Careers Corner

Welcome back to Term 3.  We are now over halfway through the school year and Year 12 are on their last term of lessons for their school journey.

Year 10 have begun a series of Mentoring sessions aimed at helping them make decisions about their subject choices for next year.  These mentoring sessions involve groups of about 6/7.  The students work with a teacher and talk about options for Year 11 and 12.  Each student has been asked to complete a booklet either in hard copy or in the Careers Team OneNote.  I will be collecting these at the end of the sessions next week and this information will assist me to help the students over the coming time with their post school options and choices.

The “Information Evening for Year 10 Students and Parents” was held at school on Tuesday, 25 July at 6:30 pm.  Mrs Theresa Avery and several staff were on hand to explain the process of choosing subjects for senior school and provided information about the many subjects on offer at St Clare’s.  The information is in Compass and has been given to the students.

Please remember that I am available to help with this process, be it with the students or with students and parents/guardians.  The students can write their names on the timetable on my office door or alternatively feel free to contact me (either by email karen.mccann@mn.catholic.edu.au or by phone on 6552 3300) and make an appointment.

We will be continuing Careers sessions with Year 11 students on Day 7 (Tuesdays) during the Period 1 CLARE session from Week 4 this term.  As the end of Preliminary Studies is near many students must make decisions about discontinuing some subjects and working more towards a post school pathway.  Once again if anyone would like to contact me for assistance please do so.

I have noticed that the students in Year 12 are gradually registering with UAC and several have already applied for SRS (Schools Recommendation Scheme).  You were sent an email regarding dates so please check this. I  have also put this information in the Careers OneNote along with a PowerPoint with more information.

I would like to encourage the students to do this as the more options they have the better.

Please also remember to check the various university websites for Early Entry opportunities.  These opportunities are opening for study in 2024.  Much of this information is also available in our Careers Team OneNote.

This term will also see more Industry Presentations to Year 12 thanks to Erin Lute from RIEP.  Stay tuned for more details.

The latest news from the CAA is as follows:

Courses & Workshops for Students

Register for an Exclusive Behind the Scenes Look at Life Working in a Luxurious 5-Star Hotel. Experience InterContinental Sydney through the eyes of a hospitality professional and find out what it is like to work in this dynamic environment by immersing in the behind-the-scenes operations of a luxury hotel. Saturday 2 September, 9:30am-3:00pm. Limited spots available, parents and friends are welcome. Register:

For more information, contact anne.mccrory@scu.edu.au.

UTS Startups at Schools Workshops, Sydney Metro | NEW: Hunter/Central Coast EOIs Free 30-60 minute workshops for Year 9-10 students that inspire interest in entrepreneurship. Held at schools (Sydney Metro, Hunter, Central Coast) or at UTS or the University of Newcastle. An introduction to Entrepreneurship foundations and showcase of student/community founders and their entrepreneurial experiences. Contact: schools.outreach@uts.edu.au.

CreateWEST Exhibition CreateWEST is an exhibition of local student work from high schools, Western Sydney University, TAFE and Parramatta Artist Studios, hosted in the foyer of the PHIVE building in Parramatta Square on Saturday 5 August, 9.30am-2.30pm. An open community event, this public exhibition will display some of the amazing talent from Western Sydney

Australian Pacific College | Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping Gain real-world skills and knowledge in accounting principles, such as contract bookkeeping and BAS. This practical course is available in Sydney under the Smart and Skilled Program. Apply:

University of Sydney | Upcoming Workshops and Information Sessions in August Accommodation Exploration webinar, 10 August, 5pm, register here:

ARTiculate Talk series: online support for HSC students and resources for high school teachers – upcoming sessions for Spanish Continuers and Extension, PDHPE and Modern History, find out more and register:

Tertiary Jazz Pre-audition Workshop, 5 August, find out more and register:

Information Sessions for Students & Parents

Sydney Actors School | Open Day 2023 Saturday 16 September, from 10am, join in workshops, masterclasses, tours of the facilities, and a BBQ lunch. After lunch, an information session about courses and Q&A. Register:

