In this issue

Now that Term 3 is underway, there are many dates to keep track of, particularly for Year 12 students.  This year, we welcome back on-campus university Open Days. These days are a great way to explore the campus, talk to current students and lecturers and enquire about accommodation, student life and culture, transport options and many other things.  See below for more information.

Year 12 students will be completing their VTAC applications this term.  Students and families will be supported through this process, further details are below but if you have any questions, please contact me.

Students in Years 9, 10 and 11 will be choosing their subjects for 2023 this term. We suggest selecting subjects that you enjoy, have an interest in and that you are good at, rather than the subjects you think will be scaled up or look better on your resume. A successful VCE program is one that you have an interest in and is catering to your ability. There will be a team of staff to help you work through this selection process so do not hesitate to seek advice if you are unsure about which subjects to undertake in 2023.

“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sarah Luck
Head of Careers
sluck@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Year 12 Students

VTACStudents who want to apply for Victorian university and some TAFE courses need to do so through VTAC.  VTAC receives, collates and forwards applications to Victorian institutions. This includes requests for special consideration (SEAS), scholarship applications and other supporting documentation that may be required by institutions.

Students need to create an account to apply for up to eight different courses.

The VTAC website has an abundance of information including the Year 12 guide
VTAC timely applications open on 1 August and close 29 September at 5:00 pm.

Open Days

Open days are almost here!  They begin on Sunday 31 July then run through August, click on the links below to check the dates of the universities you would like to attend.  If you are considering studying at TAFE or university after school, it is crucial that you attend open days.

If you do not think you need to visit, read stories about three students who had their lives changed by attending one – Open day stories

For a list of open days click below:
Victoria/Tasmania Open Days
NSW/Canberra Open Days

Early Admission Programs

Apply for university now! Early admission programs are now open for the following institutes:

VICTORIA

La Trobe University
Swinburne University
Victoria University
Federation University
CQUniversity
SAE Creative Media
Whitehouse College of Design

NEW SOUTH WALES

Charles Sturt University
The University of New England
CQUniversity
Southern Cross University
Torrens University
SAE Creative Media
JMC Academy
Whitehouse College of Design

For information on each program visit Early admissions

Scholarships

There are many different types of scholarships with an array of selection and eligibility criteria, application methods and value.  It will take time to research scholarships applicable to you but will be worth it if you can secure one.

To assist with how to begin please read this helpful guide Applying for Scholarships

UNSW Co-op Scholarship Program

The UNSW Co-op Scholarship program is now open for high-achieving students who plan to study in 2023 at UNSW.  The scholarships are worth almost $20,000 per year.
Click here for more details UNSW Co-op Scholarship

University of Queensland Ramsay Undergraduate Scholarship

Valued at $30,000 per year for up to five and a half years and intended for academic Australian high-achieving students who desire to make a difference in the world.  They are for students who are creative and intellectually curious with the critical skills to challenge the status quo and cross boundaries, and who value discussion, debate, and the opportunity to learn from others.

The purpose of the scholarship is to support students undertaking a sequence of study in Western Civilisation either through the Bachelor of Advanced Humanities (Honours) program or the dual Bachelor of Humanities/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) program.

An online application is required; applications close on 7 August 2022. 

Visit Ramsay Undergraduate Scholarship to find out more.

Admissions Testing 

Casper Test
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test (SJT) for Year 12 students planning to apply for health, veterinary science and teaching courses.  Programs are looking to make sure that students are not only academically capable but also possess suitable personal and professional qualities that make them more likely to succeed on the job.  The test asks what you would do in a tough situation, and more importantly, why.  This helps determine the behavioural tendencies of applicants pursuing people-centred professions.

Initial teacher education – Students planning to apply for initial teacher education courses in Victoria for the 2023 intake are required to sit the Casper test.

Nursing – Students planning to apply for undergraduate nursing at Victoria University for the 2023 intake are required to sit the Casper test.

