Pathways & Careers Report 

Halfway through Term 3 already, and the Careers and Pathways Team is still recovering from Year 10 Work Experience at the end of last term. Our students did an excellent ‘job’ (pun intended) representing our school in various work roles. 

They were cleaning the fish tanks at Petstock, serving frozen yogurt at Fro Yo, helping customers at Carbonis, grooming dogs, fixing computers, welding, and even travelling in a semi from Victoria to Queensland. It was a great joy to visit the students we could and see them in their roles.

Term 3 started with a bang, and we are straight into Subject Selections, Morrisby Interviews, VTAC applications and TAFE tasters and explorers.

Thank you to all those parents and students who attended our information sessions and course counselling days. 

If your student still needs to make their selections for 2027 Year 10 and Year 11, please get them to come and talk to Mr Deppeler or the Pathways Team in the Senior Centre. 

Applications for VET courses have opened. It is important for students to apply in a timely manner, as places fill fast. Please see Hayley Cook (VET Co-ordinator) in the Senior Centre for more information. Further information can be found HLLEN-VET-2027-Guide-WEB.pdf

We also held a VTAC information evening for our Year 12 students who are considering a university pathway in 2027 and beyond. This was a great opportunity for parents and students to learn about the application process, but more importantly, where to go for support. 

Jess Hollands, Claire Blower and Kara are all available to help with VTAC applications. Kara is also available most Tuesdays, Period 5 during Year 12 study periods.

Nearly all Year 9s have now completed their Morrisby profile and interview. For students who were away sick or still need to complete their profiles, Kara will work with them throughout this term to help them catch up.

August is known as the University Open Day season. If your student is interested or curious about attending university after high school, then they should attend an Open Day. These are valuable opportunities for students to talk with lecturers, meet other like-minded students and get a ‘feel’ for a particular university. Each university campus is different, so it’s great to be able to compare. 

I attended RMIT University in the city last Sunday, and it was a great experience. Although there were huge crowds and a bit ‘overwhelming’, it was great to visit the various faculties and talk to the people who teach the courses.

This Sunday is Deakin in Geelong, and our local Federation University Campus at Mt Helen will have its Open Day on August 23. Federation University Camp St and SMB Campus will also be open. Australian Catholic University (ACU) will also have its Open Day on August 23. Often, there is free food, which is always a bonus.

Throughout 2026, our Years 9 and 10 students have been able to attend various TAFE programs through Federation University TAFE. Our Year 9s have explored hair and beauty, building and engineering, IT and cyber security, and cooking and baking. Our Year 10s have been lucky enough to attend every Friday for 5 weeks. They have had a taste of health, engineering, and various trades.

The feedback from the students has been amazing, and I have been lucky enough to see photos of brick walls students have made and others of students suspended over hospital beds in a hoist. I am also really proud to say that our students have received positive feedback from the program coordinator, too. I received an email saying “ Woodman’s students were brilliant and a pleasure to deal with”. 

Finally, we wish to congratulate Bella (Year 10) for her bronze medal performance in the VET Regional Bricklaying Competition.