Careers News
Mrs Yvette Kennedy
FACT: those who have goals are 10 times more likely to succeed than those without goals
As we head towards the end of Term 1, I reflect on how productive the start of the year has been in the area of pathways and partnerships. Our students in Year 11 and 12 are now in their first assessment block of 2025, and will be reflecting on their results and where improvements can be made. Next week Year 12 students will be sent their UAC PIN (University Admission Centre) in preparation for applying to university. Our senior students will be given a number of opportunities to research and explore post school options, including attending the Sutherland Shire Career Information Day on 8 May (Year 12) and the HSC Careers Expo (Year 11) on 30 May. Furthermore, there are a number of universities presenting in our THRIVE program over the next two terms to give our students the opportunity to explore the best pathway for further study. There are other various Information Evenings and Open Days being held by tertiary institutions, and I will continue to post these in this newsletter in the coming months.
At the College, we are continuing to develop unique partnerships to benefit our students as they complete their secondary education. We are encouraging our students to participate in a number of micro-credentials which help them to build an extensive portfolio and make them more employable in the future. Recently our Year 12 Hospitality students completed a barista course, and these students will be working as baristas in the College’s ‘Cafe on Cross’ every Friday.
Our Engineering students also had the opportunity of working with “Engineering Tomorrow” to design and produce model cars powered by electricity. It was encouraging to see our Engineers of the future and the innovative cars that they produced!! There are other courses being planned for this year, including in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Sports Business and Entrepreneurship. I encourage all students to continue to check their emails and to take up opportunities as they arise.
UAC
UAC will open their portal for 2026 university applications on 2 April. Students will need to keep their PIN sent to them as this is required when they commence their application. I have recently spoken with Year 12 students at a THRIVE session regarding the application process to university, including the Early Admission process. Learn more about the ways to apply to university here:
I also refer students to the following UAC publication, Steps to Uni for Yr 11 and 12 students, which lists important dates and explains more about the process of applying to university.
Everything you need to know about the ATAR - Here’s a quick and simple ATAR explainer: The ATAR is a rank, not a mark. The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a number between 0.00 and 99.95 that indicates a student’s position relative to all the students in their age group (ie all 16 to 20 year olds in NSW). So, an ATAR of 80.00 means that you are 20 per cent from the top of your age group (not your Year 12 group). Universities use the ATAR to help them select students for their courses and admission to most tertiary courses is based on your selection rank (your ATAR + any applicable adjustments). Most universities also use other criteria when selecting students (e.g. a personal statement, a questionnaire, a portfolio of work, an audition, an interview or a test). Learn more here:
University Updates
If you’re in Year 12 this year, you’re probably also thinking about Early Admissions. Early entry gives students the chance to receive an offer to university before they have finished their exams. One important thing to note is that most early offers are conditional – this means you need to meet one or more ‘conditions’ before your offer becomes final. Common conditions include things like completing Year 12, achieving a minimum ATAR, or completing prerequisite subjects.
How do I apply for early entry?
Most universities manage their own early entry programs, so students will need to be applying directly to the university. I will be posting on Compass the “Early Entry Guide” which lists the dates for most universities. I will update the list of all Early Admission dates in the next Careers Newsletter.
