PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

This week has seen Year 10 away on the first of two annual work experience blocks as part of the College work education program. Led by our Careers Coordinator Mrs Marie Knight, our students experience working life, often for the first time. This short-term placement aims to provide insights into industry and the workplaces in which they are located. Our students are placed with employers principally to observe and learn – not to assume responsibilities that require specific training or knowledge. This program has enormous benefits for students as it gives them a chance to transition from school to work through the provision of opportunities to relate school studies with a workplace, providing them with an insight into the diversity of employees in the workplace and by preparing students for the demands and expectations of the working world. This experience will help students make informed career decisions by assessing their aptitudes and interests and exploring potential careers and by providing students with some rudimentary knowledge, skills, and attitudes concerning both paid and unpaid work. In the context of our college, work experience provides an invaluable link between school and the local community and will hopefully contribute to enhanced maturity, confidence and self-reliance.

In 2021, I entered into a partnership with the Association of Independent Schools (NSW), The Scots School, Albury and Trinity Anglican College, Albury to establish the Building Career Possibilities Through Partnerships Initiative to create and provide resources to regional network hubs to:

• connect networks of schools, employers and post-school education organisations that support career pathways and improved understanding of required career skills and employment for young people, now and into the future.
• access high-quality career education and development services that support student transition to meaningful post-school study and employment pathways whilst developing a best practice framework to guide the establishment of career education and community networks.

Mrs Knight has been instrumental in leading this and over the coming months will develop an exceptional program to provide even more opportunities for our students in the field of Work Education.

Paul Humble | Principal