Rural and Remote K-12 Career Education Initiative - Barham High School
Rural and Remote K-12 Career Education Initiative is aimed at providing students with access to diverse career opportunities to enhance life skills and wellbeing. The program includes events and activities tailored to different student groups, focussing on practical engagement and industry connections and strengthens the smooth transition from primary to secondary school. Successful transitions and robust career education programs contribute to students’ overall well-being and future success. The Rural and Remote K-12 Career Education Initiative plays a crucial role in supporting schools and students during this critical phase of their educational journey.
School context
Barham High School is a small rural and remote school situated on the Murray River, and is on the land of the traditional custodians, the Barapa Barapa nation. The school draws students from both NSW and Victoria from our community of feeder schools in Koondrook, Murrabit, Moulamein, Wakool/Burraboi and Bunaloo primary schools. The student population is approximately 150.
Barham High School is well resourced with every learning space having technology available to display relevant content to the students. The school has three science laboratories with two receiving an upgrade in 2020 and 2021. Technology has been a major focus for the school, and it is readily available for our students with two computer labs with 50 desktop computers and over 100 laptops to be used for our students. We have modern facilities, including a large 5-acre, productive agricultural farm on campus.
How is Barham High school implementing K-12 career education?
In 2023, the school offered twelve career-related events and activities for students from pre-school to Year 12. These events aim to engage students practically and provide exposure to various industries and career paths.
Quote:
“The aim was to give students’ abundant career opportunities and industry connections to broaden their aspirations and, improve their wellbeing and life skills to make informed, meaningful decisions for their future lives”
Barham HS careers adviser.
PowerPoint presentation Barham high school K-12 career education (106.3 MB pptx)
The initiative aims to
- enhance students' life skills, well-being, and employment readiness to facilitate informed decision-making in their future.
- build career aspirations and give students the opportunity to make informed decisions and see the real world with their own eyes
- motivate students to engage in learning as they develop a greater understanding of their future career direction and how to get there.
Tips for teachers/schools
- Consider how you can link curriculum with practical, real-world opportunities.
- How can I improve my knowledge of industry and skills required in our local area?
Reflection questions for leaders
- How can my school implement career education and facilitate it across a network of schools?
- What are the resources/staffing requirements and how do we build connections with primary schools to include career education?
- What professional learning would support staff to engage in the program?
- What do we need to do to ensure the effectiveness of the program in achieving its objectives?
Reflection questions for teachers
- How can I integrate career education into the curriculum?
- What opportunities are there to engage local businesses in practical activities that meet the students’ needs and interests?