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 
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