I’d like to welcome back for the 2025 school year our returning families, and introduce myself to our new families. My name is Garrett McKenzie and am one of the Guidance Officers, alongside Christine McTaggart available to students at North Rockhampton SHS.

My role primarily sits within the Years 10-12 cohorts, with Christine supporting our Year 7-9 cohorts. Guidance Officers support students with their wellbeing and mental health, careers and pathways, tertiary education advice and application support and supporting the Junior, Middle & Senior schooling teams with academic and wellbeing case management. If you believe your young person may benefit from some additional support, please contact either myself or Christine on 4924 7888.

A focus for our Year 10-12 students will be  identifying and preparing for their future pathway plans. Students are encouraged to identify careers they may be interested in and begin to understand the requirements to obtain a position in that role. The school also provides opportunities for students to engage with this through:

• Careers Expo
• Industry talks
• Work experience
• SETPlan
• QCE Mentoring Meetings
• University Experience Days or Informational Sessions

Students are strongly encouraged to access these opportunities to engage with relevant industry representatives and develop their own knowledge around these pathways. We also encourage parents and caregivers to have these discussions with your young people at home to offer your own advice, as well as supporting your young people as navigate through the information and decision-making around education and training options to get them where they want to go.

For our students seeking university admission following Year 12, it is recommended that they are developing their understanding of requirements for entry to their desired degree, as well as ensuring they are either ATAR eligible or aware of an alternate entry pathway into their desired university and/or program. Students can do this research via the institution’s website or a tertiary admission centre website such as QTAC. The Senior Schooling team will be supporting our Year 12 students later this year with university application processes. Further information about this will come out early Semester 2.

If your young person needs any support in career, education and/or pathway planning- please reach out to myself or our Senior Schooling team to discuss.

Garrett McKenzie

Guidance Officer, Yrs 10, 11 & 12