It is always bittersweet as we reach the end of another school year. While this time can be sad as we get set to farewell our Year 12s, it is also an exciting time to see them start their future plans they have spent their journey at MacKillop working towards.
For this semester’s Spirit Magazine, I wanted to highlight some of the different pathways our Year 12s will be embarking on as they move towards their journey beyond the college.
Jesse Adams
Over her time at MacKillop, Jesse has been working towards her goal of becoming a Prosthetist – this is certainly not a career choice we have seen from one of our Year 12s before! She is hopeful for a career that can help people to improve their physical health and functional limitations to make a difference in patients’ lives.
Jesse has applied for a Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honors) at La Trobe University in Melbourne. This four-year pathway will open up jobs in the public and private health sectors or onto further research in the area.
Courses at MacKillop such as Health Studies and Sport Science have introduced Jesse to some of the introductory information she will study in her first year of university.
Holly Viney
Holly has had a keen interest in childcare since she was very young. Over her time at MacKillop, she has worked towards completing her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education, as well as taking helpful courses such as Food, Cooking and Nutrition and Working with Children.
Along with this, Holly has also been working at the Midway Point Lady Gowrie Childcare Centre to complete her placement hours for her certification. This job has allowed her to experience being a childcare worker firsthand and has been a huge help in applying for full time work as Year 12 finishes.
Holly says she is looking forward to a future career in helping young children learn, play and grow. She reflects that MacKillop has helped her in moving closer to her dream career, in particular the VET subjects she has been able to access.
Mikayla Dunn
Through Year 11 and 12, Mikayla has done several work experience placements at primary schools across Hobart and has a passion for working with and helping primary school students. Next year, Mikayla aims to commence studying a Certificate III in School Based Education Support.
This will open up many opportunities for her to continue working in primary schools to help students who may need extra support. Alongside her studies, Mikayla hopes to get some casual work as a teacher assistant to get even more experience.
Mikayla has said that her time at MacKillop has helped shape her future pathway due to the work experience opportunities she has had, as well as taking courses like VET Sport Coaching and Working with Children.
Aiden Flack
In late Term 3, Aiden put in an application to the Tasmanian Academy of Leadership and Sport (TALS) as he wanted to pursue a career in sports administration. Having a background in playing and coaching rugby teams through Hobart, Aiden realised that applying to TALS meant he could turn this passion into a pathway. Aiden was accepted into the academy quickly after his application and will have the opportunity to work with a range of sporting bodies in Tasmania, including Rugby Tasmania.
Through his time at TALS, Aiden will gain over 100 hours of experience in sports administration, as well a Diploma of Sport, and Diploma of Leadership and Management. He can then use this to apply for future jobs in the sporting industry.
Aiden has said courses at MacKillop such as Sport and Recreation Management and Business Studies have given him a good introduction to the administrative side of sporting and will help as he commences his studies in early 2026.
Diesel Silva
Diesel has recently completed his Certificate II in Construction Pathways after commencing this at the start of Year 11. He and the other students in this course would spend each Wednesday at our local TasTAFE campus learning the skills for this qualification in a trade setting.
Diesel is hoping to use this qualification, as well as his recent work placements and a glowing review from his construction teacher, to enter the carpentry trade. He recently spent a few days working with a local accommodation business, helping them to build luxury holiday stays. This work helped Diesel to use his carpentry and joinery skills on a real-life project and confirmed for him this is definitely the career he wants to pursue.
Courses like Construction Pathways and Design and Production have been a big help to Diesel in expanding his skills in carpentry and joinery.
Elliott Stee
Elliott has had a keen interest in studying medicine since he was in primary school. Over his time at MacKillop, he has excelled in his subjects which has allowed him to take advanced courses such as the University of Tasmania’s Mathematics 1A and 1B units as part of the High Achievers Program.
Earlier this year Elliott completed the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) as a compulsory entry requirement for studying medicine in Australia. He performed well on this test and is hopeful his score on the UCAT and his ATAR will lead to an offer to study a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine.
Courses such as Chemistry and Mathematics Specialised, along with the support from staff at MacKillop and UTAS have been a helpful part of Elliott gaining the key skills and background knowledge he will need as he progresses towards university.
Sarah Gurney – Careers and Pathways Planning Advisor