For information on dates and how to apply, visit Casper Test

Law Admissions Test (LAT)
Students planning to apply for undergraduate law courses at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) will need to sit the LAT.
Registrations for the test close Friday 12 August, visit UNSWlat

University Course Spotlight 

RMIT Certificate IV and Diploma of Photography

The Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging is focused on students gaining highly practical photographic skills with a strong emphasis on collaboration, professionalism and hands-on industry knowledge.  It is designed to reflect the role of individuals working as photographers’ assistants.  Students will learn to apply a broad range of skills in lighting, image capture, enhancements, manipulation and print output.

Students focus on all areas of photography in the certificate and, on successful completion, may advance to areas of specialisation in the Diploma of Photography and Digital Imaging.

European Double Degrees

As part of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Master of Engineering program, University of Queensland (UQ) students are offered the exciting opportunity to study overseas with one of UQ’s premier European partners.  Selected students will spend at least three semesters studying in either Italy, Germany, France, or Sweden.  Students will gain an invaluable global perspective, international industry experience and will graduate with two master degrees – one from the partner university and one from The University of Queensland.

Discover more at European Double Degrees.

University Snapshot

Monash University Peninsula Campus

• Monash University’s Peninsula campus specialises in nursing, physiotherapy, paramedicine, occupational therapy, education, and business administration
• There are approximately 4,500 students studying at the Peninsula campus
• The Peninsula campus has a very vibrant campus life and is connected to the Clayton campus through shuttle buses that run between the campuses every day
• There are three faculties offering courses at the Peninsula campus: the Business Faculty, Education Faculty, and the Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Faculty.

Courses offered at the Peninsula campus include:
Business and Economics
Bachelor of Business Administration

Education
Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood and Primary Education
Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Primary Education
Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Primary and Secondary Health and Physical Education
Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Secondary Health and Physical Education

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Bachelor of Nursing *
Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery (Honours)
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Bachelor of Paramedicine
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)

* Also offered at the Clayton Campus

Monash University offers an excellent Diploma of Tertiary Studies (DoTS) pathway program into a few of its undergraduate degrees.  The pathway programs offered at the Peninsula Campus are:

Diploma of Tertiary Studies – Business: Upon successful completion of the DoTS – Business stream students can apply to enter into the second year of the Bachelor of Business Administration (Peninsula) OR the Bachelor of Business (Caulfield) depending upon their mathematics preparation, and their average marks in the DoTS program.

Diploma of Tertiary Studies – Education: Upon successful completion of the DoTS – Education stream students can apply to enter into the second year of the Bachelor of Education (Honours) in several specialisations.

Diploma of Tertiary Studies – Nursing: Upon successful completion of the DoTS – Nursing stream students can apply to enter into the second year of the Bachelor of Nursing.

Browse and learn more about studying at the  Monash University Peninsula Campus

Year 11 Students

2022 National Youth Science Forum (NYSF)

This is a two-week on-site and digital program where students are immersed in hands-on science activities, lab experiments, field trips and meet researchers who are leaders in their field. In-person STEM visit days and events will be held over a week of the program at major city hubs across the country, enabling students to meet each other and network with like-minded peers. The program will be held in January 2023.

Applications close on 14 August 2022. Apply prior to 24 July to receive a discount.

For further details and to apply visit: www.nysf.edu.au

Years 9 to 11 Students

Work Experience with the ADF

The following opportunities with the ADF are now available for participants who are at least 15 years of age at the time of the placement:

• Introduction to Navy, HMAS Cerberus – 13-16 September

Applications close Sunday 31 July at 10:00 pm
Visit Introduction to Navy

• Indigenous Youth Program – RAAF Base East Sale – 26-30 September

Applications close Sunday 31 July at 10:00 pm
Visit Indigenous Youth Program

• Air Force Women in Aviation Program – RAAF Base East Sale – 2-6 October 

Applications close Sunday 7 August at 10:00 pm
Visit Women in Aviation

Work Experience with the AFP

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) offers a work experience program in forensic science at Canberra for students in Years 10 to 12 each year. The applications for 2022 are closed, but current Years 9 to 11 students are encouraged to express their interest in the 2023 program via this link – AFP work experience

What is it like to be an AFP Forensic Scientist?

The AFP is running virtual information sessions for students who would like to learn about careers in forensic science. From fingerprint and facial identification to firearms identification and armoury, the seminar is designed to give students a teaser into what a career in forensic science looks like and hear from current AFP forensic scientists. The next session is running on 2 August.

