Learning Updates -
School of Possibilities
VET course applications open through GOTAFE
The VET Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) applications through GOTAFE are now open. I ask all families to please read through the information and instructions below to support the application for your child if they wish to apply for a VETDSS course.
We ask all parents and caregivers to please note that the application process is external to our college. The process is managed by GOTAFE as the provider for all VET courses offered at the college for 2023. GOTAFE will liaise with the college as a part of the application process, however they have a process which is external to the college for acceptance and offers made for 2023 VET courses. At any time if you or your child requires support in this process, please feel very welcome to contact me at the college or via email: bgleeson@sackialla.catholic.edu.au Should your child require counselling around course suitability and pathway opportunities at any point throughout the process please also feel very welcome to contact me at the college.
Before students can complete their expression of interest/application with GOTAFE, they will need to obtain a USI (Unique Student Identifier). To do this, students will need a form of valid ID (passport, Medicare card or birth certificate). Please follow this link for further information about the USI: https://www.sackiallacareers.com.au/usi Further information to support this process can also be accessed in the student secure area on our college careers website. Please navigate to the toolbar on the left-hand side of the screen and there is a link to create a student USI.
Please refer to the helpful roadmap below which GOTAFE has provided, which explains the application process further.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or require further support.
- Belinda Gleeson, Careers Practitioner
Step one: Expression of Interest
To begin the VETDSS journey with GOTAFE there are three options:
- Students complete an expression of interest form (EOI) online and submit it to GOTAFE. If a student is already clear on what course they’re keen to do, this is the ideal step.
- A student can explore their options with a GOTAFE Youth Engagement officer, who can talk through the different course options and what best suits their aspirations.
- Our Youth Engagement team can come and meet your students on site at your school. Reach out and we can organise a time that suits you.
Expressions of interest/applications close on Friday 2 September 2022. Within the EOI form, students will be asked general pre-training questions – these questions are used to record an applicant’s suitability to undertake their preferred course through VETDSS, and to ensure the selected course is appropriate. We do everything we can to give you your first VET program preference, but sometimes that's not always possible. Classes in a program need minimum numbers to run and in the event that we do not have sufficient interest, this will be communicated to your school for alternative course selection in available programs that remain on offer. Once all EOIs have been received, your school will receive a report listing all the students from your school who have submitted an EOI, so you have full visibility.
Step two: Interviews
There are several programs that require an interview or a pre-entry examination to ensure the student is most suitable to undertake their chosen studies. Students who successfully submitted an EOI will receive an email confirming a time for a casual and friendly interview to discuss their career and study aspirations, goals and passions. This helps us make sure the student is well suited to their course or pathway of choice. For those programs that require a pre-entry exam, an email will be sent to the student and school to confirm the date/s and location the exam will be conducted. These interviews and pre-entry exams will take place during September.
Step three: Application Outcomes & Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB)
If a student has been successful in their GOTAFE VETDSS application, they’ll receive an email asking them to complete a GOTAFE enrolment form and a link to the online BSKB quiz. The BKSB is an approved online review tool that will provide a level for English and Mathematics to identify any gaps or areas that you may need additional support in. If a student’s literacy or numeracy skills are not suited to a GOTAFE VETDSS course, then we will discuss other options or pathways that might be a better fit with your school.
Step four: Enrolment Confirmation
Once enrolled in GOTAFE, the student and your school will be notified.
New uniform expectations to be introduced
Students within the School of Possibilities are journeying through their final years of school and developing as young adults. Many are members of the workforce and they are all becoming increasingly expected to meet social norms associated with presentation and dress codes. They are role models to younger students and valued school leaders. As a result, students within the School of Possibilities are expected to take pride in their appearance and encourage a sense of community among their peers. Visually, this looks like a correctly and proudly worn uniform. A school uniform provides a visual connection to identify students as members of the St Anne’s College community. Our school uniform is easily recognised within our community and, as such, it signifies our school community and our values.
School of Possibilities uniform
The pandemic placed extra pressure on manufacturing and delays to school uniform order fulfilment. As a result, the planned implementation of the School of Possibilities uniform was placed on hold. With the relief of some of these pressures, our school uniform provider, Noone, has confirmed that we are able to move ahead with our plans for the implementation of a uniform for School of Possibilities students that signifies the development of the young person and their position within the school community.
The plan for the School of Possibilities uniform will include the introduction of a school blazer and the provision of a larger school bag. The college blazer will only be worn by School of Possibilities students, identifying these students as the senior leaders of our college community. As students represent our college at community events, the school blazer presents our students as confident and capable young people. All students in Year 10 and 11 in 2023 are expected to purchase and wear their blazer with their academic uniform. During the warmer months, the school blazer will only be required for photos and significant school events. In the cooler months, the school blazer will add another layer of warmth to the uniform. Students will be required to wear their blazer during Terms 2 and 3, and during any formal events in Terms 1 and 4, as communicated in advance to students and families. Purchase of the larger school bag will be optional, as long as students already own a St Anne’s College school bag.
School uniform expectations
All students in the School of Possibilities will be expected to wear their full academic uniform to school each day, during most excursions and at all formal school events, including school assemblies, masses and school photo days. On days scheduled for practical PE classes, students are to wear their sports uniform. This day will be communicated to students and families at the start of each semester and will depend on the days a student is timetabled to engage in practical activities.
Full academic uniform will consist of the knitted pullover, short or long-sleeved shirt/blouse, tailored shorts/trousers, the school dress or skirt, a tie and a school blazer. Please refer to the visual overview of the academic college uniform (above). The sports uniform consists of track pants, sports shorts, skort, polo top, rugby top and the soft-shell jacket. In addition, students are expected to wear a school hat in Terms 1 and 4 and carry their belongings in a St Anne’s school bag. This information is being communicated to provide clarity for all families and to allow planning and preparation for the 2023 school year. Further information will be communicated shortly to families regarding opportunities for blazer fitting at the college to ensure blazers arrive for the beginning of the 2023 school year. Should you have any questions regarding the college uniform please contact me at sbaglin@sackialla.catholic.edu.au
- Sarah Baglin, School of Possibilities Leader
Careers website a highly helpful tool for families
Please utilise the college Careers website www.sackiallacareers.com.au
and the senior secondary Google site https://sites.google.com/sackialla.catholic.edu.au/senior-secondary-pathways-info/home to help support your children in making big decisions about their learning pathways. Local job opportunities are also advertised on the Careers website.
Register for Cool Heads Young Driver Program
