The Careers Team had the pleasure of welcoming a new VET Coordinator and team member at the start of Term 2, Jenny Banks.

Jenny will be overseeing the VET program and Morrisby program as well as assisting with work experience, excursions and meeting with students to discuss all things careers.

Please enjoy this brief introduction from Jenny: 

Hello, I am Jenny, Careers Advisor and VET Coordinator at Box Hill High School.

My journey began as an Apprentice Chef at Box Hill Institute, specialising further with a Diploma in Patisserie and Hospitality Management. I have worked at the Adelaide and Melbourne Hilton Hotels and various fine dining restaurants in Melbourne. 

My educational pursuits continued with a Cert IV in Small Business Management, followed by Cert IV and Diploma in Workplace Training and Assessment. This led me to become a Hospitality Trainer and Coordinator.

Diversifying into the study of psychology, I earned a degree in Psychological Science, then expanded my teaching into Allied Health & Mental Health, I also took on the role of a student placement officer. 

My career further extended into the aged care sector, as well as working as a telephone counsellor at Reconnexion, supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, and benzodiazepine addiction.

Later, I pursued studies to become an Early Childhood Teacher and worked as a 4-year-old Kindergarten Teacher. 

Outside of work, I actively engage in community events, contributing to Cub Scouts, fundraising activities, and indulging in my love for local basketball.

I am passionate about helping students achieve their study and work goals, advocating for diverse pathways to foster a lifelong love of learning and attain a fulfilling work-life balance. 

My Career Insights, Morrisby 2024

by Jenny Banks

This year we had a tremendous turnout for the Morrisby Profiling Day and the 1:1 unpacking interviews with a trained Morrisby career consultant. We have profiled and interviewed over 99% of our Year 9 student cohort, such a great result. It was lovely to see the students all turning up to their meetings on time, as scheduled on their Compass timetable.  

We also noticed that many parent/guardians were also able to join their child’s interviews online.  

Morrisby unpacking interviews are conducted using Webex, which is proving a great success allowing the flexibility for parents to join from another location. This enables parents to hear about their child’s profile, career interests and subject suggestions firsthand. 

Morrisby provides many different career options using the results from questions about aptitudes, work style, personality, learning style and study interests. This helps with subject selection moving into the senior years at high school and beyond.  

Don’t forget there are many pathways you can follow including higher education such as university options, tertiary education, vocational educations and training, apprenticeships, and traineeships, all of which can lead to a fulfilling career. The world truly is your oyster.  

VCE Vocational Major Parent Information Session

On 22nd May, we held our VCE Vocational Major Parent Information Evening. It was wonderful to welcome so many parents onsite to listen to the VCE options available to our VCE students.

Throughout the term, Fiona has met with a number of Year 10 students to discuss their potential career goals and assist with information needed to make informed decisions about senior subjects, including VET studies in VCE, and post school study and work options.

If you would like to know more about the VCE Vocational Major Program at BHHS, please contact Fiona – Fiona.fuller@education.vic.gov.au

Students can also contact Fiona directly via Teams or drop into the Career’s office for a chat.

Work Experience

The Work Experience program is open to all Year 10, 11 and 12 students across the year, keeping in mind placements can only be done during the school term.

Late last term we held a Work Experience information assembly for Year 10 students, and we strongly encourage all Year 10 students to participate in the program. So far this year we have had students attending placements with some wonderful employers, such as Swinburne University, Electrical 55, Knox Library, Gento, Nido Early School, and the National Gallery of Victoria.

Work Experience Student Spotlight

Student name: Tiana G 

Year level: Year 11

Tiana G was the lucky student selected to have the opportunity to undertake work experience with Victoria Police. 

Tiana was placed at Forest Hill Police Station, which is a newly built and quite large well-equipped station, and close to home. 

On visiting Tiana, we were fortunate enough to see behind the scenes, touring the large office spaces, the cyber security area, the empty cells, vehicle fleet and where the firearms are locked up. 

Tiana enjoyed being out on the beat, as a passenger in the police vehicles visiting a crime scene and visiting schools for educational purposes in the community. 

Tiana will receive a Work Experience participation certificate having completed the placement, which will be great on her resume. 

It was lovely to meet with Tiana down at the station, and hearing how many great opportunities she has been exposed to, especially driving in the police cars, and visiting schools have been the highlight. 

Structured Workplace Learning (SWL)

Participants of the VCE Vocational Major program attend a SWL placement each week. We have been fortunate to be offered placements with many businesses and appreciate the commitment from employers when taking on a student for a SWL placement. Students have the opportunity to develop their breadth of knowledge during their placement by applying the skills learned in their VET course with hands on application of these skills.

We appreciate immensely the time and commitment employers put into having a student work with them, especially the parents of our school community that have offered placements.

SWL Student Spotlight

Sutthirak K-L is a Year 11 VCE VM student and studying Cert II in Cookery at William Angliss Institute.

Sutthirak has been fortunate to be offered two placements by parents of BHHS.

This term, Sutthirak has been working at Hyatt Place Melbourne, Caribbean Park, under the direction of hotel manager, Maricel Posadas. Maricel is a parent at BHHS and was kind enough to respond to a Compass message, seeking placements for students.

Sutthirak is learning all aspects of hospitality at the hotel; how to set a table for each service of the day; how to respond to customer requests; work within a dynamic, high functioning team; room service duties and more. He has been able to advance on his communication skills and understands the value of good customer service.

Sutthirak’s career goal is to be a cook and this opportunity is giving him first-hand experience of life in the hospitality industry. He has shown such enthusiasm and growth during his time with Maricel, he has been offered further time on placement.

Congratulations Sutthirak and thank-you Maricel for the guidance and support you have shown to Sutthirak!

Trade and Tech Fit Expo

The Trade & Tech Fit Expo was held in May, and we were lucky to take 13 students along to the Convention Centre for a day to explore the exciting world of the trade and tech industries. 

The Trade and Tech Fit Expo is 100% hands-on, allowing students to design video games, lay bricks, weld, use a flight simulator, program a robot, safety test equipment, use power tools, learn to paint and more.

It provides a safe and equitable space where students engage with tradies, apprentices and industry professionals, providing insight into the breadth of career pathways where female and gender diverse people are underrepresented. 

Tertiary Institution Open Days

Many VET and Higher Education institutions are beginning to host their annual Open Days for prospective students. We encourage all Year 11 and 12 students to visit multiple institutions to help them make the most informed decisions about their futures. You can find a full list of open days here or you can go to BHHS Careers > Important Information > Calendar of Events.

The Careers Team wishes students and families a restful and safe holiday break after such a long, busy term!

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