ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS AFTER SCHOOL

DECIDING what to do after school can be a tough one for some – or even most – students.

The two most common pathways seem to be either take a gap year and work or travel, or head straight to university. These two pathways can seem constricting, especially for those students who aren’t quite sure what to do – after all, it’s a big and potentially costly decision.

Without aligning your chakras in the Himalayas and ‘finding yourself’, some pathways after school can include:

Sport coaching: To become a coach or trainer in a specific sport, you may not require any formal education, however, many sports need you to be accredited.

A deep knowledge or passion for the sport you’re aiming for also helps.

For example, modified games accreditation in rugby league – those aged 6-12 years – can cost as little as $35 and involves three modules followed by a practical assessment. For those interested in coaching rugby league, playnrl.com has a comprehensive website outlining the fees and accreditation needed across all forms of the game.

Soccer coaching accreditations are similar, and more details can be found at playfootball.com.au.

Flight school: A left-of-field pathway, and one not often thought of in the region, is gaining flying accreditation.

The Northern Rivers Aero Club in Lismore is the central hub for learning to become a pilot in the region, and offers a variety of training and courses.

With the Aero Club, they can help you gain accreditation from the smallest of planes up to commercial aircraft.

Go to recreationalpilot.com.au to find out more.

Ballet appreciation: Byron Ballet once again brings the world’s most popular ballet to the Byron Theatre. In hundreds of towns and cities around the world, The Nutcracker is performed annually to packed houses as it is one of the most accessible ballets.

“Audiences will be mesmerised by this coming of age story which begins when Clara is given a Nutcracker doll by her godfather,” director Yvonne Hall said.

“Unknown to Clara, the doll is a young prince who has been cast under an evil spell which only she can break. “Children will be delighted as Clara is drawn into a magical world of dancing snowflakes and the land of sweets.”

Guest principal Micheal Braun will take centre stage as the Nutcracker Prince alongside local principal dancer Eva Nicolosi in the role of Clara.