Garin College

Careers and Future Pathways

Career Education at Garin

The aim of career education and guidance at Garin College is to help students to develop their career management competencies as they transition through school to further learning, work and life.

In the junior school, students develop a sense of self-awareness and knowledge of the opportunities available in the world of work. In the senior school we focus on the ability to make decisions, set goals and take action.

The Careers team works with teachers, Deans and Guidance staff to provide a range of services, opportunities and experiences so that students can make informed choices as they transition. 

Subject selection is a key time for these conversations. In Term 2 there is a combined school Careers Roadshow where tertiary providers and industry training providers can answer students questions directly.

We use Careerwise and Tahatū Career Navigator as digital platforms to manage career information school wide, giving students 24/7 access to career resources. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their career planning and develop their career management competencies. Students can book appointments with Careers Advisor via email. Parents/Caregivers are welcome to make an appointment to discuss their student’s individual pathway.

Click here to find out more about:

 

Careers team

Careers Advisor
Ms Brenda Helliwell
03 5439488 ext 216
brendahelliwell@garincollege.nz

Gateway and Trades Academy Coordinator
Mrs Pip Bruce
03 5439488 ext 240
pipbruce@garincollege.nz

 

Tertiary Pathways

University pathways

All applications to study at a New Zealand university must be made online directly to the university.

As a general rule, applications for university hostels and financial scholarships are made in August and September and are therefore based on your Year 12 results, along with a confidential reference from Garin College. Students then apply for university courses in early October, with final offers to courses made by the universities in January, based on NCEA Level 3 results. University Entrance (UE) is the minimum requirement to go to a New Zealand university. To find out what is required to achieve UE, NCEA students should check the NZQA website.

Source

 

Studying overseas

Australia

Following Year 13 external examinations, results for students seeking entry to Australian universities are aggregated and converted to a percentile scale called the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). This information is then provided to Australian Tertiary Admissions Centres and allows New Zealand students to be treated equitably with Australian students for tertiary entry and selection purposes. If you apply for admission to study at a university in Australia, NZQA will release your secondary school qualification results directly to your selected Australian universities or tertiary institutions. Find out more here.

 

If you are a New Zealand citizen then you must apply to the relevant Tertiary Admissions Centre or university:

Completion of NCEA Level 3 is the equivalent of completing the standard Australian Year 12 programme and normally satisfies the prerequisite for application. Please check the application requirements of your selected universities carefully, particularly the requirements for completing an English course at an appropriate level. Some Australian universities require equivalent final secondary year study in English.

United States

Applying to a US college is a big job. The US College Board has a useful tool called BigFuture to make college planning easy. There are also private providers providing this service in New Zealand.

The SAT test is no longer a mandatory requirement for all international students applying to universities in the United States. However, many US colleges and universities still recommend the SAT as part of the admission process.The SAT and SAT Subject Tests are a suite of tools designed to assess your academic readiness for college. These exams can provide a path to opportunities, financial support and scholarships, in a way that’s fair to all students. The SAT and SAT Subject Tests keep pace with what colleges are looking for today, measuring the skills required for success in the 21st century. To find out more about the SAT and SAT Subject tests or to register to take the test go to SAT and SAT Subject Tests.

The Common Application for college admission is a free online undergraduate application used by over 450 colleges and universities. For a comprehensive guide to navigating and surviving the college admissions process, as well as a comprehensive list of all necessary administrative and financial materials, please refer to the Complete Guide to College Admissions.

UK

UCAS can help you find universities and colleges, research courses, complete an application and check the progress of your completed application. They provide advice from subjects and qualifications through to funding your studies and being prepared for any challenges that may arise. The best place to start the application process is to visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

 

Student loans and allowances

Studylink can provide financial assistance to permanent residents and NZ citizens studying at tertiary level in New Zealand.

Student Allowance: This is a weekly payment for students to assist with day-to-day living expenses. Eligibility for a student allowance depends on your parents income. You do not have to pay it back. Go to StudyLink to see if you fit the criteria.

Student Loans: this must be paid back and can help to cover the costs of study and living costs. Find out more here.

Inland Revenue Department (IRD) numbers: if you don’t already have an IRD number, apply here at the start of Year 13 as this will take time to process and is needed for RealMe accounts required for applying for Studylink support.

Scholarships for study

There are a number of scholarships and awards available for Garin students to apply for to help cover the costs of tertiary study. Some are available for only Nelson/Tasman secondary school students, others are offered through universities and tertiary providers. There are also a range of māori and pasifika scholarships available as well as those offered by private organisations.

A useful source of scholarship information is Money Hub.

Where scholarships require a written statement from Garin, students need to provide at least two weeks’ notice ahead of the deadline.

 

Trades Academy, Gateway, STAR and Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships mix work, training and study to give people hands-on experience and help them to make a great start in their careers.  Find out all about Trades apprenticeships in New Zealand with Tahatū Career Navigator.

Top of the South Trades Academy

The Top of the South Trades Academy (TOTSTA) was set up to help give secondary students more reason to stay at school; a better transition into work or tertiary education straight from school.

The Academy is a partnership between secondary schools across the Top of the South, the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT), and Whenua Iti Outdoors. Students accepted into the Trades Academy complete NCEA at school, while at the same time working towards a National Certificate in a Trade. Training is one day a week at campuses in Richmond, Nelson , Whenua Iti Outdoors or at select schools. Applications are open to year 12 and 13 students who have at least NCEA Level 1, and are focused, committed to learning and keen to work towards a career in the trades.

Gateway

Gateway opens a pathway from school to the world of work. This course offers Year 12–13 students one day a week in an industry work placement for 6-8wks which gives an opportunity to blend school study with workplace learning and experience. It delivers a hands-on approach to learning that leads to nationally recognised industry qualifications.

Applications

Students who wish to apply for acceptance to the Gateway programme or the TOTSTA must submit an application form and attend an interview with the Gateway Coordinator, Pip Bruce in Term 4. Prior to a work placement, students need to demonstrate a level of responsibility and a work ready attitude.

STAR (Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resource) Courses
These are short, introductory courses for secondary school students (Year 11-13) that provide a taste of different vocational pathways, with many offering NCEA credits. They are offered by tertiary providers like NMIT and private training establishments and cover various fields, such as trades, healthcare, hospitality and creative industries.

 

Resources


Gap Year

There are many reasons for taking a year out. After 10 years in school you may feel like it’s time for a break from study!  There are several advantages to having a working year or a Gap year.

You can:

  • experience the world of work in a real way
  • become more mature
  • become more independent and experienced in your decision-making
  • clarify your study and career future, and make new or more informed decisions
  • work with people from different walks of life
  • experience different types of workplaces
  • learn new skills

There are many different places you can go and things you can do in your Gap year. You may like to explore some of the following websites for more information:

 

Other Resources