Seven Hills High School VET school to open in 2023

Students at a Western Sydney high school are set to benefit from a new VET facility expected to open in 2023 — featuring allied health, business and trade courses.

(L TO R) Alyssa Blahear, Jorja McManus, Angus Pearce, Rihanna Ali, Henrietta Laban and Kaitlyn Brush of Seven Hills High School. Picture: Jake McCallum

The latest plans for a new specialist vocational education facility at a western Sydney school have been revealed — as students set their sights on getting a head start on new career paths when courses open in 2023.

Artist impressions of the VET facilities planned for Seven Hills High.

Seven Hills High School students, alongside a series of surrounding feeder schools, will have access to specialist courses ranging from business to physio, health services and construction.

The plans for the school include an expansive purpose-built facility featuring a medical clinical lab and workshops with pathways to apprenticeships, traineeships and trade qualifications alongside their HSC.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the new facilities would enable students to obtain “practical skills while gaining qualifications for their future careers”.

“We want our students to be inspired when they come to school and be excited to engage in

learning that is relevant to them and where they want to go in their post school lives,” Ms Mitchell said. “The schools will be a place for these students to get hands on experience.”

Jorja McManus – Year 10, Seven Hills High

Kaitlyn Brush – Year 10, Seven Hills High

Year 10 students Jorja McManus and Kaitlyn Brush said they would take advantage of early access to the business and financial services course — which will be available from next year.

“This course will teach you so much about business and budgets,” Jorja said. “I am passionate about the performing arts industry and acting, but I want to ensure that I have the business know-how.”

Kaitlyn said the course would provide “real-world financial understanding” and help in any business job of the future.

Alyssa Blahear – Year 9, Seven Hills High

Rihanna Ali, Year 9 – Seven Hills High

Meanwhile, year nine students Rihanna Ali, Alyssa Blahear, Henrietta Laban and Angus Pearce are just some of the students who will be able to access the full range of courses available when the facilities open in 2023.

Rihanna said she was also interested in business services: “I have a rough idea of the benefits of this course because I already do Commerce as an elective — having the opportunity to get a more in-depth understanding of business will always be beneficial”.

While Alyssa said her passion was to get into nursing, meaning the allied health course would give her an advantage in the industry.

“I love the thought of being able to help and care for other people,” she said. “So when it comes time to going to university and studying to be a nurse, I will already have the practical skills and know how from this course.”

Angus Pearce – Year 9, Seven Hills High

Henrietta Laban – Year 9, Seven Hills High

Henrietta said she was also determined to learn more about health and caring for others to make sure that she could care and support her family in the future.

“I come from a big family, so I think the allied health course will give me knowledge and hands on experience caring for others, if I ever need to support someone in my family in the future.”

She said although she had her sights set on a career in law, the allied health course would be a great springboard.

Angus Pearce said he was determined to get into a trade — meaning the plumbing course would give him a kickstart into studies and finding an apprenticeship.

What the facilities could look like.

“I love being hands on and think that a trade would be the best thing for my future,” he said.

Tertiary Education Minister Geoff Lee said integrating vocational training into schools is a “game changer for students who are looking to take advantage of the pipeline of skills-related jobs”.

The tender for the new school facilities is expected to open shortly.