Careers and Future Pathways

Work Experience

We have had a very successful Work Experience (WE) situation. 3 students have accessed their own WE and each has spent 5 days with an employer. Alekai worked with a construction company and has emerged with excellent reports and an offer of casual work. Zena worked at the Australian Academy of Entertainment (AIE) where she created her own game. Juniper worked in a mechanics workshop and learned a lot about the workplace which she is considering doing as part of her HSC study. We will be having a whole year WE opportunity during W6 of term 4. During our Careers lessons we have initiated the preparation for this work. 3 students are lining up to complete WE during week 10, details to follow in the term 4 newsletter. 

External Learning

2 students have attended TAFE, doing a taster course, 1 day a week for 6 weeks. Joseph completed Film Making and Shastine did Lab Skills. Both of these students were offered a place in a course which parallels their potential pathway, giving them valuable experience and increased exposure and understanding of what pathway they may be pursuing. 

Marriott Culinary Academy 2027

Three of our students went above and beyond attending the evening of August 1(6pm) to hear information regarding their anticipated pathway. There they were given information on an excellent program run by Marriott who are seeking to create quality chefs. We learnt of the many opportunities available in the Marriott group and the generous support given to apprentices. This evening helped our students clarify and consolidate their future plans. We also were fed some delicious treats prepared by the existing chef apprentices. Thank you to Marriott but especially thank you to Kat, Bodhi and Tariq for taking an active interest in their future. 

RAISE Airport Experience

I had the pleasure of attending a tour with the Mentors and Mentees of the Year 8 RAISE Mentoring program. This was in support of Mr Pitt  (Year 8 year Advisor). From a Careers perspective we were able to see the amazing variety of roles that it takes to run our airport. 30 000 people are employed there on a daily basis - what an amazing  amount of opportunities! Our students gained the respect of their mentors and Sydney Airport staff by being so well behaved and engaged. Thank you students, you assisted me in promoting JJ Cahill Memorial HS in a positive way and this has made my job of gaining Airport Opportunities for you much easier. Looking forward to helping you develop your future pathways in the months and years to come.  

Another 3 students completed a White Card Course. This is the safety course which enables them to enter construction sites. These students have taken a significant step to being work ready. You can see the celebration in their faces as they received the news that they have met the criteria to be safe workers. A few days later they received their certificates and were very proud, congratulations! Zoe is seeking to complement this with a Traffic Controllers course and keep us and fellow workers safe as road works are carried out. Kian is looking to become a plumber and Teddy now has his white card as he considers his options. Well done students!

As the deadline was missed by one student, Aiden completed the white card through an external provider, though his own arrangement. Well done showing initiative and overcoming obstacles Aiden, proud of that work. 

On Friday 28 August, during Year meetings the Year 11’s and Year 12’s (& 1 year 10) had the chance to hear 2 dedicated AFP (Australian Federal Police) officers give a talk and discussion on the opportunities available through the AFP. I would like to thank Steve (JJCMHS Alumni, graduated in 1989) and Mo (AFP officer for 18 months) who generously shared with our students what is possible. Many of our students gained an appreciation of the multiple roles and the pathways into the AFP. It was my pleasure to watch our students interact with the officers, all enjoying themselves as evidenced by the smiles on their faces. Maybe one of our current students will one day be standing in front of students, in uniform, giving these presentations. 

On Friday 18 September the Dept of Education is coming to speak to students who are interested in becoming teachers with the support that the Department offers. On Friday 25 September, we have industry representatives coming to interview our year 10’s and provide feedback on their application, interview and personal presentation. Details of these in the term 4 newsletter. 

On Friday 25 September, Teach NSW came and presented the potential teachers. We were given excellent information on how to take advantage of the many opportunities and supports available. We also learned that the Department of Education Scholarships opened this week and will close mid October. Many provide funding through your studies and a guaranteed permanent position upon completion of your degree. An email has been sent to all who attended and those that could not make it with all the links attached. Please let Mr. Pastore know if you need support with  this. 

Farewell to year 12. Dear year 12, while I only spent 3 terms with you I can see that most of you have made a huge difference in the development of your pathway. I am glad that I may have contributed something to this, but it was you who took the steps and did the work. I congratulate you. At the time of writing I am aware of 19 students that have applied to university through the Universities Admission Centre (UAC). Of these, 13 have early offers and some of these have multiple early offers. This is a great way to reduce the HSC stress knowing that options for the future are already secured. My hope is that this stress reduction assists you in using your cognitive prowess more effectively. In addition to these there are three students that have an apprenticeship lined up. One student has been accepted as a recruit into the Australian Defence Force (ADF), he has been attending training on Tuesday evenings. There are three students that have commenced their studies with the Flight Centre Academy, they are working to attain the Travel & Tourism Diploma. One student has applied to NIDA & the JMC academy. Another has applied to do a Double Diploma with the French beauty Academy. 2 students are working towards traineeships with QANTAS. One student is in the process of setting up a Landscaping traineeship. 3 students mentioned in the white card entry. 

There are many pathways to success and the variety of opportunities being pursued by our current year 12’s is testimony to this. I look forward to hearing about your adventures as they develop and hope to have you back for a reunion in the not too distant future. Remember my motto, if you think you want to do it, try it. What's the worst that can happen?

As always, I am available to speak to you and/or your child to help develop their future. Please contact me at any time rodolfo.pastore@det.nsw.edu.au or on the school number 9669 5118). 

Mr. Pastore 

Careers Advisor