Gateway is a flexible, individualised programme offered by Waitaki Girls’ High School to give students the opportunity to participate in workplace or vocationally focussed learning to assist their transition to the workforce.

The general idea of Gateway is to give those students who wish to, the opportunity to “try out” a field of work that is of interest to them; at the same time students complete a learning programme relating to that field of work. The learning can take place either at school or a workplace or training establishment depending on the style of delivery and assessment requirements of the course. Students gain credits towards NCEA from the Gateway programme and need to be committed to complete 20 credits as part of the programme.

Alex Campbell’s Gateway diving programme is an example which shows the flexibility and potential of the programme to provide an opportunity for individualised learning, and exposure to a field of work.