What an incredible year it has been for RSHS Pathways! We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding success our students have achieved across all our programmes.
It is truly inspiring to see so many of our young people finding their passion and achieving their goals, whether through Unistart, Internships, the Service Academy, or by exploring new courses, qualifications, and engaging with our expert Industry Insider speakers.
Our 2025 Highlights:
Scholarship Success: A phenomenal 64% increase in scholarships received by our students.
Service Academy: 35 students completed this specialised programme, building crucial leadership and life skills.
Gateway Programme: 82 students gained valuable work experience and qualifications.
Trades Exploration (BCITO): 17 students experienced various trades hands-on.
University Head Start (Unistart): 40 students completed university-level papers, getting a great start on their future degrees.
We look forward to offering even more great experiences and opportunities for our ākonga in 2026.
UNISTART
To all students who have expressed interest in the University of Waikato Unistart programme:
Please attend school on Tuesday, January 27th, to officially enrol in your chosen university paper.
Important Details:
Schedule: Your specific time slot for the day will be sent out in a separate schedule on January 23rd.
Paper Selection:
The official 2026 Unistart papers have not been finalized yet. However, they are expected to be very similar to the papers offered in 2025.
2025 Papers for Reference: Please review the 2025 options at this link to prepare: https://www.waikato.ac.nz/study/options/undergraduate/unistart/
BCITO
Is your young person interested in the BCITO Gateway Programme for 2026?
The BCITO (Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation) Gateway Programme is a school-based, pre-apprenticeship opportunity that helps students explore a future in the building and construction industry while still at school. It’s ideal for those who enjoy practical, hands-on work and are interested in trades such as carpentry, joinery, bricklaying, concreting, plastering, flooring, painting and decorating, and more. Through this programme, your child will:
Gain real-world work experience with a local employer one day a week (Wednesdays)
Earn NCEA credits towards a national qualification (Level 2 or Level 3 BCATS unit standards)
Develop practical skills in safety, tool use, materials, and teamwork
Learn how the building and construction industry operates and what an apprenticeship involves
Be supported by a BCITO Training Advisor, similar to how an apprentice is supported
Potentially gain additional certificates, such as First Aid
The programme is completely free - RSHS covers the cost of all learning resources, assessments, and any required safety equipment or clothing.
To register your interest please contact [email protected]
Internship 2026
Please put your full name in a booking slot with Verity, Neville or Charyl. This is to talk about your Internship placement; please bring back your completed forms to your meeting so we can get you signed off to start your placement. If you haven’t managed to secure a placement, still book a slot as we can discuss your options.
Useful links: Internship booklet, Internship forms, Internship slides.
Service Academy 2026
Wednesday during Terms 1, 2, and 3.
This program offers a disciplined, military-style experience designed for Year 12 and 13 students. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop important life skills such as leadership, respect, problem-solving, goal-setting, self-discipline, and teamwork. Participants will experience a strong sense of belonging and boost their confidence by facing and overcoming challenges together, both as individuals and as a team. The program is also an ideal pathway for anyone interested in pursuing a career with the NZ Defence Force, NZ Police, St John Ambulance Service, or Land Search and Rescue NZ.
Students will also have chances to earn credits, participate in a planned EOTC trip to a NZ Defence Force Base, volunteer with the Hamilton RSA, and enjoy exclusive presentations from the NZ Police, NZ Defence Force, St John Ambulance Service, and Land Search and Rescue NZ - all within the Service Academy experience.
To secure your spot, please fill out the expression of interest form. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to Neville at [email protected].
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