Parents’ Edition:

2013 “QUICK START” GUIDE to ……

A valued and respected option for students attending the University of OTAGO, Dunedin NZ

www.otago.ac.nz/carrington

CARRINGTON COLLEGE Motto: ‘Unmindful Neither of Wisdom Nor of Faith’

to the Carrington College Community:

This booklet is a quick reference, providing some key information to assist YOU adjusting to the

move away from home of your son/daughter.

Dear Parent(s), Guardian

We are delighted that your daughter/son has chosen to live at Carrington for their first year at Otago University and we look

forward to their arrival in February. We know that the year spent at Carrington will be very enjoyable and supportive at this

very important time of transition from home to University. The staff at Carrington all have one thing in common-we are here

to ensure that your daughter/son is well cared for, well fed, warm, gets all the academic support she/he needs, works hard,

has fun, makes lots of friends for life and seeks help from us when needed. My staff have a wealth of expertise and

experience with young people and this is directed at the residents to ensure that they have a great year at Carrington.

This booklet will hopefully answer a lot of questions that you, as a parent/guardian, have about Carrington, but please always

feel free to contact us at any time should you have any concerns or queries and of course, you are always welcome to come

and visit the College. If we haven’t got a spare bed available, there is always a mattress on the floor of your daughter’s or

son’s room, student style!

Kindest regards,

Ashley R Day

Warden

PINE WARDELL BLACKIE

Meet the Senior Staff:

Ashley Day- Warden Robyn Madden- Deputy Warden Kerry Scarf- Financial Manager

Steve Joint- Conference & Domestic Services Manager Sue Stockwell- Food Services Manager Ken Buchanan-Property Services Manager

CARRINGTON COLLEGE CONTACTS:

WARDEN Mr Ashley Day QSM, JP

BA(HONS) Otago, DipTchg, Chevalier dans L’ordre des Palmes Academiques.

64 03 479 5536

21 279 5536

ashley.day@otago.ac.nz

* lives on site / available 24/7

DEPUTY WARDEN Mrs Robyn Madden

BHSc (Otago ) Dip Ed, Dip Tchg

64 03 479 5537

021 279 5537

robyn.madden@otago.ac.nz

*lives on site / available 24/7

FINANCE/ADMINISTRATION Miss Kerry Scarf BCom (Otago),Dip Grad (Endorsed)

64 03 479 5533

kerry.scarf@otago.ac.nz

RECEPTION Office Hours-- 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday

DOMESTIC SERVICES Mr Steven Joint

MANAGER 64 03 479 5559

steven.joint@otago.ac.nz

FOOD SERVICES Mrs Susan Stockwell

MANAGER HNDINST.MAN

64 03 4795531

susan.stockwell@otago.ac.nz

PROPERTY SERVICES Mr Ken Buchanan

MANAGER 64 03 4795532

ken.buchanan@otago.ac.nz

POSTAL ADDRESS Carrington College

57 Heriot Row

Dunedin 9016

(64) 03 479 5533

Fax 64 03 4795530

In 2013, there are 13 House Tutors as part of the student staff team led by a Senior House Tutor.

Every house or floor (Flouse) has a designated HT responsible for the area and the residents located there.

Residents should meet their HT on the first day at Carrington.

It is important to get to know the designated HT (and the HT team) as they are an invaluable source of knowledge

and support. They have all been first year residents at Carrington themselves and are still studying at University. .

The HT will be working hard to get to know their residents too.

The designated HT can be a resident’s first point of contact for all those questions in the first few weeks about the

Carrington Community and University.

House Tutors do all kinds of things around Carrington. As well as completing rostered evening and weekend duties,

getting to know residents and providing support, they help to facilitate the day-to day systems so that the College

runs smoothly.

One of the main areas where residents will come across HTs is on their nightly rounds. When they are not on

rounds they can be found in the Dining Room over meal times or in the Linton Office. Each night there is a HT or

HTs on duty from 5.15pm until about 11pm, then they are ‘on call’ right through the night.

Rounds have a number of functions. HTs need to ensure that the atmosphere is conducive to study and sleep

especially in the evenings so they will be monitoring noise and checking for health and safety risks around the

buildings and grounds.

The Duty HT name and details are displayed on the wall beside the Linton Office.

this is a first contact point if there are any problems

Phone numbers are - 471 4700 or txt 0212795533

During Weekends, a Duty HT will be available during the day as well as at night to support Management.