UOW Parent & Student Information Evening, Wednesday 9 April, Club Central Menai, 5.30pm
Learn more about UOW courses, Early Admission, Important dates, scholarships, UAC applications, student support, and more. Register here:
UOW Early Admission Webinar, 30 June, 7.00pm (online)
Learn more about the UOW Early Admission application and how to ace your submission. Register here:
University of Sydney Academic Excellence Scheme
The Academic Excellence Scheme recognises high performance in English and Mathematics by applying adjustment factors to boost your selection rank. Depending on the course you have applied for and whether you achieved a Band 5, 6 or E4 in high-level English or Mathematics, you can have an adjustment of up to five points. Learn more here:
UNSW Portfolio Entry, Opens 5 May
The UNSW Portfolio Entry Scheme offers early conditional offers for select degrees across Arts, Design, Architecture and Engineering, giving students the opportunity to showcase your passion and talent alongside your ATAR. Successful applicants will receive an early conditional offer with an adjusted ATAR entry requirement of up to 10 ATAR points below the lowest selection rank. Learn more here:
Scholarships
UTS - Bachelor of Accounting 2026
The closing dates for applications to the UTS Bachelor of Accounting course:
Round 1 Closing Date - Friday, 16 May 2025 by 11.59pm
Round 2 Closing Date - Friday, 10 October 2025 by 11.59pm
In person half-day interviews for both rounds will be held: Monday-Friday 10-14 November 2025. These interviews are for applicants who are considering Bachelor of Accounting as a course preference in UAC.
Colleges
Sydney Design School Open Day, April 5, 10.00 - 12.00pm
If you’re considering studying at this Design School, the Open Day is a great way to explore options. Find out more and register
Sydney Design School - Interior Decoration Workshop, 15 - 16 April, 9.30 - 4.00pm
This beginners workshop will give you a taste of the Certificate IV in Interior Decoration course. Learn how to put together a full interior decoration scheme for a living space in your own home. Learn more here:
NIDA School Holiday Programs
NIDA offers a range of courses and experiences for young people in Years 7-12 across a variety of disciplines. With courses in drama, acting on screen, musical theatre, writing, filmmaking and public speaking there are opportunities to develop communication and ensemble skills through creative collaboration, explore creative potential and engage in contemporary practice-based skills training. Learn more here:
Academy of Interactive Entertainment Open Day, May 24, 10.00 - 3.00pm
Discover the courses designed to get you started in game development, 3D animation, film and visual effects at the AIE Open Day. Find out more and register
SAE Information Night, 16 April, 6.00 - 8.00pm
Explore the courses on offer, meet industry experts and chat to the campus teams about student life. Learn more here:
Other Career Options …
ARC Group Training - Business Traineeships
ARC Group Training specialise in helping school leavers start their business careers by placing them in full time roles for 12 months while they complete a nationally recognised qualification. Learn more here:
Careers in the Sign & Graphic Industry
The graphic design and sign manufacturing industry, also includes the router, engraving, laser and fabrication industries, and is without a doubt one of the largest manufacturing sectors in Australia. There are many great career opportunities available almost anywhere in Australia. Search for positions vacant here:
Careers at Council
Explore the many and varied roles in the Career Areas section of your local Council.
ADF Gap Year Gap Program
Learn more about the variety of roles on offer through this program here:
Navy Careers Information Session, 2 April, 6.00 - 8.00pm
The Navy offers a multitude of career opportunities in trades, hospitality, logistics, aviation, healthcare, engineering and much more. Find out about careers in the Navy by attending this information session. Register here:
Defence Careers Information Session, 9 April, 6.00 - 8.00pm
Speak with current serving personnel at this information session . Register here:
Women in Defence Information Session, 16 April, 6.00 - 8.00pm
Learn more about women in Defence and the many ways the Australian Defence Force can support you and your goals. Register here:
Australian Federal Police - Entry Level Recruit
Lean more about the range of roles within the AFP here:
Jobs with Sydney Trans and NSW TrainLink
With even more people travelling across the train network every day, rail teams are expanding by hiring new people across a range of job disciplines and work areas. You can choose from a wide variety of roles – from being in the driver’s seat, helping passengers face-to-face, keeping trains and stations clean, building and maintaining network infrastructure, or working behind the scenes in operations or control to ensure the network continues to run smoothly and safely. Learn more about positions available here:
Positions Vacant
Early Childhood Educator Traineeships
Sutherland Shire Council.
Applications are open until 5 May 2025.
Apply online here:
As always, if you would like to speak with me about pathways for further study or careers post school, please book a meeting.
Mrs Yvette Kennedy
Leader Pathways and Partnerships
