Pathways

At Emmaus Christian College, we believe each child is uniquely gifted and may pursue many learning and career opportunities over their lifetime. We aim to support each Senior student with opportunities to explore career pathways while providing support, information and guidance. Career Pathway Planning is an important component of the Senior School curriculum. We have dedicated staff members who specialise in career pathway planning.

The Pathway Planning Curriculum combines the traditional elements of the Careers and Bible curriculum and includes other holistic matters relevant to students as they journey through their schooling. Overall, this course makes a unique contribution to the development of students and complements the academic and vocationally orientated curriculum by focusing on students’ personal development and on how their schooling, their faith and their extra-curricular activities relate to their future and life after school. It aims to provide opportunities for students to maintain, reinforce and develop skills, attitudes and behaviours that will allow them to enhance their personal wellbeing and grow in their faith and knowledge of God’s will and direction in their lives.

Emmaus partners with tertiary and industry professionals to provide students with opportunities to explore the wider professional world at home in Adelaide and abroad. Events such as Pathway Planning events, University Tours, presentations from industry experts and career counselling opportunities support students as they move through their choices at Emmaus and beyond. Emmaus also has a long history of excellence in the VET pathway, with a dedicated VET coordinator to support students' transition to the training workforce.

As a part of the careers curriculum, specifically the Wellbeing and Pathways curriculum all Year 10 students are required to undertake three days of work experience with an employer of choice. Students are encouraged to seek a placement that will give them insight into possible career directions. In subsequent years, students may like the opportunity to do further placements. This is highly encouraged as a valuable tool for career exploration.

Through work experience students gain an understanding of the nature of work and hopefully, insight into vocations of interest. After work experience, some students are inspired to follow specific career directions and others may have decided on careers they are now not interested in. Either is a good learning experience. Many students also find increased motivation for their academic work when they begin to identify future directions.

The Wellbeing & Pathways teachers assist students with: organising placements, reflecting on their experience and oversee work experience placements. Students are assessed by their host employer with reference to their attitude, work ethic and application throughout the placement.

In early Term 3, Year 9-11 students and their parents participate in a Pathway Planning Event. This event offers students and families the opportunity to engage in a number of career exploration activities:

• Exhibitors Hall (featuring the Universities, Apprenticeship Network, SA Police, Australian Defence Force, Veta Morphus and more.
• Pathway Presentation (including SACE, VET and Accelerated Programs)
• Industry Expert Panels (highlighting areas of growth and development)
• Pathway Planning Interviews

An important part of our Pathway Planning Event is individual student Pathway Planning Interviews, where students, parents, and a teacher facilitator share a 'round-table' conversation discussing students’ values and goals, their pathway ideas, and subject choices for the year ahead.

The aim is to offer avenues to enquire, and gain information to support working with families to customise a pathway through each student’s schooling, reflecting their individual needs.

Students identified where VET is potentially a good fit for their pathway are invited to a dedicated VET Night to meet with training providers and gather course information in preparation for a VET Interview.

High achieving students are able to extend themselves through Accelerated Programs:

1. SACE English - completing Stage 1 in Year 10 and Stage 2 in Year 11
2. University Extension Studies - completing two university subjects as part of their Year 12 program. Offered at both Adelaide University and Flinders University, entry to these programs is competitive; students must meet eligibility requirements and apply directly to the program.

Staff feel it a privilege to work alongside our families, celebrating each student’s unique God-given abilities, recognising Gods call on their life and individual pathway that is theirs.

Our Vocational Education Training (VET) Program offers senior students on a Skills Pathway Program the opportunity to study a nationally recognised qualification whilst completing their SACE. This pathway is for students who are not considering university enrolment immediately following their Stage 2 study program.