Staff in Focus

Q&A with  . . . Director of VET

ON the eve of St Norbert Day, Mrs Michelle Lucas - a former student who returned to Treasure Rd this year as Director of VET - recalls highlights of St Norbert Days gone by . . . 

St Norbert News: Welcome back to the College. What lead to your return?

ML: Coming back to St Norbert College has been very exciting. I feel very blessed to be back and I have been welcomed with open arms. The community support has been amazing and the change has been welcomed. I am enjoying learning new ways of doing things and meeting up with teachers from my school days (including Fr Peter, who isn't as scary as what I thought as a student) and having my old school friend, Mr Harvey, as my boss. It has been great meeting the wonderful staff and students at SNC and I am also thrilled that my nephew, Merrick, started in Year 7 this year, the next generation of the Devereux family.

SNN: Where did you teach previously?

ML: Mandurah Catholic College for 15 years as the Head of VET and Kearnan College in Manjimup for 15 years.

SNN: Was there a work placement program when you were a student here?

ML: We were lucky enough to do two weeks' work experience in Year 10. I was interested in the police force so I was placed at the infringement section. I loved it!

SNN: What is Work Prep all about today and what are students in the program currently participating in?

ML: The Year 11 and 12 students are out completing a variety of qualifications and work placements. Work Prep gives students the time and opportunity to discover what career they might like to pursue in the future. St Norbert has a wonderful VET program and the students are so lucky to have the time to discover where their talents drive. The Year 10 Career and Enterprise will be heading out to work experience at the end of them term. This is a very exciting time for them. Mr Saunders and Mrs August are working hard to make sure all students are placed for the students work placement starting next week.

SNN: What are some of the benefits of students doing a work placement?

ML: It gives them the opportunity to explore the world of work. Being able to experience different work places is invaluable. The St Norbert students are very lucky.

SNN: What are some of the most popular careers students have their sights on?

ML: The most popular careers seem to be in education and nursing. This is great because there is a current shortage in these fields of work.

SNN: What are some of the more unusual careers that your previous students have succeeded in?

ML: Jenna Clarke is a prominent journalist. She works for the Australian, Sky News, 6PR and The Front Page and she was an Associate Editor of The West Australian. She was an amazing student. Another high-achieving student from Manjimup is Kristy McSweeney who recently ran for the Federal seat of Swan - she is a journalist and entrepreneur. Her sister, Holly McSweeney, can be seen on Home in WA for Channel 7 and she often is the host for the mighty Fremantle Dockers functions. I have had the privilege to teach so many successful and wonderful students. Pilots, electricians, plumbers, chefs, teachers, nurses, hairdressers, police officers.

SNN: As a student at St Norbert College, you would have enjoyed all the excitement and fun of St Norbert Days. What are your fondest memories?

ML: I recall going rollerskating in Year 10 and doing the "snowball''. Another highlight was taking part in the 1988 St Norbert Day Walkathon, in which students walked around the Swan River as a fund-raiser. It raised $3000.   

SNN: Any rollerskating this St Norbert Day? 

ML: I am supervising ice-skating and I am a little scared - I hope no one slips over!

Mrs L Quartermain

(Community Relations)