VCAL

Congratulations Ella and Lily 

Ella Pollard and Lily Parson Tesmann were nominated in the City of Greater Dandenong Youth Showcase  

https://youth.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/programs/youth-showcase.

Ella Pollard - Ella, 17

Ella is actively involved in the justice and democracy group at Killester College and is always thinking of ways to support other students and the school community. During COVID, she worked with other students to create podcasts that were shared with staff and students as a form of entertainment and support. COVID has been an opportunity for Ella to refine her leadership skills and to more clearly see her future career pathway with justice.

Lily Parson Tesmann - Lily, 18

Lily has shown resilience in overcoming challenges in her life,  and in doing so has become independent and tenacious. Lily is recognised by her peers as a positive role model. Lily strives to be the best version of herself, whilst also making time to support the people around her.

Ms Nicole Scott

VET/VCAL Coordinator

Women in Leadership Incursion

Maree Davenport spoke to the Year 11 and 12 VCAL students on the 31st of August about women in leadership. She explained the tips for women to gain leadership positions and about the gender pay gap that Maree is trying to change.

Student feedback included:

"I asked Maree a bunch of questions that I was researching for a long time but never got an exact answer for. Maree answered them very honestly and her answers made sense. Her ambition and experiences were truly inspiring and motivating for me and for others. She is a woman who is not afraid to express herself and the women of the society. Her bravery brought a boost of energy in all students in that class."  -  Itrat.Z

"I am amazed and feel inspired by Mrs Maree Davenport because she has encouraged females to stand up for their rights." - Vi 

"I learnt that you need to be ambitious, loud and a chameleon if you want to say something." - Cecilia

"Maree Davenport was very passionate about equality for women in the workplace but especially in government positions. She shared statistics about the gap in the government and in salaries which fuel her anger about the inequality women still face. Maree has been in positions of government and has faced remarks, such as her husband not being asked about the kids but she constantly is. She also says an idea which is disregarded until a male rephrases it so it is seen as their idea, they will be praised and the idea is then seen as amazing. As she has worked around men she always felt the need to prove herself and she found a few tips and ideas along the way. A woman can’t speak the same way as a man or she is seen as aggressive but if you speak too quietly or normally they see it as annoying and disregard it. She thinks it is important for women to use their voice and get what they want and deserve like a position in leadership but to rethink the way they go about it. Most of the time women are either disregarded or seen as aggressive and this puts us down which makes it difficult to obtain higher positions."  - Lea

"From having Maree Davenport as our guest speaker I felt that I learned a lot of tips and general information that is very relevant to me as I’m sure it was to the whole class. I felt that her information was relevant because as young women today, it is important that we are aware of our own issues and why inequity, injustice against women is wrong. She taught us not to settle for second best just because we are women. She also shared her experience being a Victorian politician as she was a former Liberal member of the Victorian legislative council she expressed how unjust some men were and how women are looked down upon or seen as “aggressive” when arguing ideas and topics about gender differences. This experience was truly like no other. It was important for all of us to understand women’s issues and how they affect different workplaces. Maree really enlightened me and made me feel even more passionate about women's issues and sharing this knowledge." Vanessa 

Killester Outdoor Dining Area

By Sharna Trinh, Year 11C

Killester College was the honoured recipient of a Lynne Kosky Memorial VCAL Grant in 2021. 

The Intermediate VCAL students have worked collectively to plan, design and create the Killester College Outdoor Dining Area. With this dining area, we aim to provide breakfast to those in the Killester Community who do not normally eat it. Did you know that nearly one quarter of individuals do not eat breakfast? We hope to change that statistic and give everyone the opportunity to receive the energy and nutrients they need before a long day at school. 

For us, Intermediate VCAL students, we will be learning and developing skills in budgeting, design, measurement, organisation, time management, social communication and teamwork.