SENIOR SCHOOL
VET program opening doors for our students
The Workplace Learning Program at Guildford Grammar School is highly beneficial to all students who participate in the program . It provides our students with real-life , practical experience in their industry of choice , giving them the opportunity to start along their career path while still learning at school .
Vocational Education and Training ( VET ) is an effective schoolbased program that equips students with the required knowledge , skills and abilities to prosper in their chosen industry . The program delivers incredible opportunities to participating students , providing an interaction with their industry of choice , whilst still gaining a formal education at Guildford Grammar School until completion of Year 12 . By choosing a VET subject , our students can evaluate their emerging skills and interests , after which they can construct their future career from Year 11 onwards .
Our full-time Careers , Workplace Learning and VET Pathway Coordinator , Ms Celine Noort , is available on campus , providing valuable career counselling for students and their families . With many years of experience in employment services , Ms Noort can suggest appropriate and current study options for our students , helping them to gain formal accredited qualifications while being immersed in their chosen industry , allowing them to learn and thrive .
Appointments can be scheduled by emailing careers @ ggs . wa . edu . au or visiting Ms Celine Noort at the Careers Office in the Robinson Court Building .
Although TAFE can still be an option post-graduation , learning a trade or choosing a VET subject from Year 11 onwards empowers students to familiarise themselves with specific work environments . This immersive experience also allows students to belong and contribute to a workplace ’ s unique culture and continually assimilate the formal curriculum at school .
Guildford Grammar School works closely with TAFE and other VET providers , so that our students receive the appropriate support and nurturing as they begin to pave their career pathway . Our staff support our students in finding work experience which will broaden their learning in a professional , industry-specific atmosphere .
The VET program has paired many students with suitable work placements and has proven time and again to be a resounding success . We currently have students gaining experience at establishments in the
Ms Celine Noort .
following industries : media , law , engineering , local surgery , dentistry , agriculture , childcare , warehousing , electrical , mechanical , plumbing , hospitality and retail . While working with the local community , we also approach Old Guildfordians , who are more than happy to provide unique learning opportunities to our students .
Our placements occur during the school holidays and / or over exam periods . They can take place in two-week blocks or once a week - depending on the student ’ s timetable and their employer ’ s availability .
Students seeking career advice can contact Celine on careers @ ggs . wa . edu . au or pop in for a chat in the Careers Office .
UN Youth Australia ’ s Timor Leste Project
Earlier this year I was lucky enough to be selected as one of twelve students from across Australia to attend UN Youth Australia ’ s 2019 Timor Leste Project , from applicants in Years 9 to 12 . The aim of this trip is to experience life in a developing country , with the focus on learning about sustainable development and the role and challenges of international aid .
From 29 June to 13 July I will be travelling to Timor Leste where I will be immersed in local Timorese communities . For the first five days we ’ ll be working with Encouragement House in Maliana . This residence provides safe and secure boarding facilities so that rural students can attend High School whilst also teaching them basic life skills . Whilst we ’ re here we will be helping out in the local community , teaching English in the local school , gardening , building projects and assisting with meal preparations . We will then be progressing to a new village each day to engage with local students and residents about issues affecting them and how we can assist them with issues , in particular sustainability . On our final day we will be meeting with NGO CEO ’ s , and hopefully visiting the Australian Embassy . We will also be visiting some significant historical sites in Dili to learn about the suffering and sacrifice of the past .
I ’ m really lucky to be able to take part in this project and am excited to help the Timor Leste locals as much as I can , and to be a part of building a sustainable future not only for Timor Leste but for the rest of the world . I really hope and believe I will gain some skills that I can use to make a difference not only at school but also in Australia , to help be a part of the solution and not part of the problem .
Abigail Burbridge ( 12He )
20