Finally, remember that HTs, along with all staff, are here to assist. Residents just need to ask!

House Tutors...HTs

House Tutors and Locations

Tom Jemson SHT Wardell

Matt Hopper Top Floor Jenkins

Charlotte Bonny Tiro Moana

Henry Benson-Pope Blackie

Ryan Sutcliffe North Stuart

Carrie Clifford Linton

Phoebe Harrop First Floor Jenkins

Matt Hopkinson Ground Floor Jenkins

Emily Dwight Dawson

Sophie Pint-Raetz Pine

Andrew Robinson Mahuru Complex

Julia Kibblewhite South Stuart

Alexandra Bond Lower ground Jenkins

Carrington College Contact Phone Numbers:

STUDENT ACCOMODATION

Blackie Flat 471 4721

Blackie House 4714710

Dawson 1 4714713

Dawson 2 4714715

Dawson 3 4714717

Jenkins Ground /Lower Ground 4714702

Jenkins First Floor 4714703

Jenkins Top Floor 4714704

Linton House 4714706

Mahuru House 4714701

Mahuru Flat 4714718

Pine House 4714709

Stuart Ground floor 4714707

Stuart Lower Floor 4714708

Tiro Moana 4714711

Wardell House 4714705

Office Cover on weeknights and weekends----- Duty House Tutor phone number is 03 471 4700

CARRINGTON COLLEGE SITE MAP1

We are about 5minutes walk down to the main campus and to George

Street and the start of town.

Check out our website www.otago.ac.nz/carrington

“How selfhood begins with a walking away,and love is proved in the letting go.” Robert Cecil Day-Lewis

UNDERSTANDING and MANAGING the TRANSITION :

( especially for first time parents)

High School University

Family, friends, - new opportunities

familiarity - new social challenges

- new intellectual experiences

Student---------------- ------------------------------

Dependence Making Independence

the

B R E A K

Parents--------------- ----------------------------

Control “Letting Go”

….

Encourage self-management and decision-making and affirm this aspect. Set up telephone deals or ‘Skype’ to keep in touch

Listen actively to worries and woes but ‘accentuate the positive’.

Be mindful that everything is new, new, new which can be quite over-whelming.

It does take time for the social’ jostling’ to settle and this can create real anxiety.

Maybe limit contact at times as it can be unsettling e.g. start of the year frequent texting/ phoning.

Check out holiday breaks early to get good travel deals.

“Missing Home” thoughts are a common experience to work through and can happen at any time

…HINTS

-- Take one day at a time

-- Set little achievable goals

-- Break the year into small bites.

-- Many residents like to go home for the first mid-semester break to ‘reconnect’

-- Use supports available

-- Suggest using the homesickness resources given out in ‘O’ week.

-- Spend time reflecting on the ‘positives’ achieved since arriving

??? WORRIED ??? Contact a senior staff member who has experience dealing with these issues.

Encourage ‘stepping- out’ of the comfort zone to meet new people in the community, especially at the start

of the year when everyone is facing the same challenges (activities are organized to assist with this aspect).

The designated House Tutor ( HT ) for the particular house/floor is a valuable support person to go to as a

first point of help/advice…or the Senior House Tutor.

Remember how you felt at this age and stage to factor in to the equation.

The University also has a Parents’ Guide/ Whanau Guide /PacificanaGuide.

go to http://www.otago.ac.nz/prospectivestudents/otago16557

NB Overnight GUESTS..please be aware that there are some times of the year where residents are not permitted

to have overnight guests. These are spelt out on our Wall Planner(every resident gets a copy) and include such

times as the first 10 days of residency, the first week of semester 2, leading up to exam periods and some

sporting weekends. This of course does not apply to parents, but some families have been caught out booking

flights for siblings to stay in restricted times.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ACADEMIC

CHALLENGES???

A recent Carrington College survey asked first year residents what the biggest academic challenge had been

for them during the year.Some of the responses have been listed below for your interest:

Managing the pressure of workload volume.

Juggling the balnce…. study/ social/ leisure and sleep

Exam preparation and knowing what the expected level is, especially in semester 1.

Adjusting to a different learning style.

Keeping a study rhythm and staying motivated to work consistently.

Self-organisation and focus.

Time management, generally.

