THE LAKES COLLEGE

SECONDARY SCHOOL

Our specialist Secondary years’

learning programs aim to engage

each student in learning while

challenging them to grow.

Students have the opportunity

to experience a wide range of

subjects that will equip them

with the knowledge needed to

succeed in life beyond the

classroom. To support our

students, our vertical house

based system of pastoral care

focuses on mutual respect,

whilst equipping students with

the right life and inter-personal

skills to enable them to grow as

individuals within our

Christian community.

WELCOME TO THE LAKES COLLEGE

PATHWAYS AND CAREERS PROGRAM

The aim of our Careers program is to provide students with the practical skills

and latest information to assist our students to make decisions about their

future career and life beyond school.

CAREERS EXPO: YEAR 9 - 12 The Lakes College hosts an annual Careers Expo for Year 9-12 students. The Expo consists

of over 14 organisations who answer questions and provide further insight to our students

on the variety of post-school pathways available. Organisations who attend include:

Universities, Police, Defence Force, Gap year organisations, TAFE, Apprenticeship

companies and Colleges.

CAREERS CLASSES: YEAR 10 - 12 Students in Years 10-12 do one careers class a week. Each year level has a program targeted at what is most beneficial to that cohort. Guest lecturers, speakers and companies assist in running the program alongside passionate staff members.

Year 10 classes includes topics such as resumes, cover letters, personality profiling, job interview preparation, set planning, identity, work experience and subject selection.

Year 11 students explore topics including study skills, life after school, leadership profiling, future options, goal setting, driving skills, taxes and career mapping.

Year 12 Careers lessons gives students time to learn about moving out of home, important life skills and finishing school strong, tertiary applications, scholarships, gap years, budgeting and leadership.

WORK EXPERIENCE - YEAR 10 All students in Year 10 are provided an opportunity to do one week of work experience in

Semester 1. Students experience what a full week in their chosen profession would

encompass prior to choosing their senior subjects. Some of the careers students have

experienced include nursing, engineering, dentistry, law, teaching and aircraft

maintenance.

PATHWAYS AND CAREERS PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY AND OCCUPATION

EXPERIENCES

University experience days are a key part of the Pathways program at The Lakes College. All students are provided an opportunity to visit a University campus and take part in workshops prior to choosing their senior subject pathway.

In addition to Year 10 Work Experience, Senior students are provided opportunities to complete three and five day experiences in their chosen field.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES The Lakes College Pathways program is always searching for additional ways to prepare

students for life beyond school. We offer students the chance to gain their first aid

certificate and RSA certificate.

Guest workshops and speeches are presented by Red Frogs, QTAC, University

representatives, our College Alumni and more to give students a great variety of voices and

options for the future.

INDIVIDUALISED PATHWAYS MEETINGS Preparing for the future is an individualised journey and we aim to make it as personal as possible. At any time in the Secondary School, students and families can book meetings with the Head of Pathways or VET Coordinator. Twice in Years 11 and 12 these meetings are organised for all students to ensure they are supported in their journey:

Year 9 and 10: Set Planning – A student, their parents/guardians and one teacher meet to help the student choose their subjects and plan for senior schooling. This is a two-stage process beginning in Year 9. Subject offerings in Year 10 match what is offered in Year 11 and 12 to better prepare students for Senior study.

Year 12: Future Meetings – Each Year 12 student has a 20-minute individual meeting with the Head of Pathways to apply for tertiary education, scholarships, apprenticeships, gap years or work.

PREPARING OUR STUDENTS FOR ATAR

A significant challenge for our students is the transition from the previous system of tertiary entrance (the OP System), to the new Senior Assessment and Tertiary Entrance System (SATE, otherwise known as the ATAR). Where students previously sat assessment that was set internally by schools, based on work programs developed by schools, and within each school’s own timeframe, students are sitting assessment set external to schools. this means the breadth of content and skills required has increased, and places greater pressure an students, teachers and schools to prepare.

At The Lakes College, a number of significant steps have been taken since 2015 to ensure our students are effectively prepared for this new system. Some steps taken include:

• A redesign of subject offerings and lines to reflect the increased preparation and new subject offerings in the ATAR System. This includes changing subject lines and offerings in Year 10, to mirror Years 11 and 12. This has enabled teachers to use Year 10 as preparation to Senior, teaching the same skills and content covered in Years 11 and 12.

