Igniting passions for careers, trades and vocations and providing students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to succeed is a focus of learning design of the Morisset High School Big Picture Academy.
Big Picture Academy students from Year 9 to Year 12 have an opportunity to complement their at-school learning with mentorship, internships, and workplace learning. Each student's Learning Advisor and MHS Careers Advisor, Ms Brockwell will work with the students and employers to organise LTIs.
Please read below, some of our current MHS Big Picture Academy students, LTI stories, where they share why the LTI experience is important and how being part of the Big Picture has positively impacted them as learners.
Michael's Information Technology LTI Story
Michael Dearing is a Year 9 MHS Big Picture Academy student who is learning more about Information Technology through his LTI at Leading Edge Computers in Toronto.
What are you doing for your LTI at Leading Edge Computers?
Leading Edge Computers Toronto is a computer shop where they sell computer parts and build/fix computers. As part of my LTI I have built multiple computers as well as fixed a lot of computer problems such as an issue where the Microsoft Store was greyed out and according to the computer, it did not exist.
What are you enjoying about your LTI at Bonnells Bay Public School?
So far my LTI has been a really enjoyable experience and I recommend everyone who is thinking about doing work experience or something similar to just do it because you will love it and it will be an amazing experience.
We have a backroom here at Leading Edge Computers where we fix and build computers. We spend most of the day here fixing computers and diagnosing problems. This to me is the most fun part of the LTI as I actually get to work with computers.
How has your LTI experience enhanced your learning?
My LTI has been one of the best things I have done in Big Picture and I do not regret doing it in the slightest. I have learned more from the one day a week at my LTI than in the week around it at school.
What would you like to do when you leave school?
When I leave school I would like to eventually go into the fields of Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking. I love Cyber Security because you get to use your skills with technology to help people.
What do you like about being part of the Big Picture?
I love being part of Big Picture because of experiences like this and the fact that we get to learn what we love before even leaving high school, an opportunity many do not get.
If you know what you want to do or you are interested in something and want to make it your job or simply find out what you are interested in, join Big Picture.
Kahlia's Primary Teaching LTI Story
MHS Big Picture Academy Student, Kahlia Hunt is undertaking her Learning Through Internship (LTI) in Primary Teaching at Bonnells Bay Public School
What are you doing for your LTI at Bonnells Bay Public School?
I am currently assisting early stage 1 teachers at Bonnells Bay Public School. I help around the classroom with the students and their learning. I take some students one on one if they are struggling in a certain area, and I can give them the extra support they need. I am learning classroom management strategies and how implementing varied teaching styles can have an impact on students learning.
What are you enjoying about your LTI at Bonnells Bay Public School?
I enjoy observing and assisting the teachers throughout the students learning. I am enjoying getting to know each individual child and how their sense of belonging can interest their learning. I enjoy scaffolding students learning by supporting them during group and individual activities. I feel valued as part of the teaching team at Bonnells Bay Public school as they have made me feel comfortable and welcomed.
How has your LTI experience enhanced your learning?
My LTI experience has enhanced my learning as I have had the opportunity to experience what it is like in teaching environment. I can observe and take part in hands on work within the early stage 1 classrooms, which builds my knowledge in this area. Bonnells Bay Public School has opened my eyes to ideas that I can collect which will benefit knowledge for my chosen career future of becoming a primary school teacher.
What would you like to do when you leave school?
After completing year 12 in Big Picture at Morisset High School I want to continue my learning at university so I can have the opportunity to get a degree in primary teaching.
Why are you attracted to that career?
My whole life I have enjoyed spending time with younger children and watching them develop and grow which has grown my passionate interest in primary school teaching. I would love to make a difference in children’s education and their future.
What do you like about being part of the Big Picture?
I joined Big Picture at the start of this year (2022), and it was a big change in my learning as I became more independent and in control of my learning.
Big Picture has given me the opportunity to take a hands-on experience in what my passion is for my future career. I like being able to be in control of my own learning and research while doing it at my own pace. It has allowed me to build my confidence in communicating with students and other professionals.
What would you say to another student to encourage them to apply for Big Picture?
I would inspire my fellow students to look outside the square at getting experience in what their future career interest are, while researching and putting it into a project-based learning. I believe that this is another pathway into a job career which may suit some students outside of the traditional classroom environment. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in Big Pictures learning style.
Kenzi's Marine Services LTI Story
MHS Big Picture Academy Student, Kenzi Louis is undertaking her Learning Through Internship (LTI) in Marine Services at Trinity Point Marina.
What are you doing for your LTI at Trinity Point Marina?
I'm completing work experience at Trinity Point Marina for my LTI. I visit once a week. Dock walks, boat counts, fuelling boats, transferring boats, taxi drives, washing the marina boat (miss trinity, maritimo s51), and critical land accessories are some job descriptions, for example, ropes are correctly knotted, issue solutions, boats are secure, hatches from boats are closed, anything out of the ordinary is reported back to my mentor, who then informs the boat's owner.
