VET/VCAL

VET Programs continue to grow at De La Salle with 148 students across Years 10, 11 and 12 taking part in a broad range of programs this year. Our Internal VET programs are our most popular options giving students at Kinnoull an opportunity to participate in nationally recognised industry training in Building and Construction, Electro-Technology, Multimedia and Sport and Recreation. Mr Sam Devenish joined our staff at the beginning of this year and has met all of the challenges of taking on our Certificate II Building program. We are extremely fortunate to have found someone with such dedication and passion for this program. Students all gain First Aid certificates as well as undertaking the Building Industry safety course known as Red Card. Projects completed as part of their two-year course include ‘house mock-ups’ and the design and construction of cubbies this semester. Our VCAL/VET group worked with Mr Devenish to construct a number of the sets for the College Production ‘The Wiz’. Our Year 11 students have also attended training through our program partners Box Hill Institute of TAFE in areas like scaffolding, giving students a great experience to see some of the further education options available. Under Mr Devenish’s direction next year even more exciting plans are being developed. The pioneer of our Certificate II Electro-technology program, Mr Keith Hoy, left De La Salle mid-year to relocate to England with his family, leaving a large hole for us to fill. After much searching we were fortunate to find Mr Peter Forni who has stepped in to help students to finish off their year successfully. Students have worked on operating a small power supply system as well as programming a basic robotic system showing great flare for this area of their training. Our VET Multimedia program is now in its second year. Students have competently learned to create, manipulate and incorporate 2D graphics including animation, design and edit digital video, and create web pages with multimedia under the direction of their teacher Mr Paul Maxted. Mr Maxted is an outstanding and committed member of VET team who strives to offer his classes industry quality training and experiences. As a scored VCE/VET option this year our first group of Year 12 students will also undertake an end of year exam which will then contribute to their study score – we wish them well with this new challenge. Our final internal VET option is Sport and Recreation. Mr Trevor Farr has continued his involvement in the program this year, having replaced Mr Matt Breen while on leave in Term Three last year. Mr Farr has worked diligently to offer a range of new experiences to our students. This included Year 11 students gaining their Level 1 Athletics Coaching Certificates, which they then used to help with the training of our DLS Athletics Squad in Term 1. All students also had the unique opportunity to participate in the Fire Up program run by members of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB). During this program students had a day at the MFB Recruit Training

Centre in Richmond, where they participated in a number of challenging drills. As a scored VCE/VET option Unit 3-4 students are also preparing for examinations in this subject which will contribute to their study score, we look forward to some excellent results. Just over a third of all VET students choose one of the 80 external options available. Students attend classes at TAFE or at a nearby school in an area of their interest. This year students have undertaken training in Automotive, Broadcasting, Engineering, Hospitality, Music Industry Production and Retail Operations. Our students benefit from the opportunity to combine study in an area of their interest with their senior study. They also develop a range of skills through their experience of having to move into new environments and mixing with new people. Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) Now in its fifth year at De La Salle this alternative senior program offer students a great option to VCE which allows them to remain at school. This year 35 students have participated in our VCAL program at Intermediate (Year 11) and Senior (Year 12) levels, undertaking classes in Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills and Personal Development Skills, which includes RE and Sport. Students also undertake some job training by participating in either a VET or Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA). This year our VCAL program to incorporated at least a day per week of industry workplacement for each student. This experience ‘on-the job’ helps our students gain a better understanding of the world beyond school as well as offering them an edge in a very competitive job market by developing skills and contacts. Success in this program is not just for those students who complete their certificate, but also the number of students moving into full-time Apprenticeship or Traineeship arrangements, which includes on-going training, during the year. Students have developed a range of personal skills through participation in community activities like the City Multicultural Excursion and helping to run the RecLink Football Grand Final at Windy Hill. Our VCAL staff, Mr Gerard Barns (12 Literacy) Ms Sally Buick (11 Literacy), Mr Matt Breen (RE/Sport/11 Numeracy) and Mr Chas Thompson (12 Numeracy) have worked diligently in building this program, together with their students, my thanks to them for their wonderful work.

Ms Kylie Busk VET/VCAL Coordinator