Graduation

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! To help you get ready we’ve put together a checklist and some frequently asked questions for you. Download or print a copy of the graduation checklist pdf (87kb).

Before graduation:

Who can participate in the ceremony?
All students meeting the academic requirements of their programme are eligible to attend graduation. An invitation to graduation will be posted to students.

You'll need to return the reply slip at the bottom of the invitation to your administration team leader, confirming that you'll attend graduation and how many guest tickets you'd like to receive. If you're graduating with a diploma you'll also need to include your height and size on the reply slip so we can get you a gown in the correct size.

Once your results are confirmed as successful, you'll receive full details of the ceremony arrangements along with your tickets in a graduation pack.

Where can I get tickets for guests?
You can request tickets for your guests on the reply slip at the bottom of your invitation. There is limited seating and in fairness to your fellow graduating students, the final number of guest tickets you receive may have to be adjusted once all replies have been received. Your own and your guest tickets will be sent to you in the mail.

As seating is limited, entry to the graduation ceremony is by ticket only.

At graduation:

When should I arrive?
Holy Trinity will be open for gown pick-up and registration 2 hours prior to the start of your ceremony. You should arrive to be seated in the auditorium at least 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony.

You need to register before the ceremony by presenting your named graduation ticket to the administration staff in the Holy Trinity foyer. This is essential, as it ensures your name will be called during the ceremony, otherwise staff on stage may not know you are present to receive your award.

Registrations must be complete before the academic staff enter the auditorium. Ceremonies start promptly.

Make sure you and your guests bring their tickets, as seating is limited and entrance to the auditorium is by ticket only.

Where can I park?
Please do not park on the grass at Holy Trinity. See the Venue, Directions & Parking page to find out more about parking.

What should I wear?

As graduation is a formal ceremony, you're expected to dress to a smart and tidy standard. We encourage you to wear your cultural dress if you like, e.g. a lei, korowai, sari. Keep in mind however that it can get hot inside the auditorium.

If you're graduating at certificate level you don't wear academic regalia, but you're expected to dress smartly.

If you're graduating with a diploma or degree, you're required to wear an academic gown and a stole in Bay of Plenty Polytechnic colours. These will be ordered for you and can be picked up from the old church hall at the Holy Trinity complex. Please look for the signs in the foyer or ask at the registration desk for assistance. You're required to pay a refundable deposit of $50 upon collection of your gown. This will be refunded when you return the gown safely after the ceremony.

Please don't bring any large bulky bags with you as we can't guarantee the safety of anything left behind at the gown pick-up location.

Where will I be sitting?
After registering, students are seated in assigned seats in programme groups at the front of the auditorium for easy access to the stage. Your seat will be labelled with your name. Ushers in the auditorium are available to help you if required. Do not swap seats as you're seated in the order your names will be called on the stage.

Where will my guests sit?
Your guests can choose their seats in the auditorium or on the balcony on a 'first come, first served' basis. Assistance is available for visitors with disabilities - please phone our Events Co-ordinator Nicole Richardson, on 07 571 0190 ex 6165.

What happens during the ceremony?

• Students and visitors stand as academic staff proceed into the auditorium. Everyone remains standing during the karakia and the singing of the national anthem.
• Shortly before the presentation of your award ushers will guide you from your seats around the back of the auditorium to line up on the side of the stage.
• When the Head of School calls your name, cross the stage towards your programme leader. S/he will hand you your certificate and shake your hand as your photo is taken. Please turn towards the photographer as you shake hands.
• Move to the back of the stage to wait for your fellow classmates to receive their certificates.
• When prompted, leave the stage via the front steps and return to your seat. Ushers will be on stage to assist.

Please respect your fellow graduates and guests - DO NOT leave the auditorium during the ceremony as this is very disruptive.

• At the end of the ceremony, the staff on stage file out of the auditorium first, while students and guests are expected to remain in their seats.
• Graduates proceed out of the auditorium.
• Guests leave last. Ushers will be on hand to assist.

The ceremony should last no longer than two hours. Refreshments will be served afterwards in the Holy Trinity foyer and there'll be an opportunity for more informal interaction and for photographs to be taken.

You and your guests will receive graduation handbooks outlining the ceremony procedures and listing the names of the graduates.

Again, as this is a formal occasion, all students and guests are expected to REMAIN SEATED until the end of the ceremony. Please respect your fellow students in this matter.

Please ensure all mobile phones are turned off before entering the auditorium.

Can I awhi/celebrate my fellow students?
Yes. We welcome you and your guests to celebrate and express your pride in your fellow students.

Is there any help for people with disabilities?
If you or any of your guests have a disability and require special assistance on the day please contact your administration team leader, or our Events Coordinator Nicole Richardson on 07 571 0190 ext. 6165. You can call free on 0800-BOPPOLY (267 7659).

Can I or my guests take photos during the ceremony?
You can take photos and video as you like. A professional photographer will take an image of you on stage, which is available for purchase a day or two after the ceremony.

Can I take something to drink into the auditorium?
You can take water bottles into the auditorium with you but no other food or drink is allowed.  

What happens if I show up late for graduation?
Ceremonies start promptly. If you're late for graduation we'll try to accommodate you, but we cannot guarantee that you'll be able to walk across the stage.

After graduation:

Can I have photos taken with my family after the ceremony?
Wendy Dillon from Ambient Photography will be present throughout the graduation to capture your ‘big moment’ on stage and for formal portraits afterwards.

• During the ceremony you'll be photographed on stage as you receive your certificate.
• Before and after the ceremony there'll be opportunities for individual portraits, family and class photographs. There'll be a studio on the mezzanine floor in the foyer of the Holy Trinity complex.

Where can I get the photos taken by the photographer?
Photographs can be viewed and purchased online at www.ambientphotography.co.nz by clicking on Event Gallery, within 48 hours after the ceremony.

Stay in touch with Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and your friends:
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Important Contacts:
Nicole Richardson, Events Co-ordinator, ph: 07 571 0190 ext. 6165.