STUDIO SCHOOL

2021 has seen a growth in the population of Studio School, now incorporating a Year 9 Big Picture and a Year 10 Transition advisory to the academy. With the new school year come lots of new opportunities for learning and personal growth for our students.  

Year 9 Big Picture  

We've made a great start to the term, welcoming new students to our advisory in Year 9. We are starting to build a positive culture within the group and we are all excited to achieve our dreams. The Who Am I project will be heavily featured in the students’ first exhibitions which will be occurring in Week 10. 

Some of the projects our students are doing this term include: 

Keara (beautician), Talon (motorbike mechanic), Ella (author), Jacinta (architect), Matilda (child psychologist), Zara (barrister), Tahlea (horse riding instructor), Miah (hairdresser), Megan (horse riding instructor), Justin (animal care), Ellie (social worker), Bella (childcare worker), Tiarna (social worker), Lachlan (fabrication), Lorrisa (music), Torah (primary school teaching), Abby (gymnastic instructor), Samuel (engineer) and Cassie (model).  

Students also had the opportunity in the first 6 weeks to create a video for the school’s online assembly. The theme was “What does Studio School provide?” Students built mind maps and created effective questions to ask both students and staff members what Studio School meant to them. Here is the video that was showcased in the assembly. 

 Year 10 Transition  

2021 has seen the introduction of a new course at KKHS. Similarly, to the Senior Studio School Transition Course, Year 10 are engaging in a range of learning opportunities. They are learning skills to become :work ready” such as pursuing Internships, which involves gaining experience in the workforce in industries of personal interest. Year 10 are exploring their passions and interests through a Who Am I personal project. They have begun creating a digital portfolio which demonstrates and reflects upon their learning in all areas and have developed their Term 1 Learning Plan. They have embraced having senior students mentor them and assist with their learning.  

Jet Wynands has begun an Internship at Summit Bathrooms two days a week. 

Brock Henderson has begun his Internship at All Care Car Services two days a week.  

 Year 10 Big Picture 

Year 10 Big Picture Education Advisory has seen a positive start to the year. We have had some new students who have joined our Advisory and are currently building a culture that is supportive of one another. 

On the 23rd of March we will be finally going to Taronga Zoo which we had planned for last year but, due to COVID restrictions, this was put off several times. Students are currently researching bus/train/ferry timetables to ensure we are able to make it there for an animal encounter and then to experience all that the zoo has to offer. Miss Robson has already said she will be at the Chimpanzee enclosure for most of it as these are one of her favourite animals. 

Some of the new students have written reasons why they joined Big Picture: 

“The reason that I joined BPE Studio School is because I didn’t feel that I fitted into mainstream classes and I didn’t enjoy what I was learning. I joined Advisory so that I can do work that I want to do and so I can further my knowledge on LTI and how I can become an Electrician.” – Hayden 

“I joined BPE Studio School as I wanted a new beginning for my education as mainstream seems to be that way it has always been. I wanted to discover how to get a job at the end of the year.”            – Byron 

“I joined BPE Studio School as I didn’t fit into mainstream and I wasn’t enjoying coming to school at all. I joined year 10 BPE Advisory as it is going to give me a better opportunity to get a job and be able to leave school.” - Heidi 

Year 11 Big Picture 

Our advisory has had a strong start to the year, moving into a new space and coming up with new project ideas that help us to pursue our interests at a deeper level. These are represented in the word cloud below: 

We’ve also participated in some activities that develop our advisory culture such as daily check-ins, sharing a meal of chips and dino nuggies, playing Uno, and mindfulness through chocolate. With regards to Outlearning: a number of students have also secured internships: Joshua McIntosh (automotive), Matthew Wright (retail SBAT), Jayden Taylor (computer repair), Nicholas Formosa (motorbike repairs), and Dakota Jones (dental assistant). We also have 4 students currently going to TAFE for TVET courses. 

Stage 6 Transition 

Stage 6 Transition has had an exciting start to the year. Our new students are settling in and the atmosphere is a really positive one. Students have been working on their personal projects and some have even gained internships, while others are still making some enquiries. A lot of our students are completing VET Construction Pathways and are working on their plans to build a cubby house. We also have a few students who are mentoring some of the younger students in the Studio School. Here is a quick run-down of what everyone has been up to: 

Rory is organising possible internships with Singleton bike shop and has also been applying for apprenticeships; Jack M recently completed a job trial at DMP Electrical; Riley spent a week at Atkins Plumbing and Gas and is researching what it takes to become a train driver; Zane is keen to find an internship in carpentry to assist with his cubby house build; Haley is on internship in the school library and will be running a mental health seminar in week 9 this term; Lacey completed an internship at Alfabs during the Christmas school holidays and has been mentoring students in Year 9 Big Picture; Zack is looking for an internship as an auto electrician to support his general car maintenance project and has also been helping younger students learn how to weld on the virtual welding machine; Jackson is looking for an internship with a plumber; Luke is keen to find an internship with a plumber or carpenter; Alex has secured an internship at Alfabs to help him learn more about the metal fabrication industry and has also been applying for apprenticeships; Phoenix is looking for an internship with a landscaping or plumbing company; Aaron has been enjoying his Drone course and is looking to do an internship with an electrician; Chenika started her School Based Traineeship in General Administration with Alfabs and has also been working with Jada to paint a beautiful cultural mural on one of our walls; Mikayla is looking for an internship in childcare and has been learning about what it takes to enter the Defence Force and has also been mentoring the year 9 Big Picture students; Phoebe has recently joined us after completing a week of work placement for VET Hospitality and is looking into animal care; Montanah is on internship at Mulbring Public School and has also been supporting year 10 Transition students while also completing a project to help enhance her Literacy and Numeracy skills; Kayla is loving her Animal Studies course at TAFE and her internship at Kip Hunter Valley; Lydia is also loving her TAFE course in Beauty Services and would like to find an internship to help her develop skills in this area; Aidan has contacted a plumber for an internship; Jai is keen to do an internship with a roofing company; Tyler A is learning about making props; Erin is working on an artwork for our door to display a mood chart; Jack S spent a week on internship with a local builder; Keleigh is on internship at Highway Ford; Mitchell is looking at opportunities within the fitness industry and Tenesha has been working hard at Stone Real Estate and at school to complete her SBAT. 

In other exciting news Brody gained a full-time job as a pool fabricator. We wish him all the best. 

It has been a very busy term so far and we are excited to see what end of term exhibitions bring.