Senior School

Supporting the value creators of the future

We know we are preparing students for their work future but we don’t know what that future will look like.

What we do know is that today’s students will need a set of characteristics, or soft skills, coupled with authentic experiences where they apply these characteristics in readiness for their world of work in five, 10, or 20 years’ time. Lauriston’s thought leadership eBook, Preparing Students for the Future Workplace, outlines these characteristics and presents some of the research underpinning ideas about what the future world of work might demand of today’s students.

The Year 10 Career Readiness program started in response to the sudden closure of the traditional Year 10 Work Experience program in 2020, due to the pandemic. Career Readiness is a three-day conference-style program, bringing together a keynote speaker drawn from our rich alumnae base, recent Lauriston graduates from a range of professions and providing workshops on interview skills and resume writing. As health restrictions have eased, more workplaces are re-opening their doors to school age work experience students and these opportunities are advertised to students throughout the year. We may not return to the old model of a fixed work experience week but instead continue to offer opportunities as they arise, for interested students to take up as and when appropriate. The new Work Shadowing program launched in collaboration with the Lauriston Parents’ Association (LPA), adds yet more depth and richness to the Future Pathways program.

The decision to pursue IB or VCE in Years 11 and 12 is also a major focus in the second half of Year 10. The Year 10 Allwell and Morrisby tests are two tools used to help students and their parents understand students’ strengths and interest areas, and to provide some direction as to tertiary pathways and career directions. The Year 10 subject elective programs ensure all students have ample opportunity to try a range of different subjects before making their Year 11 and Year 12 choices. Students consider prerequisites for their tertiary preferences along with their own interests and strengths when making subject choices.

Year 11 is an important year for completing some thorough research on career options, so that students can make informed decisions about their future. Students are encouraged to make use of the university Open Days to visit the campuses where they may decide to study and talk to current students and course advisors about subjects, courses and university life. Lauriston students apply to universities in Victoria, interstate and overseas, so making use of resources available to research thoroughly is essential.

By Year 12, decision making should be conducted early in the year to ensure that courses chosen are suitable and all options have been considered. This is a busy year for preparing for tertiary education, but other options are also available. Not all our Year 12 graduates will proceed straight to tertiary study, so exploring options such as work and travel is important in this final year of secondary schooling.

Anne Wallington Deputy Principal, Head of Senior School