To register for either or both programs, fill out the expression of interest form via AFP Virtual Session

Focus on Agriculture

Agriculture is not just farming, it is focused on “the entire food chain, managing the environment and minimising the impact of human endeavours on natural resources”.  About 50 per cent of all jobs in the agriculture industry are in capital cities. These jobs include environmental management, research, development, agribusiness and education. Most people in agriculture work full time.
There is also an ongoing demand for agricultural science graduates with economics and management training.

Experts are needed in the areas of:

• Sustainable farming practices
• Land management
• Land conservation
• Climate change practices
• Food security
• Agricultural research and policymaking.

Students can specialise in areas such as:

• Economics
• Marketing
• Animal and plant biotechnology
• Catchment management
• Climate change impacts
• Crop management and production
• Plant and soil science
• Nutrition and feed production
• Sustainable production and consumption
• Water management

Technology is advancing rapidly in agriculture and students are advised to study maths, sciences and business at school. Students who do not want to work ‘on the land’ have many opportunities to work in cities and in offices.

See what courses are on offer at the following institutes;

VICTORIA
La Trobe University, click here
The University of Melbourne, click here
Longerenong College, click here
Marcus Oldham, click here

NSW
Charles Sturt, click here
The University of New England, click here

TASMANIA
The University of Tasmania, click here

For further information on careers in agriculture visit the following websites:
Career Harvest, Career Harvest
Rural Skills Australia – Rural Careers

Defying the Drift Program

This is an amazing two-stage program available to Years 10 and 11 students considering a career in agriculture and related industries.  You will participate in a three-day residential program at Longerenong College near Horsham in September and then present to a Rotary Club about your experience in the program.

Early bird applications close on 31 July and the cost is $250, (or $350 if paid after this date but before 31 August).  Sponsor Rotary Clubs can assist with this fee.
For information and to apply, visit Defying the Drift

Spotlight on Accounting

Accounting Degrees in Victoria in 2022 

Accounting is offered at many universities in Victoria.  It is often offered as a major or minor in a business or commerce degree, but many universities also offer dedicated accounting degrees.
Below is a list of many specific accounting-focused courses offered at Victorian universities.
Visit VTAC for more comprehensive information on these and other courses – including double-degrees – that offer accounting.

Casual Work Opportunities

If you would like to obtain a casual job the best place to start is by asking around.  Make sure you tell as many people as possible that you are looking for work as often employers rely on ‘word of mouth’ to recruit for their positions.  Do you have a resume? If you need help preparing it please come and see me in the Careers office or view the Skills Road or Youth Central sites listed below.  It is also worth looking online, you can view employment opportunities at the following websites:

Warragul opportunities:

Kmart, https://bit.ly/2Y8U2Rd

McDonald’s, https://bit.ly/380Uvtb
Bunnings, https://bit.ly/2LfB2Ls

Flavorite Tomatoes, https://www.flavorite.com.au/careers
KFC, https://bit.ly/33N7mM1
Woolworths, https://bit.ly/2RptgTp

Coles, https://bit.ly/383OETN

Morwell/Traralgon opportunities:

Woolworths, https://bit.ly/2RptgTp

Coles, https://bit.ly/383OETN

Kmart, https://bit.ly/2Y8U2Rd

McDonald’s, https://bit.ly/380Uvtb
Bunnings, https://bit.ly/2LfB2Ls

Sportsgirl, https://bit.ly/2RfT2cC

Hungry Jacks, https://bit.ly/2qkwIU8

Donut King, https://bit.ly/2YbqYIy

Cotton On, https://bit.ly/2LjebPj

Job seeking resources
For excellent job seeking tips and resume/cover letter templates, check out the resources at the following two websites:
Skillsroad, www.skillsroad.com.au
Youth Central, www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au

Rights and responsibilities
Know your rights and responsibilities when starting a new job, www.fairwork.gov.au

Tax File Number (TFN)
If you do not have a TFN, you will need to apply for one via the Australian Tax Office, www.ato.gov.au

Job options
Also, check out job options at the ‘Explore Careers’ website, https://explorecareers.com.au/