Careers News
LAKE ILLAWARRA HIGH CAREERS WEBSITE
A useful website that is used by Year 10 -12 students to access current information to assist in future directions, career planning, general information, job vacancies and newsletters. Facebook is also added to this website so students can like the page and get prompts for job vacancies, special events and current careers information. All caregivers are also welcome to access the site and find useful information. The link is lakeillawarrahighcareers.com or you can simply type in Lake Illawarra High School Careers in any search engine.
INDUSTRY VISIT - WESTRAC & BUNNINGS
A small group of interested Year 8 and 10 boys participated in an industry visit at Westrac and Bunnings Unanderra. All students are part of the R2go program which shows students different areas of business and to broaden their understanding of different careers and pathways to work.
The industry visit was a great morning for all as we discovered different jobs available, how to apply, and what employers are looking for when people apply for positions. Along the way at Bunnings we even saw past LIHS students in the work place which was an added bonus.
COMMUNITY BREAKFAST IN Jubborsay Room
Members of our local community were invited to the 6th annual Community Breakfast at Lake Illawarra High School in our refurbished STEM room: Jubborsay, which is the local aboriginal word for Lake Illawarra. Thirty people were present for the breakfast and insight was given into what we do at LIHS. The event was established to work on developing relationships with local employers and businesses and this years event was no different. We had representatives from Bluescope, Endeavour Energy, Green Connect and Landteam, to name a few, as well as our five feeder Primary Schools.
This year we showcased three areas of interest: Student News Team, Harbour Centre and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) at LIHS. The Students News Team is an extra-curricular team at Lake Illawarra High School who report on current school news and events. These skills were demonstrated by interviewing and creating a video on the current School-Based Trainees in Year 11. Mrs Clarke, Head Teacher of the Harbour Centre was interviewed to explain its role for students at Lake High and the importance of businesses providing opportunities for students with disabilities. Mr Baracosa with Andrew Laidler (STEM Project Officer Illawarra Academy of STEM Excellence) explained about our STEM classes in 2021 and the vision for the future. Mr Cohen took interested visitors on a tour of our Metal Work facility and the hour was well spent by all who attended.
Café Els Warilla manager Matt, provided yet again a beautiful breakfast and Cafe El’s enthusiasm and positive approach to be connected to our school has always been appreciated.
The Community Breakfast was a team effort by staff at LIHS and again demonstrates how we as a school community can work so well together. Special thanks to Mrs Stephens and her three hospitality students: Courtney, Emily and Holly, school captains: Chantelle and Logan, and Student News Team representatives: Gracie and Tori, who all got up early to participate in the annual breakfast.
We will continue to build upon the great work that happened at the community breakfast and will always show the amazing things that happen at LIHS to all that will hear.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY BRUNCH – Bluesope Illawarra Women's Council
Six girls from Lake Illawarra HS attended the annual International Women's Day Brunch organised by Bluescope and the International Women's Day Illawarra Committee.
Each year an invitation is sent to each Illawarra high school, from Kiama to Bulli, from either Years 9, 10, 11 and/or 12 to attend and send students who may be interested. Students have an opportunity to hear from local women about their work, choices they’ve made in relation to work, family and other commitments.
The event included a panel discussion compered by WIN news reporter Amy Duggan and four amazing women were interviewed who worked in the sporting industry as a NRL player and reporter, research scientist and manager at Bluescope. The event was inspiring and interesting for all who attended and made our girls think of how to 'challenge' themselves in achieving their personal goals.
All presenters discussed their barriers and challenges during their working life, gave tips on how to achieve, and were positive role models for all students in attendance.
The LIHS students were all impressed by the overall message that women need to stand up and be counted and to follow their passions and see where that leads you.
WORK READY PROGRAM 2021
Students in Year 10 are invited to participate in WORK READY workshops during each term. This is primarily to assist them in being ready for work experience at any time during the school year. It will include information on work experience, what is is expected by employers, safety in the work place and more. By participating in the 2 hour workshop students will then be assisted in applying for work experience in an area of their interest.
At Lake Illawarra HS, students in Year 9 or 10 are able to do work experience during the last week of Term 1 - 3 as well as in late Term 4. Requirements are that students are over 14 years old, have proven a positive attitude and have participated in the Work Ready workshop. If students are keen to do more than one week to help finalise future planning it is possible, they simply need to discuss things with the Careers Adviser.
It is important that students are active to secure work experience as early as possible in order not to miss out on their first choice of location. Students can find their own work experience, but if support is required the Careers team is ready to help.
STUDENTS PLANNING ON UNI
Do you have students interested in going to uni? UAC which stands for the university admissions centre has a new digital online platform of free webinars for students, careers advisers, parents and anyone navigating their path to higher education.
You can join them for live briefings and Q&A sessions on the application process, panel discussions with experts on moderation and scaling, and introductions to the many and varied universities in NSW and the ACT.
There are also programmed series of sessions focused on popular fields of study, like Medicine and Teaching. Check out the link and register for interested information
https://www.uac.edu.au/schools/uac-digital
INDUSTRY VISITS in Child Care and Hospitality
A small group of Year 8 and 10 students attended an excursion to two local businesses to ask questions, hear about current expectations and what it is like to work there.
While at Illawarra Academy of Early Learning at Addison Ave, Ashley explained how to get into the career of Early Education before students interacted with young children. We then travelled to Windang Club and learnt different roles from bartender to management and how to start in the industry. Elyse the Functions Manager even showed a few how to make a coffee. Thank you to our local businesses for making our students welcome and making their visits interesting.
TRY A TRADE DAY at Fusion Training
Fifteen boys from Year 9 and 10 who are interested in the Construction industry, had the opportunity to learn more about what is involved while building their own bird house!
Mr Chaseling and Tim Price took the boys to Fusion Training in Wollongong where they worked in groups and listened to current work practices and expectations for getting work in this industry. This day was made possible by the organisation of Jenny Watts, the Senior Project Officer of Regional Industry Education Partnerships for Training Services NSW. These workshops are a way of promoting Vocational Education and Training (VET) subjects at school. Thank you, boys, for being an awesome group of young men.
CAREERS DINNER to showcase opportunities in mining
Parents and students of Year 10 - 12 are invited to attend a complimentary Careers Dinner at City Beach Function Centre Wollongong on May 18 2021, 6 - 9 pm. NSW Minerals Council organises the Careers Dinners to offer students an insight into the mining industry, know the different careers available and options of study beyond school.
The event will have presentations from industry representatives and higher education sector including those working in this field. If you have a student considering pathways to university, careers in STEM or Business-related areas please join us for the dinner. Register now to attend at: nswmining.com.au/careersdinner
As always, I am happy to help and can be contacted via the school's phone number during school hours to book appointments or interviews.
Rhonda Willingham