VCE VM News

As we move towards the end of Term 3 and begin preparing for Term 4, there is plenty happening across the VCE Vocational Major program. Students have been working hard across their VM subjects, Structured Workplace Learning and elective classes, with many exciting opportunities and important milestones ahead. 

Year 12 Volunteer Camp - Monday 5 & Tuesday 6 October 

We will begin Term 4 with a Year 12 Volunteer Camp. This forms part of the Year 12 VCE VM Outcome program and provides students with opportunities to participate in meaningful volunteer activities while developing practical workplace and personal skills.

• Teamwork and collaboration
• Practical skills and responsibility
• Communication and community participation
• Resilience, problem-solving and organization

Permission Forms will be available On Compass early next week.

Students are required to Plan, Organise and Deliver a Community Project. This term, our students will be putting these skills into practice through a community partnership with Caringal Scout Camp.

Students will volunteer their time and practical skills to help improve the camp facilities. Planned projects include painting storage containers, cleaning accommodation and kitchen areas, and removing overhanging branches and low-lying hazards along the walking trails. Students will also take responsibility for catering for themselves in the camp kitchen and will stay overnight in the accommodation provided.

Of course, community projects aren't all hard work! Students will also participate in a range of team-building activities after the day's work is complete — providing plenty of opportunities to develop communication, leadership and teamwork skills.

Year 12 Students Get Hands-On 

Last Friday, a small group of students had the opportunity to visit Caringal Scout Camp ahead of the main project. They met with the camp caretaker, discussed the work that needs to be completed and inspected the facilities and surrounding areas. This provided an excellent opportunity for students to take ownership of the project, ask questions, identify priorities and begin planning how the work will be organised.

The visit also provided a valuable reminder that when you head into the bush, you aren't necessarily the only ones interested in the project. A few friendly leeches along the walking trails were more than happy to welcome the students to Caringal!

Connecting with Our Community: Churchill Community Hub Visit

VCE VM students were excited to welcome Nathan from Churchill Community Hub to learn more about the important services and opportunities available within our local community.

Nathan spoke to students about the many ways the Churchill Community Hub supports the community, including building community connections, providing activities and programs throughout the week, and supporting individuals and families in need. Students were particularly interested to learn that the Hub operates the largest food bank in regional Victoria, providing valuable support to people across the local area.

Nathan also introduced students to an exciting new initiative – the Pitta Patta Driving Academy. The program has acquired three “nugget” cars that will be refurbished and developed for young people to participate in motorsport activities. Students involved in the program will have the opportunity to gain track experience at Haunted Hills Track while developing valuable teamwork, communication and project-management skills.

Importantly, the program will be student-led, with participants taking responsibility for different aspects of the project, including:

Motorsport Teams – working together to develop and prepare the cars

Fundraising – developing ideas to raise money for the program

Sponsorship – building relationships with local businesses and organisations 

Merchandising – creating and promoting merchandise

Social Media – developing content and promoting the program

Advertising & Promotion – sharing the project with the wider community

We are particularly excited that three of our VCE VM students are currently participating in the pilot program, giving them the opportunity to develop practical workplace and community skills through an exciting, hands-on project.

The visit provided a fantastic example of Applied Learning in action, demonstrating how community organisations can provide young people with meaningful opportunities to build skills, make connections and explore future pathways.

A big thank you to Nathan and Churchill Community Hub for visiting Kurnai College and sharing this exciting opportunity with our VCE VM students!

VCE VM Students Explore Workplace Opportunities at Cool Group / Hip Pocket Morwell

Several of our VCE VM students recently had the opportunity to visit Cool Group / Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety in Morwell for an exciting worksite visit.

Students were given a behind-the-scenes look at the warehouse operations, learning more about how products are received, organised, stored, repaired and prepared for customers. The visit provided students with valuable insight into the range of roles and skills required to keep a busy business operating efficiently.

During the visit, students also learned about potential Structured Workplace Learning opportunities available within the business. Our students were offered eight work placements across several areas, including:

• Warehouse Operations – stock handling, organisation and order preparation
• Truck Deliveries – assisting with deliveries and learning about logistics

• Retail Shop – customer service, merchandising and day-to-day retail operations

   

The visit was a fantastic opportunity for students to connect their VCE VM Work Related Skills learning with a real workplace and explore different career pathways.

We would like to thank Tony, Gareth and the crew at Cool Group / Hip Pocket Morwell for welcoming our students and providing them with an opportunity to see the variety of employment pathways available within their business and offering Work Placement opportunities for our students! We really value all of our community connections who support our students with placements!

