Careers Week: Inspiring Pathways, Empowering Futures
Careers Week at Oran Park Anglican College was a vibrant celebration of opportunity, a week dedicated to inspiring students to dream big, plan boldly, and explore the many pathways that lie ahead after school.
Across Years 10 to 12, students and their families were immersed in a series of events designed to inform, empower, and ignite curiosity about life beyond the classroom.
The week began with a dynamic presentation from UAC (Universities Admissions Centre), where students and parents gained valuable insights into subject selection, the ATAR, and university entry. It was an eye-opening session that brought clarity to a sometimes confusing process, particularly for Year 10 students standing at the crossroads of subject selection, and for senior students navigating preferences and early entry options.
For those considering university study, the Western Sydney University Presentation provided a closer look at what’s on offer from degrees and scholarships to student life and support services. The message was clear: there’s a place and a pathway for every learner.
But Careers Week was far from a one-size-fits-all experience. The Apprenticeships & Traineeships Information Seminar offered a practical, hands-on perspective, showing students that success isn’t limited to lecture halls. With insights into on-the-job training and qualifications, students were encouraged to consider the exciting and rewarding world of trades, vocational pathways, and real-world learning.
One of the week’s standout events was the Industry Networking Event. The room buzzed with energy as students engaged in meaningful conversations with professionals from a wide range of industries such as, healthcare, engineering, business, education, construction, creative arts, and more. These personal interactions gave students a glimpse into the day-to-day realities of different careers and helped make the future feel that little bit more real.
Careers Week wasn’t just about information it was about inspiration. It reminded students that their future isn’t a fixed destination, but a journey full of choice, possibility, and purpose. Whether aiming for university, TAFE, a trade, or a job straight out of school, our students are taking steps with confidence and we can’t wait to see where those steps lead.
Learner Profile: Cultivating Craftsmanship through the Written Word
“I never thought of myself as a creative learner, nor even able to master an innovative skill.”
For Mahdi Hassan, the journey into craftsmanship began not with a brushstroke or a chisel, but through the quiet, deliberate construction of words and ideas. Initially uncertain of his creative capacity, he discovered that creativity can emerge through critical thought, reflection, and personal voice.
“Over time, however, I began to value craftsmanship as a concept of learning. I started to reflect on my skillset to build a niche area which I can begin to master.”
This realisation became the turning point. By embracing writing as his craft, Mahdi found joy and expression in subjects such as English and the humanities, where they could engage with complex content while weaving in his own perspectives and experiences.
“It really was the power these subjects gave me to ponder and examine each lesson by integrating my personal experience and understanding to them.”
For Mahdi, creativity lies not in traditional artistic forms, but in the ability to craft essays, articulate informed viewpoints, and develop original thought. Craftsmanship became the practice of building a repertoire of written applications, from analytical essays in Business Studies to developing legal arguments that reflect a conscientious perspective on society.
“Craftsmanship to me grew not as the stereotypical profile of creative art, but to its natural meaning of crafting to build a repertoire of written applications of my learning.”
Now studying a double degree in Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Communications (Social and Political Sciences) at the University of Technology Sydney, Mahdi continues to hone his craft. His journey reflects a deep understanding of craftsmanship, not just as a school value, but as a lifelong pursuit of excellence, reflection, and purpose.
Mahdi credits his teacher for helping him “find a niche I didn’t know I was searching for” a spark that turned into purpose. Because once he realised that craftsmanship isn’t about talent, but tenacity, he started building not just work, but a future.
God bless,
Mrs Maria Mertzanakis
Deputy Head of Senior School – Teaching and Learning
