Pathways & Careers Report 

Year 10 Work Experience Week

Planning for the Year 10 Work Experience program is well underway, with many students having found their placement and completed the paperwork. Work Experience week for all Year 10 students is June 15th-19th (Week 9 of Term 2) so we strongly encourage all students to have their placement confirmed by the end of Term 1 (April 2). Work Experience is a mandatory part of the Year 10 Careers Education program (and normal Year 10 classes will not run during the week of June 15th-19th, apart from VET and VCE), so all students are expected to be proactive and secure a placement for that week.    

We understand it can be challenging for some students to find a placement in the field of their career choice. While local businesses are very supportive of Work Experience generally, some industry areas can be difficult to access such as Allied Health, Animal Care, Performing Arts and IT to name a few. If this is the case, students often find work experience by utilising family networks and contacts, sport and cultural communities or through friends and peers. We encourage parents to discuss with your child, their interests and aspirations, to help identify potential work experience options. Students are also very welcome to visit the Careers and Pathways office (as many have already done) for ideas, support and guidance.  

To help support students with this process and to check pre-placement requirements, the Careers & Pathways team have been holding brief, individual conversations with each Year 10 student over the last 2 weeks. 

White Card training will take place on Tuesday 31st March for identified students who require this ticket to undertake their work experience (additional costs and forms required and registrations close soon). Please note the date change. Parents/Carers are very welcome to contact the Careers and Pathways Team via the school by phoning 03 5336 7264 or by email if you have any questions or concerns in regards to Work Experience. 

Careers-Pathways Team: 

Brennan Deppeler (Pathways Leader): Brennan.Deppeler@education.vic.gov.au 

Shannon O’Shea (Careers Leader & Practitioner): Shannon.Oshea@education.vic.gov.au

Kara Rysava (Careers Practitioner): Kara.Rysava@education.vic.gov.au   

Career Events: 

Term 1 has seen many of our students out and about exploring future career possibilities. 

Students have experienced various trades, baking and hospitality at Federation University TAFE and also a Health Industry Day organized by the Highlands LLEN at ACU in Ballarat. 

During the Trade Vocational Explorer Year 9 students spent the day at Federation University TAFE, exploring careers such as Bricklaying, Plumbing, Carpentry and Engineering. Students installed a shower system and tested it for leaks under pressure and also went home with a toolbox they had made. 

Earlier in the term, some students attended a similar day exploring baking as a career path. These students came back to school laden with freshly baked bread and biscuits. 

Last Friday students spent the day at ACU in Ballarat, not only looking into potential pathways in the health industry, but also life at University. Woodmans Hill Secondary College students got to speak with current students studying Nursing, Paramedicine, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. Our students explored the importance of communication, named parts of the body that a physiotherapist would need to remember, studied x-rays and practiced their note taking and nursing skills. We even got to speak with Woodmans Hill Secondary College Alumni and past school captain Abbey Allen who is currently in her 2nd year of Nursing at ACU.  

Morrisby: 

All Year 9 will have an opportunity to complete their Morrisby Profiles in Term 2. Online surveys will be completed at school on Monday May 18th and will take place from periods 1-4.  

This is a great opportunity for students to explore their skills, strengths, possible career pathways and areas of interest.  

There will be additional information sent home at the beginning of Term 2. 

Have a great holiday from the Careers and Pathways Team.