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VCAL

The Lakes VCAL program has had an amazing start to the Year. 2022 marks the first time we have both Year 11 and 12 students undertaking the VCAL program. Designed for students who seek a range of pathways post secondary school, including apprenticeships/traineeships, full time employment and further education, the VCAL program uses an applied learning approach to both content and teaching approaches. Here are some examples of this in action currently:

  • The Year 12 Literacy class has produced their first learning outcome, an instructional guide on how to succeed and thrive in Year 11 VCAL (based on their own and researched experiences). They have moved on to an oral based unit of work around the legal system. There has been much discussion around the sentencing of offenders in our current system and ways that improvements could be made.
  • The Year 11 Numeracy students are planning and costing a multi course dinner party.
  • In PDS (Personal Development Skills) the Year 12’s are planning a fun games morning for the Year 7’s later in the term between running an OHS audit across the entire secondary campus in Work Related Skills.
  • In PDS/WRS the Year 11’s are familiarising themselves with the world of White cards, licenses and preparing themselves to successfully undertake Workplace learning opportunities. Students also practiced their collaborative skills to save a group of mini dinosaurs from imminent danger!
  • All students are making their way to a huge range of venues to undertake their VET programs.
  • Students are experiencing a range of guest speakers across a diverse range of areas including Industry insiders and assistance with job interviews.
  • All VCAL students will be attending the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show at the end of March as the basis of a unit of work that will see them attempt outcomes across all of their learning strands. Look out for some amazing results to come.

Speaking of VET, we were incredibly proud to receive the following feedback about 4 of our Year 11 students and 1 Year 10 student. They attend ONTTC and are undertaking their first year of VET Building and Construction. 

 

The feedback included: 

‘These students were outstanding in class today, from a behavioural and engagement perspective. An absolute pleasure to be working with.’ Tom Patterson ONTTC

 

Congratulations to Hayden K, Tavite L, Jesse R, Caleb V and Natalie T. Fantastic examples of the calibre of VCAL students at The Lakes!

 

Renee Short