From the Careers Department

Reaching for the Stars – Students Inspired by Australia’s First Astronaut

A small group of staff and students recently had the privilege of attending the Australian of the Year Breakfast at the Adelaide Convention Centre, an inspiring event celebrating leadership, innovation and community contribution across Australia.

A highlight of the morning was hearing from keynote speaker Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australia’s first astronaut under the Australian flag. Katherine shared the remarkable story of her journey from a curious student with a passion for science and mathematics to becoming a space engineer and astronaut. Her message was both inspiring and empowering, particularly for the students in attendance.

Throughout her presentation, Katherine emphasised the importance of curiosity, perseverance, and lifelong learning. She spoke about the significance of asking questions, exploring ideas, and embracing challenges which helped shape her career pathway in STEM. Her experiences demonstrated that careers in science and technology are not limited to a select few, but are possible for anyone willing to stay curious, work hard and continue learning. Experiences such as this help students see the real-world impact of their studies and inspire them to dream big. As technology and innovation continue to shape our future, encouraging students to remain curious and engaged in these areas is more important than ever.

We were also captivated by the stories of 2026 SA Australian of the Year Award recipients: James Currie, Malcolm Benoy, Ayesha Safdar and Chloe Wyatt Jasper who demonstrated their commitment to creating positive change and improving the lives of others in their individual and diverse fields. Our staff and students left the breakfast feeling motivated and thankful to have been part of such a memorable occasion.

Career Pathways Come to Life during Work Experience

This term our Year 10 students completed work experience placements across a diverse range of industries including healthcare, law, hospitality, education, retail, childcare, media, technology, and the arts.

These valuable opportunities allowed students to develop workplace skills, build confidence, and gain insight into possible future careers. Through hands-on experiences, students learned the importance of communication, teamwork, responsibility, and professionalism in real-world settings.

Work experience plays an important role in helping young people connect classroom learning with future career pathways. We congratulate all participating students and are proud of the positive way they represented SAC throughout their placements. We also thank the many local businesses and organisations who generously supported our students and provided such meaningful learning experiences.

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