Time management especially when several assessments may be due at the same time.

Keeping up with set readings.

UMAT( Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test) in July.

The competitive nature of HSFY ( Health Science First Year).

Managing LAWS101 as a full year paper with 2 exams at the end of the year.

Adapting to a tertiary style of writing and referencing.

Not having the personalised approach and back-up as at school..you are on your own!

Writing lab reports.

8am lectures!!!

Feeling pressured to conform when others around are working hard

Part of the transition to University is developing intellectual independence.

At Carrington, we try to pitch academic support in a such a way to provide choices, good information and

resources . We run a robust in-house learning support programme for many of the 100 level papers to

‘add value’ to studies and foster informal mentoring between students. We call them “Learning Labs”.

It is up to residents to pick up on the various helps and work out what best suits their style.

NB Every resident will get a Carrington, “O Week” ACADEMIC START-UP GUIDE resources, to help with

“readiness”

Studying at Otago University : ~ ~

The ‘Guide to Enrolment” is full of helpful data to read up on especially at the start of the book. This

publication is provided as part of the information / application pack and is given out at schools.

MANAGING ACADEMIA at TERTIARY LEVEL ~ a quantum leap from “achievement-based assessment” at

secondary school.

SOME POINTS TO CONSIDER:

Attending a school with 20,000 + members.

The academic year is divided into 2 semesters-- mid-February to mid-June and early July to mid-November.

Each semester has 13 teaching weeks and a one-week mid-semester break.

The sheer magnitude of the institution can be overwhelming

Some lecture streams have 200-300 students.

Textbook and lap top costs need to be factored in to planning.

Lectures/ labs/ tutorials are spread throughout the day and evening often with several hours in between.

Some lectures may be video –linked to the lecturer in another lecture theatre.

Attendance at lectures is not compulsory.

Students are left to manage their own time and workload (no spoon-feeding!!)

For each paper studied, a minimum of 6-8 hours of preparation and follow-up each week is recommended.

preparation = readings follow-up= editing/processing lecture notes

Course information for each paper being studied is on an ‘on-line’ programme called ‘BLACKBOARD’.

There are lots of on-line ‘helps’/resources on the University website. e.g. library resources, studying tips

There are very limited, if any, reassessment opportunities.

To see an academic staff member, an appointment has to be made.

Academic staff schedule their assessments to suit their programme. Each student’s programme of study is

different so assessments can often be concetinaed.

At School …effort counts At University…results count/ effort matters

--Tertiary students need to be well-organised, self-disciplined and put in a sustained effort from day 1 to succeed.

-- Life balance and time management are very important.

-- Remember students will bring a good ‘skill set ‘ with them from school that they can use as a spring board into

tertiary study.

The Following key is used for translating marks into letter grades:

90-100 A+ 75-79 B+ 60- 64 C+ 40-49 Fail D

85-89 A 70-74 B 55-59 C- below 40 Fail E

80-84 A- 65-69 B- 50-54 C-

UNDERSTANDING the JARGON

Full-Time Course: Where a student is enrolled in a course of study worth 108 points or more within one academic year.

The relative distribution of points between semesters must also be taken into account.

Papers: The smallest individual academic components of a course. Papers are recorded as

separate entities on an academic record, have some sort of a result attached to them

and generate a definable portion of the tuition fees payable.

Points: Every paper has a point value that indicates its contribution to the qualification enrolled for.

A typical 100 level (first level) paper is worth 18 points.

Major: The subject chosen as the main area of study for a Bachelor’s degree and is studied up to 300 level.

Double Major: Where 2 subjects are chosen as the main areas of study. Specific requirements need to be met.

Minor: A recognized selection of papers in a particular subject area, normally involving

approved papers at 200 and 300 level, which can be acknowledged on a student’s

academic record in addition to a major subject.

Pre-requisite: Requirements to be met before a paper or course may be taken

Stream: Some papers have too many students to be taught in one class so are divided into two

or more groups called streams

Double Degree: A programme of study that leads towards 2 degrees e.g. BA/ BSc, normally including

cross-crediting

Restricted: Papers which have a large amount of content in common. They cannot be credited to

the same qualification.

Grades : A letter awarded for a particular paper which measures performance in an assessment

or exam.( At is the top grade, C- is the lowest passing grade and D/E are failing grades)

Under graduate: A student studying for a Bachelors or other first degree

Post Graduate: A student studying a course (comprising papers or other work at 400 level or above) who already has a Bachelor’s

degree.

