Careers News 

Year 12's Prepare for the Future

Term 3 Careers is dominated by the near end of compulsory schooling for our Year 12s, who are now considering a myriad of options for future pathways, including applying for Tertiary Courses. I really encourage all our Year 12 students to think about setting up an account with VTAC and adding some tertiary options, even if planning a GAP year or believing that further study is not for you. In applying for tertiary courses, you can always defer and take that year long break, before accepting a place in Higher Education. Whatever our Year 12's decide to do, I certainly want to wish them all the best for a safe and happy future.

VET 

Another key consideration this term has been whether our 2025, Year 10, 11 and 12 students, want to include a TAFE or VET course in their high school studies. So far, I have put in over 30 applications for areas as diverse as Interior Design to Animal Care to Carpentry to IT to Community Services and more. Demand for these courses is very high, and we won't know until next term, how our applicants have fared. Whilst some students may not gain a place next year, there is always the option to try again in the future.

Head Start

Head Start is a Dept of Education program, that allows students to complete VCE, whilst undertaking an apprentice or traineeship, and studying at TAFE. We currently have 2 girls in Year 11 taking very different, but extremely valuable career paths with Head Start. Kelli is studying Beauty and works as a trainee at Endota Spa. Dakota, on the other hand, is undertaking an apprenticeship in Mobile Plant Technology with AGPower and Transport. Both girls, are trial blazers for Warrandyte High, and should be congratulated for their hard work, juggling school, work and TAFE. It's pleasing to note that we have had a handful of applicants for Head Start in 2025, with a couple already having secured an apprenticeship or traineeship to kick start their careers.

Vocational Major

Earlier in the term, our Year 11 VCE VM students attended a session at the Manningham council, where they joined students from other schools, in a Speed X experience. A bit like a Speed Dating situation, students had 5 minutes to talk with a series of employers and people from a variety of careers about their jobs, qualifications and experiences. There were people from local businesses such as Biddick's Bakery  as well as larger, statewide organisations including the Police and Ambulance Service. Students not only honed their interview skills, but picked up valuable advice about careers. One student, even scored a part time job out of the experience!

Year 12's will soon be hosting a small celebration with a display of their all important careers portfolios. This is a culmination of their work over the last few years, especially around Careers, Work Experience and their development of personal capabilities, the so-called 'Soft Skills', that employers really value.. I feel very confident that these students are fully prepared to face the rigours of our current job market and find satisfying careers as they complete school. Good luck - Isis, Evan, Georgia, Maryam and Dani!

Finally, I hope some of our students managed to visit a few tertiary institution Open Days and enjoyed the vibe of the places they saw. There are a variety of options all year round - just keep an eye on Compass Newsfeed.

Also don't forget to browse our Careers website and weekly Careers Newsletter at  https://warrandytehighcareers.com/important-information/school-newsletters