Narrogin Senior High School is opening up a range of pathways for their students’ futures, allowing them to get out of the classroom and get hands-on work experience.

The school is proud of its vocational pathways programs, which give students a chance to tackle learning in real businesses in their community, adding vital life skills to their resume and giving them a taste of jobs they might like to pursue after school.

Senior students are offered a wealth of pathways for their final years of study. Principal Sandii Stankovic said staff and school leaders had worked hard to offer their students programs and opportunities that reflected the realities of regional work, whilst also making sure living in a regional town was not limiting students’ aspirations for their futures.

“Our students deserve opportunities that reflect their strengths, their interests and the community they belong to,” Ms Stankovic said.

“When we can create those opportunities locally, the impact reaches far beyond the individual student.”

Eight Year 12 students are undertaking a certificate III in civil construction this year, and the RISE (Readiness for Independent Successful Employment) program was also introduced to senior students this year.

Students can also access vocational studies supported by South Regional TAFE, outreach from registered training organisations, and the School of Isolated and Distance Education.

A community favourite initiative at the school is the Hilltop Cafe, WA’s only high school student-run restaurant which is open to the public one day a week and gives students the opportunity to learn about hospitality in a working restaurant kitchen.

Hilltop Cafe supervising chef Ben Davies said working in the restaurant gave students a real feel of what it was like to work in the hospitality industry.

“There is a real difference between learning about hospitality and actually working in hospitality,” he said.

“Seeing our students grow in confidence, take responsibility and realise what they are capable of is incredibly rewarding.”

Another new opportunity introduced to NSHS students this year was workplace learning, where Year 11 students had the opportunity to spend one day every week in a local business, exploring industries they are interested in and building workplace skills and local industry connections.

The program is set to expand to include both Year 11 and 12 students in 2027.

Ms Stankovic said getting students out in the community was a benefit to both the students and to local businesses, with students building their skills and confidence and local businesses having the chance to invest in the future of their local workforce.

“When a local business opens its doors to a student, it is doing more than providing work experience,” she said.

“It is helping that young person understand what is possible and building a connection that can potentially last for years.”