Secondary Year 11/12

Term 1

Bundoora Farm

As part of our Work Related Skills Program, we have been volunteering at Bundoora Farm. The students have had the opportunity to learn about the effective use of gardening tools by identifying which are best for the job, when and how to use them, as well as putting everything back in the designated space at the end of the session. 

The students have been building up an awareness of which plants are desirable and which need to be weeded, as well as moving safely around the farm, being considerate of visitors and any free-roaming animals. However, it hasn’t all been hard work. The students have enjoyed getting to know some of the more social animals at the farm and the staff there even provided a wagon ride with the very popular horse, Ben.

Bunnings

As part of WRS 11B have been going to Bunnings in Mill Park to run a sausage sizzle each week. The students have learnt how to set up the tent and have mastered how to cook a BBQ by cooking sausages, getting onions ready and ensuring that the correct amount of sauce is put on the bread for customers. Students have the opportunity to take it in turns whilst handling money and working out correct change to give back to the customers.

Students every week need to communicate with each other to ensure the orders are filled correctly and that the customers are happy. 

Essendon Community Contract/Horticulture

Every Thursday we travel to Essendon Community Centre. Students participate in a variety of activities over the term. The Horticulture unit involves painting pots, flower pressing, weeding, and potting up plants. Students learn how to care for plants and which plants suit particular environments and seasons.  In the kitchen, students prepare food for members of our vulnerable community. They prepare the food and develop skills such as cutting, peeling and grating. Students then cook the food using a variety of kitchen utensils and pack the meals up in individual portions ready to be delivered. 

Travel Education

Students in Year 11 / 12 have been participating in the Travel Education program this term. They have practised going to VET at Peter Lalor Secondary College, going to Structured Workplace Learning placements (Work Experience), walking safely to Andrew Place shops, travelling independently to and from school and home, and using public transport to gain confidence when meeting socially.

Most of the students will be able to gain some of their VPC Literacy Unit’s outcomes by completing their travel education. It has been great to see our Year 11/12 students achieving confidence and independence.

Back Of House Operations

On Thursdays 12A students work in the ‘Back of House/ Treat Trolley’ program where we make products for the School Café and for Lower Primary. Each week we make smartie biscuits, chocolate balls and cupcakes. Some weeks we also make pizza bases.

After baking, we pack up some supplies to take down to Lower Primary. At Lower Primary the Year 12 students serve all of the classes and staff. The cupcakes and biscuits are the biggest sellers.

Community Cleaning Contract

Students have participated in our Community Contract Program on Thursdays and it has been running very smoothly through Term 1. Students have discovered and learnt different skills while working as a team. They have enthusiastically embraced specific roles and responsibilities as part of our community cleaning. They have displayed teamwork, leadership and fantastic work ethic during the running of this program. 

For the second half of the term, 11A have gone to the Banyule Nillumbik Tech School. They have used machinery unknown to them to create a variety of products such as wrapping paper and tote bags. These products can be produced in great volumes if students were wanting to develop their own online store as a potential post school work opportunity. 

Water 2 All

Thursdays are work days for the students in 12C.  First thing in the morning all students go across to the pavilion on Loyola oval and using goods donated by local suppliers make sandwiches, soup and pasta dishes and occasionally desserts which they then package and label for them to be distributed to the less fortunate in our community. Distribution is completed by the students employer Water2All. 

Allied Health

Speech Pathologist - Lauren Chan

The students in 11/12 are responding to information they have read as their literacy skills continue to build. This is to support their comprehension of what they are reading (reading to learn information) as well as listening to the key question words to respond on topic. Through VET Cookery this term, the students are learning food hygiene and safe food handling practices to provide a foundation to their cooking as the year progresses. I look forward to seeing the VET Employment Pathways students next.