Discovering What's Possible

Recently, our Year 10 students had the exciting opportunity to visit both Australian Catholic University (ACU) and Monash University as part of our careers and pathways program. The purpose of the excursion was to give students a firsthand experience of two different university environments and to begin thinking about their future study options.

At ACU, students were introduced to a smaller, community-focused campus environment. They participated in a guided tour where they were shown paramedicine and nursing students working on dummies that cry out in pain, bleed and even give birth, demonstrating ACU's intention to make their learning as practical as possible. Many students appreciated the welcoming atmosphere and the opportunity to ask questions in a more personalised setting.

In contrast, the visit to Monash University exposed students to a larger, research-intensive university which offers a wide range of courses and gave students an insight into the scale and diversity of university life. The experience helped students understand the opportunities and expectations that come with studying at a major institution.

By comparing these two universities, students were able to reflect on what type of learning environment might suit them best, while also recognising that there are multiple pathways to achieving their goals.

Later in the year, students will continue to explore their options with a visit to Box Hill Institute, where they will gain insight into vocational education and training pathways. This will further support students in making informed decisions about their future, whether that be university, TAFE, or other career opportunities.

We look forward to seeing how these experiences shape our students’ aspirations and encourage them to take confident steps toward their future.

Shannon Jenkins

VET and Career Coordinator