Applied Learning

Year 11 VCE VM New Partnership with SCOPE and Hockey Victoria

Last Thursday, our Year 11s were inducted into the game of Inclusive Hockey! Players can be ambulant or use a wheelchair for movement. When players arrive, if they use a wheelchair to play, a hockey stick is attached to their chair if they do not have the strength in the hands/arms to hold this vital piece of equipment. Instead of a traditional small ball or puck, the likelihood of connecting the stick with the ball and moving it forward for one's team is heightened through the use of a soccer sized ball. This is terrific for those players who are sight impaired. 

VM students pushed players on court in their chairs, and our VET Sport, Aquatics & Recreation students Ben and Anthony, were taught how to umpire the game. 

Overall, it was a fun morning with our presence appreciated by all. Thank you to the experts from Hockey Victoria for working alongside SCOPE to make their game inclusive of all.

Year 12 VCE VM SCOPE Balloon Football Brownlow Night Dinner

It was so pleasing to have 32 outside guests attend this annual formal dinner, where we can socialise with players, their family members, and support workers, while acknowledging the competition's best for 2026. A delicious three course dinner was prepared by Catering by Chantel, with generous serves and left overs! 

Each Year 12 VM Team Manager nominated their team's Most Valuable Player, and Team Character Award. Overall competition trophies were also presented for our Rising Star, BFLW, Best Ruck, Forwards and Defenders. It was fitting to acknowledge the longest serving BFL player for a Veteran Award, Craig Hargreaves. 

For the second year running David Sullivan from the Demons was awarded the John Bowen Medal, named in honour of a founding player whose attitude and skill epitomised  the participation and fair sportsmanship that Balloon Football founders Cam West, Adam Barry, and Jason Rook envisaged would go part and parcel with their version of inclusive AFL.

Zambrero's Plate 4 Plate Day - Year 11 VCE VM Community Outreach Day

Upon our group arriving at St Kilda Town Hall for this community engagement social outreach, we were warmly welcomed by organisers, for we were the only school group, AND they quickly noted that we had strong and enthusiastic young people.  We were over-joyed to receive our compulsory hair nets and event bandana, as noted in the accompanying pics! Witnessing corporate teams give up a day of work to volunteer was humbling. As music blasted throughout the large room, trestle tables were surrounded by volunteers who played significant roles in the packing of over 41,000 meals at our location alone.

So how does Plate 4 Plate work? Every day, buying a regular or big burrito bowl, Kids Zam Box, or retail item, sees the company donate a meal to someone in need through the Zambrero Plate 4 Plate program. Each year, Zambrero gatherers volunteers through social media posts to measure and pack dry ingredients to make up nutritious meals for those struggling in third world nations. In particular, Zambrero worked with Rise Against Hunger to provide much needed food within villages in South Africa, and alongside FoodBank Australia who provide for those doing it tough here in our states and territories. 

Each pack of dry non perishables could feed a family of six, and consisted of staple ingredients of grains, rice, legumes, and dehydrated vegetables. Measurements had to be precise, safe food handling practices were a given, and safe lifting techniques ensured boxes were packed on pellets for delivery. Our students excelled in the fast paced work environment, even taking the time to bop along to the hit music with Ms Mackay as they undertook their specific duties. 

Well done to Zambrero for showing every day Australians that by giving up some time and physical effort, as individuals we can contribute to good deeds that benefit many.

Ms Caitlin Mackay

Instructional Leader Applied Learning