Year 10

GAT Day Special Program

On Tuesday 16 June, the Year 10 students took part in a special program while Secondary School classes paused to enable the VCAA GAT testing to be run for students undertaking a Year 12 subject. This year, the Year 10 students had the opportunity to be involved in four different activities with their peers: an activity session run by Home Group Captains, a self-defence session with guest instructors, a year-level lunch, and the Job Search afternoon.

Self-Defence Training

On Tuesday, we participated in a self-defence training session, hosted by Dave and Annie from LiveSafe Education. The sessions focused mainly on avoidance, prevention, and effective escape. Through a combination of practical activities and engaging discussions, students learned how to recognise potentially harmful or unsafe situations, make informed decisions to reduce crime risks, and respond confidently when faced with challenging situations. I particularly enjoyed the practical side of this activity, as well as the opportunity to work with my friends and classmates. The presenters emphasised that personal safety and self-defence is not about fighting, but rather about awareness of your surroundings and making smart choices. Through this experience, students were able to gain valuable life skills that can help them stay safe in everyday situations.

Zia B (10.4)

Job Search Interviews

Students had the opportunity to undertake an individual interview, be part of a group interview process and to hear about the impact of social media presence on employment.

Before the interview, I had felt a bit nervous, but once I started answering questions, I became much more confident. It was interesting talking about my interests/future career goals and seeing how they might be viewed by others. The experience helped me improve my communication skills and gave me a better understanding of what a real interview might be like in the future. Overall, I enjoyed the day and felt that it had gone well.

 

Aurora Z (10.2)

I can say that for most of the students, the individual interviews were definitely the most nerve-racking part of the afternoon. Ten minutes of just you and your interviewer sitting face to face, trying to keep up the discussion as best as you can while keeping eye contact, doing your best to appear confident—a lot to think about on top of our nerves and pressure. However, once encouraged to take on the experience as more of a learning opportunity instead of a super serious interview, I'm sure that many of us, including me, were able to enjoy it and appreciate how it prepares us for the future.

 

Mitchell W (10.3)

We did some activities to help prepare us for a real job interview. We began by sharing an interesting fact about ourselves before working together to prioritise different scenarios that could occur in a workplace such as a cinema. During the role-play, Pastor Matt paused at key moments to share helpful tips on speaking confidently, listening respectfully, and dressing appropriately, while also sharing his own previous group interview experiences. This section of the afternoon provided us with insightful tips that we can all apply in future group interview settings.

 

Rose D (10.4)

Social Media Presence

Mrs Sarah Witnish, taught us about the long-term consequences that our social media activity can have on our future. Mrs Witnish used examples of what teenagers post online and explained how these posts can affect future job opportunities and university applications. We learned that universities and employers often review a person's online presence before accepting or hiring them. If someone has posted offensive, dangerous, or inappropriate content, it could negatively impact their chances of being selected. We also learnt that, on the other hand, using social media positively and responsibly can help create a favourable impression and strengthen a person's application. This session reminded me to think carefully about what I post online, as my digital footprint could affect future opportunities. It also taught me that social media and the internet should be used as tools to learn, connect, and support personal growth.

 

Josh L (10.1)