A dramatic helicopter landing on the Kelmscott Senior High School oval on Monday was no cause for alarm.
The stunt was part of a carefully curated careers event for Year 10 students as they prepare to navigate a life outside the school grounds.
Student pilot Nick Graydon expertly flew the Robinson R22 onto the school oval while excited students watched on.
Nick is one of around a dozen students who are currently undertaking their commercial helicopter flight training with Jandakot-based Corsaire.
The program is the only one in WA which is offered as a FEE-HELP-supported South Metropolitan TAFE course.
Once he graduates with his Diploma of Aviation, Nick said he plans on becoming a water-bomber pilot – something he’s wanted to do since he was four.
Besides the chopper crew, there was a wide range of other professionals invited along to the school as part of a ‘career speed dating’ event.
Members of Australia’s Defence Force, Border Force, and WA Police, were joined by an air hostess, a librarian, scientists, IT professionals, and local government personnel.
A local journalist may have also played a part in the proceedings.
“Help!” one of my fellow professional colleagues mouthed to me as around 100 eager 15-year-olds filed through the doors.
But they needn’t have been worried.
Students were separated into groups and given six minutes to fire off as many questions as they could to the career expert in front of them before they were introduced to the next.
Inquiring minds eagerly lapped up the answers provided, although it is unknown how may were convinced to take up a job upholding the fourth estate.
The event was the brainchild of Head of Humanities and Social Sciences Colleen Morrison, and enthusiastically supported by Career Practitioner Della Smith-Rawlins.
It was the second of its kind at the school.
“We received some great feedback from last year’s event,” Ms Morrison said.
“This is all about broadening their horizons and giving them a little taste of what’s available.”
“We want students to know just how many career options are available to them and that they’re part of a school community that cares about them and their individual career choices and pathways,” Ms Smith-Rawlins said.
“They can choose to be whoever they want to be.”
Photographs – Mel Dee
