The Anchor

Secondary School

From the Head of Secondary 

On Monday this week, we held our Aspiring Leaders’ Workshop.  With just under a third of the cohort applying for leadership, we relished the opportunity to work with this dynamic group of young people, keen to support our school.

 

The group worked through a series of tasks, similar to the types of things they might be asked to do next year as part of the leadership group so that we could see how they worked together and identify which students are our ideas people, our listeners, our planners and organisers, our creative people and our students who are able to get things done under a bit of time pressure. We also look for those students who draw others in and build on and utilise others’ strengths.  Our school is in very good hands!  The group was positive, engaged and excited to support our incoming Principal. 

Some of the comments made the day after the workshop were:

 

"It was great to bond and share ideas.  I loved that we could all work together, no matter who was in our group."

 

"I learnt that I can communicate effectively with people outside of my friendship group.  I also learnt the importance of organising myself quickly – it was great putting a group presentation together in such a short amount of time!"

 

"I loved working with a group of passionate and dedicated students with good values and great ideas. I loved the way we all approached the same task in such different ways."

 

Mrs Victoria Turnor | Head of Secondary

 

Year Ten Work Experience

The work experience program is a valued and vital part of the Year Ten Careers curriculum as it builds the student’s understanding of the world beyond the classroom. This week the hallways have been buzzing with our Year Ten cohort sharing and reflecting stories and experiences from their Work Experience last week.

This program gives the students a ‘hands on’ encounter in real world scenarios, which foster a deeper understanding of their chosen areas of interest. Work Experience also allows the opportunity for personal growth, enhancing communication skills, practise problem solving and critical thinking abilities.

This year, students were placed as far afield as Bunbury and Shark Bay. Many students chose to seek placements close by in Denmark and Albany, while some boarders chose to work at locations closer to home. As always, our Year Tens had the privilege of experiencing a diverse range of immersive placements, reflecting a wide spectrum of industries and career interests.

In 2023 we had placements in industry areas such as agriculture, tourism, real estate, marine conservation, trades, allied health, veterinary nursing, hospitality, education, aged care and many more! I always love hearing back from the students as they reflect on the skills learned, insights gained, challenges overcome, and networks made. 

This year, my sincere thank yous go to the following businesses:

  • Afgri
  • Albany Community Care Centre
  • Albany Community Legal Centre
  • Albany's Historic Whaling Station at Discovery Bay
  • Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre
  • Albany Ocean Adventures
  • Albany Primary School
  • Albany Sheds and Garages
  • Albany Shellfish Hatchery
  • Baboo Pastoral Company
  • Beaac Estate
  • Bell and Luca
  • Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre
  • Bush Heritage Australia
  • City of Albany
  • Denmark Primary School
  • Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction
  • Department of Justice
  • Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Dome 
  • Elders
  • Golden Hill Steiner School
  • HFM Legal
  • Impulse Bike Shop
  • Katanning Community Health WA Country Health Services
  • Kwoorabup Nature School
  • Little Grove Primary School
  • Merrifield Real Estate
  • Mira Mar Veterinary Hospital
  • Molly Derriman Occupational Therapy
  • Mount Barker Country Chemist
  • NewGen Powerplant, Kwinana
  • Nutrien Ag Solutions
  • Ocean Park, Shark Bay
  • Parklands Primary School
  • Poynter Primary School
  • Rural Clinical School of Western Australia
  • Scout Seas
  • Southcoast NRM
  • South Coast Sports Medicine
  • Spencer Park Primary School
  • St Joseph’s College
  • Svitzer
  • Talisman Motors
  • The Dam
  • Total Harvesting
  • Toy World
  • WA Country Health Services, Albany Health Campus
  • WA Maritime Museum
  • Wauters Building Company
  • Wellington and Reeves Real Estate
  • Zenith Energy
  • 78 Dental

The school is extremely grateful to the businesses that generously open their doors to host our GSG students each year, helping them cultivate skills and experience, and shape their aspirations for the future. I also hope that the student’s enthusiasm, curiosity, and innovative thinking have brought new energy to your workplaces. Thank you to the supervisors who gave their time to mentor our students, answer curious questions, support and offer interesting and enriching activities while on placement. Your commitment to nurturing the next generation is commendable. We look forward to future collaborations with your businesses in years to come.

 

Mrs Renae O'Donnell | VET & Careers Coordinator