We have had a wide range of tertiary providers visit the school to provide information on future study options and career pathways from school. As well as many universities, we have had the Defence Force, American Summer Camp, Your Education High School Exchanges, and private training providers such as Queenstown Resort College.
This term, some students have also taken part in external trips where they have been able to visit and explore different study and career pathways. As well as the Careers Expo at the Wolfbrook Arena, other trips so far have included:
- Trimble Technology, with Mr Fairbrother
- NZ Trucking Show, Avon City Ford, and Ara campus tour, with Mr Liddell
- Massey University College of Creative Arts Experience Day, with Miss Mitchell
- University of Otago Christchurch Hospital Careers Expo, with Mr Hill
- SouthMACH, the South Island’s leading industry trade event, with Mr Sopers
- 87 students took part in the University of Canterbury Year 12 Discovery Day
Next term, there are more opportunities, so a reminder to all students, especially senior students, to read the notices and emails. Also, to keep checking the school careers website, which has many careers articles and information around events such as online information webinars and open days: https://kaiapoi.careerwise.school/
Next term, in week one, we have Course Selection Evening for all students in Years 9-12. This is taking place on Thursday, 17th July in Karetu from 4 – 6 pm, and you will be receiving information around this from Mr Sandes.
Also, next term we have the North Canterbury Youth Futures Careers Expo taking place at the Mainpower Stadium in Rangiora on Tuesday, 12th August from 4 to 8 pm. This is a great opportunity for all young people to meet and engage with a variety of employers from the North Canterbury area to explore the different career pathways. There will also be a number of tertiary training providers who can give advice and information on different study options. More details will be sent to you next term.
Below, Y13 students, Milly Araneda and Fiona Xu, tell of their career experiences this term.
Andrea Williamson, Careers Adviser
Massey University Creative Arts Experience Day
On Friday, June 6th, my friends and I had the amazing opportunity to attend Massey University’s Creative Arts Experience Day in Wellington. And, despite the 4 am wake-up time to catch our flight, I’d say it was a worthwhile experience. I specifically went to one of the music experiences, ‘Production, Composition and Beyond’. We learned how to use a music programme, where we took songs, added extra elements, and made them our own, and then afterwards we broke off into groups, where we learned to play a song, and our challenge was to add a twist to make it less like the original. I would say that was my favourite part, but enough from me, here are everyone else’s opinions.
“It was super awesome, it was a good insight into the university and what life would kinda be like if I were to go. Getting to walk around the city was also quite nice since it fully shows you what studying there can be like. The workshop was quite interesting too since we got to use their practice rooms and equipment!” – Kathryn.
“I had an amazing time getting to explore Wellington and the Massey campus, finding the lectures and tours very informative, with the help of their student volunteers who talked about what life is like at university. Getting to experience a little part of what university will be like at Massey has helped me when it comes to picking universities.” – Stefan.
Whilst at the Massey Creative Arts Open Day, I visited the full film and arts department, getting to experience firsthand how to make a short film with people I hadn’t met and use their exceptional equipment. This open day pretty much solidified the choice for me to make the move to Wellington and attend Massey University,” – Hadlee.
“Massey gave me the opportunity to imagine myself as a student in Wellington! 😍 The school was very welcoming to us and helped me decide if I want to go there or not by showing us their courses and talking to previous students!” – Rei
“The Massey experience day was interesting, to say the least. Despite attending the wrong assembly thing, it was really fascinating to explore the campus, even if it was because we got lost and didn’t know where to go. The actual workshop, as well, was really low-key, with my group just playing board games for two hours. But I’m not complaining. Those board games had me on the edge of my seat.” – Hamish
Milly Araneda, Y13
D.A.R.E. Day
On the 18th June, a group of six year 13 students spent half a day at the Christchurch Otago University Campus for D.A.R.E. Day. This was a day to Discover, Achieve, Research, and Engage.
We were fortunate to hear from many different people in different Health Science areas, and had the chance to walk around stations to engage with the students and specialists. Many stations had hands-on activities to deepen understanding of the careers.
The purpose of this day was to discover the many pathways in Health Science and open up options for students who are interested in health sciences but don’t know what they want to pursue.
We heard from students from areas like physiotherapy, medical laboratory sciences, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences, medicine, and more. The most helpful part of the day for me was the two medicine students who are currently undergoing their placements at the Christchurch Hospital. They were beyond helpful in answering questions about the atmosphere, the people, and the structure of the HSFY programme.
The D.A.R.E. day was very informative, and, personally, I can say that it answered many questions I had about HSFY.
Ex-students’ University of Otago talk
During tutor time and interval on the 24th June, we had Jess and Kacey visit us – both ex-students who are in their first year of University down in Dunedin. They brought along information about the halls, the student life, and were happy to answer the questions that we had. A few friends and I stayed and asked many specific questions about lecture styles, study techniques, and they were both very patient and showed us their study resources and lecture slides. It was a very useful session to ask questions and provided insight on what studying down at Dunedin could look like.
Fiona Xu, Y13
