Taupo Nui-A-Tia College

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ROUND THE TOURISM DEPARTMENT IN 80 WORDS - OR LESS

DESTINATION

Nelson block (brand new classroom!) 2009

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

You do not require a passport unless joining one of the overseas trips.

You must be a Year 12 or Year 13 student.

You need at least 9 literacy credits in Year 11 English or Geography

Do not bring any foreign objects or offensive weapons into E1

Food stuffs may be confiscated if they do not meet the hygiene regulations

Bottled water is safe to drink.

Click here for the full course outline

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE

Backpacks, little pink handbags, man-bags or any other such item that has the capacity to carry folders and manuals.

Report for 2009

GREEN is for…go the TOURISM DEPARTMENT 2009

Did you Know?

The colour GREEN signifies growth, renewal, environment.

The marketing brand for tourism is ‘Clean Green 100% Pure’ – so green seems the most

appropriate colour to associate with our subject.

To all the greenhorns out there …. Did you know ?

Tourism is the largest global industry in the world
Tourism accounted for one billion people travelling abroad in 2008
Tourism earns 18% of NZs export earnings
Tourism is responsible for 9% of NZs GDP
Tourism employs 1 in 10 New Zealanders
Tourism is now taught in schools across the country and Taupo-nui-a-Tia College has the second largest number of students in the course in New Zealand

So why is the grass GREENER in our subject …… Did you know?

Our Destination: Extended stopover in E1 – final destination N4

Our Accommodation: Five Star - fully equipped ultra new classroom complete with computer suite (well 12) latest designer student furniture and magnificent scenic views.

Our Tour Guides: Mrs Lockwood the clean GREEN kiwi, Mrs Sellars the GREEN celtic

goddess and our GREEN Irishman extraordinaire Mr Rainey

Our Travellers: 53 fine Year 12 students and 76 hardened Year 13 students.

Our Activities: Full NCEA Level 2 and Level 3 courses. Kiwi host course for Yr 13

Amazing opportunities every second year for overseas travel

Our Trips: There were a few disappointments in this area for 2009 i.e

Plan A – California Dreaming – but we only got to dream – recessions and distance made this a non- viable option.

Plan B – Gold Coast Australia. – but limited numbers opting for this option and a been there done that in 2006 collapsed that possibility.

Plan C – Auckland New Zealand – including a Spookers night – time constraints with externals and any other excuse you can think of had put this on hold till 2010.

Plan D – Huka Jet Taupo – oh well the grass is always greener at home. Great day had by all. They were true tourists and those who missed out were green with envy.

Plan E – A joint social science trip to Vietnam.

Did you Know -

This has been a wonderful group of students to teach. We have given the green light to the Year 12 students to move up to the Year 13.

We will miss the Year 13 tourism students of ’09 and sincerely wish them all Good Luck and Good Travels as they venture off to GREENER pastures.

Bon Voyage - Mrs Lockwood

Ooooooh, we can’t wait to go to Vietnam!

OVERSEAS IN 2007

After one year of saving and the mandatory fundraising, the Gold Coast Tourism trip was finally here. After an emotional farewell at school, 31 students and 5 adults departed from a very cold 2 degree Taupo morning and headed to 30 degrees of Australian heat. We flew with Emirates – a first experience for new flyers. We reached Brisbane Airport and had an extremely turbulent landing—extra turbulent for Ryan as he lost his wallet (cash, eftpos..). After a two hour drive we arrived at Le Chelsea apartments, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast Australia - our home for the next seven days.

Day one and we were straight into it. After renewing our wardrobes at Harbor Town and Pacific Fair, we headed back, had a swim at the beach and then were off to the Australian Outback Spectacular. We were treated to a superb Australian feast and an excellent arena performance covering the history of outback Australia. We actually had to join in with the Waltzing Matilda rendition which was a bit disconcerting considering we were very parochial kiwis but still, it was excellent entertainment. Casey Church was lucky or unlucky enough to be singled out for a battle against the two cattle stations. He put his dramatic skills to the action in front of two thousand people and represented his country well -- until a slight mishap at the end where he nose dived into the dirt.

Next stop - Dream World Theme Park. The highlights included the Tower Of Terror, the new Batman ride and of course the deathly Giant Drop ( did Miss Shannon wimp out on this one ???) After a full day of rides we returned to surfers for a swim, some night retail therapy and exploration of the renowned Cavell Avenue where Tyler performed a magnificent demonstration of Krumping - TNT style.

The next stop for our travellers was Steve Irwin’s beloved Australia Zoo. We traveled two and a half hours to the Sunshine Coast to experience this famous attraction which is now seen as a shrine for Steve - crikey! The Crocoseum provided superb entertainment and yet again one of our crew was selected from the crowd of thousands to imitate an amusing bird call (flapping arms and all). Thanks Greg -you did us proud.

This was the hottest day yet and at 32 degrees, some struggled with the heat. The highlight had to have been the Crocoseum show where we had a close encounter with a 6m long croc and a jaw full of extremely sharp teeth.

After soaking up the sun at the beach the next day it was time to get dressed up for Dracula’s – an absolute highlight of the trip. The show was out of this world and we were treated to some amazing entertainment. But what is it about a TNT group? Again amongst a crowd of hundreds we were singled out. Mr. Frewen was repeatedly HIT ON for wearing a shirt resembling a pajama top. He has been renamed PJ ever since. Mrs Lockwood had to deal with an Indian magician and Ra was given the title of “Jake the Muss” or Orlando

Blooms look-a-like. TNT was also called upon to do a battle with another school group from Hamilton and of course with our caring cornerstone values and famous SPIRIT, we won hands down. It was an awesome night and one to retain in our most memorarable experience folder.

Day six and we invaded Movie World for yet another day of action packed, gut wrenching rides that tested our fears. The highlight was the new Superman ride which accelerates faster than an Indy Car. On our last night we dined at a local restaurant before getting those last minute presents (Harriet have you got mums present yet?).

The 4am wake up call was the reality check that our time was up and we had to go home. Being delayed six hours in Brisbane due to fog was possibly the only blot on an otherwise fantastic trip. The trip was a blast and the memories will last forever.

A huge thanks to Mrs. Lockwood, Mr. Frewen, Miss Shannon and Mr. Ross and his partner Carla for making this trip possible and to all the parents who helped with the fundraising efforts. Finally to the 31 Tourism students who represented their school with honour and integrity in this awesome experience to the Gold Coast - congratulations, and enjoy those memories. You were fantastic tourists.

Camp Mother—Casey Congdon

Finally....

Taupo is such a superb destination to host a Tourism Department as there are so many activities and attractions. With Tourism being the world’s fastest growing industry and currently accounting for 1 in 10 jobs our students are really reaping the benefits.

Good luck to those Year 13s embarking on their next journey. Send me a postcard.

The Journey continues for our Year 12s ……. so ……. pack those bags and I will look forward to travelling with you in 2008.