Current Edition | Term 2, Week 7

Finding Purpose: Subject Selection, Careers and Motivation

One of the most important questions young people face during their schooling is not, "What career do I want?" but rather, "What opportunities do I want to keep open?"

This term, Year 9 students and their families are invited to attend the Subject Selection Evening and Careers Expo for Year 10 studies in 2027. Together, these events provide an opportunity to explore future pathways, learn about senior study options and begin making informed decisions about the years ahead.

While subject selection can sometimes feel like an administrative process, it is actually a significant milestone in a student's educational journey. The choices students make influence the knowledge, skills and opportunities available to them in senior schooling and beyond. Equally important, the process encourages students to reflect on their interests, strengths and aspirations.

Why Future Pathways Matter

In recent newsletters, we have explored the importance of motivation and engagement in learning. Research suggests that students are more likely to invest effort when they understand why their learning matters and can see connections between today's classroom experiences and tomorrow's opportunities.

This idea is captured in Control-Value Theory, which proposes that students are most engaged when they believe they can be successful and when they see value in the task before them. Put simply, students are more motivated when they understand both what they are learning and why it matters.

Career exploration and subject selection help build this sense of purpose. Conversations with universities, employers, training providers and industry representatives can transform future aspirations from vague ideas into tangible possibilities. When students can see where their learning might lead, they are more likely to persist through challenges, engage deeply in their studies and approach learning with greater confidence.

Supporting the Conversation at Home

Parents play an important role in supporting this process. Rather than expecting students to have their future mapped out, consider using the Careers Expo and Subject Selection Evening as a starting point for conversation:

• What subjects do you most enjoy and why?
• What skills are you developing through those subjects?
• What pathways or industries interest you at the moment?
• What surprised you at the Careers Expo?
• What subjects might help keep different options available in the future?

The goal is not for students to have all the answers. Instead, it is to help them begin making connections between their interests, their learning, and the opportunities that may lie ahead.

Careers Expo

The Careers Expo will run from 4.30pm – 7.30pm and is designed for Year 10, 11 and 12 families to connect with universities, tertiary education providers and employers. Families have been invited by the Careers Office to register for a range of industry-specific panel discussions.

Year 9 students and their families are also encouraged to visit the Careers Expo in the Quad prior to the commencement of the Subject Selection presentations at 5:30pm in ERPAC.

Event Information – Catering and Parking 

The Canteen will be open for dinner service from 4.30pm – 7.00pm. Families are encouraged to use the Mater Car Park and may purchase parking vouchers for $15 from the Q&A Desk in the Quad throughout the evening.

Canteen Menu

Cold Selections

• Japanese cucumber and poached chicken salad
• Smoked salmon and rocket Turkish with capers, lemon aioli and crisps

Hot Selections

• Flame-grilled chicken burger with shredded lettuce, tomato and peri peri aioli
• Thai-style green curry chicken with fragrant rice and togarashi onions
• Steak sandwich with pickles, rocket, thick-cut tomato, mustard mayo and shallots

Snacks

• Chicken karaage with kewpie mayonnaise and radish
• Vegetarian spring rolls with loaded salt

We look forward to welcoming families as we work together to help our students make informed choices, explore future possibilities, and continue developing a strong sense of purpose in their learning. As we have explored throughout this term, students are most likely to engage deeply when they understand not only what they are learning, but why it matters.