Perth Waldorf School eNewsletter

Class 10 Work Experience

A distinctive part of our High School program is the Industrial Work Experience offered to Class 10 students - a valuable two-week immersion that aligns beautifully with this stage of their development.

This year, our Class 10 students stepped into diverse workplaces across the community. More than simply trialling career options, they experienced the scale of work achieved through many hands working together - work no single person could accomplish alone. Through cooperation, they came to see how every effort contributes to a greater whole.

At sixteen, adolescents naturally begin to look outward - to society, to the technological age they inhabit and to the role they may play within it. Work experience provides a meaningful bridge, helping students discover both their own capacities and the contribution they can make to the future.

Employer feedback was overwhelmingly positive, consistently praising the maturity, initiative, and diligence of our students. One employer described a student as having a “positive work ethic and consistently showing initiative.” Another shared that their student “only needed to be told once how to complete tasks,” while others highlighted their “attention to detail and care in their work.” Perhaps most impressively, one business owner remarked that he already trusted his student to work independently and would even consider offering them a part-time position.

For Class 10, the program was both practical and inspiring - a real-world experience at a pivotal stage of their journey. The Work Experience process culminated with the students presenting to their families and peers at the Class 10 Parent Evening. They presented with confidence and poise, sharing a bit about the business where they did their Work Experience and talking about the things they learnt, that they enjoyed and what they found challenging. This presentation is an important stepping stone in the path towards their Class 12 Project Presentations.

A huge thank you to the following businesses for hosting our students for their work experience:

Helena River Steiner School

Crooked Spire, Midland

Midland Records

Einsigns & Designs

The Cheesecake Factory, Midland

Colourwest Painting

Haylz Cookies n More

Balcatta Panel & Paint

CBH Group

Echoes Cultural Heritage Management

Tim Eva’s Nursery