Assistant Principals' Report 

COURSE COUNSELLING and PATHWAYS PLANNING

It is the time of year that students need to think about their future pathways and select subjects for the following year. For some students it is a very straight forward process as they know exactly what pathway they want to take and select subjects related to their pathway. For other students it is a little more complex as they are not sure what pathway they want to take. Therefore, I would like to give some suggestions on how to make this process easier.

Careers at Reservoir High is designed around the Pathways approach and so far this year all years levels except the juniors have worked with the careers team to develop Career Action Plans and discuss different pathway options. Year 7 and 8 students will start this process later in the term. It is important that when students think about selecting subjects they consider depth and breadth. What does this mean? With depth students need to think about supporting their passions, interests, talents and goals. Breadth, means keeping their options open especially if they are unsure of what they would like to do once they leave high school.

As parents, sit with your child and make a list of the subjects they love. In fact, make a list of everything they love to do. Highlight the things on the list that they are good at and would like to do more of. Research what kind of jobs will let them do those things. Our Careers team can assist with this part. Research courses that will lead them to these jobs and check any prerequisites that are needed.

Please do not feel as you are alone in this journey as we have the following happening at the school to assist with this process.

Year 12 – VTAC will be opening soon and the Careers Team will organise an Information Night and also meet with students who need assistance in selecting courses. They will ensure all students have selected courses.

Year 11 – Course Counselling will occur on 5th August. It is a straightforward process as most students only need to drop a subject. Please see a message from Ken Sinderberry explaining the process and involves parents who would like to be involved in the course counselling.

Year 10 – A careers planning day and information night was held and students will be met with their course counsellors this week. The course counselling will be finalised on 5th August and parents will be involved in this process. Students need to consider whether they would like to undertake VCE or VCAL

Year 9 - A careers planning day and information night was held and students will be met with their course counsellors this week. The course counselling will be finalised on 5th August and parents will be involved in this process. Students need to consider what subjects they would like to undertake and whether they would like to undertake a VCE or VET subject.

Year 8 – A Year 8 Future Focus Day will be held later this term. In Year 9 students study English, Maths, Science, Humanities, Science, PE/Health and Languages. The rest of their subjects are electives. They will receive information about these subjects at their Future Focus day.

Year 7 – A Year 7 Future Focus day will be held later this term. The only decision students need to make is what language they would like to undertake in Year 8, that is, Italian or Chinese.

If you would like detailed information about each subject for Year 10 – 12 please see our Later Years Handbook on our website where you can also find information about VET courses in our region.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your relevant sub-school or a member of the careers team.