Wecome
“It’s not just the stars that shine”
Kia ora koutou katoa,
Welcome to Aurora College - Te Mūranga a Rangi, where we nurture a vibrant learning community built on the cornerstones of perseverance, whanaungatanga, and citizenship. We're dedicated to providing a supportive environment that champions inclusion, academic excellence, and personal growth.
Our Values - Whanaungatanga, Perseverance, and Citizenship
Whanaungatanga , the spirit of connection, is at the heart of our college. We believe in fostering strong relationships among students, staff, and families, creating a sense of belonging and support that genuinely nurtures personal development and well-being.
Perseverance is central to our college. We encourage students to embrace challenges, learn from them, and pursue their goals with relentless determination. Through our academic programs and supportive pastoral care, we empower them to overcome obstacles and realise their potential.
Citizenship is an integral part of our college community. We develop responsible global citizens, instilling a strong sense of social responsibility that empowers students to make a positive difference in their local and global communities.
Nurturing Every Student
Our pastoral care system is designed to provide comprehensive support for every student. We offer horizontal homebase classes for Years 7-10, as well as smaller classes for Years 11-13 that include academic and pastoral deans, who are available to guide and support students through every stage of their journey. This structure fosters a strong sense of belonging and ensures personalised attention.
As students’ progress through Aurora College, they will develop the necessary academic knowledge, diverse skills, and strong values to confidently embark on a post-school pathway they can be truly proud of. Whether pursuing further education, vocational training, or entering the workforce, we aim to equip them to lead fulfilling lives and make meaningful contributions to Aotearoa New Zealand and the wider world.
Join Our Whānau
I warmly invite you to join the Aurora College whānau. Here, we strive for excellence, celebrate diversity, and empower our students to become confident, compassionate, and successful individuals ready for their futures.
Nau mai, haere mai ki te wharekura o Aurora!
Craig Taylor Principal/Tumuaki, Aurora College
Year 9
Your Vibrant Start to Secondary School
Year 9 at Aurora College marks a vibrant and supportive beginning to secondary learning. Students thrive in whānau-focused classes, building strong relationships and a true sense of belonging from day one.
We embrace a cross-curricular approach, connecting subjects in meaningful ways. This helps students see the bigger picture, apply their learning across different contexts, and deepen their understanding. With diverse and engaging teaching strategies, Year 9 students are encouraged to explore new ideas, think creatively, and build confidence in their unique strengths.
It's a year of discovery, connection, and growth, laying a strong and exciting foundation for success throughout their entire secondary journey.
Year 10
Building Foundations for Success
In Year 10, students continue to develop their core skills within a supportive Homebase environment. Across all subjects, there's a strong focus on literacy and numeracy, preparing students for future academic success. Students are encouraged to sit the Reading, Writing, and Numeracy Common Assessment Activities (CAAs), as these are a foundational requirement for achieving NCEA Level 1.
A major highlight of Year 10 is the SIT Taster Day in December. This exciting opportunity allows students to select a course for the day and get a real-life experience of tertiary learning and post-school opportunities. It's a fantastic way to explore potential pathways!
Year
11 - 13
In the Senior School, we empower every student to design a personalised learning journey. You'll choose a course tailored to your interests, strengths, and future aspirations.
Aurora College embraces the Kia Tū Pathway programme, which enhances our senior school journey. The programme helps our students to explore their identity and cultural values in depth, translating these insights into a concrete, individualised pathway plan for tertiary studies, trades, or employment. This aligns perfectly with Aurora College's emphasis on perseverance, whanaungatanga, and active citizenship, ensuring our students are well-prepared for their futures.
While working towards NCEA Levels 1 to 3, students at Aurora College gain access to additional opportunities through our secondary/tertiary partnership with SIT. This includes:
• STAR Courses
• Murihiku Tertiary Pathways
We also provide real-world work experience through our Gateway programme and strong partnerships with leading industry providers right here in Invercargill. These connections help students explore diverse career paths and build practical skills for their future.
English as a Second Language (ESOL) Learners
Our ESOL learners are a vibrant and significant part of the Aurora College whānau. We're proud to welcome students from diverse backgrounds, including Colombia, Chile, Fiji, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Cook Islands, Samoa, Argentina, and the Republic of Congo.
Students in our ESOL program attend dedicated ESOL classes to develop their English language skills, alongside their regular home-base and subject classes. This integrated approach ensures they gain the support they need while fully participating in school life.
Inclusive Education
Aurora College is committed to providing an inclusive education for all students, celebrating the rich diversity of our student body. We welcome students with a wide range of needs, including those with significant physical and cognitive challenges, mental health concerns, high health needs, or those who identify as neurodiverse.
All our students are integrated into mainstream classes. For those with significant physical and cognitive needs, a tailored weekly timetable combines mainstream learning with an individualised program designed to best support their development. We also partner with Special Olympics New Zealand, offering students the opportunity to compete in sporting competitions throughout the year.
Service Academy
Our Service Academy is a unique, military-based program for Year 12 and 13 students, designed to foster strong classroom engagement and academic achievement. Entry to the fully funded Service Academy is through an application and interview process. Once accepted, students immerse themselves in a dynamic program that includes:
• Camps
• School and community service
• Rigorous physical training
• Valuable leadership opportunities
Our distinctive teaching and learning environment is built on clear boundaries, consistent consequences, and high expectations across the board. We emphasize:
• Exceptional attendance and punctuality
• Impeccable personal presentation
• Strong initiative and energy
• Unwavering commitment to academic success
Through overcoming challenges individually and as a team, students gain a profound sense of belonging and boosted confidence.
