VCE VM

2026 BGKLLEN Applied Learning Awards

On Monday October 19, at St Leonard's College, the 2026 Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston Local Learning Employment Network (BGKLLEN) Applied Learning Awards took place. These awards showcase the amazing achievements of students across Government, Catholic, Independent and Special School settings, celebrating the success of VCE VM and VPC students across Bayside, Glen Eira and Kingston councils.

We had five of our very own MGSC VCE VM students nominated in five different categories. 

Lulu Pozydajew - Future Vocational Award

Lulu Pozydajew is a highly motivated and committed student who has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and clear commitment to her future career in healthcare. She has excelled in her Allied Health Certificate III, regularly communicating with her VET teachers and actively seeking feedback and advice to ensure she achieves her best.

Lulu also excels across her core VCE VM classes, consistently contributing to class discussions and drawing on her workplace experiences to provide valuable and meaningful examples. She has demonstrated initiative in both of her SWL blocks, independently seeking placements where she could apply her Allied Health knowledge and build on the theory developed in the classroom. At Bayside Special School, she supported students with hygiene practices across a range of programs, further developing her practical skills and understanding of the healthcare sector.

Lulu has also demonstrated strong leadership within the VM community project, taking on leadership responsibilities in both Years 11 and 12. She supported her peers to successfully run lunchtime activities promoting body kindness and wellbeing, while also ensuring food preparation and handling was completed safely and hygienically. She was a reliable problem solver who supported her teams whenever challenges arose.

Lulu has set a clear educational goal for her future and has applied to study a Diploma of Nursing at TAFE in 2027. Her strong academic commitment, initiative, leadership and clear pathway into further education make her an outstanding candidate for the Future Educational Pathways Student of the Year award.

Ciera Di Santo - Future Educational Award

Ciera Di Santo is a highly motivated, determined and proactive student who has demonstrated a clear commitment to building a future career in the sports and recreation industry. Throughout her VCE Vocational Major studies, Ciera has consistently embraced applied learning opportunities and actively sought experiences that have helped her develop a greater understanding of her future employment pathways.

Ciera has performed exceptionally well within her Outdoor Recreation VET course, thriving in a hands-on learning environment and demonstrating enthusiasm, commitment and a willingness to challenge herself. She has also shown considerable initiative in securing workplace learning opportunities independently. During her placement at Ray White Chelsea, Ciera demonstrated maturity, professionalism and initiative, receiving highly positive feedback from the workplace about her approach and conduct.

Ciera has consistently demonstrated the qualities of an outstanding applied learner. During the VM community project, she took on significant responsibility as Project Manager and Head of the Marketing Team, demonstrating leadership, organisation, communication and teamwork. She has also been a strong advocate for the VCE VM program, speaking at a school assembly about the benefits of applied learning and independently creating a video showcasing the achievements of the inaugural VM cohort's Night Market.

Ciera has shown remarkable determination in pursuing her career goals. She was highly motivated to secure a traineeship in 2026; although the right opportunity did not present itself, she remained focused on her long-term goal rather than allowing this setback to discourage her. Her passion for sport and recreation has continued to drive her forward, and she has independently identified and applied for an AFL traineeship opportunity for 2027.

Amelie Kujawski - VCE VM Student of the Year

Amelie Kujawski consistently demonstrates an exceptional commitment to her VCE VM studies, completing all work to a very high standard and actively taking initiative in every learning opportunity. She particularly thrives in group work and inquiry-based learning, where she contributes thoughtfully and supports others to achieve successful outcomes.

Amelie regularly seeks feedback to improve both her work and understanding of key concepts. She actively participates in class discussions and is able to make meaningful connections between classroom learning and the wider community.

Amelie is also a highly supportive peer who consistently assists others with their learning and encourages those around her to engage positively in learning opportunities. She demonstrates a positive mindset, strong work ethic and willingness to contribute across all aspects of the VM program.

Amelie has demonstrated outstanding leadership through both of our community projects. During Body Kind Week, she took responsibility for developing and running a mindfulness-focused bracelet-making activity. She again took the lead during our inaugural Night Market, creating bracelets for sale and helping contribute to the success of the event.

Amelie's exceptional standard of work, initiative, leadership, positive attitude and commitment to supporting her peers make her an outstanding candidate for the VCE VM Student of the Year award.

Meka Hill - VET Student of the Year

After experiencing some challenges with VET in Year 11, Meka has completely turned her experience around in Year 12 and has truly thrived in VET Hospitality. She has demonstrated outstanding commitment, with impeccable attendance and consistent engagement throughout the year.

Meka has embraced the hands-on nature of Hospitality and regularly shares a weekly recap with her class, confidently explaining the skills and techniques she has developed in the kitchen. A standout example was her detailed explanation of how to butterfly a chicken, demonstrating both her developing expertise and enthusiasm for sharing her learning with others.

Meka has also thrived in an applied learning environment, putting her Hospitality skills into practice during our inaugural Night Market. She played an important role in ensuring food safety practices were followed and took on a leadership role welcoming and guiding parents and families through the event, confidently engaging with guests and introducing them to each stall.

Meka's perseverance, commitment, outstanding attendance and enthusiasm for hands-on learning demonstrate how much she has grown throughout the year. Her ability to turn around her VET experience and thrive within the Hospitality environment makes her a deserving candidate for the VET Student of the Year award.

Andie Turner - Work-based Learning Student of the Year 

Andie Turner has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to her Work Based Learning placement and is a highly deserving recipient of the Work Based Learning Student of the Year award.

Andie was one of the first students this year to secure a Structured Workplace Learning opportunity within the beauty industry — an area where opportunities are highly sought after and not easy to secure. She completed her placement at Mata Aesthetica in McKinnon, where she quickly established herself as a reliable, enthusiastic and professional member of the workplace.

Throughout her placement, Andie maintained a consistently positive work ethic and demonstrated initiative, maturity and advanced employability skills. She remained committed and consistent for the entire duration of her placement, approaching each day with enthusiasm and a genuine willingness to learn.

As a result of her professionalism and dedication, Andie was trusted with opportunities to observe and assist with a range of treatments available at the clinic. This was a significant achievement for a Year 11 student and demonstrated the trust she had built with her employer.

Her employer was particularly impressed by Andie's level of professionalism and maturity for a Year 11 student, highlighting the strong impression she made within the workplace.

Andie should be extremely proud of the way she embraced this opportunity. She has demonstrated that when given the chance to step into a professional environment, she is willing to learn, take initiative and conduct herself with maturity and confidence. She is a wonderful example of the value of Work Based Learning and a very worthy recipient of this award.

Congratulations to all our VCE VM students nominated in 2026 and wishing our VM Class of 2026 all the best in their future endeavours beyond MGSC.

Year 12 Traineeship Opportunities

The MGSC community would like to congratulate one of our very own VM students on attaining an AFL Traineeship for 2027. Congratulations Ciera Di Santo !

Ciera joined our MGSC community at the end of 2024. She began her VCE pathway with a traditional VCE journey before deciding to move into the VCE VM program mid-2025. She has been a valuable addition to the VCE VM Cohort, always striving to achieve her best across all her subjects VCE VM, VCE and VET alike. Ciera completed a Certificate II in Sports and Recreation at Holmesglen TAFE through which she wanted to explore the possibility of completing a traineeship to give her a headstart in her career journey. 

Ciera applied for an AFL Traineeship opportunity mid-year and by the end of October has received offers from three different traineeships in schools across the southeast. An amazing achievement and a credit to the outgoing person. Good luck on your future adventures Ciera, well done!

Stephanie Loiacono 

VCE-VM Coordinator