teacher aiding and learning support for refugee students, their families and their respective communities.

Refugee Women’s Day

Since 2008, this event has created a special day for women from refugee backgrounds of all ethnicities to come together, learn and share their culture and journeys. The event is a way of celebrating women from refugee background communities and for the role they play in their lives, their jobs and their families. It is a way of marking how important these women are in New Zealand now and in the future.

World Refugee Day

Hagley Community College, Canterbury Refugee Council and Refugee Services invite you to come together in honour of World Refugee Day Wednesday, 20 June 2012 from 5:45 PM to 8:00 PM at Hagley Community College (Cafeteria at Library). The programme includes refugee background youth speakers, static and book displays, cultural performances and refreshments. Click here to see the flyer.

Capacity Building Workshop: Working Alongside Refugee Families

A one day training workshop offered to NGOs, charities, and public sector and government agencies in Christchurch and beyond. The workshop is designed to share best practice, promote knowledge and help organisations and individuals work successfully alongside refugee and former refugee families.

Intercultural Awareness and Communication Training

A one day workshop run in conjunction with the Office of Ethnic Affairs, the training focuses on ways to improve one’s ability to live and work in a multi-cultural environment. The workshop is conducted by trained Hagley staff.

Contacts:

Mastura Abd Rahman, Coordinating Manager Refugee Programmes
Phone: 03 -379 3090 ext 810
Email: ar@hagley.school.nz

Heather Clark, Director Learning Communities
Phone: 03-379 3090 ext 816
Email: ccr@hagley.school.nz

 

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