Junior Service Academy
The Junior Service Academy is an optional program for Year 10 students. It provides foundational skills, knowledge, and education essential for progression into the Senior Service Academy. In a military-style environment, Junior Academy participants have the chance to:
• Perform drill exercises
• Engage in physical training (PT)
• Learn about school and academy values
This program cultivates future leaders by offering early exposure to military principles and personal development.
Sport at Aurora College: Get Involved!
At Aurora College, we're incredibly proud of our vibrant sporting culture. We offer a wide range of sports and physical activities to ensure every student has the chance to get active and involved.
We believe that sport should be accessible to all our rangatahi. That's why we work hard to keep our sports fees to a minimum, removing a common barrier and making it easier for students to participate in multiple sports if they wish!
Our Diverse Sports Offering Includes:
• Touch Rugby
• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Football
• Disc Golf
• Badminton
• Hockey
• Table Tennis
• Ki-O-Rahi
• Futsal
• Cricket
• Netball
• Rugby
Beyond team sports, we also host exciting intra-school competitions, including athletics and cross country, alongside our popular inter-house events.
Community & Connection
We foster strong partnerships with neighbouring schools, allowing us to combine forces and field teams when our numbers are low. This collaboration has been particularly successful for both rugby and hockey, providing more opportunities for our students to play.
Ceebrating Culture at Aurora College
Aurora College Pasifika
At Aurora College, we provide exciting opportunities for students to learn about and connect with Pacific cultures. Our Pasifika program offers students the chance to:
• Represent the school at the Murihiku Polyfest.
• Plan and lead activities for Pacific Language Weeks.
• Connect with local Pasifika communities.
These experiences deepen our students' understanding of both their own culture and the cultures of others, fostering a strong sense of identity and belonging.
Kapa Haka
Kapa Haka at Aurora College is more than just performance; it's a vibrant journey that builds teamwork, discipline, and immense pride in one's identity and culture.
Participating in Kapa Haka gives students the opportunity to:
• Embrace Māori culture through customs, history, costumes, and traditional waiata.
• Develop confidence through powerful performances.
• Showcase their talents in a supportive environment.
• Build lasting friendships through unity and teamwork.
Come join us and experience the richness of Kapa Haka!
links@aurora
TE WHARE TAPA WHĀ
Te Taha Wairua Spiritual
Te Taha Tinana Physical
Whenua Land, Roots
Te Taha Hinergaro Mental & Emotional
Te Taha Tinana Family & Social
At Aurora College, we proudly operate a "community hub model" designed to centralize and simplify access to a wide array of support services for our students. Located right on campus, links@aurora aims to break down barriers, ensuring every student can easily access the help they need to thrive.
Our approach is built on the foundation of the Te Whare Tapa Whā model, which outlines the four cornerstones of holistic wellbeing. This framework guides our provision of services, ensuring comprehensive support for our students' hauora/wellbeing.
Services available include:
• School Counsellors
• Careers advice, information, and guidance
• Public Health Nurse
• Social Worker in Schools (SWIS)
• Counselling, mentoring and social service external agencies
• Group programmes such as ‘Travellers’ and ‘Seasons for Growth’
AURORA COLLEGE UNIFORM JUNIOR & SENIOR
All our school uniforms are now available from Uniform NZ, located at: 142 Otepuni Avenue, Invercargill.
You can view all uniform options and make purchases directly on their website: https://aurora.uniformnz.com
For students starting at the beginning of a new school year, uniforms will need to be pre-ordered by 30 November. Uniform NZ offers Layby & Afterpay.
Junior Uniform Items
Aurora College navy polo
Navy skirt or culottes
Navy track pants
White or black ankle socks
Black or white shoes
PE top (compulsory for Years 7 to 9)
Aurora College Hoodie
Navy trousers
Navy shorts
Navy tights
Black leather sandals
Senior Uniform Items
Aurora College Hoodie
Aurora College navy polo
White long-sleeved shirt
Aurora College navy vest
Navy skirt
Navy track pants
White or black ankle socks
Navy tights
Black leather sandals
Aurora College Blazer
White blouse
Aurora College navy jersey
Aurora College tie
Navy trousers
Navy shorts
Navy dress socks
Black or white shoes
Navy lavalava (not available at Uniform NZ)
School Haka
Te Muranga-a-Rangi – Aurora College (Fire Light In The sky)
Kia rite, Kia rite
Kia Mau
Hi!
Ki runga!
E hara ko nga – Whetu nahe e kanapa –napa I te rangi! He aha tenei na?
Ko Te Muranga-a-Rangi!
Ko Te Muranga-a-Rangi!
Hi!
Ahakoa nga uauatanga – Era he taimahatanga
Ki runga!
Kia whatia - whatia nga herehere nei ki raro!
Ki runga – Ko wai nei!
Ko Te Muranga-a-Rangi
Ko Te Muranga-a-Rangi
Hi!
It is not only the stars that shine in the sky, so therefore who is this?
We are Aurora College! We are Aurora College!
Although there will be many hardships in life, and many burdens that will weigh us down
Break the restraints that are holding us down
And rise up and ask – Who are we?
We are Aurora College! We are Aurora College!
