Careers News

Entry to Medicine in 2020 – IMPORTANT CHANGES

The UMAT has been replaced by the UCAT!!!

Year 12 students planning to apply for any of the following university courses listed below, are reminded that registrations for the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) opened on 1 March 2019 and closes 16 May 2019.  The testing dates will be from 1 July – 31 July 2019.

In the meantime, students who are preparing for entry into any of these courses are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the format of the test at UCAT Test Format and the practice tests and preparation material provided at UCAT Preparation.

DET Careers Initiatives for Year 9 students

Following a number of reviews and parliamentary inquiries that took place last year, the Victorian Government and Department of Education and Training have subsequently launched a set of initiatives aimed at transforming the capacity of government secondary schools to engage all students in additional meaningful career development opportunities. One of the initiatives has been the introduction of an extensive suite of activities aimed at Year 9. The first of these will be implemented here at NHS late this term and into Term 2.

All Year 9 students will be offered an online career discovery tool (Morrisby Online), which will help them better understand their strengths and interests and explore different career options. A report will be created for each student, which is assessed by an accredited career practitioner, followed by a 30 minute one-on-one career counselling session. The outcome of this process will be to improve the quality and understanding of pathways for Year 9 students, and to inform their subject selections and career action plans. It will also provide rich information to inform and enhance the school’s other career education activities.

You can read more about these exciting new changes here: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/transforming-career.aspx

Specific information about the implementation of these initiatives will be communicated directly with families as it becomes available. For Year 9 families, news of how we will implement the Morrisby testing and subsequent counselling sessions will come your way very soon.

Thinking of a Gap Year after school?

All of the organisations below offer structured programs that allow you to experience more of the world and learn valuable skills at the same time. Find out more at the Career News tile on myNorthcoteHigh.

AFX Student Exchange offers a range of programs including high school or GAP year programs to France. 

AIFS and its family of companies organises cultural exchange programs throughout the world!  Whether students are looking for cultural exchange program, an Au Pair placement, to volunteer or a stint with Camp America, AIFS has a range of opportunities and programs to offer!  

Cultural Care Au Pair is a great way to live abroad for a minimum of 12 months. With this time, you get the amazing chance to study, travel and experience another culture as a family member.  By becoming an au pair, you will grow as a person and learn lifelong skills such as; independence, responsibility, communication, and open-mindedness. All skills important for your future!  

Gap Medics programs offer students interested in healthcare a genuine insight into the hospital work of doctors and nurses in countries in Europe, and the Caribbean. Gap Medics are offering an exciting project for students that are looking to apply for university courses in medicine, nursing, dentistry, community health, or midwifery.  Gap Medics is a provider of short-term healthcare work experience placements abroad.  Although based in the UK, its programs are open to students from all around the world.  This organisation is dedicated to arranging hospital work experience placements for students who are applying to medical or nursing school in particular.

Lattitude Global Volunteering (formerly Gap Activity Projects) has been offering international volunteering and gap year projects for 17-25-year old’s, for over 35 years.  A diverse range of projects are on offer in Asia/Pacific, or further afield in Europe, the Americas and Africa. 

Visit Lattitude Global Volunteering to find out more!

Students keen to learn more about the volunteer and work experience programs offered through Projects Abroad, should browse  Projects Abroad for more general information.   

Antipodeans offers a range of programs, one of which is Schoolies Unearthed – a different way to do schoolies.  Newly graduate Year 12 students get to travel overseas with a team of other schoolies, explore new and vibrant parts of the world whilst contributing to a sustainable community project. Accompanied by an Unearthed leader, this is a chance to embrace a totally new culture, discover some incredible food and live like the locals do - all while having the time of your life. 

Southern Cross Cultural Exchange. Explore another culture, learn another language, be a family member and an active student in a different country. Experience your world.  

Student Exchange Australia. LOTE students often express an interest in finding out more about short-term exchange programs to countries like Japan, France, Germany, Canada, Spain and many more!   

World Education Program (WEP) Australia is now offering a range of international programs for people over the age of 18!  Programs include volunteer and conservation projects, work & travel and internships, teaching English overseas, international language study and language & volunteer packages. WEP’s GAP programs bring together volunteers from all over the world to help communities in need, and volunteers learn:

• to work through the various challenges of adapting to a new culture
• mature, gain more confidence and develop greater self-awareness
• gain a better understanding of the world and international relations

Work Experience for Year 10s

All students in Year 10 are expected to complete a work experience placement in Term 2 (May 13-17 - that’s Week 4). Each student is responsible for identifying a suitable placement, and liaising with employers to organise this. Taking ownership of this process assists young people in developing the skills and habits they will need to gain employment in later life.  The school will provide support through the Connect program, and we ask that families also get involved in this process. Download our tip sheets via the links below. Spare forms and additional information are available here: https://schoolbox.nhs.vic.edu.au/homepage/11750

La Trobe Experience Clever Program

What exactly is Experience Clever? 

Held at our Melbourne Campus during the Easter school holidays, this is a chance for Year 10, 11 and 12 students to experience uni for a day. 

They’ll choose from over 50 workshops in a broad range of study areas. From there, they’ll experience real classroom environments and interact with university staff and students. 

There’ll also be campus and accommodation tours, free catering, prizes and entertainment. 

Students can register online. Make sure they get in early before sessions fill up.

Need financial support to attend Uni of Melbourne?

Applications for the Hansen Scholarship Program, the University of Melbourne’s new flagship equity scholarship, open on 1 March.

Provided by benefactors Jane Hansen and Paul Little, the program brings together an unrivalled package of benefits for high-achieving domestic students who may otherwise struggle financially to access higher education.

Information sessions will be held in late February and early March – but candidates can get a head start on their applications by previewing the application questions now and gathering the documents they’ll need to submit.

Key benefits include:

• Accommodation at Little Hall
• Tailored academic coaching
• Living allowances
• Grants for exchange or internship plus post-course support