CQUniversity | Virtual Open Day Saturday 27 August, 9 am - 1 pm (AEST) Join CQU’s Virtual Open Day from the comfort of home. Chat directly with the expert CQU crew about courses of interest, tune into a course webinar, get career advice, learn more about the outstanding support services available, and receive assistance with figuring out next steps. Register:

SAE Creative Media Institute | Open Day SAE Sydney and Byron Bay are having an Open Day on 12 August, 11-3pm. This is a great opportunity to see state of the art campuses, chat to industry professional lecturers. For enquiries, please reach out to either Michael Newman at michael.newman@sae.edu.au (Sydney), or Georgina Dowden at georgina.dowden@sae.edu.au (Byron Bay).

Bedford College Open Day August 5, 2023 Students looking for pathways into employment, university or entrepreneurship without an ATAR or students who have completed Year 10 can be skilled and qualified in as little as 6-12 months with Bedford nationally recognised vocational courses. Bedford College Open Day, Saturday 5 August, 10am-3pm at 2 Columbia Court, Norwest. Entry is free. Call 1300 174 174 or email enquire@bedford.edu.au.

TAFE NSW Virtual Open Day 2023 Explore TAFE through a virtual experience and learn about courses, facilities and support services from teachers and staff. Register to discover more about scholarships, degrees, pathway opportunities, flexible study options, enrolment support and so much more.

Sydney Film School | Open Day 2023 Saturday 16 September, from 10am, join in workshops, masterclasses, tours of the facilities, and a BBQ lunch. After lunch, an information session about courses and Q&A. Register:

Open Day JMC ACADEMY Saturday 12 August 2023 Explore a creative future: Tour world-class facilities and technology, participate in workshops, meet students and industry experts, check out live performances, see creativity come to life with course demonstrations and build networks. Register:

University of Sydney | Registrations Open for 2023 Open Day The Open Day program is packed with everything students need to start their journey, as well as activities that may be of interest to teachers. Attendees can join an information session, explore campus and get course advice. Register:

University of Notre Dame Open Day Register for Notre Dame’s Open Day on Saturday 26 August. Students will have the chance to chat one-on-one with academics, staff, alumni and current students about their study options and life at Notre Dame. Sydney Open Day 2023 Watch highlights here:

Charles Sturt Open Day 2023 Charles Sturt's Open Day series kicks off at their Port Macquarie campus this Sunday. Students, Career Advisers and parents are all welcome to attend. Charles Sturt Open Day will be happening at Port Macquarie campus, this Sunday 30 July, Wagga Wagga campus, 6 August, Albury-Wodonga campus, 13 August, Bathurst campus, 20 August and Orange campus, 27 August. More info:

Open Day 2023 at Southern Cross University (SCU) SCU is holding three special Open Days in August for students and parents to meet educators, students and alumni, tour campus and explore campus facilities with experts on hand to answer questions about studying at SCU. Learn about The Southern Cross Model, a shorter, more focused six-week unit structure of study. Gold Coast open day, 6 August at the beachside campus next to the Gold Coast Airport. The Northern Rivers campus, nestled amongst the rainforests of Lismore, 10 August and Coffs Harbour campus, 13 August. Register and be in the running enter to win one of three Amsterdam+ e-bikes worth $2,998* Terms and conditions apply.

Macquarie University Open Day, 12 August 2023 A great way to get a feel for Macquarie University and to get the latest information for students. This year, Macquarie is providing many different ways for students to interact with staff and students and get familiar with campus. Register for Open Day:

Saturday 12 August, 10am - 4pm.

Learn About Interesting Courses and In-Demand Careers at the ACAP Information Sessions Join the Australian College of Applied Professions (ACAP) online or on campus for an information session. Learn about courses in coaching, counselling, criminology, psychology, social work, law and management, as well as typical career paths. Find out more about online or on campus events at

Do School Differently With GOAL College in Year 11, 2024 GOAL College (formerly SEDA) has a new sports and new Central Coast Campus location for Year 11 2024. For a non-ATAR, student- focussed and sports aligned HSC which prepares students for life after school, visit the website and book to come to an open day in Term 3.

