Toi Ohomai Students Take Top Trades Awards

When Rusty Delamere sets her sights on something, she makes sure she achieves it. 

The Murupara teenager showed that her dedication paid off when she was recently awarded a Kaingaroa Roading Scholarship, a Prime Minister’s Vocational Education Award and the top Year 13 Student at Murupara Area School. 

The Roading Scholarship and Prime Minster’s Awards were worth $1000 and $2000, respectively. 

Rusty has also been awarded a place on the Growing Future Farmers programme next year and will be moving to Matawai to start a two-year farm cadetship.

Over the past two years Rusty has taken part in the Toi Ohomai secondary tertiary programme (STP). This year she studied the Level 3 Essential Farming Practice programme which is part of the Secondary Tertiary Exploration Programme (STEP UP) Training Scheme under the tutorage of Rachel Nash. 

Rachel attended the prizegiving at Murupara Area School and says she is incredibly proud of what Rusty has achieved.

“This is one of those special moments when you know what you’ve done has made a difference,” she says. 

“I’m so proud of Rusty, she’s overcome adversity and shown the most amazing resilience. Teaching her for the past two years has been a real privilege. I know she’ll go far.”  

During her acceptance speech, Rusty gave a nod to Rachel and shared some inspiring words about how to achieve your goals. 

“Even if you feel alone when trying to pursue your hopes and dreams, just know that there will always be someone who will take the time to help you succeed as long as you’re willing to help yourself. 

“Surround yourself with like-minded people or go out of your comfort zone to find people who will support you in the best ways possible. And, just remember the future isn’t something we enter, it’s something we create so work hard to achieve great things.”  

Another ākonga studying STP with Rachel at Toi Ohomai is Khalarn Mason (from Te kura Kaupapa o Ruamata School). Khalarn also received a Prime Minister’s vocational educational award worth $2000. This award is given to students who demonstrate vocational excellence and its purpose is to help them with their next step of their vocational journey. 

If you or someone you know is interested in studying an STP course with Toi Ohomai visit the website to view all courses available. There are a wide range of options across the motu including construction, farming, forestry, hairdressing, engineering, hospitality, sport and fitness, culinary arts and more.