Student Opportunities at St Marys Senior High School

For Incoming 2010 Year 11 Students
You may or may not be aware that in 2010 – 2011 students have a number of options to include in their study for the New South Wales Higher School Certificate.  I would like to outline a few of these opportunities, several which require applications before you come to this school next January:

1)  TVET Courses – There are a number of courses that can be taken at various TAFE campuses in Western Sydney that can contribute to the 12 units required for Year 11.  The courses are in a variety of areas including accounting, visual arts, music, auto, animal studies, media, tourism, real estate amongst others.  In order to be given a place, students must apply at their current Year 10 School on forms available with their Careers Advisor or at wsi.tafensw.edu.au/tvet/courses.aspx  and then look at course lists and download the application forms.  IF YOUR SCHOOL for some reason will not process the application, please call me on 9623 8333 to make arrangements for that to be taken care of here.  Courses are held on Mondays or Wednesdays so that a maximum of 4 units can be taken in Year 11.

2)  Nursing – A special two-year program is available for students interested in following that career path following the HSC.  Applications initially are through the TVET program for Year 11.  The Year 12 part of the program is handled by UWS or ACU and completion can give advanced credit and placement in Nursing at University.  The unit value is 2 units for Year 11 and another 2 units for Year 12.

3)  Traineeships – A number of employers are willing to take on traineeships for students completing the 2 years of the HSC.  The way it works is that students are employed part-time in the workplace and then complete 10 other units in Year 11 at school.  Often the traineeship is in the Retail Industry (hence 2 unit Retail) but they can be in a number of other areas.  Over the past couple of years, we have had students doing traineeships in Warehousing and Transport, Animal Care, Retail, and Sport and Recreation.  The courses are often with the approved provider nominated by the employer or with TAFE.  It is possible for students to have the nominated provider be this school.  If you are interested in any of these options, speak to your current employer (including Big W, KFC and McDonalds) or to training providers such as JobQuest who may be able to assist you in completing the necessary paperwork.  We also need to know about this arrangement and sign the agreements as soon as practical.

4)  Apprenticeships – It is possible for a student to be completing the first year of their apprenticeship while also completing the HSC.  This can be arranged so that the coursework required can count as a subject for the HSC.  A formal agreement by the school, the employer and the student is needed.  If you are hoping to follow this plan, please contact the school once you have begun making contact with a willing employer.

5)  Pathways – This program of study for a HSC covers more than the normal two years and is arranged on a personal basis at the school.  While the usual pattern is to complete Year 11 and then apply to do the final year spread over two years, consideration can be given to students with special circumstances.  You must discuss this with the Principal on accepting your place for enrolment if you hope to follow this in Year 11.

6)  Cluster Courses – St Marys Senior High School is involved in a “Cluster” arrangement with St Clair, Erskine Park and Colyton High Schools to offer courses that can enrol students from any of the member schools.  Two courses not offered at St Marys that can be taken in the Cluster are Construction at Colyton and Retail at St Clair.  Both are “VET” courses and can count towards university entrance if needed.  If you are at one of the Cluster schools currently, you can apply with your Careers Advisor.  If you are at another school, please enquire at your enrolment appointment with the St Marys Careers Advisor.

7)  Whitehouse Courses – This school will allow students to enrol in several design courses at Whitehouse but you must also liaise with the Careers Advisor at St Marys to get Department of Education approval.  The courses are taught during school holidays and count as 2 units.

8)  Sydney Institute of TAFE – Two courses, Graphic Design and Interior Design were offered at the Enmore TAFE on Saturdays from 11 am to 2 pm for 29 weeks in 2009.  Please contact the St Marys Careers Advisor as soon as possible if interested to determine if they are again running in 2010.  Both are 2 units and should be listed with application forms at www.sit.nsw.edu.au/tvet.  Forms must be returned to St Marys Senior High only – not to your current School.

9)  Saturday School of Community Languages – A number of languages are offered at various Saturday School locations including The Hills Sports High School, Arthur Phillip and high schools at Chatswood, Bankstown and Liverpool.  To reserve a place, a student should apply at your current Year 10 School.  Places may not be available if you wait until you begin school next January.  A few languages can be taught by “approved” tutors and they must also be confirmed with this School before we agree to the arrangement.

10)VET Courses at St Marys Senior High in 2009 – This school is fortunate in having qualified teachers in 4 VET areas.  They are Entertainment, Hospitality, Business Services and Information Technology.  They can be taken within the normal school timetable and all can be part of the best 10 units for a UAI if desired.    When finished you will receive an HSC, and either a Certificate II or III that is recognised throughout Australia and can give advanced standing in related courses at TAFE.  Please make a point of talking with the “VET” teachers while at your enrolment appointment.  As a note, all four can be taken as TVET courses but only apply for the TAFE course if you cannot fit them into your normal timetable.

WHEN YOU COME FOR YOUR ENROLMENT APPOINTMENT
Please let your enrolment advisor know that you have applied or are applying for one of the above special programs of study.  If you have sent in an application for a TVET course with your current School Careers Advisor, please bring - (1) your course number; (2) course name; (3) day of week (M or W) to help in timetable planning.  
Remember: If your current School will not process your TVET applications, then bring the completed form (downloaded from the web site) to your appointment.  This will save you time on the evening.

ONE FINAL THOUGHT
If you hope to go to university following the HSC, remember that TVET courses, Traineeships, Apprenticeships and such special schemes are still open to you and that universities will count the Board Developed related subject towards your UAI.  While many TVET courses don’t count for a UAI, only 10 of your 12 units will count anyway so why not consider adding some special skills and competencies in your package of study for the HSC in 2010?  The skills and competencies gained can further enrich the education you gain.

William Hempel
HT Administration/Careers Advisor