Vice Chancellor: Head of the University

Plagiarism : Copying or paraphrasing another’s work, whether intentionally or otherwise and presenting it as one’s own

Course Approval: The process by which a student’s finalized course for the year or semester is accepted by both the University

and the student.

Summer School: Papers taught intensively in the summer vacation period which may be credited to University programmes

USEFUL CONTACTS/ Resources at the UNIVERSITY:

University ( all departments) PO Box 56 Dunedin 479 1100

Vice Chancellor Harlene Hayne 479 8253

Accommodation Office 479 8950

Director of Accommodation Services James Lindsay 479 8522

Director of Student Services David Richardson 479 8355

Director of Academic Service John Price 470 8326

Admissions and Enrolments 479 4063

Student Information Centre /enquiries 0800 80 80 98

Examinations 479 9054

Student Health 479 8212

Disability Support Service 479 8235

Student Learning Centre 479 5786

Chaplaincy Service 479 8497

Careers Service 479 8244

Liasion Office ( Shand House) 479 8247

OTAGO UNIVERSITY 2013 CALENDAR of SEMESTER DATES:

Friday 15 February Course Approval

Saturday 16 February Carrington College opens

Monday 18 February Course Approval

Tuesday 19 February Course Approval

Friday 22 February Preliminary Lectures

Monday 25 March Formal lectures begin

Friday 29 March Good Friday /mid-semester break starts

Monday 8 April First Semester resumes

Friday 31 May Lectures cease

Wednesday 5 June Exams begin

Wednesday 19 June Exams end

-------- MID-YEAR BREAK --------

Thursday 4 July Course Approval (only if changing/ adding papers)

Monday 8 July Second Semester formal lectures start

Monday 26 August Mid-semester break starts

Monday 2 September Second Semester resumes

Friday 11 October Lectures cease

Wednesday 16 October Exams start

Saturday 9 November Exams end ( Carrington closes that weekend on 10 November)

Web site http://www.otago.ac.nz (is the largest and most comprehensive resource)

Shots from 2012

CARRINGTON

FAQs :

Q Is there special accommodation available for parents ?

A Alas no as space is at a premium. Some parents stay in their son / daughter’s room.

Q Can residents swap rooms.

A .. In a word, no. It would require very special circumstances for this to be considered.

Q Is the College wireless?

A.. Yes- all areas of the College have wireless capacity

Q Is there temporary off- street parking?

A Yes we have 4 ‘visitor parks ‘at the bottom of our main drive.

Q What happens when residents are sick?

A We have robust support systems in place to care for people feeling unwell. It is important that a resident

communicates with staff / HTs or friends if they are poorly.

Q Who can help me with financial questions around accommodation fees?

A Contact the Financial Administrator on (03) 4795533or email kerry.scarf@otago.ac.nz

Q Why do we need to supply a setting of crockery and cutlery?

A We suggest this to use for late dinners. Requested late dinners are delivered, chilled, to individual

floors/houses fridges in named plastic containers. Residents can heat and eat the meals when convenient,

using their own crockery and cutlery.

Q What happens if my son/ daughter misses a lab or assignment or is struggling with a work issue?

A The Deputy Warden is able to provide advice for all academic matters.

Q My son/ daughter has severe asthma. Does the College supply allergy-free duvets?

A Yes we do have some allergy-free bedding available.

Q Is there extra bedding available such as blankets / pillows?

A Yes. Just ask the Domestic Services Manager / cleaning staff or the floor HT.

Q Are there car parks and bike storage areas available for resident use?

A We have limited car- parking, including some garages for hire and several bike storage areas. Contact our

Domestic Services Manager for details --- 479 5559 / 0212795533

Q What does Alcohol-Free rooming mean?

A This option is where there is to be no alcohol use or presence in these living spaces. Residents are able to

drink elsewhere e.g. at bars in town but must return to their rooms in a quiet manner. Residents living in

these designated areas sign a compliance agreement.

Q Is there an expected time to be home in the College at night.

A No, residents have the freedom to come and go. We do ask anyone planning to be away overnight to sign our

“out of residence” book at reception in case we ned to contact them in an emergency.

4 seasons in one day!!

HT Staff

Heart of the College

Learning Labs

NOTES ~