National Careers Week is this week (13th - 19th May) 

Students from Kolbe have many opportunities to investigate and participate in a range of Careers Exploration activities at many times throughout the year, but during the month of May (because a week is never long enough), we have participated in:

• ACU's Uni Step Up Program - for accelerated VCE students
• Guest Speaker - Sacha Kaluri "Finding your Passion" - Year 10 Students
• VCE & Careers Expo - Year 11 Students
• Tertiary Information Session - RMIT - Year 12 Students
• Victorian Careers Expo - Year 10 Students
• Guest Speaker - Sacha Kaluri "The Next Step" - Year 12 Students
• VET Discovery Expo - Kangan TAFE - selected students yrs 9 & 10

As a parent, you can have career conversations with your children but asking them about the above excursions, asking what subjects they enjoy at school & why, talking about your career & the jobs you have had, how you got them and what you enjoy about them. Career data tells us that today's students are likely to have 7 different jobs in their career working life, and some of these jobs are not even here yet! Being a lifelong learner and having the ability to upskill is never more important. For more support, please feel free to seek out Ms Williams or have a look at: https://www.vic.gov.au/career-and-course-exploration-your-child

Year 11 VCE & Careers Expo Excursion

On Friday 3 May, Year 11 students travelled into the city to attend the VCE & Careers Expo. The expo gave students an opportunity to investigate, explore and discover career options and pathways. With over 200 exhibitors from Universities, TAFEs, employers and industry body groups, it was a wonderful opportunity for students to ask relevant questions and gather information for their individual pathways into Year 12 and beyond. (photos attached)

Year 12 - Special Consideration (VTAC)

All Year 12 students will have the opportunity to complete a VTAC application for further studies when it opens in early August. Part of this application, allows students to apply for special consideration for any events or circumstances that may have impacted their education. As preparation for this, I encourage students and their families to start collecting evidence now. There are 3 categories that require evidence:

• Difficult Financial circumstances: Annual Income statements from Centrelink - these are usually available via MyGov at the end of the financial year.
• Medical or Disability Condition: Statements from treating health practitioners such as a doctor, physiotherapist or mental health counsellor, that states what the issue is, how long has the student been affected and how does this condition impact the students education.
• Other Difficult Circumstances- (such as a death of immediate family member or friend, separated families, abuse - drug, violence, illness or disability of a family member): Statement from a responsible adult or treating practitioner that states what the issue is, how long has the student been affected and how does this condition impact the students education.

Students will have a master class with Ms Williams on Tuesday 4 June, where this will be discussed in more detail and information given so specialist appointments can be made to collect the required evidence.

Year 10 Work Experience

Kolbe Catholic College encourages all students in Year 10 to complete work experience. Work Experience allows students to investigate a future career industry, gain a part time job and improve their employability skills. The college no longer sets a separate week aside, instead students are encouraged to complete placement during the school holidays (July & September) or at a pre-approved time during the school term, where there will be minimal impact on classes missed. If your child is wishing to complete work experience, the work experience arrangement form must be completed by all parties and returned to Ms Williams, for Mr Scully's approval, prior to the placement beginning. 

Below is the link for the arrangement form, or hard copies can be collected from the Careers Office - J7.

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/PAL/work-experience-arrangement-form.pdf

Debra Williams
Coordinator: Careers & Pathways (VET)