Pathways Update
Mr Paul MacCallum, Pathways
Combine Paid Work With Senior Subjects.
A great option for some students is to combine school studies with paid work. School-based apprenticeships and traineeships offer students the opportunity to complete required school studies alongside the commencement or completion of an apprenticeship or traineeship. The college is always grateful to employers and businesses for their willingness to employ school students wishing to begin their journey in the world of work.
Some of our school-based apprentices and trainees include: Camden – Blaire Duesbury Electrical Atherton; Jazlyn – Mareeba Property Office; Liam - G & N Excavations & Constructions Mossman; Alicia – Nutrien Ag Mareeba; Chloe – GBR Tackle and Bait Mareeba; Dominic – Fregona Electrics Mareeba; Tallas – Optimum Electrical Atherton; Ayden - Direct Current Solutions Mareeba; Sam – Tableland Aircraft Maintenance Mareeba; Sophie – Tableland Top Meats Atherton.
TAS Applications Open Monday 18th August
Year 10 students are reminded that the Application Portal for 2026 TAFE At School courses opens this Monday 18th August. Year 10 students wishing to include a TAFE At School certificate as part of their Senior studies in Yr 11 and 12 are reminded to check the portal Sunday afternoon to see if it is open early for applications. Please email me if you have any questions around the TAFE At School program which is available to Year 11 and 12 students only. It is recommended that students have spoken with me or Mr Vaughan about their TAS course preference. Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions about the application process. Application instructions are also included in the 2026 TAFE At School Guide.
Further information about the TAFE At School program can be found at: https://tafeqld.edu.au/courses/ways-to-study/tafe-at-school
Year 10 SET Plan Meetings
It has been reassuring to see the high level of thought, exploration and preparation given by Year 10 students and their parents/carers as part of the Year 10 SET Plan process.
SET Plan meetings are held typically at this time each year to discuss and develop a Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan for each student. These plans are meant to help students make informed decisions about their learning pathways, subject choices, and future career or training options. Of greatest importance is discussion around future “directions” and “options” rather just focussing on specific job titles. A student’s strengths, interests, and values are also considered as they structure their subjects for Years 11 and 12.
A Senior plan of study can include a combination of General and Applied subjects; a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship; and other VET qualifications and courses. The SET Plan is structured to the individual student’s strengths, interests and aspirations for their future world of work.
Once established, the SET Plan is regularly reviewed and each student’s progress monitored to ensure students remain on track for their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).
External Assessment
Year 12 students studying QCAA General subjects will sit external assessments at the end of Year 12 as part of their assessment for each subject. External assessments are subject-based written exams that are:
- common to all schools
- summative — they count towards your final subject result for QCAA General subjects
- developed and marked by the QCAA (ie: external to the school).
In most cases, Year 12 students will sit external assessments at the college between the 27th October and Tuesday 18th November.
Students and parents/carers are encouraged to peruse the information at the link below. Valuable information around dates and details, how exams are marked, how they contribute to results and tips for health and wellbeing is included among other topics. https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/assessment-and-results/external-assessment
2026 Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Paul MacCallum | Pathways Officer