Senior Secondary

News from Years 10 - 12

Year 10 University & TAFE Excursions & Pathway Planning

Over the past few weeks, our Year 10 students have been exploring their options for schooling beyond this year and Year 12. To assist them in their decision making, they have been engaging in a number of excursions and incursions.

Our students have visited Monash University and ACU (Australian Catholic University). Here they were able to experience two universities of contrasting physical and educational size. Monash University is so big it even has its own postcode! ACU is smaller and can be described as a vertical uni. Both visits involved presentations from the universities’ Student Recruitment team followed by a tour of the grounds. Students were able to see some amazing facilities such as the Nursing ward at ACU that involves incredibly lifelike dummies and a set up that can act as a real hospital in the event of a crisis. On the day we visited Monash, they had a graduation happening which was live streamed to a massive screen on the lawn. Students were inspired to visualize themselves doing the same in a few years’ time. During the university presentations, students were informed of the courses and learning/social opportunities available to them. They learnt about the importance of taking certain subjects in Year 12 (also known as prerequisites) in order to be eligible to apply for specific courses. This information is also discussed in Year 10 Careers classes.

We also took students to see Box Hill Institute (TAFE). It is really important that students understand all of the options and pathways available to them. Students may go to TAFE part time as part of their apprenticeship, or they may choose to do a course at TAFE as a pathway to a university degree. They may learn that a diploma qualification (for example) is all they need to get into their chosen occupation. At MECS we are committed to ensuring that students choose the pathways that are the best fit for their God given giftings rather than sending the message that going to university is somehow more important (as can be the case in some schools).

To that end, we have also been informing students of their pathways for Year 11 and 12, specifically the three main choices that they have here: VCE, VCE Vocational Major (VM) or VCE Vocational Major (Trade focus) at Ranges TEC. Ross Theunissen from Ranges TEC (MECS’ Trade Training campus) came across to share with our students what it looks like to do Year 11 and 12 there. He also discussed the possibility of mid-year entry at Year 10 for those that might be interested. Students also heard about how the VCE works, including what they are required to do to pass and how an ATAR is calculated.

We will follow all this up with a parent/student subject selection information evening and expo early in Term 3 (so that parents can also receive this important information), but we hope that these experiences will help with discussions that are starting at home. Whilst students are always welcome to have a personal careers conversation with me at school, I also encourage parents to reach out if they would like to arrange a time to meet with myself and their child.

Amelia Koole

Senior Secondary, Careers & VET Coordinator

VCE VM Career Expo

A big part of VCE VM is considering where students are best suited in the workforce - the VM stands for 'Vocational Major'! As part of this investigation, the Year 12s have been working on a number of literacy tasks to combine career research and learning about promotional texts. One of these culminated in a Career Expo which we held in the Theatrette on Thursday 30 May. It was open to Year 9-12 students as well as staff, and even a number of special guests who provided a real life glimpse into the industries represented. The purpose was for students to create their promotional texts and display these in a real world context, as well as develop their orating skills to discuss the industry with the visitors to their stall.