Careers Corner

Unfortunately, we have had quite a number of interruptions and disruptions this term and that has meant that not all of the year 10s have attended their career interview before they went on camp. This means that there will need to be a mop up session in the first week (or two) of term 2. The Year 12 student meetings will also continue in term 2.

With the April school holidays on our doorstep, it is an ideal time to book a university tour. This is not just for year 12 students. Students of any year level can benefit from a campus tour. It is the perfect time to get a “feel” for the university. I have added a few links below in the upcoming events section. If you are interested in touring a university that is not on the events list, head to their website and explore for yourself if they have tours available in the holidays.

Term 2 Dates

Year 11 & 12 VM Students - deadline for work placement arrangements (Monday 22nd April)
Year 10 - deadline for Work Experience arrangement forms (Monday 29th April)
Year 10 Individual Student Meetings - Careers/Work Experience (Week 1 & 2 - mop up)
Year 12 Individual Student Meetings - Post BCC intentions (continuing from Term 1)
VCE & Careers Expo - Melbourne Convention Centre (Friday 3rd May)
Bayside Christian College Open Day - Careers/VET/Work Experience (Saturday 4th May)

Work Experience

With Year 10s now on camp, if students aren’t organised already, these school holidays are the time to secure a work experience placement. Monday 29th April is the deadline to have forms returned so it is imperative that students don’t wait until the last minute to secure a placement. Students have been emailed the Work Experience Preparation Information Booklet along with some important points.

Just to recap some important points:

Work experience is on the last week of Term 2: Monday 24th June to Friday 28th June
Students will be expected to have a placement organised upon return in term 2.
There is a new process for placements at BCC. Please come and see Ms Smith as soon as possible if you are hoping to complete your work experience in our school.
Also, there are additional forms and information required if you are wanting to do work experience with animals.
There are also additional permission forms required if you are travelling with your employer to various sites while on work experience.
If you are working in the building industry please check if you will need a white card. If it is required, you will need to arrange it in the April holidays (there is a cost involved).

Students have been advised to see Ms Michelle Smith once they have confirmed a placement with the employer for the appropriate forms. All forms will need to be returned by Monday 29th April. This allows for all of the relevant checks, authorisation and communication to employers well before the work experience week.

Students have been encouraged to ask parents, friends and family for contacts they may have in the industry they are hoping to do work experience. While I do encourage support and giving relevant contacts, I prefer if students engage in the process and take ownership of their work experience placement. In past years, the students who have engaged and obtained the most value are those students who have sought and successfully gained a work experience placement with their own initiative.

Students have access to the “School to work” portal (formerly the SWL portal) that lists work experience opportunities that exist within our area across various industries. This resource is updated regularly by our wonderful Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Local Learning Education Network (FMPLLEN). School to Work Portal: https://workplacements.education.vic.gov.au/

There are opportunities for Work Experience in various departments within the Local Councils. I have provided the links below for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula. You are welcome to look outside of your own council also, to see how other councils do things.

Frankston City Council - Work Experience

Mornington Peninsula Shire - Work Experience

For reference, work experience week is Monday 24th - Friday 28th June.

Girl Power in Engineering & IT

University of Melbourne runs a program that is exclusively aimed at Year 9 girls. Applications are now open and close on 22nd April. The program is run via a camp held at the Parkville Campus in the July School holidays. There are approximately 40 spaces available and if selected, students will need a school endorsement.

This is a four year program that includes a week long work experience placement in year 10. This is an amazing opportunity.

For more information, head to this link: https://eng.unimelb.edu.au/engage-with-us/schools/girl-power-in-eng-and-it