Scholarships, Early Entry, Alternative Pathways

University of Newcastle Early Entry Applications Closing Soon Applications for the University of Newcastle's Early Entry Program close on 29 August 2023. Apply for the chance to receive an offer before the HSC. Offers are contingent on completion of HSC. Apply:

GOAL College Scholarships for Entry into Year 11 in 2024 GOAL College is the place to do the HSC differently. Ideal for students who do not fit the mainstream and who love sport. KICKSTART scholarships are open for Year 11 2024 for First Nations students and students whose parents have not completed year 12.

Pathway Program Assessment Round - August Western Sydney’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pathway Program is a great pathway opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wishing to receive an early offer to commence study in 2024. Next assessment round: 21-24 August. Find out more and register:

HSC True Reward Early Offer Program Western Sydney's HSC True Reward early offer program will provide students with an early offer into most university degrees based on their Year 11 or Year 12 results. Students can explore the HSC True Reward webpage for more information on important dates, subject requirements and how to apply for study in 2024. Visit:

Australian Pacific College | Smart and Skilled Program APC has been approved to offer a selection of government-subsidised training under the Smart and Skilled Program in NSW. There is a broad selection of courses available in a variety of regions for Domestic students. For more information check out the Smart and Skilled page the APC website:

Charles Sturt Advantage Early Offer Program Round 3 of the Charles Sturt Advantage early offer program is open until midnight 31 August 2023. Charles Sturt will assess student's application based on their soft skills (for example, their resilience and empathy) and their Year 11 results. For more information, please visit:

Charles Sturt University | Schools Recommendation Scheme SRS is another early offer program Charles Sturt offers Year 12 high school students. Applications are based off students' personal aptitudes, their Year 11 results and the school's rating of their abilities in different areas of study. Applications are open until 18 September 2023. More information:

University Of Wollongong (UOW) Early Admission | Closing Friday 11 August Students can apply for all degrees at UOW, excluding Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation. Students apply directly to UOW:

Assessment is based on Year 11 results and the applicant’s answers to 4 questions. Students successful for Early Admission will receive their offer/s in early September*. *Students must successfully complete HSC/IB.

Applications for the Future Teacher Scholarships are Open Talented Year 12 students, pre-service teachers or industry professionals considering a career in teaching are encouraged to apply for a Future Teacher Scholarship with the NSW Department of Education. Successful applicants will be financially supported to become a teacher and a permanent teaching position upon completion of their studies. Apply now:

AIQS Scholarships for Construction Management Available 2023 AIQS, the peak body for Quantity Surveying offers scholarships for Year 12 students who qualify for entry into a quantity surveying or construction management courses accredited by AIQS. The scholarship is valued at $5,000 and includes $4,000 cash, AIQS published textbooks, student membership, and one year of graduate membership. Applications close 31 October. Contact: education@aiqs.com.au or P: 02 8234 4000.

Resources for Students

University of Sydney | Upcoming Events for Prospective Students - August 2023 Edition In-person events in August: Meet the University of Sydney - Coffs Harbour, Open Day, On-campus October residential for regional NSW Year 11 students - EOI open | Webinars on: Business - Pathways and Scholarships Workshop, Nursing at Sydney, Life of a Marine Scientist, the Bachelor of Advanced Studies, Science - Life in the Field, and more! | For more info and to register, visit:

Jobs and Work Experience for Students

2024 Materials Engineering Cadetship Opportunities at BlueScope Learn real-world skills related to study and gain a head career journey head start. Open to Year 12 students eligible to study Materials Engineering at the University of Wollongong in 2024. Students can apply by Sunday, 13 August 2023 via

Learn more about Cadetship opportunities at:

Year 12 Trials begin next week, and all the students have been given their timetable and a note about leaving school when they do not have an exam.  It is important that this note is returned.

On Thursday this week all the Year 10, 11 and 12 students had the opportunity to go to this year’s Career Quip which was held at the Rowing Club and surrounding grounds.  It was an excellent opportunity to see some of the many post school pathways on offer, both in our local area and further afield.  There was information on hand regarding career pathways through TAFE, NSW DET, Defence, Police, various universities (including our local TUC - Taree Universities Campus), and many local businesses.

