here - Whangaparaoa College

Dear Parents
It is the time of the year when our older learners need to make
their choices regarding next year’s subjects. I know it appears early to
be doing that, but it does influence the staff we employ for 2009. When
children make these choices they often feel they need to make choices
based on future careers. It is more important that they make these choices
based on what the future holds rather than the present.
8 August 2008 Term 3 Week 3
1
People who are entering the workforce now will be facing a work
environment hugely different over the next 40 years to what has occurred
over the last 40.
• Skills and qualifications are going to become much more generalised
and less specific.
• Most workers will have many career changes. Not job changes but
whole career changes.
• The significance of qualifications is going to increase. There will be
less chance of ‘working up from the bottom’.
• There will be new industries and careers which don’t exist now. These
careers will be well paid as there will be massive shortages in them.
• The arts and entertainment industries will have considerable growth
and a shortage of talent. These ‘creative’ areas are high growth areas.
• Technology and science areas will still be in huge demand and will
have big skill shortages.
Health and education will be internationally in short supply.
When teenagers are considering their choices I encourage them to make
these decisions:
• Stay at school or in training as long as you can and get the best
qualifications you can.
• If you are capable of University then aim to go there.
• Keep going with English and Mathematics as long as you can.
• Choose science subjects if you are still achieving in them.
• Choose other subjects you enjoy.
Last weekend the first Whangaparaoa College school ball was held. It was
a tremendous occasion and I was gratified to receive from the Harbour
Function Centre an email that commented on the “pleasant and
appreciative behaviour from all” learners. I would like to thank those staff
and learners who made that a considerable success.
Last week I also received an email from Major Jeff Winterburn of the
Salvation Army who wrote regarding the donation we made to the Salvation
Army from a recent mufti day. He stated “We are very grateful for the sup-