VM Day and Trade Taster

On Monday, 19th May 2025, Mr. Abeyaratne and I, along with 13 Year 10 students, attended the Try a Trade day at CRC Sydenham and AGA Deer Park.

At CRC Sydenham, students were given a guided tour of the facilities, aligned with the various VET subjects available as part of our school cluster program. Students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities, offering valuable insight into vocational pathways that may influence their future decisions.

Following this, we visited AGA Deer Park Trade School. Students toured the Trade Centre and participated in a practical team-based activity—constructing a subfloor structure for a house. This required them to follow building plans, collaborate effectively, and experience real-world trade skills in action.

As our students approach the end of their secondary education, it's vital they are well-informed about their post-school options—whether that involves further study or joining the workforce.

Our Year 12 VCE VM students recently benefited from presentations by three guest speakers who provided valuable information on future pathways:

• Aroha from Victoria University (VU) discussed the Early Entry Program and outlined the application timeline and VU course structure.
• Rachel from Kangan TAFE highlighted the advantages of studying at Kangan and shared exciting news about two new campuses opening locally in 2026.
• David from Busy at Work explained how their organisation supports young people in finding apprenticeships, traineeships, or employment through mentoring and guidance.

We are grateful to all guest speakers and our local LLEN for coordinating this informative session.

On Wednesday, 25th June 2025, our Year 11G students enjoyed an industry excursion organised by Brimbank LLEN. The day began with a visit to the Amazon warehouse in Ravenhall. After a briefing on the operations and employment expectations at Amazon, students donned steel-capped shoes and toured the facility. They gained valuable insight into the logistics sector, including how many employees progress from entry-level roles into management, supported by various staff incentives along the way.

Following this, we visited Scalzo, a company responsible for supplying produce to major supermarkets such as Nobbys nuts. Students wore protective white coats, gloves, and hairnets—prompting a few laughs from the group. The tour offered an enlightening look at the food processing industry, and students were particularly impressed by the automated forklifts in operation.

We sincerely thank Brimbank LLEN for organising these excursions and providing our students with meaningful opportunities to explore different industries and career options.

Ms Sioukas and Anne Murphy (VET Leader)