Penrith Selective Interview help (2 Viewers)

Minari243

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Hello!! So today I received a phone call for an interview on Thursday for Penrith High School. If anyone has any experience or advice for these types of interviews pleaselet me know!
Is it really early to receive a phone call about interviews on this date? My friend who got in last year was only notified in October.

Im year 10 btw
 
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Pedro123

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I myself do not have experience with specifically the Penrith interview, but you want to present yourself as best as you can.
Make sure a couple of things:

1) Impeccable school uniform - Ask your main office or a teacher - if your school doesn't have anything fancy like a blazer in their main uniform, sometimes they lend out special blazers for important events. BTW try not to mention that it is to leave the school, probably will de-incentivise them from giving you the blazer :) . This also includes things like having nicely polished shoes, having your hair cut, etc.

2) Confidence and demeanour - Very important thing in this interview. Clear voice, good posture, only sit when offered a seat. Try also practising your handshake - I know it sounds stupid, but a firm, effective handshake where you don't pull the person in too much but are still kind of close to them is very good. Practice with your parents. Your voice should always be clear and concise, and ALWAYS have eye contact with them.

3) Questions - A lot of the time, they have some basic pre-prepared questions. You want to make sure that you prep for some basic ones, i.e. why do you think we should accept you, what are your interests, favourite subject, how do you display some values (Just in case it comes up, their motto is Altiora Peto, which means "I seek higher things" or "Higher things"), and what are some weaknesses. For your weaknesses, you need to come up with honest issues with yourself beforehand - they like some honesty in these interviews. Something that is kinda bad, but not very bad. Also, say after that you will aim to fix those things. Before answering, take about a 2-3 second pause and use things like aahhh or well to tell them you are thinking about the responses, and they aren't just pre-prepared from a sheet of paper. While it is true that you may not get asked a lot of those questions, still thinking about them means that you can get a better understanding of yourself for the interview.

4) Honesty and Naturality - This is kind of against everything already said, but you want your responses to be honest, meaningful, things that you like. When preparing the questions, don't say things that you think will sound good, say things that are truthful. Also, be comfortable in these situations, ask them "How are you?" or compliment things in the room, you want to show that you are an honest person who isn't putting on a one-time show, and will always act the way you are. Looking perfect but not being comfortable with that is nowhere near as important as looking kind of perfect but acting natural.

One last thing - print out a resume just in case they ask for it - always good to be prepared!

This seems like a lot, and it is. If anything, the order of importance is 4, 2, 1, 3. But just remember - you made it this far, you have a friend with some experience. Be yourself, and I am sure that you are a wonderful person who will make a great first impression!
 
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Minari243

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I myself do not have experience with specifically the Penrith interview, but you want to present yourself as best as you can.
Make sure a couple of things:

1) Impeccable school uniform - Ask your main office or a teacher - if your school doesn't have anything fancy like a blazer in their main uniform, sometimes they lend out special blazers for important events. BTW try not to mention that it is to leave the school, probably will de-incentivise them from giving you the blazer :)

2) Confidence and demeanour - Number one thing in this interview. Clear voice, good posture, only sit when offered a seat. Try also practising your handshake - I know it sounds stupid, but a firm, effective handshake where you don't pull the person in too much but are still kind of close to them is very good. Practice with your parents. Your voice should always be clear and concise, and ALWAYS have eye contact with them.

3) Questions - A lot of the time, they have some basic pre-prepared questions. You want to make sure that you prep for some basic ones, i.e. why do you think we should accept you, what are your interests, favourite subject, how do you display some values (Just in case it comes up, their motto is Altiora Peto, which means "I seek higher things" or "Higher things"), and what are some weaknesses. For your weaknesses, you need to come up with honest issues with yourself beforehand - they like some honesty in these interviews. Something that is kinda bad, but not very bad. Also, say after that you will aim to fix those things. Before answering, take about a 2-3 second pause and use things like aahhh or well to tell them you are thinking about the responses, and they aren't just pre-prepared from a sheet of paper. While it is true that you may not get asked a lot of those questions, still thinking about them means that you can get a better understanding of yourself for the interview.

