Applied Learning

Our Year 11 VCE-VM have been reflecting on the school year so far.

SCOPE's Balloon Football Partnership with Nazareth VCE-VM

Today was the second time I attended Balloon Football. I learnt that everyone is different and that’s okay. For the first time in my life, I had interacted with someone in a wheelchair, and it was good to see them enjoying their game and seeing this made me realise without our support they wouldn’t be at Springers Leisure Centre playing a competitive sport every Thursday morning over the autumn and winter months.  Being able to assist in their game teaches us young people respect, commitment, patience and other skills such as communicating with unfamiliar people. 

In Year 11 VCE-VM we are currently given a massive opportunity to participate in Balloon Football. Balloon Football is run by a company named Scope. Scope oversees Balloon Football and helps give people with disabilities the ability to participate in a sport. We are lucky enough to help and assist with supporting them through playing Balloon Football. 

When assisting in Balloon Football we carry out many different tasks. Tasks consist of umpiring (line, goal & field), scoring and timekeeping, team managing, and assisting players manoeuvre their wheelchairs around the court to gain control of the ball and potentially score for their team. Back at school, VCE VM wash and fold the uniforms, prepare the Season Fixture of 15 Rounds, keep the League Ladder, and collate Brownlow Votes for the Awards Night Dinner in mid-October. 

First Aid Training

On Monday 13 May, the Year 11 VCE-VM students had the pleasure of Bruce coming from IVET to teach us crucial knowledge to provide immediate assistance in medical emergencies before professional help arrives. We learnt how to quickly evaluate situations, set different priorities and give basic treatment like CPR, wound care and handling fractures. The session emphasized how important it is to remain calm under pressure, provide helpful communications with emergency services and ensure your own safety while aiding others. First Aid Training builds confidence and empowers individuals to be proactive responders in critical situations, potentially saving lives and minimizing the impact of injuries. 

Special Mention -

In February, a VCE VM student in our current Year 12 performed CPR on a party goer who had attended a Rave. This level headed eighteen year old went above and beyond by going to the aid of a person they had never met before. IVET’s First Aid Training gave this student the knowledge and skills to save a life. He applauded our Applied Learning Department for prioritising and factoring in this course into the VCE VM program.

Salon Assistance in VCE VM 

Attending TAFE VET (Vocational Education & Training) at Nazareth College through Inspiring Beauty to study hairdressing, has provided me with the opportunity to dive into my passion and pursue my dreams with the relief that I am studying what I want, how I want it. Having previously experienced mainstream VCE, I have found VCE-VM to be beneficial for both my academic performance and mental well-being. The hands-on learning approach of VCE-VM has significantly enhanced my educational journey, helping me understand real life more effectively. 

Being a part of  Applied Learning at Nazareth College has made me believe in myself and my aspiration to become a professional hairdresser, the classes having played a role in bringing me closer to reaching my goal. The hairdressing lessons on Wednesday continually teach me new skills and advanced techniques, that are unmatched in other educational pathways. I am confident that these skills will help me in the future, as I begin a career in the hairdressing industry. I am able to apply what I learn on the job when I attend one day of structured work-placement, my best day of any week! 

PLUMBING as a VET subject

I have recently commenced my VET course at the start of Term 2 and so far it has been great. On the first day we went on a tour around the facility and talked about everything that was going to be taught throughout the year. We then started our theory lesson about how to use basic hand tools safely which was on the AGA website. AGA is the company running my TAFE class in Certificate II in Plumbing ( pre - Apprenticeship) and one thing I appreciated about the company is how they provided us with uniforms which I thought was a pretty cool gesture. They also stepped up to offer the course for local students when the bigger TAFEs could not hire qualified trainers. We as students have made a vow to concentrate on our studies so we can complete the full Year 1 units of competencies in 2024.

Having a workplace is a great opportunity to enhance hands on skills and develop team work which is required in most industries. Structured workplace also builds up your knowledge of general plumbing which enables you to become more experienced and capable in performing tasks on site and assessments at VET. During an apprenticeship you will learn basic knowledge of what to do in the workforce with roofing and plumbing closely connected.

Work Placement can lead to apprenticeships which is a combination of practical, hands-on learning, while you are employed and earning income. VET classes  are  offsite and more theoretical  learning, and does not offer income. 

Vocational Major

In Victoria, there is so much focus on VCE, the VM program is quite overlooked. By choosing VM, I’ve experienced what it has to offer as it is an academically more steadily paced  program as it is much more hands-on, which teaches you life long skills when it comes to your future career and life in general. Whereas, VCE is more challenging and theory-based with an emphasis on remembering concepts and information to perform well in exams.

In VM we study Numeracy, Literacy, Personal Development, Work Related Skills, and Religion, and are graded with either a competent or incompetent on each assessment task.  Therefore, there isn’t unnecessary competition for a higher percentage and rank in the class and you are graded purely on your own skills and knowledge. Focus on learning and practice of skills results in competency.

Unlike VM, people in VCE will only get an idea of their future career after secondary  school concludes, and even then they have to go through a Uni course and only then will they start working in the area they wish to pursue. In VM, every Friday (or depending on your company), you sign up for a work placement and get some valuable early experience in what you want to do after Year 12.