Welcome back students

This week we welcomed students back on campus for 2022. While the buzz on campus had a new socially distanced look, this didn’t put a dampener on the first day excitement and nerves for some students. 

Tuesday morning started with students being met by friendly staff at the main entrances to campus handing out snack packs for a first-day treat. 

This was followed by an online Pōwhiri at 10 am to welcome new students to WITT. 

Marketing and Events Coordinator Samantha Legge said it was great to have students back on campus. 

“It’s great to have students back on campus; while it was disappointing that we had to postpone our usual o-week activities, it is important that we are keeping everyone safe,” she says.

While campus life may look a little different for new students they have been focusing on the positives. 

Kamia Lewis, who is currently studying the New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo Māori (Level 1) has studied at WITT before. This year she was finding life on campus to be much calmer. 

“I have found being on campus this year is very calm. Everything is very well organised to keep us safe.” 

Nahee Kim, who only arrived in New Zealand four weeks ago from South Korea, found the New Zealand Covid-19 safety precautions to be a pleasant change. 

“I have found New Zealand is much more peaceful than Korea. In Korea it is strict and I have found New Zealand to be much more relaxed with their Covid-19 restrictions, so it has been a nice change,” she said. 

Kaydence Allan, currently a student in the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Healthcare Assistance Strand, has found WITT to be very accommodating. 

“Currently because of my programme and having to complete industry placement hours, I have to produce three negative Covid-19 tests before I can go to the placement. WITT has been accommodating and provided the RAT tests for me to do,” she says. 

“The tutors have been very reassuring and made sure that if any of our programme is interrupted by Covid-19 they will re-adjust it to make sure that we do not miss out on anything and get all our industry placement hours complete.”

We have had to think on our feet this year, pivoting and adapting to deliver events and programmes while keeping the students safe. Whether it is working with students who are isolating to complete their course or providing RAT Covid-19 tests for students who must test negative to complete their industry placements, it is all part of keeping the ākonga, kaimahi and community safe.