4) Honesty and Naturality - This is kind of against everything already said, but you want your responses to be honest, meaningful, things that you like. When preparing the questions, don't say things that you think will sound good, say things that are truthful. Also, be comfortable in these situations, ask them "How are you?" or compliment things in the room, you want to show that you are an honest person who isn't putting on a one-time show, and will always act the way you are. Looking perfect but not being comfortable with that is nowhere near as important as looking kind of perfect but acting natural.

One last thing - print out a resume just in case they ask for it - always good to be prepared!

This seems like a lot, and it is. If anything, the order of importance is 4, 1, 2, 3. But just remember - you made it this far, you have a friend with some experience. Be yourself, and I am sure that you are a wonderful person who will make a great first impression!
Thank you so much! That was extremely helpful. I'm not really sure about my response for why I would want to attend Penrith High, If I'm being honest I'm attending because my friend who goes there told me the amazing facilities and teachers who are there, would you think that's a good answer? I was also told that i shouldn't talk bad about my old school.
 

Pedro123

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Thank you so much! That was extremely helpful. I'm not really sure about my response for why I would want to attend Penrith High, If I'm being honest I'm attending because my friend who goes there told me the amazing facilities and teachers who are there, would you think that's a good answer? I was also told that i shouldn't talk bad about my old school.
Any responses that you have and want some feedback on, feel free to start a conversation with me and send them over, I can have a look at them (To start a conversation click on the name hyperlink below my icon, and start a private conversation there)

Honestly, then say just that. If your friend is a good student in the school, mention them and say that they explained the facilities and teachers here were brilliant, and you like the school as a whole. You also should have an example in mind for facilities, i.e. If they have really good science labs or something else like a subject you are really into (i.e. if you like PDHPE, talk about how you think their new equipment is really great, but use an actual example). Also, don't talk bad about your school, that is true. If they ask you want to leave there and they specifically want you to say something about your school, say why you aren't a fan of it, but don't go too overboard. If you have trouble thinking of something, say it isn't a great fit for you, and you aren't a fan of the culture or the tone set at that school. Remember, your responses are much more likely to sound better if they come from the heart and are rooted in truth.

Any other questions, both from you and any other people going for an interview are welcome!
 

Minari243

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Hey Minari243 how'd you go? Have my interview soon for st george - any tips?
It went really well actually! Better than what I expected anyway. It was really casual, like it was more about getting to know me instead of academics. Pedro123 gave me really helpful advice and prepared me for it so I suggest you ask him. Feel free to message me about what questions I was asked and the process :))
When is your interview btw?
 

vsyie

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It went really well actually! Better than what I expected anyway. It was really casual, like it was more about getting to know me instead of academics. Pedro123 gave me really helpful advice and prepared me for it so I suggest you ask him. Feel free to message me about what questions I was asked and the process :))
When is your interview btw?
Yeah Pedro123 gave me the same advice. My interview's on friday
 

Cherrybomb56

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Hello!! So today I received a phone call for an interview on Thursday for Penrith High School. If anyone has any experience or advice for these types of interviews pleaselet me know!
Is it really early to receive a phone call about interviews on this date? My friend who got in last year was only notified in October.

Im year 10 btw
Congrats. Did you get any info about entry into giraween?
 

SpiderX1X

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Yeah they’re offering the extra 20 seats now and giving interviews but they’re probably gonna offer a few more due to students leaving
Do you know anyone that has received interview for Girraween?
 

SpiderX1X

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not so far, I think they will tell by the end of this month
Hmm, also how many people do you reckon were at the exam for Yr 10 entry into Yr 11.

I counted like 130 people but my friend says like 165.. it would be so tough to get in if it was that high.
 

Cherrybomb56

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Hmm, also how many people do you reckon were at the exam for Yr 10 entry into Yr 11.

I counted like 130 people but my friend says like 165.. it would be so tough to get in if it was that high.
I am pretty sure there were around 150 people. Ikr.
 

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