A huge thank you goes to Donna Ballard (and the team from TUC) and to Erin Lute from RIEP (Regional Education and Industry Partnerships).  Donna and the TUC team were responsible for organising the event this year.

Thanks to RIEP, the cost of the buses transporting the students to and from the Rowing Club was covered, so that there was no cost to the students.

It was an excellent event with a huge amount of information for the students.  Thanks to all the staff who assisted with supervising the students and covering classes at St Clare’s. 

Yesterday and today several of our Year 10 students have taken part and are continuing to take part in a “Trade Readiness Program”, once again organised by Erin Lute through RIEP and CHS Training.

One of our local trades people has delivered this intensive two-day program involving the following:

This pre-employment orientation into trade-based occupations has covered general maintenance, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, plastering and painting.  The program has been delivered over two consecutive days and has included:

• Construction Industry selection;
• Qualifications that would enhance employment opportunity;
• Where to locate those qualifications, how long they take to complete and approximate costs; and
• Discussion on how to apply and demonstrate aptitude in a resume and when applying for jobs.

Day 1:

Briefing on Workplace Health and Safety:

• Understanding material safety data sheets (SDS) and conducting a job safety analysis for upcoming practicals.
• Selecting what part of the trade based industry and discussion and explanation of the tickets and qualifications needed.
• Tool recognition: power tools and hand tools and how to use them.
• Measurements, volumes and weights.
• Ladders and their correct use.
• How to read construction plans and understand scale.
• Carpentry Practical.

Task:  Students will learn how to attach a wall hanging fitting to the wall.  They will then learn how to best repair a hole in a gyprock or concrete brick wall that may occur when a fitting is incorrectly removed causing damage.  This will be a two-stage practical as the process takes a 24 hour drying process and will be finished on the second day.

1. How to access a wall to determine the correct spot to attach a fitting ie finding a wall stud
2. How to determine if there are concealed power lines or other hidden dangers in wall cavities and what to expect
3. Determining what would be the best fittings and how to attach it to the wall
4. Use of a hand power drill
5. Selection of correct masonry bits and plugs for solid concrete or brick walls
6. Clean up and pack up tools

Day 2:

Plumbing Practical

Task:  Assess the process of repairing a leaking tap by replacing the washer and then replace the entire tap and install a new one. Unblock a kitchen sink S bend and reassemble. Unblocking a shower recess and toilet.

1. Conduct a Job Safety Analysis for the day’s practicals
2. Replacing and changing a leaking tap
3. Detailed look at how the tap works the components of the tap and the replacement of the washer.
4. Shutting the water off, and how to replace the tap all together with a new tap.
5. Unblocking an S bend drain configuration and how to undo remove, clean out and reassemble.
6. Unblock a toilet and shower recess, a detailed look at the different hand tools needed including pipe wrench/stillson, vice grips and adjustable wrenches.

Electrical Practical:

Task: Assess why a circuit breaker is shutting off the power and what the cause may be.

1. Locating the main power board locating and recognizing circuit breakers and determining if they are on or off
2. Locate clipsal switch main earth on switchboard and how to diagnose why it may be tripping
3. Discussion using physical examples of electrical switches (NOT LIVE) to demonstrate what they look like and what they do

Plastering and painting Practical:

Task: Carry on from Day 1’s preparation of repairing a hole in a Gyprock plaster wall then filling sanding and painting the patched area

1. Second layer or topcoat can be added to gyprock repaired on day 1
2. Use a heat gun to fast dry and painting techniques can be practiced helping conceal the repair.

Pack down tools and clean up and discuss the process of the last two days highlighting the various specialties and employment opportunities available based off the skills gained.

Thanks to RIEP and CHS for delivering this program to the students, and to Mr Phil Chalmers for supervising on Thursday.

If you are interested in doing Work Experience, please come and see me for more information.

Good luck to Year 12 in their upcoming exams.  Make sure, Year 12, that you have a “study plan”, eat well, get some exercise, and get as much sleep as you can.  Look after yourselves!

Karen McCann
Careers/VET Adviser