Our school empowers students to organise themselves for daily school life by giving them the tools they need to succeed. Students are able to become independent, confident learners, which sets them up to navigate the complexity and challenges of the modern world.

Holy Spirit Catholic College’s Career Education assumes a dynamic role in the holistic development of our students. 

The College encourages students to think flexibly and creatively about potential pathways post-school, and to make informed decisions about career and tertiary education opportunities. 

With the leadership and guidance of our Careers and Pathway Co-ordinator, Mrs Kirk, who is responsible for facilitating the school to workplace, tertiary education, and post-school experiences transition, Holy Spirit keeps our students informed about the changing work landscape and the variety of opportunities available and suitable for them, as a result.

We encourage all Year 9-12 students to seek support from our Careers and Pathway Co-ordinator in their post-school decision making process by making formal (or informal) appointments to discuss their personal career goals and how the College may help them plan their post-school future. 

Year 10 Subject Selection

All students in Year 10 are interviewed by a panel of experienced teachers to help with proposed subject selection for Years 11 and 12. This is important as it ensures that decisions for senior study are made with consideration of subject strengths and the career-aspirations a student may have. 

All Year 10 students are encouraged to participate in the Career Exploration Program which assesses career interests and educational skills, provides career education, and develops guided, research-based, career and educational profiles.

For more information about the Year 10 Career Exploration Program, please visit Academic Assessment Services. 

With the growing need to facilitate the very best practice for our students, our careers program has a student-first focus in which the individual needs of students are fully embraced. 

At Holy Spirit, more students in Years 10,11, and 12 are investigating alternative pathways such as school based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBAT). This allows students to commence an apprenticeship or complete a traineeship whilst at school. SBATs may combine paid work, training and schooling that incorporates an industry recognised national qualification and credit towards your HSC. Some apprenticeships and traineeships can also contribute toward the ATAR. 

Holy Spirit Catholic College also organises a variety of career-based opportunities to allow our students to contemplate their personal interests and its place within the changing work landscape. These include: 

  • Careers counselling sessions to aid students in the research and decision making processes by offering advice and support for submitting applications to universities, private colleges, TAFE, cadetships, and scholarships.
  • Year 12 students can receive help with post-secondary education applications including scholarships and advice on applying to UAC with their preferences for tertiary courses prior to leaving school at the end of Term 3, and before the commencement of the HSC Exams.
  • Voluntary work experience opportunities. 
  • Incursion and Excursions e.g. Girls in Trade, Dress for Success, PCYC, White Card Courses. 
  • Lunchtime sessions with guest speakers including local ambassadors from various universities and other institutions. 
  • Mentorship opportunities with ex-students. 

Access to the careers newsletter and exceptional careers resources via our College careers website Holy Spirit Careers including; 

  • UAC guides
  • overseas university study advice
  • information on gap year programs
  • apprenticeships
  • and traineeships pathways.

Mrs Louise Kirk

Email: louise.kirk@syd.catholic.edu.au
Phone: (02) 9740 8099

39 Croydon Street
Lakemba NSW 2195

We held our Inaugural careers Enrichment Day ‘Igniting Paths, Empowering Futures’ for our Years 10, 11 and 12 students. 
 
With over 40 stalls, our students were able to discuss many different post school options. Stalls included Qantas, John Holland group, TAFE and all Universities were represented. 

We also had two amazing speakers on the day: Mark Bouris and Diane Khoury.

Diane Khoury, globally renowned Wedding and Event Planner, and former Holy Spirit alumni also shared her journey by starting with “you never forget where you started, you never forget your roots,” and expressed gratitude to the College for giving her solid foundations for her pathway, having initially pursued a career in the accounting sector for nine years with multiple university qualifications; before finding her true passion, creating magical moments in time for her clients, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Mark Bouris, one of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs, and also Holy Spirit (formerly St John’s) alumni last stepped into Holy Spirit fifty-three years ago.  Mark focused on students being the best version of themselves, not to measure success against someone else, to be authentic, and to always be curious.  Mark’s curiosity led him to pursue equalising the mortgage market, by becoming a non-bank lender. He witnessed his migrant parent’s struggle with banks, and he wanted to create an ecosystem where people did not get beaten up by the banking system.