Careers – Week 5 Term 3 – Note Important Information for Year 10

MCE Careers Website Link mcecareers.com

Term 3, Week 5 2026

Dear Parents/Carers and Students

Welcome to this week’s Careers Newsletter! As we head into the second half of Term 3, there are a huge number of university open days, career expos, trade information sessions and workshops coming up for our boys.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Year 10 Work Experience Paperwork

Parents and students, please note that all completed Work Experience paperwork (Student Placement Record and Risk Assessment form) is strictly due by Monday, 24 August 2026 (Week 6). Timely submission is essential to ensure placement approvals are processed smoothly.

Action Required:

1. Secure Placement: Finalise your employer arrangements.
2. Complete Paperwork: Ensure the Student Placement Record (SPR) (including Section 3 by the employer) and Risk Assessment form are fully completed.
3. Submit for Review: Submit your documents to Mr. Nguyen (via email or in-person).
4. Finalise: Upload your completed documents to the designated Google Form.

You will locate the required forms in Compass under the Community tab (2 heads) > School Documentation > Student Information > Year 10 Work Experience. 

Upcoming Open Days (Sydney & Regional)

Open Day season is officially here! Attending an open day is one of the best ways for senior students (Years 10–12) to explore campus facilities, speak directly with academics and get a feel for uni life.

• Collarts Open Day 2026 (Sydney): Saturday, 22 August. Hands-on workshops, guided campus tours and info hubs covering creative arts, design and music.
• Le Cordon Bleu Sydney Open Day 2026: Saturday, 22 August. Live culinary demonstrations, program overviews and insights into hospitality, cuisine and business careers.
• Torrens University Open Day (Surry Hills): Saturday, 29 August. Meet course advisors, take campus tours and learn about early entry and scholarship pathways.
• University of Sydney Open Day (Camperdown): Saturday, 29 August. Explore campus life, attend course presentations and talk with academics.
• UTS Open Day (City Campus): Saturday, 29 August. Info sessions on admissions, lab tours and details on student support services.
• University of Notre Dame Open Day (Sydney): Saturday, 29 August. Explore study options, chat about early offer pathways and check out financial support options.
• University of Newcastle Open Day (Central Coast): Saturday, 29 August. Degree presentations and tours at Ourimbah and Gosford campuses.
• Charles Sturt University Open Day (Orange): Sunday, 30 August. Explore health, agricultural and general course offerings on campus.

University Information Webinars & Application Support

For students looking for quick, online info on specific degrees, admissions and scholarships:

Event	Organisation	Date	Details
BDO High School Leaver Program	BDO Australia / CA ANZ	Tue, 25 August	Earn an income straight out of school while working toward Chartered Accountant status.
Admission to Medicine at Sydney	Univ. of Sydney	Wed, 26 August	Breakdown of direct and postgraduate entry requirements for medicine.
Study Medicine at Sydney	Univ. of Sydney	Wed, 26 August	Live Q&A on student life and clinical training for future doctors.
Study Law at Sydney	Univ. of Sydney	Thu, 27 August	Overview of combined undergraduate law degrees and career outcomes.

Trades, Apprenticeships & Defence Careers

If your son is leaning toward a practical, hands-on career or trade, these upcoming expos and sessions are a fantastic place to start:

• South Western Sydney & Macarthur Jobs Expo: Tuesday, 25 August @ Liverpool Catholic Club. Connect directly with employers, group training organisations and industry experts.
• Defence Careers Information Sessions: Tuesday, 25 August. Sessions hosted in Wagga Wagga, Tamworth and Wollongong (Trade Careers focused).
• Say Yes to the Trades Expo: Thursday, 27 August @ Entertainment Park, Bankstown Aerodrome. Hands-on experience with tools, equipment and training providers across electrical, HVAC and fabrication trades.
• Future Choices Expo (Disability Support): Thursday, 27 August @ Mingara Club. Connecting school leavers with disability services, inclusive employers and tailored pathways.
• ADF Trade Careers Virtual Info Session: Thursday, 27 August (Online). Discover trade training and military asset roles in the Navy, Army and Air Force.
• Sydney West Careers & Employment Expo: Friday, 28 August & Saturday, 29 August @ Sydney Showground, Olympic Park. Massive event featuring over 80 training providers, resume tips and job future insights.

Student Workshops & Enrichment Opportunities

• CAD (Computer Aided Design) for Youth (Ages 14+): Sunday, 23 August @ Marrickville Pavilion. Learn 3D modelling and digital design using Autodesk Fusion 360.
• Science in the Scrub (Family Fun Day): Sunday, 23 August @ Western Sydney Parklands. Free National Science Week event with live shows, native animals and interactive STEM booths.
• Fab Lab Intro to 2D Design & Laser Cutting: Starts Tuesday, 1 September @ Lake Mac Libraries. Two-part hands-on workshop on vector design and laser fabrication.
• Rural Health Pathways Showcase: Thursday, 3 September @ ICC Darling Harbour. Designed for students in Years 9–12 exploring medicine, nursing, allied health and paramedicine.
• Crafting & Coding Animatronics (Ages 13–18): Thursday, 3 September @ Paddington Library. Hands-on workshop using VEX IQ robotics systems.
  

Key Deadlines & Scholarships

• UNSW Vanessa Hardman Memorial Law Scholarship: Open now; closes Wednesday, 30 September 2026 (Value: AU$5,500).
• OzKids Writing and Art Competition: Closes Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

Career Advice Spotlight: Managing Heavy Subject Loads & Burnout

With senior assessments rolling around, many Year 11 and 12 boys are balancing high academic demands alongside sport, part-time work and extra-curriculars. Here are a few practical tips to help them manage their workload effectively:

1. Prioritise Prerequisites: Keep clear sight of which subjects are necessary for future university courses versus those taken purely for interest. Protect study time for core prerequisites first.
2. Map Assessment Timelines early: Looking at subjects individually can hide “assessment pile-ups”. Encourage your son to map out all assignment due dates on a single wall calendar or digital planner to avoid last-minute crunches.
3. Pace, Don’t Sprint: Starting tasks just 3–4 days earlier than feels necessary makes a massive difference to stress levels when multiple deadlines fall in the same week.
4. Speak Up Early: Remind your son that teachers, his Leader of Wellbeing and the Careers office are always here to help. If a workload becomes unmanageable, asking for guidance early opens up far more options.

If you have any questions about university applications, UAC, or apprenticeship options, please feel free to contact the Careers Office at the College – benjamin.nguyen004@syd.catholic.edu.au 

For the full version, please see the link

Warm regards,

Mr Benjamin Nguyen
Careers Adviser