General information
This handbook is a guide to planning your Year 10 learning fields with the possibilities of including a Senior Pathways Program (Victorian Certificate of Education - VCE - with the possible inclusion of a Vocational Education and Training - VET - program). St Anne’s College appreciates and values the individual differences, diversity and learning styles of all students. The school offers both applied and academic opportunities that will support students in their strengths and interests and prepare them for the world of work into the future.
As we continue to advance into the 21st century, the benefits of young people staying at school to complete their final years is becoming evident. Employment statistics clearly indicate, the longer a student remains in secondary schooling, the greater the possibilities of long-term personal success. The intention of this handbook is to assist students entering Year 10 and help them to decide the most appropriate learning fields for their senior phase of learning and education. St Anne’s College is committed to supporting all students with success through their senior years and to help students make the ‘best life choices’ to suit their needs, skills and abilities. Whether deciding to take advantage of an apprenticeship, traineeship or tertiary education (TAFE/University), St Anne’s College aims to provide flexible pathways options to support students in achieving their desired goals.
To support this process, the intention is to have students and parents involved in the learning fields selection process. This will happen through newsletter information, information evenings, interviews and individual correspondence, specifically through: Learning fields selection information sessions
Career counselling
Learning conversations
Parent/student information sessions (to be confirmed)
College Expectations
There is an expectation that students will attend school regularly, be punctual for class and be prepared. Students are required to contribute to an effective and positive learning environment by following instructions and observing all college expectations. Students are expected to strive for personal excellence in all areas of college life and contribute to a safe and orderly environment, following our three college-wide expectations: respect everyone and everything; always do our best and help others succeed. Students are to contribute positively to the health, safety and hygiene of the school in a manner that is consistent with ensuring that classrooms, toilets, lockers and school grounds are maintained to a high standard.
Career Considerations: Year 10 Program
Selecting learning fields for Year 10 can be an exciting time as it provides you with the opportunity to select learning areas that are of interest to you and eases your pathway into Years 11 and 12. With the range of learning fields on offer, you need to ensure that you align your choices with:
- Your interests
- The learning fields you know you can do well in
- Knowing how the chosen learning fields support your chosen pathway
- Providing the ability to open the door to university or TAFE
- Whether the chosen learning field will provide you with an *ATAR score
*The ATAR represents your overall performance across all studies, not just individual studies. To obtain a good ATAR, you should be looking to pick learning fields that interest you and in which you can perform well.
So, what are the next steps to help me pick the right learning fields?
1. Talk to People: A good way of finding out what jobs are most likely to appeal to you is by talking to as many people as possible about the work they do.
2. Work Experience: This can give you an insight into the world of work and an awareness of whether a particular job is right for you. Year 10 students do work experience across the year so you need to start thinking about where you might like to go to participate in work experience.
3. Vocational Guidance: There are people who can offer you specialised help in the careers area. Begin by visiting the Careers Practitioner.
4. Check out the following web pages:
St Anne’s College Careers website: www.sackiallacareers.com.au
VTAC Course Link (free service) - An interactive web-based program aimed to assist students in Years 10-12 and their parents to investigate course options based on a range of criteria, including interests, studies undertaken and results. www.vtac.edu.au - select ‘Explore Options’.
5. Complete a Career Action Plan: A Career Action Plan is a dynamic planning document owned and managed by young people and intended to reflect their increased career development learning. The Career Action Plan helps young people to develop their awareness and understanding of education, training and employment options, and to develop the skills, knowledge and capabilities to effectively manage their careers and transitions throughout their lives. The development of a Career Action Plan is designed to assist young people to set their goals, to clarify the actions needed to achieve these goals, and to commit to participating in the planned activities. Career Action Plans incorporate the three stages of career development: self-development, career exploration and career management. Young people should assume ownership of their Career Action Plan. Parents and a variety of staff members, such as Careers Practitioners, Learning Mentors and trainers, can work with young people to assist them in completing the Career Action Plan.
The young person must be actively involved in the process. Parents, family members, community members, carers, guardians or other trusted adults are encouraged to comment on their young person’s Career Action Plan, along with Learning Mentors, Careers Practitioners or other school staff. Career Action Plan templates are available on the Victorian DET website at:
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/careers/carframe/Pages/cap.aspx
Engaging Parents/Guardians/Carers in Career Conversations
Research indicates that parents/guardians/carers are the single greatest influence on their child’s education and career decisions. High parental engagement in learning field selection, work experience and Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) can have a major impact on your learning; as such it is important that your parents/carers engage in the learning field selection conversations and processes.