• Backward mapping of the skills, content and modes of assessment used in the new system to Year 7. This includes tracking the teaching and assessing of specific skills taught in the new system, across all subject areas.

• The introduction of the ‘ACE Program’ in Years 11 and 12, as means of providing dedicated curriculum time to ATAR preparation and supporting student wellbeing and learning. The program is delivered two lessons per week and is a combination of:

• Formative and summative ATAR assessment

• Subject tutorials

• Effective study skills and techniques tutorials

• Advice on effective time management and organisational skills

• Resilience building workshops

• Sessions that support student wellbeing

• Guest speakers on subject matter relevant to the student journey

• A review of how our students revise, study, complete homework and assessment, receive feedback and are tracked/monitored to ensure they are effectively prepared for the new system.

• A review of our current system of pastoral care, focussing on student wellbeing. This new program is underpinned by the principles of Positive Psychology and Social and Emotional Learning. With research indicating a strong link between academic performance and student wellbeing, and the increased degree of anxiety attached to the new system, a strong focus on student wellbeing is critical.

ALTERNATE PATHWAYS

The Lakes College has partnerships with a number of Vocational Education and Training providers to enable students to pursue a variety of post-school options and careers. Some of the courses are delivered in school, while other courses are studied externally. Students are supported by teaching staff through the completion of their chosen courses.

Courses currently studied internally include:

• Certificate III in Fitness • Certificate III in Business • Certificate II, III and IV in Dance • Certificate II in Furnishing Pathways

The College has the flexibility to support a range of other course options, depending on student needs.

In addition to the certificates offered, the College also supports students to study external certificates where it is appropriate for the student and is able to be managed in conjunction with the student’s other school subjects.

Primarily this has been achieved through the TAFE@School program where students attend classes at TAFE one day per week and attend regular school classes the rest of the week.

For example a Year 11 student may choose 5 school subjects (students are to select 6 subjects) and select a TAFE@School option for their 6th subject. This means that the student will be timetabled on 5 school subjects and in place of their 6th subject their timetable will show they have study classes. Students will be able to access their teachers as support for their study line.

Although this arrangement allows students to study a wider variety of certificate subjects, it is highly recommended that students and families seek personal advice from the VET Coordinator and their in school Academic Mentor prior to committing to this pathway.

MUSIC IN SECONDARY

Senior Music at The Lakes College is a vibrant and engaging program based around the three areas of Classroom, Tuition and Ensembles.

From Year 7, classroom Music is taken as an elective. The Music Elective program is genre based (styles of music), and students will make music (composition and performance) and actively respond to their developing artwork and the artworks of others by drawing on the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired through their experiences in making music.

The Lakes College Music Studio provides high quality tuition to students across a range of instruments and genres, including Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, Piano, Guitar and Vocal. Our exceptional specialist staff work with students and families to establish goals and pathways for students including AMEB Examination, curriculum Music & Music Extension, and Tertiary study, as well as those who just enjoy making music! Private tuition is offered for all instrument areas, with group tuition offered in Strings, Brass, Woodwind and Percussion. We recommend private lessons for students who are interested in AMEB examinations, Secondary Music pathways (e.g. Music as an elective and Music Extension in Year 12) through to Tertiary music study. Group Tuition offers high quality tuition to students in all year levels, but with the addition of social and cooperative learning. Although AMEB examination is not recommended through this path it is still possible to progress through these levels and syllabi.

STUDENT WELLBEING

Student wellbeing at The Lakes College is researched based and integrated into all aspects of college life: pastoral care, teaching and learning, and connection and belonging within the community, to support students to find their north for a flourishing future. Students are nurtured through their individual character strengths and encouraged to lead with their virtues, and to respect other students’ and staff unique strengths. Wellbeing at the College has been explored through the lens of the World Health Organization (2014) and their definition of mental health as the ‘state of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution….’ to their community.

The Lakes College

College Street North Lakes QLD 4509

PO Box 888 North Lakes QLD 4509

P 07 3491 5555 | F 07 3491 5599 | E info@thelakes.qld.edu.au

www.thelakescollege.com.au