Congratulations and farewell, Mr L'Huillier!

Hello McClelland community,

It is with a heavy heart that I write to you all to let you know that my time at McClelland College has come to an end. I have accepted an ongoing position with the Department of Education as a Senior Pathways Officer in the Southern Melbourne Area. My time at McClelland has prepared me well for this role, particularly my seven years as Leader of the VCAL (now VCE VM) program. Throughout this time, I developed a passion for applied learning pedagogy and worked to ensure that every student in our community had a viable and successful pathway. 

When I first started in 2007, things were vastly different. The school was called Karingal Park Secondary College, the uniform was quite different, some of the staff were still the same and VCAL was homed in a less-than-modern portable where Hands On Learning now sits. There were eights students in that class and now there is close to 150. That is huge progress. Apart from mere numbers, the VCE Vocational Major program is one that has equal merit in the community. It is valued equally at Valedictory and is considered equally when whole school decisions and events are conceived. I do not pretend to take full credit for the huge steps made in this area, but I am extremely proud to have my name as the caretaker throughout that progress. I took over from Rowly and enjoyed collaborating with him as my mentor throughout my tenure. The program is now in incredibly good hands with Kellie and the entire VM team that puts in so much work each day to ensure these students are offered equal opportunities.

My time at McClelland is not just sign posted by my time in VCAL/VCE VM though. Did you know I was a renowned actor? Just ask Sproule. Every time a production was announced, along came Sproule to tap me on the shoulder for a “starring” role. I also attended many camps, quite a few at Mahaikah (which has a warm place in my heart). However, the highlight of camps was two trips out to Central Australia with Holty, Butch and Bucher. These camps were extremely formative and have instilled in me a love for the outdoors. The lowlight was definitely breaking my wrist whilst helping staff a Year 8 snowboard camp at Mt Buller. I still remember the students boarding past me, my arm in a splint, laughing at me and taking pictures. Thanks, guys. The phone call to Mr Malcolm to inform him of the break was just as painful. I also assisted Watto and Shawy in sporting events, maintaining a 100% loss record as coach. I wonder why I wasn’t approached more often…. I helped manage the hugely successful Breakfast Club, conducting evening drives in my van to pick up loads of bakery goodies for our student to eat. The musty smell of day-old bread never really left that van…Everything that I did at McClelland was done with joy and enthusiasm. This place has been more than a job for me. My time here has provided me with lifelong friends, a passion for education, professional partnerships that have enhanced my own educational intelligence and countless memories to enjoy in my own head. I will miss McClelland and all of the people within it. I will miss past students randomly dropping in to tell us that they got a new job, car, or boyfriend. I will miss having an office next to Food Tech and benefitting from the ‘demo’ meals. I will miss the informal chats and conversations with people as I pass by their space. I will miss running BBQs with students, coffee runs and running huge projects like the Careers Expo, Car Show, Open Night café and Car Wash. I will miss picking up the guitar and singing for the graduated senior students as they walk out the doors for the final time. 

I will miss you all and I thank you for having such an effect on me. Thank you for indulging me in a farewell. I hope to reconnect with you all in the future. 

Love and Learning,

Dave L’Huillier