A small group of Yr 12 students entered the Gateway class of 2020.

Students entered the Gateway class with the intention of gaining work experience and skills required to enter the workplace, whilst studying towards NCEA Level 2. Some had the intention of leaving early once this was achieved or moving to an outside Course for Level 3 in 2021. Little did we know that Covid 19 would throw a spanner in the works!

The girls began the year working on Unit Standards that prepare them with the knowledge about Job Search Skills and Producing a plan for their own future directions. So, the knowledge to know how to find out things about what they wanted to do in the future. They also all completed a two-day Comprehensive First Aid Course and a one-day Health & Safety Course in preparation for beginning their work placements at the start of Term Two if anything were to go wrong when they are onsite.

A messy Term Two meant that some placements began at different times from others and extended into Term Three however, everyone seemed to get something out of what they have done this year. Places included Korfball Canterbury, four different Early Childhood Centres, Service IQ Red Shirts, Retail at Life Pharmacy and Farmers, and Horticulture and Animal Care at NTA (National Trade Academy).

Other options in the past have also included Café work, Tourism and Hotel Management and Harness Racing NZ. As well as the separate option of Gateway Aviation.

The following is a glimpse of what the placements meant to each of the students with three succeeding at gaining their 80 L2 credits by the beginning of Term Three and leaving to go on to fulltime employment and Courses.

ECE Centres “I really enjoyed this experience in the centre, it’s helped me realize that this is what I want to do and because I did this course, I have a great opportunity to do this after high school” and “A really good experience because it gave me an understanding about what I want to do in the future.”

NTA “I had work experience at NTA and Donquest (Boarding Motel for Cats & Dogs). At NTA I worked on the Farm Park feeding, cleaning, and helping the animals there. I enjoyed being able to look after the animals. At Donquest I fed the dogs and cats and cleaned the cat and dog cages. The people at both NTA and Donquest were very nice.”

NTA Horticulture “I enjoyed the environment – it was quiet, I want to be in a similar setting in the future working off the land and getting the benefits of this.”

Coaching with Korfball Canterbury “I had my work experience at Korfball Canterbury, where I would go around schools and teach kids korfball skills. I thoroughly enjoyed working here and working with kids.” 

Retail at Lifecare Pharmacy “The environment was very welcoming, the staff were very helpful when I got stuck trying to find different products for different people, I enjoyed the 10-week block very much.”

Towards the end of Term Three and beginning of Term Four, several students were planning courses of study at Ara, NZ Tertiary College (Early Childhood) for 2021, with a few returning for Year 13 with job search knowledge and an understanding of where they are headed in the future.