We recognise excellence in our students in academic, sporting and cultural areas. In addition, we recognise the contribution that students make to the corporate life of the college and their individual achievements in terms of life skills.
Blues Procedure
Academic Blues are given out at a special assembly at the beginning of the year. Our Performing Arts and Sport Blues, students/parents/coaches/teachers in charge of sport are invited to pick up an application form from around the college or via the website to put forward a student to receive an award.
Awarding of Blues is at the discretion of the Taieri College Blues Committee. Awarding of Blues previously is not an indication of future awards. A large number of factors will be taken into account when deciding who will receive a Blue. The awarding of a Blue is the premier award at Taieri College and as such the prestige of the award must be maintained.
Nominations close for 2023 on Friday 8 September 2023. Click on the link here for the nomination form or pick one up from the Sports Office or Music/Drama area.
Academic Blues
Each year the results from NCEA Level 1and Level 2 are reviewed. The top students in terms of the number of credits and endorsements of Merit or Excellence, are recognised. We proudly awarded our Academic Blues on Thursday 7 March 2024 at our senior assembly. Once again 2023 was a year of disruption, yet the level of achievement that our students attained was outstanding. Quite clearly all our recipients displayed high levels of self-motivation, self-management, and diligence.
2023 Level 1 Academic Blue recipients
2023 Level 2 Academic Blue recipients
Performing Arts Blues
This is the most prestigious award that we give in recognition of outstanding excellence in Music, Drama, Dance, Film or Speech. Students are entered for the award by their Teacher or Coach according to a set of criteria. The applications are collated towards the end of Term 3 and a group of staff representing Sporting and Performing Arts interests and members of the Senior Leadership Team come together to debate the awards.
Blues are awarded at the prestigious Blues Evening which is held at the beginning of Term 4. Students who are nominated for a Blue Award are recognised for their achievement and a Male Performing Arts Ambassador and a Female Performing Arts Ambassador are selected and announced at the Ceremony.
| Points | |
Displays dedication to an Arts activity and shows leadership. The more leadership shown the more points.
|
1-3 max |
| Service to college Arts school-wide activities | 1 |
| Displays a positive attitude during the process leading up to the final performance/competition | 1 |
| Participation in 3 or more Arts Activities | 1 |
Representation and participation across different genres and age level groups:
|
1-3 max |
| Has successfully gained representation for a National Arts activity OR is individually ranked in top 5 for age group in NZ | 8 |
| Has successfully gained representation for a South Island Arts activity OR is individually ranked in top 5 for age group in a South Island Competition | 6 |
| Has successfully gained representation for an Otago Arts activity OR is individually ranked in top 5 for age group in an Otago Competition | 4 |
| Student has successfully completed Grade 8 or higher | 1 |
| Total Points required for a Blue | 10 |
Sporting Blues
Sport Blue
This is the most prestigious award that we give in recognition of outstanding excellence in individual or team sport. The applications are collated towards the end of Term 3 and a group of staff and members of the Senior Leadership Team come together to decide the awards.
Students who are nominated for a Blue Award are recognised for their achievement and a Sportsman and Sportswomen is selected and announced at the ceremony. Year 7 and 8 students will be recognised separately in a Distinction Assembly to be held after the Blues Evening.
The outstanding teams are also recognised at this Ceremony, and one is chosen for the award of Sports Team for the Year.
Sport Blue Criteria
Team Sport - gained selection into the highest possible Otago age grade team (must play at the tournament).
Individual Sport - either obtain 1st place at Otago Championships or obtain top three placing at South Island/National event or higher.
NB: Athletes receiving a Sport Blue in an individual or team sport must be performing at a senior level eg. U16 age group minimum. Athletes who achieve at this standard in a team or individual sport at U15 level or lower are eligible for a Junior Sport Blue.
If a student can represent Taieri College they should do so. If a student chooses not to be part of the college team without suitable reason (eg. would unduly limit their personal progress) it may not be looked on favourably by the committee. For all sports, the committee will investigate the following with their sporting body:
- How big was the field?
- How big is the sport in Dunedin/Otago/nationwide?
- What commitment/sacrifice did the athlete show to get to the competition?
- Could the athlete have gone to the next tier of competition?
- Under consultation the committee reserve the right to amend the criteria.
For major sports, clearer guidelines are itemised below. Blues are generally not awarded to teams.
In the instance where a small team (eg. triathlon) was to reach an exceptionally high level (eg. top three in New Zealand), it may be appropriate for the Blues Committee to award a Blue to all members of the team. This is at the committee's discretion and recognises that each member of the team would need to be performing at a very high level for the team to achieve this.
Where an individual does not have a pathway to reach a higher level as it does not practically exist without leaving the college then a Blue may be either awarded at the discretion of the committee or other guidelines may be put in place.
Points prizes will not be considered.
Under consultation, the committee reserves the right to amend the criteria.
Guidelines for Specific Sports
- Athletics/Cross Country
Attain first placing at Otago Secondary Schools or higher championships or top five placing at a NZSSS national sanctioned event - Basketball
Otago age group A team (need to travel to the tournament) - Cricket
Full Otago age group A team travels to tournament against legitimate opposition (eg. Canterbury, not North Otago) - Netball
Otago age group A team Dunedin Netball Centre representative team - Rugby
U14, U16 or U18 representative team (need to travel to the tournament) - Football
Football South A team representative - Hockey
Otago age group A team representative - Swimming
Top three placing at SISS or national secondary school qualifier or top three Division 2 - Tennis
Otago age group representative to travel to the tournament - Touch
Otago age group (need to travel to the tournament)