Kawerau Sergeant Shane Tailby had the pleasure of seeing the hard work of students pay off at the graduation for the inaugural Tarawera High School Police Studies programme held this week.
Thanks to the combined efforts of Shane and teaching staff at the Kawerau high school, the programme generated a lot of interest with a number of students signing up to the one-year course.
“It has been a rollercoaster ride as the school and myself got our heads around the curriculum and how best to deliver it to the students, but our perseverance triumphed with most of the starting class finishing the year,” says Shane.
The programme, aimed at Year 12 and 13 students, focuses on the Police values and sets up those wanting to pursue a career as a police officer once they have left school — it is also covers all aspects of policing and challenges mindsets. Shane attended the graduation to present the awards for top male and female student in the programme.
“I wanted there to be awards so there would be mana around the class, and for students to be proud of being part of the programme and promote interest for the coming year," says Shane.
The top student awards were engraved patu carved by Senior Constable Anaru Biddle, of Kawerau, which have been gifted to the school. The carving depicts the values of New Zealand Police and the Tarawera River, as well as engraved name of each top male/female student in the programme.
The recipients were Caleb Te Rire, who is heading off to Waikato University to complete a double major; and Daesha Pakuria-Taukamo, who is back for Year 13 as Deputy Head Girl. Planning for the 2020 programme is under way and Shane is looking forward to continuing Police's relationship with Tarawera High.
“I want to thank those from the Area and District that have given their time to attend and share their experiences and knowledge,” says Shane.
Tarawera Principal Helen Tuhoro is full of praise for the programme. “The Police programme has been an amazing opportunity for our students and staff; one that has seen great collaboration and relationship building between Tarawera High School and Kawerau Police," she says.
"We are extremely humbled by the beautiful taonga presented to our top students in the programme and acknowledge that the school's values of MANA and those of the NZ Police have helped build the foundation of this course.
"We look forward to the day we welcome our first graduate back to Kawerau as a member of our local Police, supporting the next generation of students.”