Students’ futures take centrestage

Students from Tenison Woods College have recently returned from the inaugural ‘Exploring Identities and Futures’ Pilot Program, held in Adelaide.

This program is a new initiative, provided by SACE (The South Australian Certificate of Education). The EIF Experience provides a unique opportunity for students to tailor their experience to meet their needs, and coconstruct their week based on the key principles of the Catholic Education South Australia Living, Learning, Leading Framework.

The Experience provided the opportunity for students to entirely plan their program, including their travel method, departure date, accommodation options, and daily experiences and tours around Adelaide.

The intention behind the EIF Experience is to assist students to recognise their individual strengths and see that the purpose and value of learning is much more than knowledge and grades. Through the EIF Experience students explored identity and belonging, developed agency, pursued and developed an area of interest that matters to them.

Tenison Woods College Director of Learning Scott Dickson was responsible for implementing the program at the college, and ensuring that students were well supported, giving them ownership over their week, and the tools they needed for success.

“The experience put the students at the centre of the decision making regarding both their week and their future, using their agency,” Mr Dickson said. “The experience provided the opportunity to visit further education providers, tour universities, explore Adelaide using public transport and visit residential areas within the city.

“The first experience has provided a great insight for our students currently involved in the EIF Pilot. The second experience will occur later in the year and will provide additional trade and further education opportunities. We will review the inaugural experience with students and staff and sharpen the intent and the process.”

One of the highlights was the dinner at Aquinas College. This was a wonderful opportunity for the students to experience what life in a residential college may be like and the comments from students regarding this event were very positive.

Each experience focused on a different aspect of Catholic Education South Australia’s ‘Living Learning Leading Framework’, and this was very evident when students reflected on each experience. Expanding on the framework and providing a greater opportunity for students to develop agency through service to others are two areas that we are keen to explore further in the future.

Year 10 Student Mason Bentley said it was an experience like no other.

“It was free rein, to choose what you wanted to get out of it and enjoy the things that interest you,” Mason said. “If you were interested in going to university, you could get the choice to experience it.

“I picked up many organisational skills, and learnt a lot about the real world, in terms of looking after yourself and paying your way, buying food (which I found out, is expensive!)

The highlight for me was Mary Poppins and the kayaking, these were unique and rare opportunities. Mary Poppins was such a great environment and atmosphere. The kayaking was great, to be amongst nature and spend time with friends in the outdoors.”

Tenison Woods College principal David Mezinec welcomed the innovative program with such a strong future focus.

“This innovative program inspired by staff for students, which builds on the 9SHINE challenge, has given students not only a wonderful orienting experience for their future, but also an understanding of the agency, which is needed for success in life,” Mr Mezinec said. “I am extremely proud of the way of which students applied themselves to the program, and the outcomes they achieved, which will stand them in good stead of the next stage.”

A second group of Year 10 students will participate in the EIF Program later this year. These students are very much looking forward to their experience, particularly after following the journeys of their classmates who have now completed the program.

WHAT AN ADVENTURE: The students attended Her Majesty’s Theatre and were treated to a backstage tour of the theatre with a focus on careers and employment opportunities in the arts and (insets) visited many other sites across the South Australian capital city including Adelaide Oval, kayaking on the Port River with dolphins and tertiary institutions