Contact Details:
Irene Hakaria
Billah Street
Tokoroa 3420
The Pa Harakeke Continuing Education Centre is based on the school grounds of Tokoroa High School. We provide education for teen mums and dads from the wider ...
The Pa Harakeke Continuing Education Centre is based on the school grounds of Tokoroa High School. We provide education for teen mums and dads from the wider South Waikato, which includes the Putaruru, Arapuni, Tirau and Mangakino districts.
Opened in April 2011, our vision is to ensure that students are given the opportunity to continue their secondary school journey.
We are now situated in newly renovated, warm and comfortable rooms which include class spaces, a kitchen, computer suite, toilets and shower. Visits and enrolments are accepted throughout the academic year.
Completing ones educational learning requirements does not cease due to parenthood. It is just the beginning of a new journey in life.
The hope is that students will leave the unit as confident young adults, with the skills and credits required to allow them to grasp the vast opportunities available.
Our slogan for the unit reflects this belief: “In learning there is life, In life there is learning”
Although we do not have an Early Childhood Centre attached to the unit, students are able to access the many ECE centres located in the South Waikato area. Transport to and from the doorstep and daycare is available if required.
As we are based on the host school grounds students have access to all amenities available at Tokoroa High School.
Students can take advantage of free doctor and nurse consultations, counseling, library facilities and gateway courses.
We also have services available to students through the many community organisations located in the wider South Waikato such as Tokoroa Community of Social Services (TCOSS), Raukawa Trust Board, South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services Inc, (SWIPIC), WERA (Youth Services), WINZ, Tokoroa Budgeting Services, Salvation Army – SKIP Parenting Course.
The main aim of the unit is to ensure students achieve the required NCEA qualifications. Individual Education Plans are developed for each student on enrolment.
These plans set goals which target not only a student’s career aspirations, therefore the academic requirements, but also any pastoral needs as a parent or individual.
Our reward to students who achieve the required literacy and/or numeracy credits, is to offer financial assistance to gain their drivers licence.
Two full-time teachers and one part-time teacher are currently working in the unit. Students are able to attend the many subject classes provided by both our host school – Tokoroa High School – and the other high school in Tokoroa, Forest View High School.
We have links to tertiary providers based in the South Waikato – Waiariki Polytechnic, Te Wananga o Aotearoa and Taratahi. Students are also given the opportunity to attend taster courses at tertiary providers such as WINTEC in Hamilton, Waikato and Auckland Universities.
