"Mater Dei Matters"

Vocation Education and Training

2021 has seen a massive growth in students undertaking a VET course as part of their HSC. Some of the main factors that have led to this increase are:

  • Previous cohorts achieving great HSC results in VET subjects.
  • Students gaining skills and knowledge in their chosen vocation that have led to employment.
  • Practical nature of the courses.

MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING

We welcome Mr Geurtsen as our Year 11 Manufacturing and Engineering teacher for 2021. Mr Geurtsen is a past Engineering student of Mater Dei and brings with him a passion for metalwork subjects. Students have finished their introductory units and are now starting their toolbox.

 

Year 12 Manufacturing and Engineering students are on the final stages of producing their bench vice. Precision lathe and milling operations required in this project have been a highlight with all students finding the processes ‘satisfying’.

 

CONSTRUCTION

Both Year 11 Construction classes have finished their float and mallet projects and have started on their saw horses. The quality of the work produced has been spurred on with some friendly rivalry between Mr Fahey and Mr Kanck’s classes.

 

Year 12 construction are now starting to study concreting. This is always a fascinating unit of work as students learn the many variables associated with creating a strong and long-lasting product. Experimenting with mix ratios and reinforcement placement using destructive testing techniques are always engaging lessons. A small hand mixed slab for a water tank base in the ag plot and a path trench patching job have been undertaken and the results have been impressive.

HOSPITALITY

Hospitality has seen our largest increase in students this year. Both Year 11 classes have been completing their introductory units in food and kitchen safety as well as basic knife and preparation techniques. 

 

Part of each VET course requires students to undertake 1 week of work placement per year and our hospitality students spend a week in the Pear Tree Café. It is always amazing how far students develop their skills and confidence in the week with our professional Café and catering staff. 

 

Year 12 Hospitality put on a great display at the College Open Night and have just undertaken their week of work placement with the offers of casual employment and chef apprenticeships demonstrating the great skills and work ethic shown by students.

 

Mr Michael Kanck | VET KLA Leader