21 February 2020
Collegians’ Careers Evening: Tuesday 17 March, Memorial Hall, commencing at 7.00pm
Thanks to the generous support of the Old Scholars, parents and friends of the School, the Careers Evening is being held again this year. The Evening is aimed at students in Year 10 and 11 and all Year 10 boys are expected to attend as part of their Personal Learning Plan (PLP). Year 12 students are welcome and would benefit from speaking to practitioners about their careers. More details will be provided in another newsletter and there will be a mail out to the parents of Year 10 and 11 students, but please note this event on your calendars.
UK School GAP year opportunity
Edgeborough Prep School https://www.edgeborough.co.uk/ (a country Prep School just outside Farnham, Surrey) is seeking GAP students to commence in January 2021. The Edgeborough School has a strong sporting tradition and is seeking students who can also contribute to their sporting program. All Year 12s have been emailed the details of the Edgeborough GAP year, and if interested, should see Mr Colsey for an application form. Applications need to be submitted now, so students will have to act quickly should they wish to be considered for a position.
Another school that has contacted Saints about GAP year students is Farleigh. Farleigh is a Catholic Boarding School in Hampshire (https://www.farleighschool.com/), and the student age range at the school is 3-13. They are looking for students who are responsible, reliable and motivated to take on this type of role. They are particularly interested in talented sportspeople for coaching duties. Any students considering a GAP year and believe they meet the criteria should contact the Careers Counsellor, Mr Colsey.
UCAT 2020
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is an admissions test used by many universities in Australia and New Zealand in their selection process for their medical, dental and clinical science degree programmes. The test helps universities to select applicants with the most appropriate abilities and professional behaviours required for doctors and dentists to be successful in their clinical careers. The UCAT is a computer-based test delivered in Pearson VUE test centres throughout Australia, New Zealand and at some overseas locations.
Registration for the UCAT opens on March 2 and closes on 11 May. The UCAT is a two-hour computer-based test consisting of five separately timed subtests, each of which contains a number of questions in a multiple-choice format. The test sittings are held between 1 and 31 July. For a listing of universities requiring the UCAT, go to https://www.ucat.edu.au/ucat-anz/universities/. For more details of the UCAT, go to https://www.ucat.edu.au/ucat-anz/.
UCAT preparation
There are a number of organisations that conduct UCAT preparation courses. The School does not endorse any such programs, but will share information about their events, MedEssentials is running a Free Medicine & UCAT Workshop. The event will be hosted by Dr Brad Guo (MBBS/Adel) at the University of South Australia on Sunday the 23 of February, 9:30am – 12:00pm. Online Event Link: https://www.medessentials.com.au/medessentials-free-workshop
UCAT Masterclass is providing students with information about the UCAT. It can be found at https://mcusercontent.com/9386762e115b25807883a2269/files/b5c79827-74ec-44c4-b3d4-46bfe97ef1d6/UCAT_Essential_Guide_2020.pdf or go to https://www.ucatmasterclass.com/.
International Student Admission Test – ISAT
International students currently studying in Australia and who are considering applying for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science or Physiotherapy at some institutions in Australia, will need to sit the ISAT. ISAT is a three-hour computer-based test that is held during three testing periods in 2020. These testing periods are: May 16 to 24, August 15 to 23, and November 21 to 29. Applicants MUST check with each institution to determine the deadline for the ISAT results being received. A minimum period of 12 months is required between a candidate undertaking the ISAT. For more information on the ISAT go to https://isat.acer.edu.au/about-isat and the list of universities requiring ISAT can be found at https://isat.acer.org/universities
Australian National University (ANU) application and selection processes
ANU has changed the application requirements (including an earlier application deadline) and selection criteria for undergraduate courses. Details of the new requirements can be found at https://www.anu.edu.au/study/apply/domestic-applications-anu-undergraduate. Applications open in March 2020 and close in May. International applicants have a different process. Please see https://www.anu.edu.au/study/apply/international-applications-undergraduate-and-postgraduate for more details.
USA evening
On Tuesday 3 March, Westminster School will be hosting a USA College Expo to assist parents and students with the application and selection processes. As well as the Education USA representative being in attendance, an Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director of Undergraduate Admission at UC Berkeley will be presenting on these issues. The evening will commence at 6.00pm and will include details on sporting scholarships. Any student is contemplating this pathway either now or at some stage in the future, will benefit from attending. More details and registration can be found via this link: http://bit.ly/EdUSAPublicEventAdelaide
Tertiary Studies and Careers Expo (TSCEA)
The Tertiary Studies & Careers Expo (TSCEA) is a comprehensive Tertiary Studies & Careers Expo and will be staged at the Adelaide Convention Centre on North Terrace, on Sunday 5 April 10.00am – 4.00pm and Monday 6 April 9.30am – 1.30pm. Admission is free. Students will be able to discuss their study, career and employment options with a large number of representatives from numerous exhibitors including the universities from South Australia, interstate and overseas universities/colleges, private education colleges, TAFE SA, Government Agencies, Professional Associations, Local and National Employers and the Defence Forces. A number of seminars will also be held during the sessions. A full list of the representatives can be found at http://www.careersevent.com/tscea/ and go to the exhibitors link. It is a very valuable ‘one stop’ event and any student considering studying at the Tertiary level or TAFE will benefit from attending the expo. St Peter’s College students are strongly encouraged to attend on Sunday 5 April. For more information about this event, go to http://www.careersevent.com/tscea/contact-us/
Lattitude Global Volunteering Australia
Lattitude is a large international volunteering organization which has been running for 45 years. It supports around 1000 young people globally every year. As a nonprofit organisation, Lattitude provides a cost effective and comprehensive support for participants. With placements available in 13 countries, lasting between 6 weeks and 12 months and departing throughout the year, there is an extensive range of volunteer programs. For more details, go to https://lattitudeaustralia.org/ or https://lattitudeaustralia.org/apply.
Immerse Education
Hosted at locations across the UK, the Immerse academic programmes aim to stimulate students’ intellectual curiosity and to motivate them as they embark on decisions about their university studies, and future goals. Immerse will be running academic programmes for 13-15 year old and 16-18 year old students. These two-week residential programmes take place in University of Cambridge colleges during July and August. Enrolment for Immerse Programmes are now open and details can be found at https://www.immerse.education/enrol/.
Mark Colsey
Careers Counsellor