Leading in careers education

A key focus of St Margaret’s latest strategic plan is further developing careers and employability programs for students in Years 9 to 12 to help them identify and develop the necessary skills to participate, thrive and lead in a global economy.

To this end, St Margaret’s has introduced a new faculty integrating careers and learning support called ‘Student Futures and Pathways’. Naomi Holley, former Director of Careers and Portfolio Pathways at St Margaret’s for the past three years, was appointed as Head of Faculty and Stephanie Cowie, former Acting Head of Learning Enhancement, was appointed as Assistant Head of Faculty. The Career Industry Council of Australia stated that: ‘Australia is approaching the biggest intergenerational employment transition ever and what is needed for students about to commence further study or work, in addition to the world’s best education, is the world’s best careers advice.’

Ms Holley said: ‘The new faculty strengthens the relationship between student pathways and futures, including employability programs for students. In Term 4 last year, we introduced a careers education program for our Year 7 students, which is delivered in the Science of Learning lessons each week, and we intend to expand this program to Years 8 and 9 within form class and academic advising lessons. ‘The introduction of a careers education program will capitalise on our already excellent Year 10 Careers Program which includes our Career Avenues Profiling, Broadening Horizons Conference and our SET Plan interviews.’

SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK

New research indicates that young people will need a portfolio of ‘portable’ skills and capabilities to navigate the world of work. The Foundation for Young Australians, in a 2016 New Work Mindset report, identified seven job clusters to assist young people in navigating the world of work. These clusters group occupations that involve similar skills, day to day tasks and work environments. In response to this, St Margaret’s has introduced several new certificates for the Year 10 cohort in 2022. These include Certificate II Sport and Recreation, Certificate II in Health Support Services, Certificate II in Community Service and Certificate II in Hospitality. Completion of a certificate II will provide each participant with four QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education) points. Ms Holley said: ‘These courses have been specifically chosen to ‘skill up’ our Year 10s for the future of work. We see the provision of these entry level certificates providing our students with skills and capabilities that are portable and in demand, equipping them for the future of work more effectively. Research shows that we have a more dynamic future of work ahead of us where linear careers will be far less common and where young people will need a portfolio of skills and capabilities. These qualifications fit the brief perfectly.’

NURTURING THE NEXT GENERATION OF GRAZIERS

Broadening HORIZONS

CONFERENCE

AYWNAYWNAspiring Young Women’s Network

Throughout St Margaret’s history, the school has educated the daughters of rural and regional families across Queensland, NSW, the Northern Territory and even Western Australia. To meet the need for these students to develop the skills necessary to one day return to work on their family farms, St Margaret’s has also introduced a Certificate II in Rural Operations for Year 10 students. Students will spend one afternoon a week on theoretical studies with practical work to be completed on weekends on nearby properties.

BEYOND the Panama

LINKING THE WORLD OF SCHOOL WITH THE WORLD OF WORK

The annual Broadening Horizons Conference for Year 10s is a key component of the new faculty’s remit. This year will be the fourth year of the conference, which has continually expanded and evolved, assisting students to make informed decisions about their study and work options beyond school. Naomi said the conference ensures students are well prepared for life beyond school. ‘We want to model for students the variety of career pathways and opportunities by hearing from a range of experts, recent school leavers and tertiary institutions to raise their aspirations, broaden their horizons and highlight the changing nature of work and its impact on Australians.’ The conference is positioned within the Year 10 curriculum to intentionally inform students about future opportunities in preparation for their senior subject selection. It also supports the Careers Program which is designed to assist and encourage students to engage in lifelong learning and make connections from the classroom to life.

The program consists of keynote speaker presentations, smaller presentations from industry, and a Careers Expo where students have the opportunity to engage with tertiary organisations about available courses and career pathways.

INSPIRING ASPIRATIONS

A new innovation that will enhance the school’s careers and employability program is the introduction of the Aspiring Young Women’s Network Breakfasts series with the first event to be held this year. St Margaret’s Head of Faculty Student Futures and Pathways Naomi Holley said: ‘We want to develop students’ awareness of the variety of career pathways and opportunities by giving them the chance to hear firsthand from alumni who have recently transitioned to university or their chosen career.

‘The Aspiring Young Women’s Network events will profile female role models across a range of industries and provide study and career insights to inform, inspire and provide ideas to our students for their own futures.

‘The events will also provide a platform to initiate connections between our students and industry, opening doors to work experience placements, internships and mentoring opportunities. ‘We have an incredible community of Old Girls who are so willing to support our current generation of St Margaret’s students by helping them to make informed decisions about their futures and giving them a head start,’ Naomi said.

The events will cater to students in Years 9 and 10 who are preparing for their senior subject selection and students in Years 11 and 12 considering their tertiary pathways and future opportunities.

FINANCIAL FUTURES

St Margaret’s recognises that students need to be armed with a lot more than an ATAR score for life beyond the school gates. Successful ‘adulting’ also requires financial literacy. From applying for a tax file number and money management skills, including opening a bank account, to superannuation, tips on renting and how to vote, the Beyond the Panama program aims to provide students in Years 10 to 12 with a breadth of practical knowledge and important life skills. St Margaret’s secondary teacher Hetal Raniga spearheaded the Beyond the Panama program in 2021 and Ysabella Dawson is taking up the reins in 2022.

Financial literacy is a big part of the program because this is an area where there is a gap in the girls’ knowledge. It is an opportunity to teach our students the importance of managing their finances so that they can be independent young women in control of their lives.

Delving into financial literacy at a young age ensures that, by the time our students enter the workforce and start earning, they are equipped with the knowledge and capability to manage their finances with confidence. The program is delivered for three years, commencing in Year 10, and progressively builds on each topic. The response from the students has been positive, recognising what they are learning now will help them later in life. ‘I have found Beyond the Panama to be really rewarding in learning basic life skills needed outside of school. It is an especially helpful program to ensure confidence in my abilities to be selfsufficient beyond school,’ said Year 12 student Mary Kinross. 2021 Old Girl Harriet CouchmanFrame said: ‘Beyond the Panama is a very resourceful program which taught me a lot about financial planning. I enjoyed practising making budgets and learning about writing resumes, and how to cut down on costs when I am older. The skills I learnt in this program will set me up to be proficient in managing my finances when I leave school.’

Amelia McDonald, also a 2021 alumni, said: Beyond the Panama was an insightful opportunity to be granted at school. It definitely highlighted the importance of budgeting and dealing with income in a responsible way, as well as the savvy tips for writing a resume which will be key to successfully adjusting to life beyond the St Margaret’s gates. The topics covered also include interview tips, how to create budgets and financial goals, bank accounts and credit cards, tax, superannuation, nutrition, effective communication, consumer rights, establishing financial goals and mindfulness. The program is delivered by a combination of St Margaret’s teaching staff and real-world experts brought in to share their knowledge and industry expertise. For Year 10 students, the program is run fortnightly during lunchtimes, while Years 11 and 12 students engage in these sessions as part of their Pastoral Care Program.