Senior School

Careers News - Gap Year Success!

Ciara Franklin and Shannon Leo have secured an amazing opportunity for themselves for their Gap Year 2022. Even with the pandemic still having such an influence on our lives these two Year Twelve students have made an opportunity for themselves.

Ms Angela Ferreira | VET and Careers Coordinator 

I went through an organisation called Letz Live and had to fill out multiple forms and answer a lot of questions which they make into an application,  based off your answers.  After I completed the application, they organised an online zoom meeting and ask you deeper questions which adds to your application. Once they finish that they put it forward to their partner schools which then look at the student profile and make a choice.

I have been lucky enough to be accepted to an all-girls school located in the South Island of New Zealand called Craighead Diocesan School in Timaru. I will be there for the whole year and I am looking forward to learning their culture and working in their school. I already have a bucket list of things I want to do and explore, I’m excited to meet new people, gain independence and get out of my comfort zone. 

I am really looking forward to the year ahead. Thanks to Mrs Ferreira for all her help and support she has provided me with over the past couple of months. 

Shannon Leo | Year Twelve Student 

Ever since I knew and understood the concept of taking a gap year and - shortly afterward, I figured out that you could become a gap assistant in a school during this time – I have aspired to use my time between school and university in this way. This being the case, I applied for a gap assistant position in schools in New Zealand through an organisation called Letz Live. I was asked to provide a comprehensive cover letter and resume outlining my involvement in both school and extra-curricular activities throughout the entirety of my Middle and Senior schooling.

I was lucky enough to hear back from Letz Live in early July informing me that I had been successful in obtaining a placement in a school in New Zealand. So, in January 2022, I will be setting off to New Zealand for St Margaret’s College in Christchurch to work as a gap assistant for six months.

I am super excited about this opportunity because not only will I be exposed to a whole group of new peers and young people, but I will also experience a new part of the world which hopefully allow me to gain a bit of perspective and life experience before I plunge back into the education process at Uni. I am really passionate about making new connections and being able to have a positive impact on others, especially during school years which can often be a tumultuous and uncertain time – I would love to be able to give back to others so that they can experience the same amazing journey which I feel lucky enough to have experienced myself at school.

Ciara Franklin | Year Twelve Student