Careers and Transition

Careers and Transition: A Busy Term of Pathways and Possibilities

It has been another busy and exciting term for the Careers and Transition (CAT) Team as we continue working alongside students to help them identify, explore and pursue their future pathways.

For our Year 12 students, this has been a particularly important time of year. Students have been busy researching and submitting Early Entry applications to universities as well as exploring the many scholarships available to support their future study. 

Building Skills and Exploring Pathways

This term, students across the school have also had the opportunity to participate in a range of career-focused activities and experiences.

White Card Training

Students have had the opportunity to complete their White Card training, providing them with an important qualification for those considering a future in construction and a range of trade industries. 

The White Card, officially known as the General Construction Induction Card, provides students with essential safety knowledge before entering a construction site. Training covers important areas such as identifying workplace hazards, understanding risk controls, using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), recognising safety signs and responding appropriately to incidents and emergencies.

For students considering an apprenticeship or career in areas such as electrical, plumbing, carpentry, building, civil construction or other trades, having this qualification can be an important first step towards entering the industry. It also provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to workplace safety and their readiness to take on industry-based learning.

Unisteps ElectraCITY 

Our Year 7 and 8 students in 7P and 8P have also been getting an early taste of STEM, engineering and the world of work through the University of Newcastle's UniSteps ElectraCITY program.

ElectraCITY challenges students to think like engineers as they work together to solve a practical problem: how can electricity be supplied to a city's infrastructure in the most efficient and cost-effective way? Students use a powered board and different types of electrical cables to create connections that provide power to the city's infrastructure, while considering factors such as the type of cable used, resistance and the way the cables are interconnected.

The activity provided students with an opportunity to develop their problem-solving, teamwork, communication and critical-thinking skills while applying concepts from science, technology, engineering and mathematics to a real-world challenge.

Importantly, activities such as ElectraCITY allow students to see that STEM careers are not just about working in a laboratory or sitting behind a computer. Engineering, electrical trades, technology, construction, infrastructure and many other industries rely on people who can think creatively, solve problems and work effectively as part of a team.

It was fantastic to see our students getting involved, testing ideas, learning from mistakes and working together to find the best solution.

Work Experience

Work experience continues to be an invaluable opportunity for students to step outside the classroom and experience a career or industry firsthand. We have been supporting students to organise placements that allow them to explore their interests, develop employability skills and gain a better understanding of the world of work.

Early Childhood Education and Care – Head Start Program

Students interested in a career working with young children have also been exploring the HeadStart Early Childhood Education and Care program, delivered through the NSW Department of Education's Educational Pathways Program (EPP).

HeadStart provides students with the opportunity to get a real taste of the early childhood education and care industry while they are still at school. Rather than simply learning about a career in the classroom, students have the opportunity to experience what it is like to work in an early childhood setting and develop an understanding of the skills, responsibilities and personal qualities required in the industry.

Through the program, students can explore areas such as child development, play-based learning, communication, health and safety, working as part of a team and supporting children's learning and wellbeing. These experiences can help students determine whether early childhood education and care is an industry they would like to pursue after school.

For students who discover that early childhood education and care is the pathway for them, this experience can also provide a valuable stepping stone towards further training and qualifications in the industry.

It is fantastic to see our students taking advantage of these opportunities and beginning to build their understanding of the many different pathways available to them beyond school.

Celebrating Our SBAT Success

We are also very proud to celebrate the success of two of our students who have been lucky enough to secure School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs) for 2027. 

Congratulations to Year 10 Student Leo who was successful in gaining an SBAT with Hunter New England Health HNEH, Leo will complete a Certificate III in Health Services Assistant at Maitland Hospital while completing their HSC. 

Lachlan as been successful in gaining an SBAT with Action OT in Maitland. Lachlan will complete a Certificate III in Allied Health Assitant while completing his HSC. This is a perfect stepping stone for Lachlan who hopes to go to university to study to be an Occupational Therapist. 

These opportunities allow students to combine school, recognised training and paid employment while working towards a nationally recognised qualification – an excellent example of the diverse pathways available beyond the traditional classroom here at Francis Greenway High School.

Subject Selection Interviews – Week 8

Looking ahead, Year 11 Subject Selection Interviews will take place in Week 8. These interviews are an important opportunity for students and families to discuss subject choices, future pathways and how current decisions can support students' longer-term goals.

Appointments can be booked through the Sentral Parents Portal. We encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity and have a conversation with the CAT Team about their child's future pathway.

As always, the CAT Team is here to support students at every stage – whether they are certain about their future direction or still figuring out what comes next. There is no one pathway to success, and our goal is to help every student discover a pathway that is right for them.