Vocational & VCE VM

Congratulations to new SBAT Student – Laura Bakos (Year 11) - Head Start 

Congratulations to Laura B, who signed up and commenced her Head Start school-based apprenticeships (SBAT) with employer Hair World Southland on 02/10/2026 and is now completing her Certificate III in Hairdressing. 

The Head Start program will support Laura as she embarks on her SBAT journey commencing her qualification certificate, attending work with her employer, and also working towards completing her VCE VM studies at school. Faith Kisby, Head Start Coordinator, and the Head Start team, wish Laura all the best as she pursues her chosen career pathway.

Faith Kisby (Head Start Coordinator)

For further information about the Head Start program, please see the website and short video:

http://www.vic.gov.au/headstart About Head Start – 3 minute video

Year 12 VCE VM Community Projects

The Year 12 VCE VM students, to meet the final PDS Outcomes for their VCE VM certificate, were required to plan, implement and evaluate a Community Project. The students needed to investigate a community issue that they were interested in and chose an organsation that supported this issue. The students then had to organise an event to raise funds and awareness for this organisation. 

The students raised awareness for many different organisations such as Beyond Blue, Cancer Foundation, Dignity, Smith Family and TIACs, organised a donation drive for Backpacks 4 Kids and raised over $1,700.

A message of thanks from Beyond Blue:

‘Thank you for your kind donation to Beyond Blue.

Your gift today means that the thousands of Australians who contact our 24/7 Support Service every week can get free and immediate counselling, advice and referral from our trained mental health professionals.

Because of you, anyone who experiences anxiety or depression, or is affected by suicide, is seen, heard, understood, valued, and most importantly of all, gets the support they need in the way they want it.

As the demand on our Support Service continues to grow, your wonderful support ensures we can answer every phone call, email and chat, and provide life-changing support, thanks to you.’

A message of thanks from The Cancer Council:

‘Dear Parkdale Secondary College,

On behalf of every Victorian whose life has been touched by cancer – THANK YOU! Your kind gift is making a real difference – helping to advance research into kinder and more effective treatments, and deliver campaigns, education programs, and information resources that help detect cancer early and prevent countless cancer cases in Australia each year.’

A message of thanks from Backpacks 4 Kids:

‘Hello Parkdale,

On behalf of Backpacks 4 Kids, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous donations of stationery, books, toiletries for our children in crisis. Your support is invaluable to us and plays a crucial role in making a difference in the lives of those who we care for. We are incredibly grateful for your support. Thank you for being part of our journey and for helping us make a difference for the children in need’

We are so proud of the amazing effort that the students demonstrated in all their projects, well done! A huge thank you to everyone that supported the students also, it was very much appreciated.