Senior School Opportunities
TAFE pathways for school students who do not meet the OLNA standards
An OLNA (Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment) enables students to successfully meet the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) minimum standard of literacy and numeracy.
There are several alternative pathways to TAFE for school students who do not achieve an OLNA:
- Vocational pathway (VET in schools): school students who complete a vocational course while at school can rely on their AQF qualification to demonstrate their literacy and numeracy skills (this is included in the guide) i.e. students can achieve an OLNA or a Certificate I, II or III to gain entry to a TAFE course (with the exception of qualifications within the Foundation studies training package (FSK);
- TAFE Admissions testing: TAFE Admissions adopted the reading and numeracy modules of the OLNA as its literacy and numeracy testing tool. Subject to verification with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority, school students may be eligible to register for TAFE Admissions testing if they have not sat the OLNA at school within the six months preceding TAFE Admissions testing and if they have not exhausted their maximum six attempts at the OLNA while of compulsory school age.
- Alternative assessment: students can be referred to the learning area at their preferred TAFE college for a Learning Area Assessment.
- Students can apply to enrol at any Certificate I level, as there are no entry requirements (this is included in the guide); and
- Students can apply to enrol into one of the foundation skills and equity courses.
A prospective student who has not achieved an OLNA and who applies to TAFE Admissions will be guided into a learning pathway.
Find details HERE.
Year 9 – 12 Advanced Robotics Program 2027
Join the Curtin robotics team to design, build, and compete with your own robot. Starting in spring, students work alongside mentors to prepare for competitions in August and March. Perfect for those interested in engineering, programming or teamwork.
Build Season
- When: January to March 2027 (9 weeks)
- Location: Curtin University, Bentley
- Competition: March (Sydney)
Find details HERE.
Email | FIRSTRoboticsTeam@curtin.edu.au
Follow the team on social media
Uni Prac Payments Extended
It is difficult for uni students to complete their course prac requirements as they often have to go to the country or work hours that mean they can’t do their part-time job.
In 2025 the Commonwealth government started paying some prac teachers $338 a week. Then they added nursing, midwifery and social work. Next year 10 more categories are to be added:
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There are prerequisites for qualification for this payment, but it is worth checking out. You can find details HERE.
Career Harvest – Find your career in Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries
The Career Harvest site provides information about a broad range of jobs.
AgCAREERSTART
If you are 18 next year and interested in these industries, try working in them through AgCareerStart.
You get a paid placement, $3,000 for training, industry networking, orientation and pastoral care.
Check out AgCAREERSTART HERE.
AI will check your job application
Employers can use AI to search your social media.
If you have pictures of you doing something silly on social media, take them down so that your potential employer doesn’t find them.