Career & VET Report 

Year 10 Work Experience in Adelaide

In week 2, four Year 10 students had the invaluable opportunity to engage in work placements across Adelaide. These placements provided them with a unique chance to gain real-world experience, explore various career paths, and develop essential workplace skills.

Our students truly excelled during their placements, demonstrating remarkable professionalism and enthusiasm. Their dedication and capabilities shone through, leaving a positive impression on their supervisors and colleagues.

In addition to their work experience, students enjoyed a diverse range of enriching activities. They had the chance to witness the stunning Illuminate Adelaide light installation, explore interactive light experiences, and visit local universities. They also indulged in Adelaide's multicultural cuisines, participated in exceptional dining experiences, and engaged in leisure and cultural activities available throughout the city.

These experiences broadened their horizons and provided them with a deeper appreciation of Adelaide's vibrant cultural landscape.

Student Work Experience Reports

Chloe - Saint Ignatius Early Years

"At Saint Ignatius' Early Years I have been doing a range of different things. Like playing and reading books to the kids, I have had to take them to the toilet, helped set up and pack up for morning break and lunch break. One of the little girls there said to me “ Chloe I am really going to miss you when you leave” and all day yesterday she was giving me hugs, sitting in my lap and reading and playing with her. What I have noticed is that it is very structured as they have set classrooms. And they can already read and write and they are only pre-school."

Ellie - Daly Salon

"On Sunday, Jasmine, Chloe, Layla and I headed off on the long drive to Adelaide for our work experience. I was very excited but also a little bit nervous to meet all the new people. On the first day mine and Layla’s places weren’t open, so we hung out with Mum, Edie and Mrs Hawkins and went around to different universities in Adelaide. We also checked out the Botanic Adelaide High School. It was a vertical school meaning it only went up and didn’t cover a lot of space. For tea we went to Zambero’s and Gelatissimo. It was my first time going to both. On my first day of work experience I was pretty nervous about meeting everyone. Even though I was nervous I did it and I am really glad I did because everyone there is really nice and welcoming. I rolled towels, made teas and coffees and even got my hair done! The next day was pretty much the same but ran a bit smoother because I knew all the people and I had a better idea of what to do without being asked to do it. For dinner we had Grill’d and Yo-Chi. I’d never been to Yo-Chi before, and it was so good. After Yo-Chi we went bowling and then an early night. Today is my third and final day at the Daly Salon and I am a bit upset but glad to be home soon. I am glad that I pushed my boundaries by trying out new things and practicing many different things that will help me in the future. Experiencing this definitely helped me to be able to do things independently like walking around by myself in lunch breaks and using my initiative in the salon."

Jasmine - Royal Coach Motel

"The first day of work experience was quite good. I got put with a lady named Monika who did housekeeping. She was lovely and she helped me learn the secrets of making the hotel beds which she then made me do one by myself which I personally think I mastered. Finished the day just after lunch. Day two, I was put to work at 7 and was in the bistro bar with another lady named Sarah, we organised breakfasts, waitressed, and cleaned dishes. I later packed up the breakfast bar and Sarah left so I was then put with Lexi who organises events for the hotel. She told me what she does, and I then helped her set up for upcoming events and set out cutlery. I did some things here and there all around the hotel again finishing around lunch.

Day three I had to wake up really early and be down in the kitchen by 6 to help set up for the breakfast bar again working with Sarah who then got me more familiar with making coffee. I made quite a few people coffee and had a very chill early morning gathering plates and again doing little jobs all around the hotel. Finished at lunch after unpacking a meeting that had just happened in the boardroom."

Layla - SJ Establishment

"On the first day of work, I was very nervous and a little overwhelmed with the traffic around and other people. Ellie and I walked 20 minutes from our hotel, and I dropped Ellie off at her place so I could go and get on the bus. There was about a 27 minute wait every morning, I would get to my place at around 9:50. I would get introduced to everyone at the place, the people were so lovely and very inviting. I already knew this is going be a great place to work at. I got shown around by a lady called Melinda and she helped me. I started by sweeping the floors, putting cloths and capes in the washing machine and in the dryer, washing dishes and giving the customers a coffee and tea or biscuits. Then I had my lunch break at around 12 to 12:30 and then I was back at it again. Before I knew the day was over and I had completely lost track of time practising on a mannequin, so I went to check the time on my phone and it was 5:01 I had to catch the bus at 5:02 so I sprinted to the bust stop and I could see the bus coming but I got stuck at the traffic lights so I missed the bus so I had to ring Ellie and tell her I would be late. So, we just spoke on the phone the whole time. So, when I got the bus, I was on my way to Rundle Mall to see Ellie. I picked up Ellie and we walked back to the hotel and then we went out to dinner at Schnitz house. The food was beautiful, but we still had enough room for Messina. There were about 20 flavours I could not choose. It was very hard, but I stuck with chocolate and pistachio. We went home and we had a late night because us girls wanted to watch a movie so the next day when I woke up it felt like I hit a brick wall. I was very very tired, and it was not easy to get up and function but anyway I did me and Ellie walked again. I caught the bus and was way less nervous. I caught the bus and when I got to work, I had to sit outside and wait till the shop opened because I didn’t know there was a back door I could walk through so I had to sit in the cold. When I got inside, we spoke to the boss and saw what had to be done today and then I started that day better because I knew where everything was and I was more comfortable with people and I knew what to do in my free time that I could help out with. I had less of a lunch break because I was doing more things. Was it tiring? absolutely. Was it worth it?100%. I loved it so much, but I was looking forward to going home. I caught the bus early this time and we had a good debrief then we went out to dinner at Grill’d. It was quite filling, but there was still enough room to go to Yo-Chi. I was very excited because I’ve heard this big thing about Yo-Chi but I’ve never tried it before. There were so many sweet flavours, and I chose butterscotch the most sweetest thing you could’ve chosen, and I still managed to put the most sweetest toppings on top like Nutella, Mochi, Oreo, cheesecake and cookie dough it was a bowl of diabetes but I still managed to eat the whole thing. Well that was a big mistake. Jasmine and I could not finish our bowls so we took a lid so we could take it home. After we went 10 pin bowling and that was quite fun, we had a good laugh and couldn’t wait to get home. We went to bed quite early because we were pretty tired from our day, so we just watched a movie and went to bed.

The last day working was as if I lived in the city. It was normal now getting up to work and catching the bus, I didn’t get nervous or anxious at all. I was excited but sad it was my last day there. I didn’t have much to do at work today because there weren’t many clients, so I got to sit and play with the mannequin most of the day. Mrs Hawkins came to my place and picked me up at the end of it because we went to Sushi Train! I was so excited, and it lived up to my expectations. It was just amazing. Then we went to savers and well that was definitely one of my highlights, I think I managed to put two carts worth of clothes in one cart and walk out with five things. But it was so much fun and over the whole thing I really think us girls have gotten closer and throughout the camp we bonded really well. I'm glad I went and would happily go again."

Congratulations to all the girls on an exceptional week of work experience. Their performance was truly remarkable, and I am delighted to share that each of them was offered future employment as a testament to their dedication and professionalism. This achievement is a credit to their hard work and outstanding abilities. I am incredibly proud of their accomplishments and the positive impression they made.

Mrs Annabel Hawkins