VCE VM – APPLIED LEARNING IN ACTION: making everyday count!

Celebrating Excellence: Alyssa Vella’s Premier’s VCE Award Highlights McClelland’s VCE VM Success’s an exciting time for McClelland College as we proudly celebrate Alyssa Vella, who has been awarded the Premier’s VCE Award for the VCE Vocational Major. These prestigious awards recognise outstanding achievement in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), honouring high-achieving students across both academic and vocational pathways. Laura Spence, Kellie Lindemann, Andrew Hemsley and Brad Gauci attended the awards ceremony to support and celebrate Alyssa’s remarkable success. Alyssa’s dedication and hard work exemplify the opportunities and pathways available through the VCE Vocational Major program at McClelland College. The VCE Vocational Major offers students an engaging, hands-on learning experience, combining academic studies with practical skills and real-world workplace learning. Item powers students to pursue diverse career pathways, further education, apprenticeships or employment, while developing confidence, independence, and essential life skills. Alyssa’s achievement demonstrates the excellence and potential within the VCE VM program, and we encourage students who are motivated, organised, and passionate about applied learning to consider this rewarding pathway. The entire McClelland community is incredibly proud of Alyssa and excited about the future of our VCE VM program.

STORYTELLING & CONNECTIONS

McClelland students recently wrote, illustrated, and published their own books as part of Unit1 Literacy. Each story was thoughtfully based on a theme of adversity, allowing students toexplore resilience, empathy, and creativity. To bring their stories to life, our students visited Frankston East Primary School, where they read aloud to enthusiastic Grade 3 and 4 students. Using expressive voices, facial expressions, and body language, our students captivated their young audience, who were completely engaged in every moment. We’re so proud of our students and grateful for the opportunity to share their work with thewider community.“Thanks, Maria, our kids absolutely loved it and asked if we can do it more often! Thank you and the students at McClelland for that experience.”

Brittany (Teacher, Frankston East PS) “for Unit 1, Literacy, Year 11 VCE VM students, wrote and illustrated children’s storybooks, each story focused on the theme of adversity. On completion, we visited Frankston East Primary School, where we read our stories to theYear 3 and 4 students. It was a lively and energetic atmosphere, pretty loud the whole waythrough! The students in our group were excited and really engaged with the stories. There were lots of laughs; one student especially cracked up at a funny moment in my book. It was a fun and rewarding experience, not just for the primary school students, but for us aswell. Everyone got along, and connecting with a younger audience gave us a unique chanceto share something meaningful. It was a great reminder of how storytelling can inspire, entertain, and bring people together” Delijah S. We’re so proud of our students and grateful for the opportunity to share their work with thewider community.

TRADE AND TECH EXPO FOR FEMALE ASND DIVERSITY STUDENTS

In Week 7, our Year 12 students attended the Trade and Tech Experience (Expo) specifically designed for female and gender diverse students. Travelling into the city by bus generously donated by The Smith Family, students were exposed to a wide range of interactive exhibits and career pathways. The expo was an engaging and eye-opening experience that reinforced the message that the VCE Vocational Major (VM) program extends far beyond traditional trades. It showcased an extensive spectrum of industries and career possibilities, helping students understand the diverse opportunities available through applied learning pathways. Career pathways highlighted at the expo included:

 Carpentry and Joinery

 Electrical and Renewable Energy

 Plumbing and Gas Fitting

 Automotive Technology

 Civil Construction

 Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy

 Allied Health (e.g, aged care, disability support, nursing)

 Horticulture and Landscaping

 Cybersecurity and IT Support

 Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical)

 Hospitality and Commercial Cookery

 Graphic Design and Digital Media

 Aviation and Aerospace

 Event Management

 Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing

 Childcare and Early Childhood Education

 Fashion and Textile Design

 Game Design and Animation

 Business and Entrepreneurship

This event was a powerful reminder that the VCE VM program supports a broad range of career aspirations and equips students with the skills and experiences to pursue meaningful, diverse futures.

FIRST AIDS COURSE – NEXT LEVEL!

In the final week of Term 2, Certificate II in Community Services students participated in an engaging and highly interactive First Aid course. The instructor made the learning experience exciting and hands-on, ensuring everyone felt confident and prepared to use these vital skills. A total of 32 students from Certificate II in Community Services, Year 10, and the VCE Vocational Major program joined in, making it a fantastic opportunity for collaboration and learning across different year levels. Completing First Aid training is not only an essential life skill but also a valuable addition to students’ qualifications, opening doors to future careers in health, community services, and beyond. Well done to everyone involved for taking such a positive step towards their future pathways!