Looking Ahead – Term 3 & Term 4

Interviews to Impress – 12S & 12T

Our Year 12 students in 12S and 12T will participate in an Interviews to Impress session designed to build confidence and develop skills for future employment, further education and training.   The interviews will focus on students:

• Presenting themselves professionally
• Communicating confidently and answering interview questions
• Talking about their skills, strengths and experience
• Discussing future goals and aspirations

Students need to arrive at the Morwell train station by 7.30 in the morning to catch the 8am train.  We will begin the day with the interview program.  Students will have an hour or so of time in the city before returning. We expect to arrive back in Morwell just before 5.30pm.

Year 12 Exit Interviews

Individual Exit Interviews will be held with each Year 12 student and their parent/guardian. These conversations will focus on leaving school, planning ahead and making sure every student has a clear pathway for 2027.  Interviews will focus on:

• Employment, apprenticeships and traineeships
• TAFE, further education and training
• Applications, resumes and interviews
• Individual goals, pathways and support needs

Many students have already signed up for their interview times.  The sign-up sheet is available in the VM Office for students who still need to select their interview time.

VM Market Day

Thursday 17 September | 3:30pm–5:30pm | Kurnai College

Our VCE VM Market Day is scheduled to run alongside Parent Teacher Conversations on 17th September, 3.30 – 5.30 pm.  The event is linked to Outcome Tasks for Year 11 and 12 VM students and attendance is expected.  It will showcase products and projects developed through elective subjects. Students will run their own stalls and put their practical skills into action. It will showcase students:

• Developing and producing products
• Pricing, selling and managing money
• Promoting products and communicating with customers
• Working as a team and managing a stall

Families are warmly invited! Market Day coincides with Parent Teacher Conversations, making it a great opportunity to support our students and see VCE VM learning in action.

Year 12 VM Volunteer Camp

Year 12 Mock Interviews

During Term 4, local business and community volunteers will interview our Year 12 students in realistic mock employment interviews. Students will be presenting the portfolios they have developed over the semester and will practice presenting themselves professionally, discussing their skills and experience, answering interview questions and responding to feedback.  This is an Outcome Task for Work Related Skills.  Students will have an allocated time for their interview and will be expected to dress and present as they would in an actual interview situation.

Year 12 Celebration Day – Melbourne

Year 12 students will plan and deliver their own Celebration Day in Melbourne. This is a VCE VM Outcome task that requires students to work collaboratively to plan, organise and implement an event. They’ve arranged an Escape Room and navigation activities as a part of the day.  It’s also an opportunity to celebrate their success after 13 years of schooling.  Students will demonstrate:

• Teamwork with escape room and navigation activities
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Planning, organisation and collaboration
• Communication, resilience and student leadership

We will travel by train for the event.  Details and permissions will be available on Compass.

Year 12 Catch-Up Week

Week 4: Monday 26 – Friday 30 October

Week 4 will be an important Catch-Up Week for all Year 12 students. Students will use this time to complete outstanding work and finalise their VCE VM Outcome Tasks. All Outcomes must be met in order to successfully complete Units and VCE VM.  Students should discuss any requirements and concerns with their teachers ASAP.  Learning Behaviour Updates are available on Compass.  Students should be discussing progress and Outcomes with their teachers.

Students should regularly check their workbooks, Folios and assessment requirements and speak with their teachers if they need assistance.

Year 11 Community Walk

Thursday 29 October | 10:00am–1:00pm | Churchill | Finishing with a BBQ

Year 11 students will put their collaborative skills into action with a Community Walk. This is a VCE VM Outcome Task developed through collaborative work involving all Year 11 VCE VM students and KYPS (Kurnai Young Parents Program).

Working with Churchill Neighbourhood House, students have developed an event to raise awareness of issues important to young people and our community, including:

• Our community
• Homelessness
• Community connection

• Issues that matter to our students

   

Students will participate in the community walk from 10:00am to 1:00pm, finishing together with a BBQ. The project reflects the essence of VCE VM: students working together, connecting with their community and turning their ideas into action.

Looking Ahead

The next few weeks will be busy, but they are also an exciting time for our VCE VM students. From employment preparation and community projects to volunteering, event management, teamwork and transition planning, students will have many opportunities to demonstrate the practical skills they have developed throughout VCE VM.

We are incredibly proud of our students and look forward to celebrating their achievements throughout Term 4!

The students will now use what they learned during the visit to finalise their plans and prepare for the overnight community project. It is a fantastic opportunity for our VCE VM students to put their learning into action while making a genuine and practical contribution to the Caringal community.

Plan it. Organise it. Get the job done — and hopefully keep the leeches at arm's length!

Karen Anders

VCE VM Team Leader