Careers & VM News 

Year 12 Vocational Major  Students

Congratulations to our Year 12 VM students, who have officially finished their secondary schooling. In their Work-related Studies class, the students had a very successful Careers Portfolio Expo-style function. The students displayed their achievements at school, TAFE and in the workplace. Each student was required to compile evidence of their activities and abilities in navigating these three facets of their senior education. Students included evidence of their learning in a paper-based folio, computer displays and work-based demonstrations. Invited guests included parents, relatives, staff, students and regional Department of Education representatives. Even Ace the Cat made an appearance with Animal Care graduate, Lasenya! The feedback from all attendees was extremely positive as our students engaged with visitors, describing their VCE journey and planned future pathways. A big thank you to our VM class of 2026, their teachers, families and friends for their support in setting themselves up for the world after school.

Talking to Past Students - From the Kitchen to the Police Force and Beyond!

I am always excited to hear from past students (and their families) about many varied and often unexpected career journeys.

When Matt Volk left Warrandyte High School at the end of Year 11 in 1987, he had his sights firmly set on becoming a chef, having really enjoyed his Food Tech (then Home Eco) classes at WHS. Matt has many fond memories of his time here. Some things were very different as each day before recess, the whole school embarked on a daily run, jog or stroll around the school. Something Matt has never forgotten. 

What he probably didn't imagine was that his love of cooking would lead to a career that would eventually take him from busy restaurant kitchens as an executive chef to senior roles in Victoria Police, and then into the world of the Special Olympics!

After his apprenticeship in Cookery, Matt certainly packed plenty into his hospitality career. He won cooking competitions, trained with the Australian Culinary Olympic team, cooked at the Formula 1 Grand Prix and even prepared meals for then Victorian Premier Joan Kirner at Parliament House. He also started his own catering business while still an apprentice and, at one stage, was juggling four jobs!

But eventually Matt wanted something different. He was looking for a career where no two days would be the same. So, in 1993, he joined Victoria Police.

Over the next 33 years, Matt worked in everything from the Drug Squad and criminal investigations to police training and senior leadership. He eventually became a Local Area Commander, responsible for around 170 staff across four police stations. When I asked Matt about some of the highlights of his policing career, he replied “There are too many to mention.  I have arrested people for offences from using offensive language, to multimillion dollar frauds, to rape and murder. Being part of or leading investigative teams who have gathered sufficient evidence for a court to convict offenders has always been very rewarding.”

In his spare time, Matt coached junior basketball and footy and then became involved in a police-aligned charity called Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Victoria. LETR raises funds and awareness for people living with an intellectual disability. He found this an incredibly rewarding part of his life and this led onto his latest work.

After retiring from Victoria Police in early 2026, Matt took some time to travel, rest and recharge, but he wasn't quite ready to put his feet up! He has taken on a new role with Special Olympics Australia, helping raise funds and awareness to support athletes with intellectual disabilities and autism. 

In his current role, Matt says the highlight has been seeing the difference that can be made for people living with intellectual disability by better supporting and including them in everything we do. In the lead up to the 2026 Special Olympics National Games here in Melbourne, the Torch Run programs ran a ‘Final Leg’ event.

The Final Leg is a series of torch runs where the run includes the busiest parts of capital cities through to quiet country towns, with the Olympic style torch. This journey covered QLD, NSW, WA, SA and Victoria. Matt commented on how truly inclusive this was and how it celebrated the athletes’ great achievements.

Matt has some great advice for students still figuring out their futures. Don't stress if you haven't worked out what you want to do. Try things, explore opportunities and don't be afraid to change direction.

Two sayings have stuck with him throughout his career: "Effort doesn't take skill" and "Attitude is everything."

Not bad advice from someone who's certainly made the most of a few different career paths!

Best Wishes to all our VCE Students

It's been great to talk to our Year 12 students  about their plans for 2027. Whether it be as they head into exams with plans for tertiary study, continuing in jobs they already have  or starting apprenticeships. looking for work or aiming for a Gap Year to recalibrate, I wish them all the best and urge them to stay in touch as we love to hear the many paths you take in the future. And, of course, please get in touch if you have nay questions or would like support with careers.