2010:
We had 30 students on the Gateway programme in 2010 with some excellent successes.
The boys who achieved apprenticeships were: Charles Ngatai-Brown – plumbing, Whio Manual – Fulton Hogan, William Geuze – mechanical and Hayden Bayley, engineering.
Pera Buchanan was accepted on the Trainee Ranger Program through NMIT. A fantastic achievement for Pera as only 20 per year get accepted. Pera has been working at DOC until his course starts in July 2011.
Chris Torkington was accepted on the Waipaoa Station farm cadet training scheme.
Caleb Benson was accepted on the PGG Wrightson future farmer programme in Taupo.
Cliff Taylor was accepted into the Army as a mechanic.
Piripi Kerr & James MacGregor have gone onto Polytech in Hamilton & Napier to further their skills.
Fraser Graham has been accepted at the Tairawhiti Services Academy.
Others are working full time in chosen fields and some have come back to school to complete qualifications.
Some of the courses offered to students this year included First Aid, Safety in the Workplace, ATV course, Defensive Driving, Barista and Navy boat visits.
I am very proud of all the boys. They have done well and have successfully transitioned into the next stage of their lives.
2011:
We currently have 18 students out in the community on work experience involving a diverse range of industries including Agriculture, Contracting, Motor Engineering, Electrical, Plumbing, Building & Construction and Hospitality. It is not too late to apply for Gateway 2011. Students wishing to be considered for the programme, see Mrs Bishop.
STUDENT PROFILE
Blake Campbell
During the term, I was very fortunate to visit Blake Campbell who is working for AJ Thompson Contracting and is helping create access to a forestry block on Rototahi Station, Tolaga Bay. Blake leaves his home at 5am to be in town to meet Gus at 5.30 to drive to Rototahi (or wherever they happen to be working on his Gateway day) to begin work just after 6 am. This young man will work till at least 5 pm and then spend the next hour getting home – all for the love of the job as no money changes hands. Do not be fooled – this is the dedication it takes to get what you want. Because of his keenness Blake has secured a full time job for himself when he finishes school at the end of this year, along with training through Infratrain to qualify him for a number of very sought after careers, including Civil Plant Operations, Civil Construction; and the ability to drive a wide range of very large machinery.
When I got there, Blake was on a Roller, rolling the newly distributed metal. He transferred from there to a very expensive tractor and drove this like an expert. Going through gateways was a major undertaking in itself, with less than leeway 2cm on either side. This was all done with a quiet confidence and great care. It was then a change to a 4wd then another transfer into a loader – loading metal into the trailer of the enormous tractor for more spreading and rolling.
By the time I left there, Gus and Blake had already been working for nearly 6 hours. For most of us, we would be counting down to home time – but they were there for another 5 hours that day.
What a privilege to be able to witness these amazing young men performing in the world of work, and doing it with flair. Blake isn’t the only one who works extremely hard to attain his goal.
There are others who are equally dedicated to their Gateway placements and recognise the effort it takes to get what they want; and that effort is duly noted by employers who then talk to other employers . . . and so it goes on. That’s how you get work; that’s how you get an apprenticeship; that’s how you learn about the difference between talking and DOING!!
Wheels, Tracks & Rollers – 27/ 29 /30 September. Tuesday & Thursday 3 – 5pm, Friday , drives.
Forklifts – Forklifts course 12 & 13 August. Friday 1.15-5pm, Saturday, drives
Defensive Driving – Two courses are being offered this year at GBHS. One has already been completed, one left to run in September. (September 5,7,9,12,16) Information and student list in Tahunga.
First Aid - A number of courses have been held throughout the year.
Next course 25th & 26th August. Information at Tahunga.
HT Licence – Course dates , Friday 28 Oct & Friday 4 November. Must have full licence for at least 12 months. Cost $250
Welding –A group of students attended a welding course at the Polytech as part of their Gateway course. Three students attained 3 credits at Level 3 at the successful completion of their course.
Safety course – We ran a one-day intensive safety course on Thursday March 10th with 20 Gateway students. They covered workplace safety and hazard identification. It was a very full on day and all students participated enthusiastically, successfully completing both unit standards.
There will be another course on 10th August for students who missed out on course 1.
The program continues to be very popular with extremely positive outcomes.
PARENTS you are welcome to contact me with any enquiries you may have. Also, any parents out there who have businesses and would like to be involved with the Gateway programme, I would love to hear from you. This is a great opportunity to be part of an exciting future and giving our youth a go.