Around the College

Sam Boyle (MOC2025) Top Class Drama

We are delighted to share that Sam Boyle has been selected to perform in Top Class Drama as part of the VCE Season of Excellence 2026.

Top Class is one of the highest honours in VCE Drama, showcasing outstanding student work selected by the VCAA from across the state. As part of the VCE Season of Excellence, it celebrates exceptional creativity, skill and performance by students who have demonstrated excellence in their studies.

Sam will perform his 2025 Drama solo, Professor Filius Flitwick or Professor Pomona Sprout, on Tuesday 24 March at 10.00am at the Melbourne Recital Centre. He has also been invited to perform in the regional Top Class tour on 23 April at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre in Traralgon, extending this recognition beyond Melbourne.

Congratulations to Sam on this outstanding achievement. Being selected for Top Class Drama is a significant milestone and a proud moment for our performing arts community.

VM Senior Student, Leon Sklepic – Absolutely Nailin’ It!

Leon is in his second year of the Vocational Major course and has proven to be a focused and driven young man. In June 2025, Leon took the initiative to research construction companies in his area. He contacted Daniel at DMH Construction and secured a one-day-a-week work placement. Leon clearly impressed from the start, as he has continued his placement into Year 12. Both Leon and the company are now exploring the possibility of converting this placement into a School-Based Apprenticeship (SBAT).

The advantage of an SBAT is that Leon will spend two days a week on the tools while completing his TAFE components in scheduled blocks throughout the year. This additional experience will also allow Leon to finish his apprenticeship earlier.

When I visited Leon on site, the team was working on a full house renovation in Heathmont. Over the past six months at DMH Construction, Leon has gained hands-on experience building decks, erecting pergolas, and demolishing interiors for complete fit-outs. He has been entrusted with a wide range of tasks, and his supervisor, Dean, has been impressed with Leon’s work ethic and competence. As Dean remarked, “It’s rare to find young men willing to work. Leon listens, stays focused, asks questions, and is open to advice. He is an ideal worker.”

Leon is certainly an impressive individual. On site, he is kicking goals and earning the respect of Daniel, Dean, and coworker Kaden. In the classroom, Leon demonstrates a mature approach to all tasks and is conscientious in everything he undertakes.

Mazenod College sincerely thanks Daniel, Dean, and Kaden from DMH Construction for the mentoring and guidance they have provided Leon. The success of the VCE Vocational Major program relies on employers who generously offer young men real-world experience in the industries they aspire to join.

If you have the capacity to employ a VCE Vocational Major student, please contact Mr. Leigh Harris atlharris@mazenod.vic.edu.au or Ms. Athena Beshir at abeshir@mazenod.vic.edu.au, our Vocational Education Leaders. Work placement days for Year 11 VCE VM Unit 1/2 students are on Tuesdays, while Year 12 VCE VM Unit 3/4 students attend on Thursdays.