Beyond Sacred Heart is a program designed to, in some ways, further prepare students for the future. This year is the tenth time this program has been conducted and will cover a range of activities, culminating in the mock interviews on Friday. A range of different guests and activities were arranged and students completed their resumes and cover letters for the mock interviews.

Monday

On Monday, Susie Alderman, a former student and School Captain the first year we ran the program, joined us virtually from Darwin to discuss her journey since her time at Sacred Heart. Her key messages were to look for opportunities and to try your best when given the chance. She is currently working for the Charles Darwin University in communications, dealing with International students and doing part time work for the ABC. Susie also emphasised to look at the positives rather than dwell on the negative. We then developed cover letters and resumes for their interviews on Friday. 

Later in the day Mrs Leanne Parkman, the Stage Six Career Coordinator from Hennessy Catholic College, presented information regarding her role and the numerous pathways for future careers. The information covered subject selection, University admissions, and scholarships, Traineeships, Apprenticeships and other opportunities for further studies and employment.

Tuesday

On Tuesday morning, the students enjoyed a shared breakfast at school with beverages from E-Claire’s coffee shop from 8:30 am. 

The girls then walked to Jak+Jill’s and the boys visited Deep’s Clothing, to gain information on appropriate attire to wear to a job interview. Thank you to Deeps, Jamie Hall, and Tracey Ewings for their insight. 

Chris Ryan from Flemings Real Estate, joined us virtually, to present information on renting accommodation, paying bonds, and the legalities involved. The remainder of the day consisted of completing the paperwork required for their interviews - cover letters, resumes, CV’s and work sample presentations.

Wednesday

Another ex-student and School Captain, Ryan Connell, volunteered his time to join us virtually from Canberra. Ryan spoke of his journey from Year 10, not knowing really what he wanted to do, until his work experience opportunities helped him decide the pathway he wanted to take for his career. He has now worked with elite athletes and the Canberra Raiders for 5-6 years as an Exercise Physiologist as he completed his degree. He continues to work with the Raiders as well as for a private practice and his own practice in Canberra. The messages students gained were:

• Be prepared to start at the bottom and that it may be a slow process to get to the top of your career
• Make your own opportunities and don't give up
• Do what you love and make a career out of it
• Be flexible and have a back-up plan
• And that there are many different and indirect ways to get to the career you want and love

Matt Holt, from the Westpac Bank presented a talk on financial matters including traps with credit cards, how to apply for loans, issues around defaulting and how to manage bank accounts.

Tom McDevitt, the Rural Fire Service Chief, presented excellent information on skills for interviews. Tom has volunteered his time as a panelist for us, for many years and enjoyed a new way to contribute to the program.

The next session was on interview skills including body language and response techniques. Students were given the opportunity to research their chosen careers and prepare some responses for general interview questions. 

Mrs Deb Tiernan then advised the students on grooming, make-ups tips and presentation for an interview. Students then modelled their interview attire, and visited classrooms, wowing their younger cohorts. They all looked very professional. Thank you, Deb, for your expertise.

Thursday

On Thursday, John Murray presented a session on basic routine mechanical tasks associated with driving. It involved checking fluid levels, tyre conditions, how to change a tyre, attaching a trailer, checking lights and fuses, and securely tying a load onto a trailer. Each student completed a checklist of tasks.

Then a food challenge was held, in which students prepared and cooked their lunch on a budget. The students were in groups of three or four and were limited to $5.00 per person. The meals produced were very nutritious and smelt amazing.

After recess, areas around the school were prepared and set up for the interviews.

Friday

The week concluded with all students attending mock interviews. For the second year, we had to conduct the mock interviews via video conferencing. Thank you to Lora Bance and Nick Nell from the Canberra Catholic Education Office, for their guidance and efforts to assist with setting this up. We all know a great deal more about the inner workings of Teams meetings and breakout rooms.

The panel career areas and personnel are sourced after the students select the areas they are interested in. We then put together the panels based on the best fit for the students. This year the focus areas covered by the panels included Agriculture, Business, Design, Education, Health - Nursing, Health - Science, Law, Sport, and three Trades panels for Electricians, Engineers, and Mechanics. Our list of possible community members willing and able to assist has reached 200.

Thank you to Ms McGylnn, Mrs Williams and Mrs Deep for being the interview receptionists and grading the students on their presentation and manners.

After the pressure of the morning, we wound down with a hot chip lunch. The usual game of volleyball between the staff and the students had to be postponed due to the wet weather. This will be held next week when once again the staff will remain as champions.

We would like to thank all the community members and staff that were involved in making the program so successful and the students for treating the experience as a lifelong and valuable learning opportunity.

Good luck to Year 10 for your future endeavours and life Beyond Sacred Heart.