Criteria
Apply via online HP application pack accessed on the school website or by request. This pack includes academic and behavioral reports, sporting achievements and will need to include a cover letter explaining why they would like to be considered. Students will also require one academic referee and one sporting referee. An interview process will apply and consist of applying student, caregiver/s, Principal, HP Director and Surf Academy Coach.
The Principal, HP Sports director and Surf Academy Coach are responsible for the selection of the students who apply. They will consider all information provided and make a decision based upon the following criteria:
- Sporting achievements
- Behavioral suitability
- Academic suitability
Applying Students
The two high performance pathway programmes require a substantial amount of commitment and dedication to both sport and academia. There is a high expectation academically within the NCEA programme offered, where students will be enrolled in 5 NCEA subjects (Year 11- 13). Students in Years 7-10 will also be expected to meet academic expectations and not fall behind in other learning areas. This is to help foster well-rounded athletes who succeed on the sporting field and in the classroom.
The Sports Academy and Surf Academy run in conjunction with each other throughout the year with classes inside of the school timetable, four periods a week. The Surf Academy will have extra requirements outside of weekly school hours and during school holiday times. Every year both the Surf Academy and Sports Academy students will attend a three day camp at the YHA Opoutere grounds at the start of the school year. This camp is designed to create the high performance culture within the groups. The following aspects will be the focus of the camp:
- Nutrition
- Exercise
- Team building
- Goal setting
- Culture
The applications for 2020 have now closed.
School Representation
Three strikes policy
A three strike policy will apply to all members of the Sports Academy and Surf Academy to maintain the positive expectations of the elite athletes. A strike is considered a serious breach of the expectations of being an athlete in the High Performance Pathway Programmes and is designed to encourage positive behaviour and role modeling. When a strike is issued the Sports Academy Coach or Surf Academy Coach will meet with the student and discuss how they will need to improve. Once a student receives three strikes they will be immediately dropped from the programme for the year, but will have the option to reapply in the following year.
Strike Criteria
- A high level behavioral breach (smoking, vaping, fighting, put on report etc)
- Engagement report below 3.5 average after 4 weeks of notification
- Attendance below 85% without good reason
- Not meeting the ethos of the academy (missing training sessions, not following instructions and general disruption of the group).
Whangamata Sports Academy
Purpose of the programme
To offer students the opportunity to excel in their chosen sport through the high performance sports programme. To lift the performance of individual athletes by focusing on a holistic approach - the physical, mental and emotional characteristics.
Students are provided with one-on-one and group sessions to help them reach their age-group potential and increase their overall performance in their chosen sport/s. The programme will consist of strength and conditioning training, nutritional, goal setting, time management, improving mental game, strategic thinking and emotional skills.
Whangamata Surf Academy
Purpose of the programme
Offer students the opportunity to excel in Surfing through the high performance surf programme. To lift the performance of individual athletes by focusing on a holistic approach - the physical, mental and emotional characteristics.
Surf Academy students will discover their surfing potential through small group and one-on-one specialised coaching.
Coaching focuses on the technique, fitness, wave knowledge and understanding of competition in surfing through the following:
- Personalised, surf specific fitness training
- Implementing strategies in heat surfing
- Technical skill development
- Biomechanical and video analysis
Academy students are expected to compete at all major surf competitions throughout the North Island of New Zealand that fall within a school calendar year, as well as running an annual competition in Whangamata. While the academy accepts students may have other sporting interests and commitments, it is expected that they prioritise surfing competitions and team trips that apply to their age group.
NCEA Levels 1-3
Years 7-10
