Thirteen Year 11 & 12 students from St Paul’s Catholic Secondary College in Kempsey have commenced a Cert III training course in Individual Support using Vincent Court as a living classroom.
This first-of-a-kind program gives students a pathway to future study and career options in aged care and nursing. It also promises to deliver many benefits to the residents and wider community.
During the course, students will undertake a range of practical training and classroom activities led by St Paul’s Teacher, Amanda Jones, who is also a Registered Nurse with a background in aged care.
It is hoped that by later this year, the students will be equipped with the skills required to help care for residents under supervision. After successfully completing the Certificate, students can choose to apply to study Nursing or commence work as an Enrolled Nurse or a Carer.
Residential Service Manager, Kylie Bonney, says the program is a win-win for everyone involved.
“Residents will enjoy the connections and interactions with these young pupils, and it’s a wonderful opportunity for students to gain real-world learning that can propel them to a future career. They’ll get to experience first-hand Vincent Court’s resident-first culture, and will gain valuable insights into the rewards of caring for older Australians,” she said.
In line with current health guidelines, all students will be Covid tested at school prior to entering Vincent Court and will also be temperature checked on arrival each day.