Brookhill

                                                      Mr David Murphy

VCE Early Commencement Program

I would like to congratulate and thank all 2019 Year 10 and Year 11 students on their excellent work during the VCE Early Commencement Program. Students’ attitude and work ethic has been first class and the hard work during these two weeks will pay off when students return next year already ahead on their VCE studies.

2020 Year 12 Student Learning Conference

All 2020 Year 12 students are reminded that they will start the year with our annual Student Learning Conference at Hyatt Essendon Fields, 1 English Street, Essendon Fields, on Friday 31 January. This compulsory event is an exciting and worthwhile day, which equips the new Year 12 students with study and personal management skills needed for the year ahead. Permission forms for the Student Learning Conference have been distributed to students and emailed to parents; can I ask families to ensure these are returned to the Senior School Office promptly.

2019 RMIT Future Finder Excursion

Despite the weather not being particularly kind, last Tuesday’s excursion to RMIT with the 2020 Year 12 cohort, successfully provided students with an insight to tertiary life and possible options at RMIT. Students were required to display organisation and time management skills by getting themselves to RMIT on time, finding their way around the campus and returning to the main lecture theatre on time after the morning tea and lunch breaks.  Most students managed this very well - some probably need a bit more practice. These skills are some of the so called ‘soft skills’ so highly prized by employers, so they are important skills to develop. In addition, students are now better prepared to attend the Open Days at other institutions so they can get the most out of their time on a campus.

Our students listened to a general presentation on tertiary education and an introduction to studying at RMIT. As RMIT is a dual sector institution, the excursion provided students with an understanding of TAFE / Vocational education opportunities and options for higher education study and the overlap and the many excellent pathways between the two sectors. Students also learned about opportunities for Work Integrated Learning, study abroad and exchange possibilities and the differences between studying at TAFE and studying at University. They then chose 2 out of a possible 5 seminars to attend to learn more about a particular study area.

The students especially enjoyed the opportunity to travel to the excursion independently and be part of a more adult environment. They also found learning about pathway courses very helpful. Many are now able to say either, that they have a strong interest in attending RMIT, or that RMIT is not the “right” institution for them. This significantly advances their career and course research regarding options for life beyond Aitken College. 

Thank you to all the students who attended the excursion and also to the Aitken staff who assisted on the day who contributed to making the event such a success.

Mrs Clare Borg

Careers Counsellor