Kiara and Kylah with guest Tegan Italiano from Bespoke Skin & Beauty.
Year 9 students had the opportunity to network with a variety of industry personnel at the Year 9 Professional Lunch on Thursday, 5 November. Guest speakers were invited to provide insights into different career pathways and students were able to ask lots of questions in relation to the industries that the guests represented.
The event started of with two very different keynote speakers, who both were able to give the students valuable insight into the 'work of work'.
Mr Braden Lang, representing the Construction Training Fund, talked about how you can go from a challenging Year 12, move into a trade and further your career in business and training in a later stage of your life. Braden is currently completing studies in Law, at the age of 35.
Braden also congratulated six of Our Lady of Mercy College students who were awarded a scholarship through the Construction Training Fund. These scholarships will allow students to study a construction and plumbing pathway in Year 11 and 12. They attend training at Bunbury Regional Trade Training Centre as external students. This is all possible whilst attending Our Lady of Mercy College.
This then provides an opportunity for students to commence apprenticeships after they have finished their studies at the College.
Mr Dale Briers and Mr Braden Lang congratulating the Scholarship winners, Albie Barnden, Samuel Tucker, Liam Chambers, Daniel Doran, Taj Sims and Kane Italiano.
The second speaker of the day, Ms Gillian Johnson, was able to highlight that we are all a ‘work in progress’ and need to seize every opportunity that are presented. It was fascinating to hear about her journey through life and all the turns it has taken with career, sport and adventure, as well as dealing with injury setbacks.
Ms Gillian Johnson inspiring the Year 9 students by explaining that we are all a 'Work in Progress'.
The Year 9 students presented themselves as respectful young adults and joined presenters, guests and staff for lunch. Thank you to Mr Briers and Mrs Wilson, of our Career Services Department, for setting up this great event with such a range of interesting guests.
A very clear message came out of this day: ‘You are in control of your choices – make great ones and look for opportunities that may come your way’.
Mrs Louise Branson – Head of Year 9
Thank you to the following guests for offering their time to attend the lunch:
Allan Pastega and Edward Hutton from the Department of Water & Environmental Regulation
Fiona Young from Young & Young Lawyers
Ken Hart from St John Ambulance Australia
Nimisha Baird from MSWA We Know Neuro
Julianne Hill from GRDC’s Grower Network
Gilly Johnson from the Blue Poppy Group
Greg Relph from GR Electrical
Cristy Hazelman from Defence Force Recruiting
Paul Williams from Australind Police
Tegan Italiano from Bespoke Skin & Beauty
Braden Lang from Construction Training Fund
Craig Lyons from The Townhouse
Antonio Madaffari from South 32
Jan Tierney from the Dolphin Discovery Centre
Wayne Vitali from Seven West Media (WA)