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Overview of Personalised Courses

Gateway
Years 12/13 – NCEA Levels 2 & 3 – 20+ credits – Entry by Interview
​This course offers structured workplace experience in areas of a student's interest and choice. They can gain standards/credits which contribute to NCEA.
Course Components
  • Learn practical industry skills
  • Work in an actual workplace and gain industry knowledge
  • Develop skills required for employment
  • Experience work in the real world
  • Build links with industry training organisations
  • Customise learning to meet student needs.
  • The opportunity to try out potential career option(s)
​Style of Learning
  • ​​Hands-on practical courses
  • Assessment in the workplace
  • Written units of work in the classroom

STAR: Short Courses
Years 11-13
​These are short work-focused courses available for senior students and depending on availability some examples include:
  • First Aid
  • Barista Skills
  • Film Making
  • Gamification
  • Health and Safety
  • Working at Heights (safety harness)
  • Sound Audio
  • Security
STAR: Career-Focused Courses
Years  12-13 and eligible Year  11

These correspondence study courses are available to students who meet certain criteria. They are career-focussed and may or may not be linked to workplace experience, which makes them different to Gateway. 
Some examples include:
  • Animal Care
  • Sport and Personal Training
  • Equine Studies 
  • Agriculture
  • University Distance Papers

Trades Academy (Otago Polytechnic and SIT Secondary-Tertiary College)
Years  12-13
​This is a vocation and trades-based programme that operates out of either Otago Polytechnic Central Otago Campus or SIT Queenstown Campus. Students have access to the latest workshops, equipment and professional tutors.
​Assessments are part of the programme, with Unit Standard credits available - the number varies (24-60) depending on the programme, predominantly at Level 2 or Level 3 of the curriculum.
You will study four or five other subjects at school and be supported by our Trades Academy/Gateway teacher.
The programmes proposed can be found here 
Trades Academy

Work Exploration and Experience
​Years  12-13

Assistance can be arranged for specific careers and this is provided on a case-by-case basis depending on interest and need. It can be a good way for students to try a job without committing to leaving school until they are sure. This opportunity provides excellent opportunities for students to build networks in industries they are interested in. 


Senior Students
These students are supported by the Careers Advisors through an initial interview to establish goals and academic entry requirements for the final year of school, to ensure a successful and appropriate transition beyond school. Our goal is to empower students so that they can take the lead in deciding what they will do after they leave Wakatipu High School.
Guiding students as they consider a range of options and helping them to settle on a pathway that reflects their beliefs and talents as well as challenging them to be their best.

Regular monitoring of progress is carried out (via school tracking data) and subsequent meetings with students to re-focus or amend plans and goals are held as necessary during the year. 
Senior year level assemblies, Google Classroom notifications and postings in the school newsletters communicate important information, such as:
  • Tertiary (University/Polytechnic) provider information and presentations
  • Tertiary course planning
  • Tertiary Open Day or Campus visits
  • Tertiary Tips Evening for parents/students for first year study
  • Accommodation applications
  • Courses beyond school applications
  • Scholarship information applications and closing dates
  • Studylink application support
Picture
Picture
Address
47-49 Red Oaks Drive
Frankton, Queenstown 9300
03 4427370
2025 Term Dates
Term 1: Monday 27 January to Friday 11 April
Term 2: ​Monday 28 April to Friday 27 June
Term 3: Monday 14 July to Friday 19 September
Term 4: Monday 06 October to Tuesday 09 December
2026 Term Dates
Term 1: Monday 26 January to Thursday 02 April
Term 2: ​Monday 20 April to Friday 03 July
Term 3: Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September
Term 4: Monday 12 October to Thursday 10 December
Report an absence
To report a student absence, please complete this form, call the school office at ​03 442 7370 or email [email protected]

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© 2025 Wakatipu High School - Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our School >
      • Principal's Message
      • Strategic Plan
      • Board of Trustees
    • Our Staff >
      • Our Staff
      • Vacancies
      • Reader/Writers
    • Facilities >
      • Library
      • Uniform Shop
      • School Cafe
    • Our Values
    • Finance
    • School News
    • Calendar and Key Dates
    • Policies and Processes
    • Complaints
  • Academic
    • Curriculum and Timetable >
      • Ākonga Profile
      • NCEA
      • Timetable
      • Assessments
      • Course Options
    • Mathematics
    • Science
    • English
    • Social Sciences
    • Arts
    • Languages
    • Technology
    • Health & PE
    • Student Learning Services
    • Gifted Education
  • Extracurricular
    • Student Leadership
    • House Competition
    • Sports
    • Arts and Culture
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Duke of Edinburgh
    • Stars Programme
  • Attending WHS
    • Prospectus
    • Enrolment
    • Attendance
    • Wellbeing
    • Support >
      • Pastoral Support
      • Financial Support
      • Guidance Support
    • Rules and Expectations
    • Reporting Bullying
    • BYOD
    • Online Safety Hub
    • Uniform Requirements
    • Careers
    • Stationery
    • Lockers
    • Buses
  • Kaupapa Māori
  • International
    • International Home
    • Homestay Hosts
    • Curriculum and Activities
    • Living
    • Prospectus
    • Enrolments
  • Community
    • WHS Foundation
    • WHS Alumni
    • Branches Trust
  • Contact
    • Contact us
    • Parking