From the Principal
Dear parents and carers
In the previous Helenian Newsletter I shared results from our most recent Family Experience Survey. I have had a number of conversations recently about the survey results and, in particular, two of the lowest scoring areas on the 5-point scale which were:
- Students at Helena College are provided with adequate career guidance (mean 2.95)
- Helena College offers a variety of educational pathways to ensure that children are able to follow their desired pathway (mean 3.00)
As we move into the second half of this school year, and we begin the process of course selection for our Year 10 students as they plan programs for Years 11 and 12, I thought this might be a good time to share with parents some of the ways in which the College does address these two topics from the survey.
In Year 10, all students complete a year-long course called Vocational Education which is designed to get students thinking about their lives beyond secondary school. The course includes aptitude testing for students to discover more about themselves and types of careers they might be suited to. Students also investigate the pathways to different careers, including the process for university entrance, TAFE, apprenticeships and other vocations. The students create resumes and cover letters and engage in mock job interviews. Beyond vocational education, this course also includes lessons in financial literacy including budgeting and interest on credit cards and after-pay arrangements. Year 10 students also undertake a week of Work Experience with an employer of their choice.
In Term Three, following a Course Selection Information Evening for Year 10 students and parents presented by our Director of the Upper School, Craig HIllman, all students and parents are invited to a meeting with Mr Hillman to discuss their course planning for Year 11 and 12 and their intentions beyond secondary school.
This year, Year 10 students will be presented with information regarding the Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Schools (VETDSS) program offered by TAFE for Year 11 and 12 students. This program offers VET Certificate courses for students at TAFE facilities throughout Perth. Our College will support students who wish to undertake a certificate course which requires them to be away from our campus for one day each week to attend a VETDSS course. The students will need to make up for any work which they miss from their classes while they are off campus for the day.
In Years 11 and 12 there are a range of events to provide students with information about life beyond the College. These include: university visits, presentations to students from the five main universities in Perth, a presentation to students from the Tertiary Institutions Services Center (TISC) on the university application process, attending the SkIlls West Career Expo with over 100 different organisations to learn about pathways to apprenticeships and other vocations, eight weeks of Workplace Learning placements for students undertaking the General course pathway and a General WACE course available to all students called Careers and Enterprise.
In regard to course offerings, this year our Year 10 students have the opportunity to select from 19 different ATAR courses and 13 different General courses and, as mentioned previously, some may also choose a VET certificate course also. For a school our size, this is a wide range of options for students. If you have any questions about pathways for Year 11 and 12 students, please feel free to contact Mr Hillman (chillman@helena.wa.edu.au).
Staff News
As we come to the end of this first semester, I would like to take a moment to farewell one of our longest serving teachers, Mr Derry Phipps. Mr Phipps has been a teacher at the College for over 25 years and during this time he has had a positive impact on thousands of Helena students. He has been instrumental in the success of our Year 6 program at the Glen Forrest Campus and has applied his expertise to a range of other school programs, including the camps curriculum and the swimming club. Mr Phipps is often remembered fondly by former students who return to the school as parents or guests and I’m sure many current students will remember him as an important part of their time at Helena. We thank Derry for all that he brought to the College and wish him well for his retirement.
Thank you
As we reach the midpoint of this school year, I would once again like to thank our community for their support of the College. It is an important responsibility to care for and educate your children and we appreciate the trust you show in us every day. I look forward to seeing all students back at school on Tuesday 16 July.
Peter Coombs | Principal
