Source: University of Waikato
The University of Waikato is now home to Rototuna Senior High School’s (RSHS) new satellite campus, welcoming 40 year 12 and 13 students onto its Hamilton campus and around 100 staff and students by the end of the year.
RSHS is undertaking a 1,500m2 extension to the school, due to be completed by 2023. To allow teaching to continue without too much disruption, the University has provided a space, located in the University’s Division of Education, for RSHS staff and students to use while the extension is under construction.
The University and Rototuna Senior High School have worked with the Ministry of Education to facilitate this partnership, which has benefits for both the school and the University.
University of Waikato Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alister Jones, says the partnership provides a good solution for the school, as well as enabling greater connectivity between the University and the school.
“It gives certainty for RSHS students, teachers and parents in the medium term, and allows our staff an opportunity to engage more closely with potential future students while also giving them a taste of campus life in their final years at high school,” he says.
RSHS expects this opportunity to shape a centre for academic acceleration, where staff can support students in polishing their assessment work and NCEA preparation.
Miranda Makin, the Principal of Rototuna Senior High School explains that the satellite campus allows students to see themselves at the University.
“The challenge of limited space has been transformed into a fabulous opportunity for our school and our students,” she says.
“We now find ourselves in the unique position of being able to explore how we can work with the University to deepen and extend our students’ learning and eliminate the barriers students may perceive about going on to university. Through the satellite campus space – university also becomes their place.”
While a significant proportion of their learning will take place in the Division of Education building, RSHS staff and students will gradually also have access to the wider campus grounds including Te Manawa – Student Centre, the Library and retailers.
