Whānau hui: Monday 15 September
Thank you to all those who attended our hui on Monday 15 September.
If you were unable to attend or would like a refresher on what was covered, you can view the presentation here.
Pātai auau/Frequently asked questions
Welcome to the future of learning at Rolleston College! As we prepare to open our new Senior Campus, we understand you may have questions about how this exciting development will work for your whānau/family. These FAQs have been created to provide clarity on the key operational aspects of our two-campus model. Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition and maintain the strong sense of community that defines Rolleston College.
Will the "single cell schools announcement" have an impact on the design plans for the Senior Campus?
The announcement about single cell schools does not affect our plans. Our Senior Campus has always been designed with a "single cell" model in mind, primarily due to the need for specialised learning spaces and equipment for senior subjects. The Senior Campus will operate as a self-sufficient campus, with all the necessary resources and facilities for learning in years 12 and 13.
Will my child go between the two campuses for classes?
No. All year 12 and 13 learners will be based full-time at the Senior Campus. This campus will function as its own school, with all the specialist spaces and resources needed for senior-level learning.
Will staff be moving between the campuses?
Yes. We have designed our timetable to allow for staff movement between the two campuses. This model has been successfully implemented in other countries and ensures a consistent approach to teaching and learning.
How will the connection between junior and senior learners be maintained?
We believe that the connection between our junior and senior learners is vital to our college culture. We will be intentional about creating opportunities for this to happen. Some examples are:
- Deliberate timetable planning: Our schedule will include time for year 12 and 13 learners to visit the Junior Campus for specific leadership and service roles.
- Extracurricular activities: Clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities will be scheduled to allow for learners from both campuses to participate together.
- Mentoring programs: Senior/junior mentoring and peer support will continue, but in a more deliberate and structured way.
Celebrations/awards ceremonies: Year 12 and 13 leaders will continue to help run these events.
How do I manage picking up my children from two different campuses?
We understand this is a key logistical question for many families.
- Bus services: If your child catches a Ministry-funded school bus, they will be dropped off and picked up at the campus they attend. There will be some slight changes to the bus timetable to accommodate this.
- Drop-off and pick-up: The main entrance for the Senior Campus will be on Hungerford Drive. We will provide a map showing the designated drop-off and pick-up zones.
What about transport for learners who need to travel between campuses for specific events?
Travel between campuses for curriculum-related events will be organised and funded by the school.
Will the uniform be different for senior learners?
No. Rolleston College will have one uniform for all learners, with no differentiation between the Junior and Senior Campuses.
Will the college have a cafe at the Senior Campus?
We will not have a permanent cafe in stage 1, however we are currently looking at different food options where learners will be able to purchase food including using our current food trailer at the second site.
Will my child have car parking options at the Senior Campus?
Yes, there will be car parking available for both staff and learners at the Senior Campus. We will provide more details on designated parking areas as we get closer to the opening.
What about wellness services and first aid?
Each campus will have its own dedicated wellness services and first aid facilities. We will ensure that there are trained staff on both sites to handle first aid needs.
Will my child's leadership opportunities change?
No – our student leadership structure remains the same: Year 13 Leadership (for the whole school), Whānau Ambassadors (year 10-12) and Junior Council (year 9-11).
Will the new Senior Campus have a different name?
No. Both campuses will be known as Rolleston College Horoeka Haemata.
Will subject options change/reduce with staff split across two campuses?
No, it will be the opposite and create more opportunities for course design and more variety of courses.
Will the new campus be adequately serviced by public transport and foot paths?
We are currently developing a travel plan and our community will be surveyed which will help support the need for further public transport and safe infrastructure for getting to and from school.
Will Te Rito Harakeke operate on both campuses?
Not at this stage, however we would happily look at this in the future.
Will the school hours be the same?
The school day will increase by 10min.
When do you see ALL stages of the new campus being completed?
This is not a question we can answer as this is budget-dependent. We will continue to advocate for permanent buildings until the project is complete.
How many learners will there be capacity for at the senior campus once it’s fully completed?
The senior campus roll will be 1500 once all permanent buildings are completed.
Has the Ministry committed to a budget and timeframe for stage 2/3?
The MOE has committed budget to stage 2 for a classroom and administration block, however this is not all of the buildings that were planned for stage 2. Stage 2 also had a whare and theatre.
Will the prefabs at the new campus be open plan/modern learning?
Most new prefabs will be single cell, the only open plan prefabs will be the ones that were removed from our carpark.
What additional builds are needed after the whare and theatre?
Library, Learning Support, and a general classroom teaching block.
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