The Careers Department is located in M1 and the Careers staff are in the offices adjacent to M1, close to the Gernhoefer Administration Centre. All students are able to request one-to-one career counselling sessions which can be scheduled during the school day. Students can make appointments through Career Central www.cc.school.nz by logging in using their school ID and clicking the pink “mail box”. Parents can also email the team to make an appointment for their daughter and/or themselves. Email details below. Careers staff are available before and after school, at interval and at lunchtime to assist with inquiries. Parent/caregiver inquiries are also welcome. Appointments can be arranged so that parents/caregivers can attend with their daughter. All Year 13 students will be interviewed in Term 1 and 2.
Career Bites
Every Wednesday lunchtime we hold a session with different professions, to give students a taste of tertiary study and career options. In June and July 2021, we have the following industries/people featured:
| Date | Industry | Profession | Person |
| 9 June | Law | Criminal Lawyer | Barrister Farrukh Gul Qaisrani |
| 16 June | Law | Human Rights Lawyer | Lawyer Sophie Pollak |
| 23 June | Law | Family Lawyer | Barrister Fiona Patterson |
| 30 June | Law | Environment Law/Planning/Resource Management | Lawyer Alana Lampitt |
| 7 July | Law | Corporate Law Studying Law |
Barrister Lina Kim Student Tayla Woolley (Law and Commerce Conjoint at Otago) |
Career Expo
This is an annual event held in June in Auckland. We will have more details of the 2021 event nearer the time.
University Open Days
These are a great way to find out what degrees are available and what campus life is really like. We will upload 2021 dates as they become available.
| University Open Days 2021 | ||
| Tertiary Provider | Date | Website |
| University of Canterbury | TBC | www.canterbury.ac.nz |
| University of Otago | TBC | www.otago.ac.nz |
| Waikato University | TBC | www.waikato.ac.nz |
| UNITEC | TBC | www.unitec.ac.nz |
| Victoria University of Wellington | TBC | www.victoria.ac.nz |
| Massey University | TBC | www.massey.ac.nz |
| The University of Auckland | TBC | www.auckland.ac.nz |
| Auckalnd University of Technology (AUT) | TBC | www.aut.ac.nz |
The Careers Department can help students:
- Explore options for future pathways
- Find and research resources so they can make informed decisions
- Form links with tertiary providers
- Consider alternative pathways
- Check entry requirements for courses
- Enquire about job opportunities
- Prepare a CV and cover letter
- Improve interview skills
- Select subjects for future study
- Apply for University Scholarships
- Apply for Halls of Residence
- Apply for overseas universities
Annual Careers Department Events
- Year 13 Tertiary Evening (Term 1)
- Combined Westlake Careers Expo (Term 2 held at Westlake Boys High School)
- Lunchtime Speakers are invited throughout the year from a range of providers, work places and alumni (Career Bites)
- University visits for enrolment assistance (Term 3)
- Tertiary Provider Open Days
- Tertiary Provider Experience Days
- KATTI for Mā ori students
- PILOT for Pasifika students
Careers Staff
Rachel Bickerstaffe
HOD Careers and Leadership Development
BA (The University of Auckland), Diploma Teaching (Auckland Teachers College). Graduate Certificate in Career Development (AUT)
Ph: 489 4169 Ext 277
Email: rbickerstaffe@westlakegirls.school.nz
Gemma James
Careers Adviser Diploma in Career Guidance (NMIT)
Ph: 489 4169 Ext 208
Mail: gjames@westlakegirls.school.nz
Kiri Wilson-Cudby
Gateway Coordinator: See the Gateway Programme for more information
BA (First Class Honours (Diplomacy and International Relations)), LLB, MA (Political Science)
Ph: 489 4169 Ext 205
Email: kwilson-cudby@westlakegirls.school.nz