SMACK TALK

Presentation...reflection

Week 8, Thursday Period 1…If you could hear a pin drop, it would have been during the SMACK TALK presentation. This presentation was one of the most compelling, hard-hitting, and relevant presentations that students have ever experienced and the VCE VMteam were incredibly grateful that our students were part of it. It was raw, honest, and exactly what our students needed to hear. The presentation fearlessly addressed the confronting reality that many young people today are navigating thoughts of suicide, sexual exploitation, and everything in between. It was raw, honest, and exactly what our students needed to hear. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics(2023), suicide remains the leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 24, accounting for over one-third of all deaths in that age group. These are not abstract numbers— they represent real lives, real struggles, and a growing crisis that demands urgent attention. In addition, research from the eSafety Commissioner reveals that more than 1 in 4 young people in Australia have experienced unwanted contact online, and approximately 1 in 5 have been exposed to sexually explicit material without consent. The rise of social media, online grooming, and sextortion has created an environment where sexual exploitation is increasingly common and alarmingly normalised among teens. By openly discussing these uncomfortable truths, the SMACK TALK presentation broke through the silence that often surrounds these issues. It gave students language for their experiences, validation for their emotions, and permission to ask for help. It moved beyond awareness and into impact, arming students with the knowledge that they are not alone, and that support is available.

FEMALES AND GENDER DIVERSE WORKSHOP

In Week 8, the female and gender diverse students attended the 'Females and Gender Diverse in Trades and Technology' workshop. The event was both engaging and thought-provoking, offering students valuable insights into career pathways they may not have previously considered. Through a series of hands-on activities, industry-led presentations,

and discussions with professionals, students were introduced to a wide range of opportunities in traditionally male-dominated industries such as engineering, construction, automotive, and information technology. The workshop aimed to challenge stereotypes, build confidence, and highlight the growing support and demand for diversity in these fields. Many students left feeling inspired, more informed, and excited about the possibilities available to them.

THE GREAT DEBATE

Week 7 saw the much-anticipated final assessment for Personal Development Skills — TheGreat Debate. The topic?“The VCE VM Program better prepares students for a successful career than a traditional VCE pathway. ”What followed was an event bursting with passion, laughter, healthy competition, and justthe right amount of chaos. Students took to the stage armed with cue cards and confidence, ready to prove their point. Some came out swinging with persuasive arguments and compelling statistics. Others...well, let’s just say they led with enthusiasm and hoped their teammates would clean up the rest (a true test of teamwork!). From spontaneous rebuttals to slightly misquoted facts (“Einstein did not, in fact, complete VCE VM”), students showcased the real essence of applied learning: adaptability, collaboration, and the courage to speak up, even when the nerves kicked in. This final task was the practical application of Unit 3, Outcome 3: Leadership and Teamwork. Students demonstrated leadership in preparing their arguments, supporting their peers, and taking ownership of their roles. Teamwork was on full display, whether it was someone saving a teammate mid-sentence or collectively remembering who was actually supposed to go next. Some key lessons emerged:

 Preparation is great, but quick thinking is greater

 Debating is 10% facts, 90% backing yourself

 Teamwork means never letting them see you sweat, unless you're all sweating together.

All in all, The Great Debate was a lively and successful way to end the unit, celebrating thecore skills that define the VCE VM experience: confidence, cooperation, communication, and resilience, plus a few giggles along the way.

TASTER DAY/INFORMATION NIGHT

Taster Day was an outstanding success for the VCE Vocational Major program. Students demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm and pride as they represented the program, showcasing their passion and commitment to applied learning pathways.

A sincere thank you goes to Charlotte N, Jemma S, Ava L, Ava Crocker, and Joel A for their invaluable contributions and exemplary leadership throughout the event. The day also provided an excellent opportunity to showcase our onsite VET courses planned for 2026. These include:

 Certificate II in Community Services

 Certificate III in Visual Arts

 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

 Certificate II in Public Safety (SES)

 Certificate II in Parks and Gardens

 Certificate III in Electrotechnology

These diverse offerings reflect the breadth of pathways available to our students, equipping them with practical skills, industry knowledge, and qualifications that will support future employment and further education opportunities. The success of Taster Day reinforces our commitment to providing high-quality vocational education and engaging learning experiences for all students.

YEAR 11 LITERACY TOOK ON MELBOURNE MUSEUM AND ACMI

As part of a deep dive investigation into different generations and what it has meant to growup as a Baby Boomer compared to Generation Z, students visited the Melbourne Museum’s Melbourne Now exhibition and ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image). Through these experiences, they explored how generations are represented and understood via moving images and multimedia installations. Students fully immersed themselves in the day, engaging with interactive exhibits, film archives, and digital storytelling. This excursion provided valuable real-world connections to their studies, allowing them to solidify abstract concepts through practical application and firsthand experiences. It sparked insightful discussions about social change, technological evolution, and cultural shifts across different eras, enriching their understanding of generational identity and history.

UPCOMING DATES

21st July -Success = What Workshop - Year 11

4th August -Headspace, Leaving School - Year 12

11th September -Corner Shop Carnival - Year 11

15th September – Central Australia Excursion

21st October- Celebration Day - Year 12

28th October - 22km Gratitude Walk

VCE VM GOALS

Raise Expectations, Embrace Change, Tackle Challenges, and Think Big

Dates to Remember

July

August