VET IN 2022

After a delayed start due to COVID-19 restrictions, last week almost 200 Year 11 and 12 students commenced their VET courses.

Students are undertaking courses in the following areas:

• Automotive
• Construction and Carpentry
• Metal Engineering
• Hairdressing and Makeup
• Business
• Sport and Recreation
• Game Development
• Aviation
• Early Childhood Education and Care
• Dance
• Digital Media Technology
• Education Support
• Electrotechnology
• Entrepreneurship and New Business
• Fitness
• Food Processing
• Horticulture
• Kitchen Operations and Hospitality
• Individual Support (Disability)
• Digital Media & Cyber Security
• Music Industry Performance
• Nutrition
• Photography and Digital Imaging
• Plumbing
• Public Safety
• Real Estate

To find out more about the College’s VET Program, please click here to visit our website, or contact Ms Leanne De Young, VET Coordinator: leanne.deyoung@smc.sa.edu.au or ph (08) 8356 5966.

VET Fitness students

VET STUDENT PRESENTATION

Last week the Secondary College leadership met with Year 11 and Year 12 VET students to outline our expectations of them during their VET study lessons. VET study lessons are provided to students to complete their VET work and/or any outstanding subject requirements and are closely monitored by the supervising staff.

Students were reminded that they are:

• Required to report to the teacher so that the roll is accurate.
• Sit only at tables (not soft furnishings) on the ground floor (upstairs is out of bounds).
• Work without disrupting others.
• Not to use their mobile phones (refer electronic device policy).
• Not to view unsanctioned videos on laptops.
• Remain up to date for VET and all other subjects.
• Not allowed to visit the café during these lessons.
• To seek a signed note from Subject Teacher(s) if wanting to work in specialist areas.
• To treat all staff with respect – St Michael’s teachers and ESO’s as well as their VET providers.
• Ambassadors of the College when attending outside agencies for VET purposes and poor behaviour will not be tolerated.

Leadership discussed that the ability to leave early when VET study lessons fall at the end of the day is a privilege which will be revoked if student behaviour does not support this concession and any student who chooses to operate in a manner not conducive with our expectations will be removed from the LEC and placed in a supervised classroom.

A copy of the presentation is available on our College website here.

Ms Leanne De Young, VET Coordinator

SEIZING OPPORTUNITES 

One of the critical predictors of success is one’s willingness to take advantage of opportunities presented and to use such opportunities to create the next opportunity. This sense of resourcefulness and self-reliance has been sighted in many student’s career planning. Sometimes it appears as the students who come in for a self-initiated career appointment and then organise a block of Work Experience in the allocated week of the school holidays. Involvement in these opportunities contributes to enormous personal growth and at a very practical level, depth in applications and resumes.

We see many students identify external opportunities such as the recently rolled out Smith Family Student2Student Reading program. We have five students entering the program in 2022. Currently a Year 11 student is enrolling in the Duke of Edinborough Bronze Medallion program operated by Zoos SA, achieving a position in this experience after a rigorous application process. Last year we saw three Year 12 students apply for competitive scholarships and receive offers. We often talk to students about filling up their ‘careers bucket’ with a range of skills and experiences that help them position themselves for more opportunities. Currently Year 12 students whose family have “limited financial resources” have been invited to look at The Hansen Scholarship at The University of Melbourne, with applications closing 9 March 2022.

South Australian United Nations Youth State Conference

There is no direct involvement from St Michael’s staff, however students from Year 11 and Year 12 may wish to assess and consider getting involved in the South Australian United Nations Youth State Conference.

• Friday 18 March 2022, 10:00 am to Sunday 20 March 2022, 3:30 pm
• Nunyara Conference Centre, Belair Cost $200 per person
• SA State Conference (SACON) brings high school students together from all over the state to learn about leadership, diplomacy, and advocacy.

Spanning across three days, students will learn about global and local issues facing world leaders today and participate in the global conversation. At State Conference, students will become inspired to lead change in their community and globally while forming friendships with diverse group of SA students along the way. Click here to find out more.

Volunteering Opportunity

There is an opportunity to volunteer for ‘Clean Up Australia’ at Linear Park on Sunday 6 March 2022. Please click here for more information.

Many of these opportunities are advertised in the Daily Notices on the Careers and VET Portal on SEQTA under the ‘Important Information’ tab. Families can access the ‘Calendar of Events’ which shows many events happening here in South Australia. All events with the Defence Force are also well noted there. 

WORK EXPERIENCE 2022 

Work Experience Term 1 Holidays

Please note: the first allocated week for Work Experience this year is in Week 1 of the Term 1 holidays (Monday 11 April to Friday 14 April 2022).

Students will need to complete all Work Experience requirements by the end of Week 8 (Friday 25 March 2022). Students in Year 11 and 12 that are considering Work Experience at any time during the year for VET requirements, subject requirements or career research must attend a compulsory preparation session to be held on Thursday 10 March from 9:00 am to 9:40 am in the LEC Auditorium. This session will provide students with the information required to prepare for work experience during the year.

Students requiring Work Experience for VET will automatically be registered for this session. Any student who is considering undertaking Work Experience this year either for Workplace Practices, Maths in the Workplace or for their own career research / choice must register to attend by emailing Ms Tidd nikki.tidd@smc.sa.edu.au  by no later than Wednesday 2 March 2022.

NO PLACEMENTS CAN BE AUTHORISED OR COVERED BY INSURANCE WITHOUT ATTENDING THIS SESSION AND MEETING ALL PREPARATION REQUIREMENTS.  

2023 UNIVERSITY CONDITIONAL OFFERS SCHEMES BASED ON YEAR 11 GRADES 

For the last two years University of Adelaide and Flinders University provided a pathway for entry to some of their courses being based significantly on Year 11 grades. At this stage, the University of Adelaide have no plans to run the program for this year’s Year 12 students. Flinders do not usually confirm if the program will continue until late June.

The emphasis for now will be achieving a competitive ATAR. Year 12 students who are concerned about this pathway not continuing are encouraged to book an appointment with one of the Career Counsellors to discuss.

2023 AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE GAP YEAR APPLICATIONS FOR YEAR 12 STUDENTS OPENING IN MARCH

If you’re 17-24 years old and interested in experiencing the Navy, Army of Air Force without making a long-term commitment, the ADF Gap Year program is a great option. The program will enable you to get paid for meaningful work while travelling around Australia, gain skills for life, and make lifelong friends.

Applications open in March and with more than 20 roles to choose from, you’re sure to find one to suit you and your interests.

The program offers experiences including what it’s like to be an officer, in management, engineering, logistics, warehousing, combat, security and administration. The very popular roles such as Helicopter Pilot fill up as soon as applications open, so we advise checking each day in March to seize this opportunity.

With an ADF Gap Year you’ll:

• Enjoy a great salary package plus free healthcare.
• Gain valuable skills and work experience.
• Have job security and stability.
• Live a varied, active, and healthy lifestyle.
• Make friends with like-minded people.
• Have the opportunity to see more of Australia.

Click here for more information.

Ms Rose Coorey and Mr Anthony Vizaniaris, Careers Counsellors