Careers & Pathways News

It has been Expo season all around

We started with our Year 11 VCE students attending the VCE and Careers Expo at Caulfield Racecourse on 5th May for almost the whole day.  We could not get our students away from Maths Methods which was the last seminar of the day, our Math teachers are so proud of you 😊

Thank you to Mrs Helen Ifandis and Ms Vicky for all the organisation and Mrs Duyen Vo, Miss Donna Yuan and Mr Jason Tickner for all their support.

This was followed by South East LLEN Career and Trial and Trade Expo held at KCC Park, Skye on 9th May for our Vocational Major Year 11 students.  

Lucky last, was our very own Westall Career

Expo on 16th May in our Sports Centres and the photos taken by Mrs Helen Ifandis say it all.

Year 11 VCE and CAREER EXPO CAULFIELD 2023

The Year 11 students visited the 2023 Careers Expo at Caulfield Racecourse in May. They were immersed into 'pathways after school' whether it be TAFE, University, the Police force or Defence force. What ever the passion, the providers had lots to offer, from interactive displays, to takeaway show bags and goodies. The seminars were brilliant and gave students insights into courses, expectations and pre requisites as well as career outcomes.

A huge thank you to Ms Geraldine for organising the event!

Ms Helen Ifandis 

Year 11 Coordinator

Huge Thanks

Let me begin by thanking Barb Hose – SUPER STAR, Dennis, Kristina and School Captains, Andrew for the brilliant power point and running the big screen, Naseer and Tynan for IT support, Travis and the Work Related Skillsstudents for helping in the set up, Leanne Read and the Hospitality students for their lovely morning tea treats, Ralph for the lovely wooden coasters, Michelle for the Exhibitor Passport, Dung, Linda, Michael for a stirring introduction and note of thanks and all our wonderful student helpers. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

We have had such positive feedback because of YOU. 

Our students and parents who attended, benefitted by having the following Universities, TAFE, Employment providers and our very own REECE and Metalflex Vocational Major students Jerome and Patrick attending.  Patrick and Jermoe are currently doing SBATs. And thank you to National Food Institute and Gre8 P/L students Ronald and Allan for talking to students about their SBAT journey in 

Horticulture and Supply Chain Operations. 

(Photos of WELC students at the Expo, Credits to Ms. Katerina Tetoros)

List  of Exhibitors as Westall Secondary College 

On 16th May 2023 Institutions and feedback received to date is as follows:

1. VICTORIA Police Representatives - Community Proactive Unit, this is what Youth Police Officers Fiona and Sofia said 'I just wanted to say, your students were absolutely amazing. They were so polite, very engaging and such nice kids. They presented your school very well. I will organise days to come out to the kids. I was speaking with our Sgt in our office and told him how lovely you all were and we are keen to start spending more time with the school. Thanks so much for having us, Sofia and I had a great day.' 
    
2.  Boating Industry Association of Victoria 'A great show!! Thank you for having me. I have a lot of employers in Marine that would be happy to have work experience students.'
   Kind Regards,
   Dan Brown Manager Education and Industry Skills

1. IVET Group – who are our Registered Training Organisation for VET Sport and Recreation and VET Cookery 
   'Once again, thank you for inviting Paola and myself to your Career Expo and for your hospitality while hosting this event. We had the pleasure of meeting many of your wonderful students  Thank you, again.' 
   Kind regards,
   Lyn Jarczewski 
    
2. Deakin University - Future Students | Marketing & Recruitment
3. Holmesglen 2 Head START and Department of Education 
4. Chisholm -Chisholm TAFE (VETDSS/Youth pathways)
5. Monash University 
6. Swinburne University
7. AIDE Education and Migration Services for our International students who will take two of our students for work experience.  Thanks AIDE

Employers

1. National Food Institute 
   'Many thanks to you and the wider Westall team, Geraldine. It was an enjoyable, well-run morning and we really appreciate the support you and the school continue to show for our programs.'
   Kind regards,
   Paddy 
    
2.  Gre8 P/L
3. Bucher  Municipal
    
4.  Kanooka Child Care Centre  
   Thank you to Kathy who signed up 4 of our students for work experience from 19th to 23rd June 2023
    
5. Tristar Aviation
6.  Sheen Panels 
    
7. SECL and  STEM Mentors from Microsoft, Emerson and Melbourne Uni attending the event to offer the ‘Inspired By You’ program to the students. 'You are most welcome, Geraldine. We look forward to continue working with you and the students soon.'
   Kind Regards,
   Karen Vergara Strategic Engagement Practitioner - Settlement, Inclusion and Prevention
8. UNITING
9. Aus Apprenticeships
10. MAS Apprenticeships
11. AGA into work - SBATs, Traineeships 
12. REECE and Metalflex

Most of the exhibitors told me they were excited by the enthusiasm and energy shown by our Year 9 and 10 students.  My observation is that by facilitating Speed Careering during Head Start in December each year, our younger students have built their confidence and curiosity in talking to people about careers and pathways.

Feedback from Exhibitors

• So happy that we were invited to Westall during National Careers Week and met your students and staff.
• It was great to talk to your Year 12 students about their pathway.
• Year 11 students whilst they seem to know their pathway and were really interested, it was great that they had attended a whole day at the VCE Career Expo in Caulfield on 5th May.
• Years 9 and 10 students were very engaged with winning prizes, visiting tables, asking questions of all the Exhibitors and picking up information and getting their passports stamped. 
• I found it such a wonderful experience being able to chat with all of the students and provide them with useful information to assist them with their career directions moving forward. It’s also wonderful to hear so much positive feedback from the students which is also a tribute to the help and support that you provide the students with at Westall SC.
• Overall, I think the communication was great in the lead-up to the event, it was clear and easy to follow instructions. The location and set-up of the event were also well thought out and appropriate. The food was also great and having access to tea and coffee and soft drinks made it much more enjoyable. 
• Your hospitality was outstanding. I cannot wait to come back for Speed Careering in December 2023. 
• Thank you for the lovely coasters with that famous UFO
• We would like to see more parents attending this Expo.

Ms Geraldine Borgonha

Careers & Pathways Advisor