What are you enjoying about your LTI at Trinity Point Marina?
I appreciate my LTI because it is a fantastic workplace; the personnel and community are wonderful and enjoyable to work with; the scenery is stunning; and I learn something new every day, whether on the boat or on land.
How has your LTI experience enhanced your learning?
My LTI has helped me learn in a variety of ways; every week I go to the marina, I learn new things about not just the lakes and boats, but also things that I can apply to my everyday life.
What would you like to do when you leave school?
Once I graduate from high school, I would like to work on a variety of boats. My ultimate aim is to be a charter yacht master, but I would like to gain experience on every sort of boat I can.
Why are you attracted to that career?
I'm interested in a marine job because I grew up near the ocean, lakes, and boats. I've always enjoyed the water, and the Big Picture Program will allow me to advance my career in it.
What do you like about being part of the Big Picture?
I enjoy being a part of the Big picture because it allows me to work more independently, the students and faculty are great to chat to, the community always shares our ideas, and we all help each other flourish. I also enjoy how the Big Picture programme is organised. The termly exhibition helps me remain on track and set deadlines for my work. I also have a marine biology elective, and STEM is required, so you won't fall behind in any math or science, and I still have enough time to accomplish all of my work on schedule.
What would you say to other students to encourage them to apply for Big Picture?
If you want to join the Big Picture programme, go for it! There is a wonderful network of friends and teachers that will assist you and encourage you to achieve your aspirations without criticism or negativity. It will definitely assist you in pursuing your professional end goal, and you may modify your project at any point. I was apprehensive at first since everything was new to me, the people, the school, and the programme, but I am now settled in, have fantastic friends, know my way around the school, and understand the programme structure. Big Picture is an excellent curriculum that I strongly suggest to everyone who envisions a bright future.
Tynielle's Pharmacology LTI Story
MHS Big Picture Academy Student, Tynielle Gomez is undertaking her Learning Through Internship (LTI) in Pharmacology at Bonnells Bay Pharmacy.
What are you doing for your LTI at Bonnells Bay Pharmacy?
At Bonnells Bay Pharmacy I am learning everything from customer service to identifying medicines and their purposes. I am learning which medicines are used to treat different ailments and the multitudes of ways to take these medications.
What are you enjoying about your LTI at Bonnells Bay Pharmacy?
I am particularly enjoying the chance I've been provided to immerse myself in the career pathway I aspire to be a part of in my adult years. The opportunity I have been provided to learn the ins and outs of this industry have provided me with an immense amount of knowledge.
How has your LTI experience enhanced your learning?
My experience at my Lti, at Bonnells By Pharmacy, has helped rapidly progress my learning this term. I have been provided access to reliable sources that I could have never found on my own without the help of mentor-like staff members.
What would you like to do when you leave school?
When I leave school my goals are to attend university to study a course in pharmacology, to then work in the medical field.
Why are you attracted to that career?
Working in the medical field has always been a goal of mine, the ability to help others during what could be the hardest times in their lives. I have always had a passion for science and chemistry for as long as I can remember and since my family-health journey, my desire to help others through sickness has grown stronger.
What do you like about being part of the Big Picture?
I enjoy the freedom Big Picture has provided me to be able to study the career of my dreams independently. I have also enjoyed my chance to complete an HSC science subject during my junior years. This opportunity provided me with more knowledge than I could have hoped for.
What would you say to other students to encourage them to apply for Big Picture?
I believe if you think the Big Picture design would work for you, and you have a strong passion for your career aspirations, you should seize the opportunity to improve yourself and your knowledge in a way that suits you and consider enrolling to join Big Picture.
Nicola's Animal Retail and Care LTI story
MHS Big Picture Academy Student, Nicola Baumgart is undertaking her Learning Through Internship (LTI) in Animal Retail and Care at Mandalong Stock Feeds.
What are you doing for your LTI?
I am currently doing my LTI at Mandalong Stock Feeds in Morisset.
What do you enjoy about your LTI?
I enjoy learning about medicines for all types of animals and how types of food can affect the wellbeing and health of the animal.
How has your LTI experience enhanced your learning?
It has really helped me with growing my understanding of medicine used for animals, leaning towards my future career in vet nursing.
What would you like to do when you leave school?
I would really love to become a livestock vet nurse working with farm animals.
Why are you attracted to that career?
I have always had a love for animals and have really enjoy caring for them since an early age. Taking care of animals has been a focus that has helped my family get through the past few years.
What do you like about being part of the Big Picture?
Big picture learning works for me as it allows me to gain hands-on experience within the industry that I'm focusing my learning.
What would you say to other students to encourage them to apply for Big Picture?
Big Picture allows you to work independently and is future focused and flexible, which is great!