Pathways  News and Information  

YEAR 12'S VTAC APPLICATIONS

Application to university opens 3rd August.

VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre) is the place where you apply for Victorian university and some (Victorian) TAFE courses for 2023.

If you intend to study interstate you will need to apply to the state tertiary admissions centre.

For example: 

WA: TISC

NSW: UAC

SA: SATAC

NT: SATAC

TAS: UTAS

Timelines are very strict and DO NOT move.

If you don't open a VTAC account and apply for a course that you want to be considered for in 2023, you will MISS out and will have to reapply late 2023.

Applying for courses DOES NOT commit you to the course - it simply gives you the option to accept or reject a course if you are offered one in January 2023. 

Don't panic, your coordinators and the pathways team will work more closely with you (and parents/guardians) to assist you with VTAC applications later this term and all throughout Term III .

For now, click on link below to see your 'Applying for university course' timeline. 

DROMANA COLLEGE CAREER EXPO 

The college held its annual career expo Wednesday 24th May. The expo is a full day event for students in Year 9 and 10. It is a chance for students to listen from industry speakers talking about life in their chosen careers and how they got there.

Presentations are held each period with recess and lunch an opportunity for students from all middle and senior years to make contact with universities, TAFE and other training organisations. The day started with whole school year levels attending a presentation in the gym hearing from four guest speakers. 

Prior to the expo students were given a list of industry presenters they thought they would be interested in hearing from.

Some of our presenters included: 

• Police
• Paramedicine
• A day in the life of a scientist
• Nursing
• Criminology (which was the most popular speaker)
• Cyber Security
• Interactive Tradie Trailer
• Uni life and teaching
• Audio Engineering
• Viticulture/Agricultural industry

Recess and lunchtime was the opportunity for student to speak with universities, TAFEs and other training organisations stalls.

The college was supported by and would like to thank all contributors for attending

• Most major Victorian universities – Monash, Deakin, Swinburne, Federation Uni
• Australian Defence Force
• Victoria Police 
• Richmond Institute 
• Collarts (college of arts)
• Headstart  - School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships
• FMPLLEN
• Holmesglen  
• Utrain. School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeships
• Australian Apprentice Group
• LCI
• MAS Apprenticeship group
• Australian Institute of Music
• William Angliss

The college would also like to thank past Dromana College students who always step up and give their valuable time and experience whenever we contact them to pass on their stories. Thank you to these past students who have gone on to fabulous careers and lives, and each shared their own pathway stories

• Jessica Gugliomino – Haematology Scientist
• Morgan Bain – Education
• Rebecca Andrews - Engineering 
• Kayla Wilson – Radio/Media
• Emily McGivern - Nursing

The College would also like to thank the presentation/ guest speakers again, who all gave up their valuable time to spend the day inspiring your young people. 

• David Lowe
• Danny Zorzi
• Kelli-Ann Darlington
• Aaron Lord
• Di Johns
• Jeremy Smith
• Jason Jones
• Danielle Mates

Final thank you to Julie Clough (Career Practitioner) for organising this valuable experience for the students.

COURSE COUNSELLING 

Subject selections for 2023 took place this term. The subject selection process  begins several weeks before students actually select their subjects. Students in years 9,10,11,12 complete age appropriate Career Action Plans.

Students can then refer to the college website LEARNING tab to see all the subject offerings and descriptors

Students (and parents) are also able to speak with subject coordinator/teacher for more information, as well as speaking with a Career Practitioner if they are unsure or if they need clarification of prerequisites for courses or careers. 

Lead in time for students in regards to subject selection is available, timetabled and research opportunities are available and strongly encouraged. Whilst it seems we are asking students to think about the year ahead early, they have had ample lead in with career education sessions, career expo and career action planning. 

The Department of Education’s Career Curriculum Framework which is embedded in the students timetable and is designed to assist students to develop a custom career development program.

Career Curriculum Framework:

There are six age appropriate building blocks designed to develop a young person’s career skillset:

YEAR 7

I DISCOVER

Students discover their strengths and interests to develop a positive self image that provides the foundation for optimistic pathways planning. At this level students develop an awareness of the importance of social and interpersonal skills in their future life and work roles.

YEAR 8

I EXPLORE 

Students explore the influence that a positive self image and good learning habits have on occupational choice. They research a wide range of occupational profiles to examine the nature of the work the personal attributes and skills necessary to perform the tasks, and the required entry level education and training.

YEAR 9

I FOCUS

Student focus on the contribution that personal attributes and effective communication skills make to their future life and work roles.

Students participate in activities that highlight the skills needed to gain and maintain employment. They examine the changes that have taken place in the workplace over a period of time and apply their knowledge to consider the nature of change on their planning. This is the stage when students should start thinking about part time employment to start building on valuable work skills, like communication, teamwork, self management, financial intelligence.

YEAR 10

I PLAN 

Students focus on planning their pathway to achieve broad career goals that offer a range of options. Students use their increased self knowledge and deeper understanding of education and training requirements to inform these decisions.

Students investigate national and global economic, social, technological and environment changes on the type and availability of work and examine the trends that may impact on their chosen career pathway. They focus on the need to be flexible and the importance of networks to create and make opportunities. Students should have part time employment and continue to build on essential and valuable employability and work skills.

YEAR 11

I DECIDE

The focus for Year 11 is confirming and managing their career. They need to ensure that it reflects their current personal beliefs, including skills, abilities, attitudes and academic performance. Year 11 students need to explore and consolidate their knowledge of the labour market and further education and training requirements they need for their future career planning.

Students at this level apply their decision making and problem solving skills to their post secondary education/training aspirations. They are more aware of a range of career resources, including those available online, and identify allies who may support them in achieving their goals. Students will need to be able to manage school with part time work and other activities ie: sport 

YEAR 12

I APPLY 

Year 12 students need to be able to critically examine their career goals and have sound knowledge of the requirements for their planned further education/training. They need to be aware of alternative pathways to achieve their preferred future and prepare at least one optional career choice.

Student at this stage will need to tailor their career plan to their needs. For those students choosing to progress to further education, they need to focus on short term goals that address selection requirements and processes.

For those who intend to enter the workforce either for employment or training including those deferring, focus is on developing skills and materials to see employment including updating their resume and preparing for job interviews. 

Students will need to be able to continually adjust outside pressures like part time work, sporting activities with their school work load. This means reducing outside pressures not necessarily eliminating outside pressures.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

Career education is important for all young people. The career curriculum framework offers a progression in career learning that is relevant to all young people.

Teachers, trainers and career practitioners working with Aboriginal young people, English as an additional language (EAL), young people from low socio economic communities and young people with disabilities will consider the particular needs of each student and adapt the learning outcomes to provide relevant and appropriate career framework.

Your child is welcome in the pathways office at any time to discuss school, post school or just life in general. The pathways office is open and available  Mon – Fri 8 – 4pm.  With 3 qualified career practitioners there is always usually someone available to speak with your child ( or parent).     

UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS 

Please find attached a list of the Victorian University Open Days. The Open Days only happen once a year with the Universities showcasing their campus, courses, students and University life experience It is a valuable opportunity to visit Universities and experience all they offer.