Pathways
Helping young people to learn about, and make decisions for, a productive and successful future is a key part of learning at Servite College.
With most young people likely to be employed in careers that don’t currently exist, to have multiple career paths in their working lives, and to live and work internationally, careers education that encourages students to learn about themselves and their passions is crucial.
Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 develop a genuine sense of navigating their own learning journey through independent learning projects, regular self-awareness and reflection activities, and leading their assessment and reporting.
As students mature and begin to consider subject selection, further study and career pathways, the confidence, independence and self-motivation they have developed is harnessed to help them make well-informed decisions.
In Year 9 students participate in rigid testing that identifies their strengths and matches them with a number of career pathways which they investigate.
In Year 10 targeted careers education empowers students with the skills to begin choosing their WACE program. Students gain broader career planning skills such as resume writing and interview preparation.
All our students create an electronic careers portfolio including a resume in a web page format which they are then able to add to and adapt as they progress through the College.
Choosing Pathways
Personal learning styles, passions and strengths start to align with subject selection and pathway conversations to inform subject choices and future plans. Through the Careers Expo, careers assessment programs, subject interviews and counselling, students are often excited and challenged by the decisions they are making.
Students are able to choose either a General or ATAR pathway and we guide and support them through this process, helping them identify where they will achieve success.
In 2018 Servite became the first Catholic College to deliver a fast track course into university, partnering with Murdoch University to launch an ATAR-alternative enabling program, Murdoch FlexiTrack. In 2019, Servite was invited to become one of the first schools in WA to offer the Curtin UniReady enabling program. More information about Uni MyWay is available here.
Many of our students access university through a hybrid pathway. Some choose to study a mix of ATAR and General subjects, others through externally offered Certificate IV courses which provide direct pathways to selected universities.
We offer a wide variety of Certificates at the College, tapping into our students’ interests and the skills that employers have identified as important for the current economic climate. These Certificates are mapped to Australian competencies and are recognised Australia wide.
Futures Planning
In Year 11 the focus is on reflection and review, and in some instances, change. Students, now immersed in their WACE, are focused on their futures. Some have strong ideas about their path, where others choose a broader selection of subjects to give them flexibility and a wide variety of skills. During this intense period, students are supported to make decisions based on their reflection, goals and what they enjoy. They are encouraged to understand that the learning and research process is a key skill they will need in their future, and that while specific subject choices are important, they are not the only learning that is valued.
The final year of school is critical in futures planning. In Year 12 students are again supported and encouraged to explore their options and to be excited about the huge range of possibilities on offer. Regular interviews and counselling throughout the year assist students to have clear plans in place, and to look at their options objectively and realistically. We have a number of check points where we meet with the students in a mentor role to check their progress and ensure that they are achieving their potential.
Family Support
Families play a key role in our futures education program. Parents and guardians assist their children to navigate their futures through regular meetings with their children and staff, and by participating in careers and further study events.
The essence of futures education at Servite is to prepare young people for a successful future in which they can make a contribution to the community, and live a happy and productive life.