Students can gain future ready skills training at Sydney Catholic College Southern Cross, in readiness for the jobs of tomorrow. And they needn’t wait till school has ended to land that dream job!
On the tools: Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood students learning trade skills.
Whether your child is looking to ply a trade, tread the boards – or both – Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood provides pathways for students to get a foot in the door of their dream job before they graduate.
Holly Fawcett-Powles, the Head of Innovation and Enterprise at the College, said Southern Cross provides practical hands-on career pathways to full-time and part-time students from Years 9 to 12 in:
- Business and Finance: Business Services; Information and Digital Technology; and Retail Services.
- Community and Services: Baking; Beauty Services; Early Childhood Education and Care; Education Support; Hairdressing (Salon Assistant); Human Services (Allied Health); Human Services (Acute Care); and Hospitality.
- Creative Industries: Community Dance, Theatre and Events; Entertainment Industry; Events; Music Industry; and Screen and Media.
- Technical Trades: Automotive; Construction (Pathways); and Furniture Making.
How are students prepared for the workforce?
Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood has forged partnerships with enterprise teams to provide pathways for further education and employment for all its students.
Caitlin Hardiman is currently studying a Certificate III in Education Support. Photo: David Swift
“Work placement is a key aspect of the training packages for each industry, supported by the Partnerships Team within Southern Cross Catholic College,” Ms Fawcett-Powles said.
“Students are able to build real skills to industry standards whilst fast-tracking their training into a career, working directly within the industry of their choice and earning at the same time.”
Students also have access to state-of-the art facilities and industry specific equipment and tools to succeed.
The green room at Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood.
“Students undertaking an Innovation and Enterprise pathway have access to purpose built trade workshops in Construction, Automotive and Furnishing,” Ms Fawcett-Powles said.
The College boasts a fully equipped health services room and salons for Beauty and Hairdressing students, along with hospitality and baking facilities.
Students specialising in the Performing Arts can utilise a recently upgraded dance studio, 400-seat auditorium, dedicated recording studio and control room, green screen room, music and drama rooms. All the programs are led by industry experts.
Innovation and Enterprise
Ms Fawcett-Powles said the College’s Innovation and Enterprise pathway has a special focus on employability through a wide range of career pathways, traineeships and apprenticeships.
Macey Dangar is completing a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Assisting in nursing work in acute care). Photo David Swift
Students are offered the opportunity to complete their HSC along with dual nationally accredited Certificates II or III, in addition to completing the first stage of an apprenticeship or full traineeship by the end of Year 12.
“The combination of flexible campus-based and work-integrated learning opportunities affords students dedicated time to apply their learning in the workplace, either through their apprenticeship or traineeship. Or through their part-time work,” Ms Fawcett-Powles said.
The majority of career pathways address labour market insights identified by the National Skills Commission in shaping Australia’s future workforce.
“Employability skills gained within each industry are transferable across career pathways” – Holly Fawcett-Powles
Start your journey to stardom
“The Performing Arts stream provides a specialist pathway for gifted and talented students with experience in, and a passion for, the performing arts in Music, Dance and Drama,” said the Head of Performing Arts at the College, Luke Collins.
Sebastian Youseff is following a Performing Arts ATAR pathway. Photo: David Swift
Prospective Performing Arts students are required to attend an audition on-site as part of the enrolment process.
For their audition, students may select one performance discipline from the following:
- Dance (Classical or Contemporary)
- Drama, Music – Instrumental (Classical or Contemporary)
- Music – Voice (Classical or Contemporary)
- Music Theatre (Singing, Dancing and Acting).
The College also offers three creative and performing arts elective courses for students in Years 9 and 10 in Dance, Drama and Music.
“This provides students with a Music Theatres pathway, in addition to national qualifications in Certificate III in Music Industry, Certificate III in Screen and Media, and Certificate III in Entertainment Industry,” Mr Collins said.
WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAYING
Choosing a trade
Studying at Southern Cross has allowed Year 12 student Demetrius Thalasselis to hedge his career bets, and he couldn’t be happier with the way it’s all panning out for him.
Demetrius Thalasselis is following an industry pathway in three areas. Photo: David Swift
Demetrius is currently following an industry pathway in not one but three areas. He is studying for a Certificate II in Construction, Baking and Hospitality.
“My dad is a painter and I like to eat,” Demetrius said by way of explanation, tongue firmly planted in cheek.
He then added that “Hospo” (what he calls Hospitality) allowed him the freedom to “be in my own zone, listen to music and dance a bit, and let my food do the talking.”
Click here to read more about the industry pathways at Southern Cross.
“Work placement is a key aspect of the training packages for each industry, supported by the Partnerships team within Southern Cross Catholic College. Students gain practical experience and build their industry knowledge whilst out with an employer during this time” – Holly Fawcett-Powles
Treading the boards
Southern Cross alumna and current National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) student, Siena Head, says the College was instrumental in helping her strive for excellence.
Siena completed her Certificate III in Live Production, Certificate III Tourism, Travel AND Events and Certificate III Screen Media all while still in school. She is now studying Live Production at NIDA.
“The training and hands-on experience allowed me to find my passion and, through that, I managed to get into NIDA which wouldn’t have been possible without Southern Cross” – Siena Head
“The facilities at Southern Cross were outstanding and are exactly as you would see and expect in the real workplace,” Siena added.
“Being at NIDA, you can see that Southern Cross’ facilities are of an industry standard.”
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Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood is now accepting enrolments for 2023. Click here to ignite your child’s passion.
