HEENAN Jeremy
Jeremy Denis Heenan
(Attended Kings High School from 1965 to 1968 and was a staff member from 2006 to 2016)
In 2006 Jeremy took on the position of Gateway coordinator, a recent governmental initiative “designed to strengthen the pathway for students from school to workplace learning”. More than work experience, this initiative was to allow a small group of 24 Year 12 and 13 students to spend a sustained period of time in a workplace gaining skills and qualifications for their chosen career. Jeremy researched employment trends and encouraged students to follow their interests while also being mindful of where the employment need would be in the future.
A steep learning curve began where a clear understanding of the NZ Qualifications Framework was essential, how to connect with Industry Training Organisations (ITO’s) and how to cut through the mountains of red tape at the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). In many schools class time was allocated for the students to work on their unit standards. This was not the case at King’s. This therefore involved Jeremy much more closely with each individual student to ensure they completed and passed the unit standard qualifications they were seeking.
Jeremy’s knowledge of the Dunedin business community, connection to King’s as an old boy and his sales ability meant that students gained access to some amazing workplaces. One example was the series of day visits to various aviation venues on the Taieri Plain over an 8-week period. Hosted by the Otago Aero Club the students visited Otago Helicopters, Momona Airport including the Tower and crash/fire, Mainland Air, the South Air maintenance facility, a light aircraft workshop and various private hangers with rarely seen collections. All the students had a free ride in a Cessna and a number experienced riding in a locally built gyrocopter. Finally each student received a free membership to the aero club for a year.
While King’s was only funded for 24 students in the Gateway programme, the need nearly always exceeded this and Jeremy would work hard with senior staff and teachers to ensure students gained these opportunities. Even though work experience was not part of his job brief Jeremy helped with numerous placements of students into tasters while they made their career choices.
Beyond the Gateway programme Jeremy contributed to the wider life of the school by coaching several different cricket teams. He was often called upon to umpire and score the Saturday games as well as manage his own team. He especially enjoyed taking a Year 9 team he was allocated one year.
Annually Jeremy was involved in school camps. He attended a number of fly-fishing camps on the banks of the Waitaki and Waiau Rivers. He tramped on Stewart Island and worked for an extended number of years on Dunedin based camps.
Jeremy is survived by his partner Geraldine, his 3 children, one of whom attended King’s High School and 4 grandchildren.
The table below gives an indication of the variety of occupational placements that the 279 Gateway students began while working with Jeremy at school during his time as coordinator.
| Accountant | Chef | Glazier | Plumber |
| Architectural draftsman | Civil Engineer | Joiner | Railway Guard |
| Architect | Civil Construction | Landscaper | Retail |
| Auto Electron | Computer Technician | Mechanic | Share broker |
| Aviator | Electrician | Media / Drama | Sign writer |
| Baker | Engineer | Motor cycle mechanic | Solicitor |
| Boat builder | Events Management | Painter | Sound engineer |
| Builder | Farmer | Panel beater | Surf board manufacture |
| Carpet Layer | Forklift driver | Pest destruction | Travel Agent |