Term 4 has been a busy one for our Year 10 students. In addition to their regular classes, they have finalised their subject selections for 2025 and completed their examinations. Recently, they participated in another important milestone—Work Experience.
Work experience offers students the chance to explore career ideas in a real-world setting. Over the course of five days, they develop transferable skills, gain clarity on potential career pathways, and acquire hands-on experiences in a professional environment. This valuable experience not only enhances their resumes but can also help them stand out when applying for apprenticeships or job opportunities. Networking with employers and staff during this time can often lead to part-time or even full-time positions in the future.
To prepare, students spent time in their weekly career lessons drafting their Curriculum Vitae; highlighting their education, achievements, and part-time work experience. They then took on the challenging task of reaching out to potential employers through emails or phone calls. While the process was daunting for some, many showed great resilience, persevering through several rejections before securing placements.
The work placements themselves are as diverse as our students. Many have secured positions in the trades, with students gaining valuable experience in fields such as mechanics, electrical work, and cabinet making. Our ongoing partnership with the Kwinana Industrial Council (KIC) continues to provide students who’ve participated in KIC courses earlier in the year with additional opportunities. Careers in education and health care remain popular, and we even have one lucky student spending the week with the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra.
Throughout the week, Career and Pastoral Care teachers have been visiting students at their workplaces. Supervisors have praised our students for their strong work ethic, positive attitude, and courteous behaviour. Many students have shared how much they have enjoyed learning new skills and adjusting to the adult workplace environment. Some have even gained a newfound appreciation for school life and the inclusive learning community we provide.
We would like to thank all the staff who have supported our students throughout this process, particularly Ms. Dudek for her excellent coordination and organisation of both the student placements and staff visits.
God bless,
Mrs Rachel Shotch
DEPUTY HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL