Careers and VET News

Career opportunities and information continues to be available for McCarthy students.

Year 12 Pathways

Year 12 students Indianna Brazier and Dylan Mihell have been accepted into the University of Sydney’s Tahgara Program, an intensive week-long residential experience held in Sydney during the school holidays for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Year 12 students. Throughout the week, they will attend workshops with exam markers, expert tutors, faculty academics, and university staff and students, building their confidence for HSC and their pathway into higher education through tailored support in scholarships, university pathways, exam preparation, and one-on-one subject-specific tutoring. We congratulate Indianna and Dylan on this outstanding achievement and wish them well as they embark on this exciting opportunity.

University of Newcastle - Future Students Visit

McCarthy welcomed Emerson, a student representative from the University of Newcastle, who visited some of our Year 12 students on Tuesday, 19 May. Emerson delivered an informative presentation covering key admission information, entry pathways, course options, accommodation, and scholarship opportunities. This session provided valuable insights to support students as they plan their post-school pathways.

Charles Sturt Years 11 and 12 Presentation

Representatives from Charles Sturt University visited McCarthy on Wednesday, 10 June, delivering an engaging session designed to inform, inspire and empower students to make confident decisions about their future pathways. Students gained valuable first-hand information about early entry applications, including what to include in a strong submission. They also learned that all early entry applications are automatically entered into a draw for the chance to win 12 months of free campus accommodation.

University Early Entry Programs Open

Early entry programs are now open for Year 12 students interested in studying at the following universities. For more information or to apply, please see the links below:

University Admissions Centre (UAC)

Students are encouraged to explore course options and application requirements on each university’s website and to contact the College’s Career Adviser for support with the application process.

You Should be a Cop program

Blake Austin, Glenn Meredith, Isabel Murray, Erin Tickle and Ava Maloney recently had the opportunity to attend the three-day ‘You Should Be A Cop’ program held at the Tamworth PCYC in May. Facilitated by the NSW Police Force Youth Command and People and Capability Command, the program provided an engaging and interactive experience, including presentations from the Rural Crime Prevention Team and various specialist police units. Students gained valuable insight into the pathways to joining the NSW Police Force, participated in practical activities that reflect recruitment training, engaged directly with police officers, and tested their physical fitness through fitness assessments and swimming. This experience offered a unique and informative glimpse into a potential career in policing.

Year 10 Careers Expo

On Wednesday, 13 May, all Year 10 students attended the Northwest Regional Careers Expo at TRECC. In preparation, the Transitions Team delivered a short presentation outlining expectations, along with tips and strategies to help students make the most of the experience. Students were also provided with an Exhibitors Booklet in advance to assist them in identifying organisations they wished to engage with on the day. The expo offered valuable opportunities to explore work experience, study pathways, employment, and apprenticeship options, with several students securing offers for work experience as a direct result of their engagement. Feedback collected through a post-expo survey indicated that the majority of students found the experience highly beneficial, gaining support, guidance, and advice to help them make more informed and confident decisions about their future beyond Year 10.

McCarthy Catholic College - Work Experience Program

Work Experience is a great way for students to “try before they buy” with a particular job - in other words, it gives students the opportunity to gain real-world insights and practical skills that will prepare them for future success.

To maximise this valuable opportunity, students need to follow a series of practical steps to set up and complete their work experience, with parents/carers’ support and encouragement playing a crucial role in helping us provide valuable opportunities for our students.

Key Steps for Students to Proceed with Work Experience

1. Discuss Work Experience Opportunities with the Careers Adviser

Students should begin by meeting with their careers adviser to explore potential industries and workplaces, get advice on suitable placements, and understand how our school facilitates work experience.

2. Collect the Work Experience Pack from the Careers Adviser

The pack contains all necessary forms and information regarding work experience, including agreements, and safety and insurance guidelines. As required by Catholic Schools NSW, students must complete and return all documentation in the pack to their careers adviser before the commencement of their work experience to comply with school policies and insurance requirements. Importantly, the work experience needs to be formally approved by the College Principal before it can proceed.

3. Decide on an Occupation or Industry

Based on discussions and interests, students select the type of work or industry they want to experience. (Please note: Students are required to hold a White Card if entering a construction site).

4. Find a Suitable Host Workplace

Students identify and approach workplaces that offer student work experience, with support from the careers adviser.

5. Set up the Work Experience

This involves securing approval from the College Principal, completing and signing all required forms and agreements by the student, parent/carer, employer, and school, and fulfilling any inductions or preparation.

6.Undertake Work Experience

Students participate actively in their work experience and follow workplace safety and guidelines. If a student is unable to attend their placement, both the school and the host employer must be notified as soon as possible.

Some students may receive employment opportunities after completing their work experience; however, specific steps must be followed to ensure compliance with education and employment regulations. Since 2010, all NSW students must complete Year 10. After Year 10 and until they turn 17, students must be engaged in one or a combination of the following:

Attending school or registered for home schooling
Enrolled in approved education or training
Employed full-time (averaging at least 25 hours per week).

Upon receiving an employment offer, students must inform and discuss the opportunity with the careers adviser, as students will be required to provide the College with:

A letter of offer from the employer
Employment contract
Training Plan (if undertaking an apprentice or traineeship)
McCarthy-specific paperwork (provided to the student).

All documentation must be received, signed, and approved by the College Principal and Armidale Catholic Schools. Students cannot commence employment during designated school hours until all paperwork and approvals are complete.

Work Experience Program

Congratulations to Jack Riley, who had the opportunity to spend a week at NSW Parliament shadowing the Honourable Kevin Anderson MP. From meeting the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Greg Piper to the President of the Legislative Council, Ben Franklin, to observing Question Time and attending parliamentary meetings, Jack gained valuable insight into how Parliament operates.

Careers Spotlight - Physiotherapist

Want to change lives for a living? Become a physiotherapist! A physiotherapist is an expert on the structure of the human body and its movements. They help people recover from injuries and who need to reduce pain and improve mobility. Take a deep dive here into what it takes to become a physiotherapist, including what subjects to do in school and what course to do after school.

A Reminder for Students to Check their School Emails

Students are reminded to check their emails daily. The transition team will submit numerous Expression of Interests (EOI) for training, professional learning and/or fantastic events.

Careers Classrooms and Codes

Students are encouraged to join the Google Classrooms which relate directly to their interests and needs. The classrooms and codes are:

Universities and UAC Code: 2yz6h6s	Part time jobs Code: o76i4pv
Apprenticeships, Traineeships and Work Experience Code: d6i57bo	Full time jobs Code: xehfpmy

Careers@McCarthy website

The information for students and parents/carers can be found on the careers website which can be accessed through this link.

McCarthy Careers Team 2025 Contacts:

- Amanda Burke Careers Adviser

Email: aburke1@arm.catholic.edu.au

- Shane Vesey-Wells, Leader of Learning: Transition and Pathways

Email: sveseywells@arm.catholic.edu.au