FROM THE SENIOR SCHOOL
Year 10 Work Experience
This week, 52 Year 10 students have been out in the “real world” of work, experiencing a wide variety of occupations in over 75 workplaces around Launceston, and in other parts of Tasmania. Teaching, veterinary science, IT, trades, hospitality, business, agriculture, health professions, architecture, engineering … the huge variety of career options being investigated during our work experience week has given students the opportunity to “test drive” future career ideas, as well as providing valuable learning with regard to their understanding of education and training pathways.
Since this program is very much about meeting the needs of each individual, students are assigned the responsibility of organising their own work placements and are therefore involved in the process from the outset. They need to think deeply about their career hopes and dreams and match those with potential workplaces that they would like to experience, in order to gain inside information. Students then make contact with the relevant people to set up their week.
The week of work experience can result in the student being more certain of their career plans, or they may come to an understanding that a particular career is not for them, both outcomes have a productive impact on each individual student’s career pathway planning. This is extremely beneficial at this stage of their schooling. At a pivotal time in their education, when Year 10 students are choosing their TCE subjects, those choices can, as a result of work experience, be made from a deeply informed standpoint.
One of the many learning aspects of work experience involves students learning about work, health and safety in the workplace, which is a key aspect in any work environment. Students attend a WH&S presentation and are asked to read a booklet compiled by WorkSafe Tasmania on the topic, as we prepare them for their week attending working environments outside the College. Students who are going onto building sites must complete the online White Card training course, learning about WH&S issues specific to the building industry. This course is funded by the College and is a worthwhile addition to a student’s resume.
Experiencing a week of work inevitably results in students returning to school with a renewed appreciation of the value and relevance of their learning, in preparation for their TCE years and beyond.
Scotch Oakburn College is deeply grateful to all members of our community who accommodate our students in workplaces. These learning experiences can be life-changing. Congratulations to all our students on the efforts they made to make this another very successful work experience week.
Judy Poynter
Co-ordinator of Work Experience Program
Stuart Walls
Head of Senior School
Stepping Up
On Tuesday 15 November, Year 9 students Saskia Boden and Mollie Gray attended the Stepping Up, Young Women in Leadership event, held at Parliament House. The girls participated in activities including a role play in the House of Assembly, a workshop on what makes a good member of Parliament, a tour of Parliament House and a discussion panel with female parliamentarians to gain an insight into the work, career and life of a female in politics. Saskia and Mollie, equipped themselves exceptionally well, contributing to the discussions and conversing independently with our members of Parliament. An extremely worthwhile event. I encourage next year’s Year 9 students to take the opportunity to be involved.
Jane Gregg
Head of Fox House
Year 10 Pinnacle
Year 10 students completing their Education Outdoors Pinnacle trip this week have certainly had to draw upon their self-regulation and collaboration skills dealing with the varied Tasmanian weather! Luckily for the students rock climbing at Freycinet, the last three days have seen beautiful clear weather and students have been challenging themselves on the cliff walls. Students in St Mary’s have been learning bushcraft and survival skills, including building their own shelters and fire lighting techniques. The ten students currently tackling the Overland Track will finish their walk on Monday and will have experienced sun, rain, blue skies and snow!
Lauren Hayes
Education Outdoors