Wakatipu High School Wakatipu High School

Year 12/13 8ACA – Trades Academy (NCEA L2/3)

8ACA
Course Option Description

Head of Learning Area (HOLA): Mrs L. Richards.

Prerequisites

The programme is offered to Year 12 and Year 13 students. Wakatipu High School links with Otago Polytechnic and the other Central Otago schools. This is known as the Otago Secondary Tertiary College (OSTC). This is a government-approved partnership. Students who have identified interest/intent in the study areas offered would be advised to consider this option. The OSTC (Otago Secondary Tertiary College) programme is available to Year 12 and 13 students at Wakatipu High School. This initiative is a government-approved partnership involving Otago Polytechnic and other Central Otago schools. Students who have demonstrated an interest in the study areas offered and have achieved Level 1 literacy and numeracy requirements are encouraged to consider this option. Selection into the programme will be based on the following criteria:

Why this course: 

The purpose of the Trades Academy is to:

  • Provide students with a wider range of options for study in NCEA.
  • Provide students with clear post-school pathways and give them a head start to achieving vocational qualifications.
  • Allow schools and Otago Secondary-Tertiary College to be more responsive to local business and economic needs.

How does studying at the Trades Academy fit in with school?

Course Information:

Your trade qualification will be one subject of your NCEA selected subjects. You will attend Otago Polytechnic in Cromwell for at least one day a week to study for your vocational qualification and then attend school for the remainder of the week to study the rest of your NCEA qualifications. Trades Academy will show as one subject line on your timetable. During these periods you will catch up on subject work missed whilst at Trades Academy with the assistance of our supported ACA class. Transport will be provided between school and Cromwell free of charge.

In 2026 Otago Secondary Tertiary College will offer the Trades programmes listed below. (These courses are dependent on numbers.)

  • Automotive – Level 2 (1 day)

  • Automotive – Level 3 (2 days)

  • Hospitality - Level 2 (1 day)

  • Cookery - Level 3 (2 days)

  • Beauty Therapy - Level 2 (1 day)

  • Beauty Therapy - Level 3 (1 day)

  • Building and Construction (BCATS) Level 2 (1 day)

  • Building and Construction (BCATS) Level 3 (2 day)

  • Sports Turf Management - Level 3 (1 day)

This course leads to:   Please note this is a vocational pathways course that does not lead to a university entrance (UE)-approved course at Level 3.

Students are required to maintain an attendance rate of higher than 80% and may be removed if attendance falls below this. This would also disqualify a student the course in the following year. 

Learning Areas:

Vocational Pathways, Cross-curricular & Learning Support


Assessment Information

This course is assessed using Achievement and/or Unit Standards. Please note exact standards are subject to change and individual assessment programmes may be provided in consultation with student and teacher.