APPLIED LEARNING

Work Placement  - Skye's Success Story😁

During my work placement at Rise Health Fitness, I experienced working in a physiotherapy and gym environment. This experience helped me understand the daily responsibilities of fitness staff and how gyms support people in improving their health and wellbeing.

On the days that I was at Rise, I observed the trainers and physiotherapists while they were working with their clients and helped them guide through different exercises depending on what they were needing. I watched the trainers teach the clients about the different techniques that they could use for certain stretches and how to do them safely.

Mostly, I observed the physiotherapy appointments and how the physiotherapists communicate with their clients, mainly working with rehab clients from past injuries. I learnt about the different muscles and other injuries, especially on how to stretch them properly without causing more harm.

Towards the end of the day, I had to do a bit of cleaning of the gym area (wiping down equipment, putting back weights etc). These tasks showed me that working in a gym is not only about training people, but also about keeping the environment clean, organised, and welcoming.

Overall, my work placement at Rise Health & Fitness was a valuable experience, to gain understanding of what working in a fitness centre would be like and also learning more about the jobs that are involved in the gym and physiotherapy. It also showed me how exercise professionals help people stay healthy and reach their fitness goals. 

- Skye Quayle (Year 11 VCE VM student)

Yr 11 & 12 VCE VM Race Around the City

On Monday 30 March, our Year 11 and Year 12 VCE VM students took part in an exciting Race Around the City experience in Melbourne’s CBD. Capably organised by Barbara Murphy, all VCE VM subjects were connected in some way to the activities this challenge offered.

Students were to make their own way into the city and meet at the State Library at 10:00am, ready for a day of challenge and exploration. However, Tony convinced Xavier and Santos to join him for a pre-dawn exploration of the city! For many of the more sensible (including staff), it was a novel experience travelling through the Metro Tunnel. 

After roll call, teams had to capably read a map, mark out their unique places to explore, and indicate the route they would take for greatest efficiency. Working in groups, students navigated public transport, busy streets and the general public as they travelled between a range of iconic city landmarks. Stops included Melbourne Central, Emporium, Bourke Street Mall, a variety of the renowned laneways, NGV Australia, city gardens, theatres and more. With ten groups in the race sent to different locations, where students completed navigation tasks, captured photos, and observed the atmosphere and surroundings. Students were exposed to the harsh reality that many people experiencing hardship, mental illness, and/or homelessness frequent the city. This fact may well inspire some Year 12s to base their Unit 4 PDS Community Outreach Project around these social issues. 

The race concluded at 2:30pm at St Paul’s Cathedral, where students reported back to teachers after a successful day. The activity encouraged teamwork, independence, problem-solving and confidence in real-world settings, making it a valuable and enjoyable learning experience for all involved. The weather was magnificent for this outing in Melbourne's beautiful autumn. 

Ms Laura Langmead 

VCE VM Teacher

Just reflecting on such an enjoyable day at Race Around the  City. Seeing the students actively take part in the day. They arrived punctually,  used team building skills, communication, worked efficiently, took pride in the completion of their tasks and judging from the smiles on their face at the end of the day they sincerely enjoyed the learning experience. 

Congratulations!

Ms Mary Green

Teacher

VCE VM Race around the City-Student Perspective

The Race around the City was very nice. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. We travelled through two different train tunnels, caught a tram, and did lots of walking.

We started the day at the Melbourne State Library. 

It’s a great place to browse books, but my favorite thing to see was the Lego exhibition!

There were lots of incredible models, even a gigantic replica of the State Library itself!

The best part of the day would have to be when Ms Mackay took me to Pazzi Per La Pizza at Melbourne Central. The name of this cafe was funny because the a and the i were in the wrong spot!

We watched a chef make pizza from scratch. The dough was shiny and stretchy, and he weighed the balls on the scales as close to 800 gms as he could. There were bowls of fresh green basil, two cheeses (mozzarella and bocconcini), mushrooms, tomato sauce, and salami). It was beautiful and made me want to make my own pizza at Nazareth College and at home.

After lunch we had a short walk to The Regent Theatre located on Collins Street. We took photos to remember the day. It was a lot of fun.

We visited St Paul Cathedral on Swanston Street. It is a beautiful Church built in 1880.

Flinders Street Station was our last stop. It is the oldest train station in Melbourne, built in 1854. Flinders Street Station has an enormous, gigantic and humongous clock.  

The Race around the City was fantastic, fabulous, fan-tab-ulus and so much fun.

-Ian Isac (Year 12 VCE VM student)

VCE VM Culinary Skills

Students began the term baking 1500 cookies for our Year 7 families! Since then, Year 12s have worked in teams to budget, plan, prepare and cook spaghetti bolognaise (12A), and a three course meal of fresh bruschetta, creamy penne, and topped off with malteser slice!

With the community mindedness of VCE VM, Year 11 and 12 students successfully baked 1500 Anzac cookies which the Friday group will be personally delivering to the local nursing homes and RSL's on April 24.

Friday 27 March proved a perfect time to make hot cross buns, requiring two dough proofs during the day prior to baking! Working in pairs, Year 11 and 12 VCE VM'ers watched a video attentively, followed the recipe's method, and used the kitchen equipment correctly. Covering butter in the microwave and washing greasy bowls thoroughly are still areas for improvement!

Parents, do NOT underestimate your teens capabilities in the kitchen. Regular meal planning, preparation, and cooking should be shared among all family members.

VCE Vocational Major Term 1 - Wrap up

VCE VM this term has been really fun with going to TAFE and doing hands on activities in lessons and on some great excursions. Mr Cooper organised a surfing day, caving and rafting. Ms Murphy planned the City Race where we competed against each other in exploring the CBD. 

VCE VM has lots of theory work, but it relates to life and work. That way we can develop knowledge and skills for life after Year 12.

Next term in VCE VM, I strive to do even better in my VET Electrotechnology course as I am liking it more than Building & Construction. I've been lucky to fit two VET courses into my timetable. I do need to work independently in catching up on VM lesson plans with Ms Murphy on a Wednesday and I've been able to do that. 

-Lincoln Farrier (Year 11 VCE VM Student)

Ms Caitlin Mackay

Instructional Leader Applied Learning