Students undertaking high school with Alesco Senior College can now choose a Year 13 option to help them secure work or further study opportunities.

From 2020, Year 13 students will be able to complete VET in school qualification and can complete HSC non ATAR subjects or undertake a self-managed work placement.

Students will also have access to guided career pathways training that includes the opportunity to develop skills needed when applying for jobs and attending interviews.

Alesco Senior College was created by Atwea College in 2001 and has seen more than 1,200 young people complete years 9 to 12.

The award-winning College now has campuses located in Newcastle, Cessnock, Port Stephens and Great Lakes areas and offers an alternative for young people who find mainstream schools challenging due to their individual circumstances.

Atwea College Executive Director, Rowan Cox, said that off the back of its successful HSC Pathways Program, Alesco now offers the additional high school year to students based upon its proven track record in enabling young people to engage with high school education.

“Year 13 programs have been a resounding success in Australia with more than 90 per cent of students finding full time work or study,” Rowan said.

“Under the direction of Principal Therese Pantalone and more than 30 highly skilled Alesco staff, young people across the region can now access a highly effective employment and study pathway that is also designed to build confidence and self-efficacy.”

Alesco Senior College Head Teacher of Special Projects, Justin Henderson has seen firsthand the positive effect Year 13 has on students at Alesco.

“Year 13 is about assisting each student to find a pathway to employment or perhaps further education whilst being supporting by their peers and teachers at Alesco,” Justin said.

In 2020, 14 students have begun Year 13 with Alesco.

Maikayla Smith-Wilson is a student who has returned to study at Alesco in 2020 and said that Year 13 gave her a full year to get skills needed for work.

“Last year was a tough year for me so being able to come back and do Year 13 means that I can now get a certificate in Community Services as part of my studies at Alesco this year – and hopefully one day become a paramedic. I never thought this would ever be possible for me,” Maikayla said.

IMAGE | Alesco Year 13 student Maikayla Smith-Wilson with Head Teacher Justin