Vision for Learners
Subject Preferences and Course Counselling for 2022
It is that time of year again where we start collecting subject preferences for students for subjects they wish to study next year. Tuesday night saw our Senior Years Course Information Sessions and Live Q&A. Thank you to those of you who have now taken the opportunity to view the session clips and started discussions with your child/ren about their interests and ideas for their next step. These next steps may be for just 2022 or they may be as preparation for the SACE and possible tertiary study. This event is the start of the process.
On Friday this week students in Years 7-8 collected their Subject Preference forms. As students move through the College, the variety of subject choices they can make increases. It is important that all students and parents/caregivers ask questions about potential subject choices and read carefully the outlines in the Senior Years and Middle Years Curriculum Guides. This year Tracy Green, Marketing Manager, has worked hard to reformat these guides into a more user friendly interactive pdf. We hope that this will make them easier to digest online. These guides have been emailed and are also available in the TASS Parent Lounge.
For students moving into Year 11 and Year 12 in 2022, individual course counselling sessions where the student, parents/caregivers and the Course Counsellor meet to discuss subject choices and future directions, are set to commence 24-26 August for Year 12s in 2022 and 30 August - 1 September for Year 11s in 2022. Information regarding the booking of these appointments will be emailed on Friday 13 August. It is also worthwhile noting that from 2022 we will be increasing our subject offerings to include Health and Wellbeing, which we expect to be a very popular option. In 2022 it will be offered at Stage 1 only and from 2023 in both Stage 1 and Stage 2.
This is both an exciting time and daunting time for students and families. It is very normal for there to be feelings of anxiety around choosing 'the right' subjects especially in the senior years. Students are encouraged to consider what they enjoy, what they are good at, and, if they have a post school pathway in mind, the subjects that may support this path. We would like to remind you that there are many people at the College who can help in this process and strongly encourage you to reach out should you have any questions. Students are also encouraged to ask their teachers about possible options for them.
Some helpful first contacts are:
Annie Fitridge - Pathways/VET/PLP Learning Leader annie.fitridge@endeavour.sa.edu.au
Innika Ackerley - SACE Coordinator innika.ackerley@endeavour.sa.edu.au
Sandra Barry - Director of Learning sandra.barry@endeavour.sa.edu.au
Louisa Mulligan - Director of Middle Years louisa.mulligan@endeavour.sa.edu.au
Sharon Ward - Director of Senior Years sharon.ward@endeavour.sa.edu.au
Sandra Barry
Director of Learning
Subject Selection - External Subjects and courses
At Endeavour, we understand that every student has different talents, aspirations, and goals for the future. We are committed to working with individual students, and their families, to assist them in developing their talents and achieving their goals. The VET Pathways Programis designed for students who wish to continue their VET studies beyond school or seek immediate employment at the completion of their schooling. VET courses in this program often require students to complete a full day of training off campus once a week. Students involved in the VET Pathways Program will typically be given extra study lessons at school to ensure they are able to review and complete work that may have been missed due to VET commitments. To be considered as part of the Endeavour College VET Pathways Program students need to be able to demonstrate a serious interest in a specific career pathway. Students interested in undertaking a VET course should discuss this with Mrs Fitridge in the next couple of weeks and indicate this on their subject preference form. A parent meeting and application process will then follow.
Other students may require access to SACE Stage 1 and 2 subjects that we are not able to offer at Endeavour College. These courses may be accessed through providers including Marden Senior College, Open Access College, Thebarton Senior College or SA School of Languages. It is preferred that students access these courses after school hours to avoid missing classes at Endeavour.
Students undertaking external subjects and courses will be monitored by the SACE and Pathways coordinators and a report from the course provider will be provided to parents. There may be additional costs to families as part of the enrolment process into these courses.
SATAC Applications
Year 12s are aware that SATAC applications for both university and TAFE courses commencing in 2022 opened on August 2 and need to be finalised by 30 September. Further information has been supplied to students wishing to be considered for the University of Adelaide’s Year 11 Subject Based Scheme. Students interesting in access this scheme need to register their interest on the Adelaide University website and complete the SATAC application process with their preferred course listed as their first preference. The cut-off date for entry via this scheme is August 24. A detailed video has been made available to all Year 12 families regarding applying through SATAC and other potential opportunities for 2022. Students and families seeking further information and individual support in this process should make an appointment with Mrs Fitridge.
YEAR 10 Work Experience
We are proud of our Year 10 students who recently completed a week of work experience placements across a wide range of venues and industries. Reports from workplace supervisors indicated that all our students performed exceptionally well in challenging times. They were able to demonstrate employability skills and capabilities including teamwork, independence, organisation and a positive attitude. Care Group teachers enjoyed the opportunity to visit their students and discuss their learning as they work toward achieving their learning and career goals.
The PLP program continues to develop skills relevant to work next term as the students create a resume and practice applying for a job. They will then participate in a mock interview for the role. We are always on the look out for parents and community members who may be interested in helping us complete the mock interviews. The event will be held on Wednesday November 3 from 9-1pm. Please contact me at the College if you would like to act as a mock interviewer!
Annie Fitridge
Pathways Learning Leader
Care Group Connection Evening
Save the date – Thursday September 16 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Group Connection Evening is a planned conversation which is led by the student. It highlights your child's growing sense of agency as they lead the conversation about how they are acting on their own goals, shaping their own journeys, and making responsible decisions and choices.
In Term 3, Year 7 and Year 10 students prepare for this event with their teachers, by using reflection and goal setting tools, designed to progress them through the three Vision for Learners principles - Independence, Interdependence and Collective Action. These principles provide a common language that students and teachers can use to reflect on, and articulate the skills, qualities and dispositions that help our students learn how to learn and interact with others.
Look out for a letter and booking link in your inboxes in the coming weeks.
University Open Days
UniSA Open Day - City East and West campuses – August 15, Mawson Lakes August 22, Magill August 25, On-line from August 2.
Adelaide Uni Open Day – On Campus – August 14, On-line from August 11
Flinders Uni Open Day - On Campus – Sturt Campus August 14, Bedford Park – August 21, Tonsley August 28, On-line from August 9.
This year, universities are offering online information sessions, virtual tours, student experiences, webinars along with face-to-face discussions and presentations where you can find out all the up-to-date course information. Many of the events are ‘ticketed’ events due to restrictions on numbers so be sure to register your interest at each individual university's website. This information is important when considering Year 11 and Year 12 subject selections over the next few weeks. It is good to know what the selection rank may be for a course you are interested in and also any pre-requisite subjects (those that must be studied in Year 12) and assumed knowledge so you are able to make informed subject choices and discuss these effectively with your course counsellor in the coming weeks.
Annie Fitridge
Pathways Learning Leader