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

HEADSPACE AND FRANKSTON YOUTH CENTRAL

Reflection by: Kaytlyn Dowdell-Taylor

In Term 3, Certificate II in Community Service students visited Youth Central and Headspace in Frankston. The excursion really taught us a lot about the community and the opportunities that are out there. At Youth Central we learnt about things we didn’t even know we had access to, such as free library memberships, e-book apps, and even being able to hire out items from the library. The youth counsellors also spoke about how they started, what they did, and all the different resources they give to the community, which was interesting.

Head Space, was a real eye opener. A social worker came and talked to us about his past and how he manages the heavy load of being in that role. A few of the things he said really stuck with us, like “don’t judge someone for being how they are, find out why they are the way they are and study them.” He also said, “you need to be able to switch off straight after your shift ends because the job can be such a heavy load”.

Overall, the excursion was a really good experience. It gave us new perspectives,

information, supports and resources available for all of Frankston Youth.

CELEBRATING THE 2025 CORNERSHOP CARNIVAL

The 2025 CornerShop Carnival was an unforgettable event filled with laughter, energy, and community spirit. It was everything the school community had hoped for and more.

The success of an event of this size is no small achievement. It was made possible through the commitment of staff, students, families, and community members who rolled up their sleeves, worked together, and created something truly special. What stood out most throughout the day was the reliability, empathy, enthusiasm, and heart that everyone brought to the event.

One of the highlights was the Dunk Tank. Teachers and students who volunteered to take part were celebrated as legends. The freezing water was challenging enough, but the floating remains of Mr Gauci’s black wig made the experience resemble the bottom of a shower, much to the amusement of the crowd. The Dunk Tank was a perfect example of the fun, good humour, and community spirit that the Carnival is known for.

McClelland College would also like to acknowledge the generosity of our community partners and supporters. A sincere thank you to Woolworths, Carnegie Seafood, and Karingal stores for their donations, the Frankston Scouts for supplying gazebos on the day, and past VCE VM students Riley, Alex, and Ellie who returned to assist with the slushies and popcorn. A special thanks also goes to the Morgan family, who generously donated T-shirt transfer paper, equipment, and their time to help make the day colouorful!

The CornerShop Carnival was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when staff, students, and the wider community come together with a shared purpose. It was more than just a day of fun and activities, it was a celebration of teamwork, resilience, and pride in the McClelland community.

Planning for 2026 has already begun, with the promise of an even bigger and better Carnival. In the meantime, the focus shifts to the next exciting challenge: a 22 kilometre walk to Mordialloc with more than 75 students, a testament once again to the determination and spirit of our school community.

On behalf of McClelland College, I would like to sincerely thank every staff member, student, parent, and community partner who contributed to making the 2025 CornerShop Carnival such an outstanding success.

Kellie Lindemann

VCE VM Sub School Leader

WHEN GAMIMG MEETS GAMBLING WORKSHOP

Year 12 students recently attended an important session designed to raise awareness about the ways gambling had infiltrated many aspects of gaming. The session explored how certain games were deliberately designed to keep players engaged for longer, encouraging them to spend more time and money through features such as loot boxes, in-game purchases, and chance-based rewards.

Students gained insight into how these strategies mirrored traditional gambling practices, often blurring the line between gaming for fun and gambling for profit. They were encouraged to think critically about the hidden costs of gaming and how these tactics could impact their decision-making.

The session also highlighted the potential effects of gambling on young people. Research showed that early exposure to gambling-like features in games could:

Increase the risk of developing harmful gambling habits later in life
Lead to financial stress when spending got out of control
Cause conflict within families or friendship groups
Contribute to feelings of stress, anxiety, and poor mental health when gaming became excessive or addictive
Affect concentration, learning, and school performance when too much time was spent gaming or gambling online

Importantly, students were also given practical strategies to support healthy gaming habits. They explored how to set limits on screen time and spending, how to recognise the signs of excessive gaming or gambling, and where to seek help if they or someone they knew was struggling.

By addressing these issues openly, the session aimed to empower students to enjoy gaming responsibly, while staying alert to the risks of gambling influences that were increasingly present in the online world.

FROM KEYBOARDS TO POST BOX: A Literacy Journey

As part of Unit 2 Literacy, students were required to write a biography after interviewing an individual from a different generation. They designed and printed their work into a four-page booklet, which was then prepared for posting. The applied component involved walking together as a cohort to the nearest post box to send their booklets.

What was most remarkable was witnessing Generation Alpha students experience something so new to them, many had never written on an envelope, applied a stamp, or posted a letter before. Their curiosity about the post box itself was both surprising and eye-opening.

INTRODUCING THE NEW & IMPROVED ‘VM HUB’

The VM HUB will include project space, VCAFE and the VKITCHEN!

The Vocational Major Hub at McClelland College is on the brink of an exciting new chapter. With the approved development of the VKITCHEN, the VM HUB has the potential to expand far beyond its current success and become a true centrepiece of applied learning, innovation, and community engagement.

The vision is clear: to create a space that does more than serve coffee. The VM HUB will include the introduction of the VKITCHEN, opening doors to new opportunities for students while strengthening the bonds between the school and the wider community.

The VKITCHEN also represents consistency and sustainability. Every Friday, structured Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) opportunities would continue, with students completing Certificate II and III in Hospitality while serving lattes, cappuccinos, chai, hot chocolates, and light meals. Across three days and seven periods, Year 11 and 12 students will embed their Work-Related Skills and Personal Development Skills outcomes directly into VHUB operations, ensuring applied learning remains at the heart of the program.

And the vision doesn’t stop at hospitality. Community Services students would also utilise the space for community-based projects, broadening the hub’s purpose and creating meaningful cross-disciplinary opportunities.

This is what the future of education looks like: authentic, engaging, and deeply connected to the world beyond the classroom. The VM HUB comprising of the VCAFE, project space, and the VKITCHEN is not just an upgrade; it is an investment in student success, a catalyst for innovation, and a symbol of what can be achieved when applied learning is done right.

With continued support, VM HUB will stand as a cornerstone of the McClelland College experience, preparing students for life beyond school while strengthening ties with staff, families, and the community. Hopefully renovations, including new front doors, and walls, fresh painted walls and floors and new furniture will be completed by the end of 2025…watch this space.

NAIDOC WEEK CELBRATES IN APPLIED STYLE

Celebrating NAIDOC Week at McClelland College

NAIDOC Week was a time to celebrate and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It provided an important opportunity for all Australians to come together to reflect on the world’s oldest continuing cultures, to listen, to learn, and to share in traditions that are deeply significant to First Nations communities.

At McClelland College, this year’s NAIDOC Week was marked with a hands-on and meaningful celebration. Students undertaking Certificate II in Community Services as part of the VCE VM program, took the lead in preparing traditional-inspired foods, including damper scones and kangaroo sausages. These dishes were enjoyed by staff and students alike.

The activity highlighted the importance of food as a way to share culture and build understanding. For the Community Services students, it was also an opportunity to bring together their practical skills and cultural awareness, demonstrating the power of applied learning to create experiences that are both educational and community-building.

UPCOMING DATES

6th – 10th October - Year 12 students WRS final presentations

21st October Celebration Day - Year 12

28th October 22km Gratitude Walk

4th November - Public Holiday

7th November - SBAT Parks & Gardens Graduation

20th November - Year 12 Valedictory

VCE VM GOALS

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

International Student Homestay Families Wanted!