Economics/ Business Studies/ VCAL

Economics

What an exciting year it has been to study Economics! Indeed the impact of the Global Financial Crisis which struck Australia in late 2008 has stimulated many disputes, not only in the classroom, but throughout the whole world. After several years of excessive growth and rising inflation, it has been fascinating to see how the GFC has taken hold and turned things completely around. From the market mechanism, to the Federal Budget, to changes in the interest rate, economics has proven to be a long but interesting course. An unofficial addition to the business and humanities subjects this year was the national schools ASX competition. A handful of students and teachers took part, keen to gamble their stocks away whilst becoming more familiar with the mechanics and operation of the share market. I struggled to stay within profit margins whilst others such as Michael Higginbotham, David De Fazio, Jack Jopling and Mitchell Sarpi have led the College to high State rankings. In today’s world, I believe Economics is an important field of study, and I encourage upcoming students to take on a business and humanities subject. Vital concepts and ideas introduced in Year 10 Economics have been further established in VCE Economics, and I believe this has better prepared me for when I leave to face the world outside.

Ryan Ellis VCE Economics This year at De La, fielded more than 40 students in the ‘Annual ASX Schools Sharemarket Game’. More than 15,000 student around Australia compete. The game is a simulation of the Australian Stock Exchange, with students given a ‘virtual’ $50,000 to invest over a space of 2 months, with the aim to increase the value of their portfolio. The game encouraged students to learn the operations of the Stock Exchange, providing a first hand experience at real trading, as well as getting an insight into the investment market and its potential to boost your own personal portfolio in years to come. Students from a range of business classes, including Accounting, Business Management and Economics, took part in the competition this year, adding a bit of spice — and heated debate to classroom lessons. Overall 92% of our students managed to make a profit over the period, an impressive achievement considering the current economic conditions! On behalf of all students who took part in the competition, I would like to extend my thanks to Mr Stewart and Ms Hunter for administrating and overseeing the competition. Congratulations to all who were involved — we hope to see you all again next year! Michael Higginbotham VCE Accounting and Economics

VCAL

‘Applied Learning’ focuses on making connections to the ‘real world’ of work outside the classroom; being active within the wider community; nuturing development in a holistic manner; and helping students make the shift to becoming more independent, responsible learners. During 2009, learning within the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) areas has seen our students continue to embrace the opportunities these programs provide, to achieve success with their individual talents. Through these experiences students have found ways to enhance their skills and interests in a broad range of areas, including plumbing, hospitality service, broadcasting, business administration, sound engineering, mechanical engineering, horticulture, electrotechnology and theatre production. What excites us most about the applied learning options our students can access through De La Salle, is that the opportunity for learning goes far beyond the formal nationally recognized certificates our students have been able to earn (although these are of course valuable and worthy of note). Our students’ experiences within VET and VCAL help them develop other skills that will benefit them in future study, work and life — these include being able to communicate

with different groups of people, being first aid trained, having experience of problem solving to complete a task. Without a committed and professional group of staff working to provide the opportunities and experiences for this development, our program would not function. On behalf of our students my thanks are extended to Mr Paul Maxted (VET: Interactive Digital Media) and Mr Trevor Farr and Mr Gerard Jackson (VET: Sport and Recreation) for their work. My thanks also to Mr Sam Devenish and Mr Warren Walker (VET: Building and Construction) who continue to develop an outstanding and industry-standard program. Sam and Warren have also earned the College a Federal Government Applied Learning Award for VET program delivery, which is outstanding. Our VCAL students focus their week on developing vocational skills through participation in VET or ASBA (Australian School-based Apprenticeships) and undertaking structured workplace learning within their chosen industry. Our congratulations to all students on their achievements, but especially to James Theodoridis and Daniel Calman-Orr who graduate from Senior VCAL with two VET certificates (Building and Fitness), James Carland who also graduates with Senior VCAL and a VET: Building Certificate and having recently completed a Pre-Apprenticeship in Plumbing through Holmesglen TAFE. Two VCAL students were also awarded with Federal Government Applied Learning Awards for their success in ASBA programs, they are: Liam Dwyer (who works through MEGT in Engineering at APT Engineering in Berwick) and Nathan Beaumont (who works through 370 Degrees in Sport and Recreation at St Mark’s Primary School in Dingley). Other highlights of our VCAL program this year was our participation in Peter Keogh’s Tri-Tactics Martial Arts Program, which developed self-discipline and conflict resolution skills, and the Blaze Aid Fencing Project which assisted people who have been affected by the bushfires this year. Many students were moved when meeting ‘bushfire’ families who had lost every material possession, and were slowly rebuilding their lives. This experience gave students an insight into the importance of supporting others in our community. Our work at clearing burnt out fencing and helping with replacement was practical and involved hard work. This demonstrated some of the VCAL group’s strengths as ‘hands on’ learners. We wish our eleven Year 12 graduates and a number of our Year 11 VCAL students who are taking up fulltime training, apprenticeship and work options next year the very best for the future. May they continue to have a resilient spirit and achieve success in all they do. To the VCAL staff: Mr Gerard Barns (11 Work Related Skills), Mr Tim Brodrick (12 Literacy), Mr Trevor Farr (Sport), Mr Tim Ford (12 VRE), Mr Gerard Jackson (11 VRE), Mr Nat Levett (11 Numeracy) and Mr Chas Thompson (12 Numeracy) who continue to encourage, demand, challenge and inspire students work in VCAL, my thanks for your wonderful work.

Ms Kylie Busk VET/VCAL Coordinator