Ballarat High School Newsletter

Welcome Joanne

My name is Joanne Parcell and I have joined Ballarat High School in 2024 as a Careers Practitioner (Andrew Wallace has decided to retire). 

 

I am not replacing Andrew – because no one possibly could. He leaves such an amazing legacy at BHS, is still held in incredibly high regard by colleagues and students and is a valuable resource that will be sorely missed. I wish him well in his future endeavours and know I have very big shoes to fill. 

 

However – I do come with 23 years’ experience across the regions, in lots of different schools and different jobs. Since 2012, I have been a dedicated Careers Practitioner after earning my Career Development qualifications from RMIT and this is where my passion and expertise are. I truly believe Careers Planning and Pathway Conversations are a vital part of a students experience at school, especially as the world of work is changing so dramatically and so quickly. There are new technologies, world events and local advancements that mean everyday can bring something new and I thrive in the space that allows me to share these opportunities with students. 

 

 

My Term 1 has been very busy as I settle into a new workplace, learn new names and spaces and then there is the work !!!   In Term 1 the focus has been:

  • Year 10 Work Experience 
    • every student in Year 10 is expected to attend a workplace in Term 2 (April 29th – May 3rd).
    • students already have the paperwork and this must be completed and returned by April 19th.
    • Safe@Work training certificates (x2) must accompany the Work Experience paperwork.
  • Year 12 Intention Interviews
    • Every Year 12 student is to book a 25 min face-to-face interview with Ally or Joanne.
    • Discuss their options/intentions for 2025.
    • Careers Practitioners to offer advice, assistance or referrals to support these plans.

But this is not all that happens in the Careers Centre.  We offer support and advice to every student about all things relating to careers and pathways.  So students are encouraged to get in touch with either practitioner, Ally Dovaston or Joanne Parcell if they wish to speak about:  

  • Work Experience                        
  • Vocational Education + Training (VET)
  • Resumes and Cover letters         
  • School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs)
  • Further education at TAFEs, Universities, and private training providers
  • Alternative schooling options
  • Subject selections into VCE or Vocational Major (VM)
  • University Prerequisites . . .  - subjects you MUST study at school to be considered for Uni entry 
  • Being work ready and how to approach an employer
  • Pathway Investigations
  • Anything careers, work, study or training related.   

 

Thank you to all those who have made me feel welcome already (you know who you are !!!) and I am very much looking forward to getting to know more students and families as the year progresses.

 

I wish everyone a safe and relaxing Term 1 break and I ask you to remember this from Karen Salmansohn . . .

Don’t wait until you’ve reached your goal to be proud of yourself, 

be proud every step you take forward.”

 

Joanne Parcell

Careers Practitioner