Year 11 Work Experience Week
Monday 22 June – Friday 26 June 2026 (final week of Term 2)
Work Experience provides students with the opportunity to explore career interests, develop workplace skills and gain insight into a professional environment.
2026 Work Experience dates
• Week 10: 22–26 June
• Alternative dates may be approved where negotiated with the Career Pathways team.
Before Work Experience
Students should:
• confirm placement details with their employer
• understand their work hours, dress requirements and workplace expectations
• review the Workplace Learning Guidelines
• ensure all required documentation has been completed and submitted
• familiarise themselves with workplace safety procedures.
During Work Experience
Students are expected to:
• arrive punctually each day
• follow workplace policies and safety requirements
• demonstrate professionalism and respect
• ask questions and actively engage in learning opportunities
• immediately report any concerns, incidents or injuries to their workplace supervisor and the School.
Safety and wellbeing
Workplace safety is of paramount importance. If students are unsure about a task or procedure, they should seek guidance before proceeding. Any incident, injury or workplace concern must be reported to both the workplace supervisor and the School as soon as possible.
School contact during Work Experience
Members of staff will contact students during their placement through phone calls, emails or workplace visits.
Westminster School – the Careers Office phone on 8276 0354; the school reception on 8276 0276
Alternatively, be in contact with your Head of House.
If you are on Work Experience during holidays you can contact Ms Amanda Smith on 0438 313 144
After Work Experience
Students are required to:
• complete any reflection or evaluation activities
• acknowledge and thank their workplace host
• submit any required documentation by the advised deadline.
Resources
Please refer to the resources provided at the end of this page.
What you need to know
Important details
- No Year 11 classes during this week
- Teachers will call to check on you and may visit
- You need to find your own placement
- It's competitive, so start looking ASAP before the end of 2025 (other schools also do WE around this time)
- Many places limit student numbers and it's first come, first served
Step 1: Make contact by email, phone call or in person
- Introduce yourself and your interest in the area of work
- School name and subjects you enjoy
- Request for work experience June 22-26, 2026
- Say you'll be covered by school insurance
- What type of work you want to try (e.g. nursing, law, lab work, etc.)
Please find the attached email template for your use.
Step 2: Complete the Workplace Learning Agreement Form (WLAF)
Once a workplace says yes, you need to:
- Fill out the Workplace Learning Agreement Form (you complete your blue section first). This is a legal document and must be correctly completed to ensure that you are covered in the workplace.
- The WLAF is colour-coded: orange for school; blue for student and parent; green for workplace
- Send the WLAF to your workplace with a polite email asking them to complete their green section and return it to you
- When all blue and green sections are complete and signed, return it to Mrs Fulton for final signing and processing
What you need to consider
Insurance
- You're fully covered by school insurance (exceptions could be if you deliberately cause damage)
- The workplace won't have any insurance issues by taking you
- You cannot be paid during placement (insurance rules)
- Workplaces must have public liability insurance (unless a government body)
What to expect
- An induction into the workplace, especially on how to use any equipment or tools safely
- Participation in the workplace duties
- Evaluation form filled out by your workplace
- School staff will check in during the week
- Chance to see if this career is right for you
Why do work placement?
- See how school connects to real work
- Build confidence talking to adults in a work environment
- Explore career options and ideas
- Understand what transferable skills you need for work (e.g. communication, organisation, presentation)
- Learn about workplace technology
Parents and caregivers - how you can help
- Support your child in finding a placement
- It is not recommended to work with family if there are alternatives
- Help them to make enquiries, but don’t do it for them
- Practice what to say if calling or visiting
- Contact school on (08) 8276 0354 if you have questions
Students and Parents/Caregivers
- Read the Workplace Learning Procedures booklets before signing the WLAF
Work Experience with children or on building sites
- Workplaces who work with children usually require students to obtain a Working With Children Check. WWCC are free for volunteers but can take weeks to be issued, so apply early if thinking of Work Experience in that area.
- SA.GOV.AU - Apply for a screening check
- Businesses that work on building sites usually require students to have a White Card (workplace safety course). This is done through a one day, in person course with a training organisation (such as TAFE, Skills Training College, First Aid Pro) and costs between $100-150
Remember: Start early - good placements fill up fast!
Resources
Need help?
We can assist with the necessary paperwork/submissions to ensure all required forms are completed to suit each Workplace Provider. Work Experience is highly beneficial for our students. If you have any questions, please contact E: careerpathways@westminster.sa.edu.au or T: 08 8276 0354.