PATHWAYS REPORT

The end of term has been very busy down in our Pathways area! From helping students complete their web preferences for 2026 to supporting Year 10s heading out on work experience and planning for our next group of students to head out when we get back next term.

Year 10B on Work Experience

This week, our 10B students have been out on work experience and we have had a number of local businesses and places in Bendigo and Melbourne. Students have been gaining hands-on experience and a real taste of the working world. We can’t wait to hear all about it when they return to class next week. A huge thank you to the amazing businesses who continue to support our students.

Industry Guests Speakers.

Our Year 10 Pathways classes have been lucky to hear directly from professionals working in the health and wellbeing sector — including some friendly faces who were once students here at MacKillop!

• 10C welcomed Paige from SeedAbility, who brought along Alana, a current Deakin University student. They shared their personal journeys and reminded students that there’s no one-size-fits-all path to success.

• 10A heard from Milly Op’t Hoog from Movement Training, who was joined by Milla, a second-year Deakin student on placement. Students loved getting a real look into uni life and what studying health-related courses is really like.

• 10D had inspiring presentations from Jess Jobling (Central Mallee Health) and the team at Mallee Physio. Their stories were a great reminder of the amazing career opportunities right here in our region.

It’s powerful for students to hear real experiences, especially from former St Mary MacKillop students who’ve gone off to study and returned to make a difference in their hometown. 

Looking Ahead: Year 11 & 12 Opportunities

On Friday 27th June, our Year 11 students connected via Zoom with Tess McLeod from Deakin University. Tess shared some great insights into the four campus options offered by Deakin, course options and the support available for rural students.

Tess will be back in person for the Loddon Mallee Tertiary Information Session (TIS) on Wednesday 23 July (Week 1, Term 3) which again we will host in the JC at 10:00am-11:15am.

Year 12s – Save the Date!

We’ve locked in Monday 8 September for a special Deakin University Pathways Presentation and Q&A during your Senior Support class (11:30am–12:30pm), followed by optional one-on-one sessions in the Pathways Office from 12:30pm–2:00pm.