Branch Out Mentoring: Supporting Year 12s Beyond School

This term, former GSSC student Marnie Owen is back on campus running Branch Out Mentoring workshops for Year 12s. These lunchtime sessions are designed to help students prepare for life after school with practical advice and real-world knowledge.

Workshop 1: Scholarships

Our first session was a great success, with students learning how to find and apply for scholarships.

Upcoming Workshops (held in EG.25 at lunch):

Workshop 2 – Gap Years: Options for work, travel or study, plus practical tips on making it happen.
Workshop 3 – Finances: Learn the basics of budgeting, banking, and managing money.
Workshop 4 – Moving Out: Tips on living independently, accommodation, and goal setting.

Students can stay updated via the Teams group.

Trades & Manufacturing Incursion

What do employers look for? How do you apply for work experience or Apprenticeship opportunities?What kind of job roles exist in Engineering and the Trades and how much can you earn?

All these questions (and more!) were answered during our recent visit from SPC, Campbell’s Soup, Unilever, and BEGA Tatura.

Our Engineering students, VET Trades students, and anyone interested in careers across these industries had the fantastic opportunity to hear directly from industry professionals about their career journeys and the wide range of pathways available.

A massive thank you to Jeremy Crupi, Mick Sleeth, Clint Brisbane, and Grant Jeffery for generously sharing their time, stories, and advice with our students and staff. Your insights into real-world opportunities and support for young adults exploring their futures are invaluable!

Past Student Panel

Our Year 11 students were fortunate to hear from three incredible GSSC alumni who returned to share their journeys beyond school offering insights, inspiration, and plenty of real-world advice.

Marine Owen, Nick Brereton, and Sophie Ahmet spoke about the diverse pathways they've taken since graduating and reminded students of the value in seizing opportunities as they come. Their stories offered a timely boost as Year 11 students prepare for the exciting challenges and choices that come with Year 12.

A massive thank you to Marine, Nick, and Sophie for not only speaking with our Year 11s this week, but also for taking the time to present to our Year 12 cohort late last term. Your words have made a lasting impact!

Subject Selection

This week has been a busy one for subject selections, with Years 7 to 11 choosing their subjects and pathways for 2026.Around 800 selections have already been processed, with students working closely with staff to explore their options.

Subject selection is an important step in helping students make confident decisions about their future learning. Our Careers Team and teaching staff have provided guidance and support throughout the process. We would also like to acknowledge our external partners, HeadStart and GOTAFE, for their valuable contribution in assisting our Year 10 students with their subject selections earlier this week.

Monash University Clayton Open Day

This year, our Partnerships and Careers team launched an exciting new program to support our Year 11 and 12 students heading into 2025.

Currently, six dedicated students are fully engaged, committing to one hour of tutoring each week outside school hours. These sessions group students by their chosen Maths or English subjects and are led by passionate university student volunteers, including one of our very own GSSC alumni, Maddy Judd.

Over the weekend, two lucky students were sponsored to attend Monash University’s Clayton Open Day for a firsthand look at university life.

One of those students, Ellie Michiladais, shared her experience:

“My biggest highlight was exploring the Law faculty since that’s what I want to study. Seeing it in person was amazing and gave me so much motivation! I also loved the information booths, the staff and current students were super helpful, and it felt great to connect with people who understand what I’m going through. Plus, the games, like the international-themed activities and VR tech, were so much fun!”

We’re so grateful for programs like RESN, which provide valuable support and motivation to help our students confidently plan for their futures.

Ellie Michalaidis,

Year 12 Student

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