Work experience
Every year we take our Year 10 students to Work Experience for a week in Rockhampton so that they can access a range of jobs, gain experience in working for others and see whether what they think they want to do when they finish school is actually what they want to do. It is a real-life experience.
The students select their vocation and contact their employers regarding details of their work experience. They put together their Portfolios (including Résumés, references, certificates, report cards etc.) They also write letters of application, telephone their employer and prepare for an interview in the lead-up to work experience. As well as learning all the necessary skills they require when they go out into the workforce – first impressions, how to dress, positive attitude etc.
Students are taken to work every day in the Council bus and then picked up in the afternoon. They complete diaries of what they have done during the day at work and each night we do activities, for example, go out to tea, bowling, movies etc. some of which they may never have experienced. The whole trip becomes one big learning experience in all areas of their lives.
This educational experience is unique to Alpha State School as many other schools don’t offer this opportunity to their students in Years 9/10. It gives them a good knowledge of what is expected of them when they enter the workforce properly. This trip has now been occurring for over 30 years and is considered by students as the best trip they get to go on.