Work Experience
Careers at Calwell High School
Calwell High School sees Careers Education as a vital component of its program, and takes every opportunity to assist students in preparing plans for further study and/or work after completing Year 10.
During Year 10 students complete a comprehensive unit of work in SOSE with a Careers focus. The students have access to the most current teaching resources both in the classroom and computer lab.
Students are encouraged to attend work experience on at least two occasions before they leave. The School has access to an extensive database of host organisations which facilitates placement of students in industries suited to their interests and skills. Students are placed with the hosts of their choice at a mutually convenient time. This is a special feature of the School’s Work Experience program as it enables students to be placed with hosts which are their first preference.
Work Experience itself is invaluable and the reports students take away with them assist in the search for employment and training positions. Many students are offered apprenticeships or employment as a direct result of Work Experience. In 2005 Calwell High School made the highest number of Work Experience placements of any school in the ACT.
Students too young to participate in Work Experience are able to take advantage of SPICE (Students Participating in Community Enterprises) Work Placements which are made by the SPICE branch of Volunteering ACT. This organisation supports students who are having difficulties in the traditional classroom setting to see the relevance of education through participation in work experience.
Students have access to a qualified Careers’ Counsellor and a Careers room rich in resources to assist in the information gathering process. Senior students receive individual Careers counselling to assist them in planning appropriate pathways beyond Year 10.
