Applied Learning

This week we farewell 35 wonderful Year 12s from our program. A third of these young adults joined us as Year 10s in the LEAP Program, acutely aware of their learning style and ready to direct their studies towards a career pathway. Others joined VCE VM after a VCE Year 11 experience, finding motivation to achieve Year 12 would be boosted through a combination of learning experiences encompassing VET, school and work-placement. 

Four of our crew, Aydin, Jimmy, Xavier and Louis, have undertaken School based apprenticeships on top of their senior school studies, already ahead of their VCE counterparts in terms of post-school studies and wages! A further student has taken her studies to the next level, combining a Diploma in Beauty with Endota Wellness with her Year 12 studies; well done Holly.

There is definitely a sense of belonging established when learning and growing as a person within the Joseph Centre. 

For this reason, we staff will deeply miss the energy, banter and the care for each other that is demonstrated in our applied learning community.  

What wonderful learning experiences have taken place within the workplace, with employment offers and direction given towards further study. 

Recently, Ricardo De Rosario and his two colleagues Magdalena and Caitlin from WISE Employment coordinated Mock Job Interviews for Year 12 VCE VM Work Related Skills. Glowing feedback was given about the passion and professionalism displayed by our students. Hats off to our staff for preparing students so well with the production of resumes, a formal letter of introduction, and electronic portfolios which evidenced students' unique skills, learning experiences, and pathway goals. The direct curriculum links to real life are so valuable, making our VMers work ready and acutely aware of the challenges and problem solving that future daily life will bring.

Personal Development Skills Community final tasks have been fantastic experiences for our students in developing their project management skills, and value driven for the different organisations and causes that students chose. Hearing student comments about a newfound love of marketing and a sense of enjoyment felt through the completion of the Literacy Folio was so affirming.

I applaud our Year 12 cohort on their resilience and good nature. We welcome them back to Nazareth to provide life updates in the future, and of course, to offer their services to mentor Work Experience students and take on a one day a week structured workplacement student from VCE VM!

Ms Caitlin Mackay

Instructional Leader Applied Learning