Vocational Education and Training (either school VET or Tafe VET) has been accessed by over 50% of all Year 11 students for the past 5 years. Students have been able to develop valuable work related skills that are recognised by industry and contribute to their HSC.

All Year 11 VET students in 2003, completed a Work Ready Course at Worrigee House in preparation for their Work Placements. Students from the three local High Schools met Industry Representatives and were given some guidance on what to expect in the workplace.

The Shoalhaven Schools Workplace Learning Awards Dinner is held each year at Worrigee House. This evening is held in order to recognise students who are successful in their VET studies. Teachers from school and TAFE together with Host employers nominate students for these awards.

In 2003, Nowra High School will be offering 9 Industry Frameworks to Year 10 students. All Frameworks (except Tourism and Primary Industry) can be delivered at school during school hours. These are:

Office Administration
Construction
Entertainment
Hospitality+Tourism
Information Technology
Metals + Engineering
Retail Operations
Sport and Recreation(CEC)


Business Services (Office Administration) has formed part of the senior curriculum since 1997. Mr. Austin, Mr. Murphy and Ms Forbes teach in Room A1, which is equipped as a simulated office environment.

In 2002, several students achieved Workplace Learning Awards resulting from their study of Office Administration.

Amanda Soondra (Office Adminstration Student of the Year), Jacquie McLean, Vicki Davies, Emma Longbottom and Kate Pearce all gained recognition at the Shoalhaven Schools Workplace Learning Awards Dinner in 2003.

Kate Pearce was offered a Traineeship following her workplacement in Year 11. Although she studied Office Administration Kate gained her Traineeship in Tourism.

Following her successful completion of Certficate II in 2001, Year 12 student Julia Groves gained a traineeship in Office Administration with the Shoalhaven City Council (Shoalcom).

Construction

Mr Hansen's Construction classes have undertaken practical projects around the school as part of their skills development in the Construction Framework. The school's Uniform Shop is just one project the class tackled as part of their HSC studies.

Entertainment

During 2003 Miss Ashford and Mr Saunders will be undertaking VET teacher training in the the Entertainment Industry Framework. This course will be offered to Year 10 student for the first time this year.

Hospitality+Tourism

Hospitality has been a very popular choice for many senior students. It is a common sight at school to see Hospitality students in their industry clothing during practical lessons with MS.Keys, MS.Campion or Mrs.Harrison

Students choosing Hospitality in 2003 will have the advantage of using the newly installed Commercial Kitchen Bay in K Block. This resource is the product of several years of funding raising by Hospitality teachers and students as well as the school community.

Tourism is studied at TAFE. Current Year 12 student, Julie Bridges was recognised at the Workplace Learning Awards Dinner for both her course work and work placement.

Information Technology

Nowra High is one of the best equipped schools on the South Coast for Information Technology. Mr Molony and Mr Sinclair are the familiar faces of I.T in the school and HSC students have been developing their IT work skills since the Pilot Course was introduced in 1998.

Current Year 12 students Michael Ali and Daniel Kilgallon received Workplace Learning Awards at this year's Awards Dinner.

Metals + Engineering

The school established its first Metals class in 2002. From Mr. O'Donnell's class, Jamie Buchan was Metals+ Engineering student of 2002 in the Shoalhaven Schools' Workplace Learning Awards. Also from Year 11, 2002: Robert Ward gained an Apprenticeship with a local firm as a direct result of his Work Placement.

Retail Operations

Mr. Hill has been leading the Retail Training since 1997 when he was one of the first Nowra High teachers to undertake VET training. Now, Mr. Hill, with Mr.Wallace, assist students to gain workplace entry level skills for the Retail Industry. Many of their students have part-time jobs which allows them to accumulate valuable hours towards the award of their Certificate.

Sport and Recreation(CEC)

Sport and Recreation will be offered to Year 10 students for the first time in 2003. If you are interested in a career in this industry see Mr. Smith and Mr.Blakeney who are currently undertaking their VET training.

For more information on VET courses at Nowra High School see the Careers Adviser, Mr. Hill; the VET Coordinator, Ms Forbes or one of the VET teachers mentioned on this page.

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