Applied Learning at work

VCAL update

We are just over halfway through our first year of VCAL at Northcote High School and we have had a great start to the Northcote program. Students have engaged in a number of different projects at school, as well as getting practical learning at their VET courses, which in turn is supplemented by Structured Workplace Learning Placements. Students have been able to apply lots of the things we’ve learnt in class (leadership, teamwork, project management) to create and publish an online walking map, creating an Amazing Race for Year 9 students who completed on the day of the GAT, June 14. For many of the students, it has changed the way that they’ve engaged with school and has allowed them to work at school on things that would help them prepare for their future pathway and/or area of interest.

Students have enjoyed being able to complete their learning in the world outside school, through excursions – such as going to the Australian Grand Prix and completing an Amazing Race around Melbourne – and through connecting with the local community.

Students are currently finishing up a project through the Foundation for Young Australians to develop entrepreneurial skills called $20 Boss, where students are given $20 to try and create a business and support a social or environmental cause. This is again pushing students to try and create real-world learning opportunities that help them develop skills they will use in their future pathways.

Planning is currently underway for the Intermediate (Year 11) VCAL program for 2018. Information will be available at the various upcoming parent evenings but if you would like more details about the program, please contact Paul-Micah Sullivan at sullivan.paul.m@edumail.vic.gov.au or on 9488 2368. 

Paul-Micah Sullivan

Head of Learning - VCAL