VCAL News

Hello VCAL world!

What a big term it has been in our world. We have had a host of workshops, external visitors (isn’t THAT a treat), Federal MP visits, whole school events, excursions, assemblies and captain coronations. Peta Murphy has visited our program TWICE and filmed two podcasts due to the tireless pestering of Jamin, Tyrael and Will. We officially opened our Project HQ space and ex-students Ashleigh G and Jayde L came to see their original 2017 proposal come to fruition. We visited the Immigration Museum, McClelland Art Gallery and Sculpture Park, Sweet water Creek and Point Nepean with our cohorts of VCAL students. Next term, we hope to experience more and see more of our wonderful state while we still have the chance.

Please continue to use the VCAL WEBSITE for all guidance on VCAL activities and curriculum. Get in touch if you want to discuss any part of the VCAL program.

Portfolio Presentations and Units of Work

The VCAL community got to experience a lot in the first term of being back at the school, the most popular and important being Peta Murphy's visit to the school, followed by the completion of the VCAL Project HQ which had been 5 years in the making. But behind the scenes VCAL students had been working hard on their portfolios in preparation for their panel interviews. These interviews were held on the second last week of school where year 10’s, 11’s and 12’s all had their own set times to come in to present their work from the term. The following are the units of work that the students were presenting;

Year 10- Challenge Yourself 

Year 11- Self-Sustainability and Leadership Year 12- Navigating the Future

Speaking as a year 12 student, I thought the curriculum was really well put together, especially since it was changed quite drastically and in a short span of time due to COVID. They incorporated a few workshops into the learning environment and we got to hear from people such as James Harding who wrote his own book called ‘Hard Cuddles’ which was based off his real life experiences, we had Emily (our schools nurse) come in to teach us about different coping mechanisms when it comes to mental health, as well as a member from Red Frogs, a youth helping organization. These workshops helped us to complete our portfolios by discussing topics that were associated with the work. The topics for next term for each year level includes; 

Year 10- School Pride

Year 11- Self-Sustainability and Leadership

Year 12- Careers

Which will incorporate the school expo that is being held on the 20th May, which will be created by the year 12 students, year 10’s and year 11’s will be helping out on the day. Term 1 ended with social justice week where the students did workshops based around sex, gender and consent. Which will occur at the end of every term this year. We look forward to whatever term 2 brings us in 2021! Georgia Coull Blue house Captain

Representative of MP, Peta Murphy visit.

On 15th of March, MP Peta Murphy visited the VCAL program in McClelland College to see what the $20,000 was used to improve VCAL from the Dunkley Stronger Communities Fund. The visit wasn’t to disappoint….The money that was given to us was put to use in the VCAL project HQ space, which include the new and improved cafè, the revamped dining space and the brand new salon for students to book and use, as well as installing a functioning media room with podcasting equipment. Giving the tour to Peta Murphy was an honour and it was amazing getting to see how impressed she was with the work we did. Four years ago, students started the project and passed the torchon when they left VCAL. It was great to see ex-students coming back to see their hard work pay off. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to give her the tour and share how my experience was in the program with lock down last year. But it turned out it wasn’t the last time we were to see Peta! As I was writing this she came but to the school to partake in a podcast in the media room. Maybe we would see here again with her very own 2021 jacket. Peta is such a great champion for our school and VCAL program! Bethany Sampson School Captain and SRC member.

Vcal Voice Article:

Hey reader, I'm Chloe from the McClelland College VCAL program, the VCAL Voice in 2021 and I would like to speak to you about the VCAL system and what we do here in VCAL at McClelland. VCAL is responsible for hosting community events such as things like podcasts in the media room which houses a quality camera and microphones along with a greenscreen. Sausage sizzles, car shows are just some of the events that we have hosted in the past. Last year we had year twelve students host a car washing event to raise money for charity. We do a lot of hands on projects when prac day/week arrives, everyone chooses a project they want to do and on prac day/week, they start their projects. 

Year 12 VCAL students went to the city for the Immigration Museum and for a scavenger hunt around the city. The museum was for a CAT we were doing for the future called Navigating the Future. The scavenger hunt was about finding or navigating your way through the city on your own without any teachers to assist. On the 11th of March 2021, during the fourth period, we had a visit from the MP, Peta Murphy the Federal Member for Dunkley, come and see the Vcafe, Salon and the media room that she had given us the money for to work on. Today, we had our first female VCAL captain given her badge and the house captains awarded their badges for the year.

On March the 18th, 2021 VCAL officially opened up Project HQ. The project headquarters is where we house all of our project materials and resources. Thank you for reading.

Until next term, Chloe Gee VCAL Voice Representative

The VCAL Team