VCAL

This year 17 boys completed their Intermediate and Senior VCAL Certificates at De La Salle College. In the coming months, members of the graduating Senior VCAL class will commence apprenticeships in Building, Hospitality and Electrical Engineering while others will go on to further studies at TAFE or full-time employment. We wish all the graduating class the best of luck with their future careers, in particular Joshua Williams, who went to India as part of the 2011 Coolies Visit. This year’s Intermediate VCAL students were the first to graduate in the College’s newly structured Intermediate VCAL program. The new-look program includes two new VET subjects, the Certificate II in Small Business and the Certificate II in Live Theatre Production and Events. In Small Business students developed a small business idea and produced a number of products including coffee tables and dog kennels for a designated market. After completing a Barista Certificate, they also operated a coffee shop at the Kinnoull Campus selling coffees and hot chocolates to the staff and students. In the Certificate II in Live Theatre Production, students worked with Mr Andrew Murrell to help stage a variety of live events both inside and outside the College. As part of the course, they worked closely with Berendale College in Hampton to help stage the end of year play at the Kingtson Centre in November. These two new VETs provide additional applied learning opportunities for the boys which will enrich their VCAL experience. In addition to their applied learning program, VCAL students have been actively involved in a range of social justice and personal development experiences. In particular, under the guidance of Mrs Carmel Dwyer the Senior students spent weeks visiting a group of elderly residents at a nearby Aged Care Facility, where they were a welcome addition to the residents’ weekly schedule. Throughout the year, they organized a number of fund-raisers for the College’s various social justice programs, including a sausage sizzle for Mission Action Day. Throughout the year, the boys raised more than $1,000 for social justice initiatives. The exciting aspect of the VCAL program at De La Salle is that the opportunity for learning goes far beyond the recognized certificates our students have earned. Our students develop other skills which will help benefit them in their future study, work and life – being able to communicate with a variety of people, being first-aid trained, and equipped to problem-solve in a range of areas. Like VCE, the VCAL program relies on the support of the whole College community, in particular the College Leadership Team whose ongoing support for VCAL as an applied alternative to the academic VCE program has been invaluable. On behalf of the graduating senior VCAL class, I would like to thank the dedicated and professional team of teachers and staff who have worked with the boys this year. First of all, my special thanks to the administrative staff at Kinnoull — Mrs Trish Woodman, Mrs Ann Lawler, Mrs Sandy Glazebrook, and Mrs Patricia D’Arcy, as well as the Pathways Team, Mrs Carmel Smart and Mrs Caroline Fitzpatrick. My thanks go to the wonderful VCAL teaching team including, Mrs Carmel Dwyer, Mr Charles Thompson, Mr Warren Walker, Mr Tim Hogan, Mr Chris Martin, Mr Andrew Murrell, Mrs Esther Gmelig and Mrs Karen Tillotson. These teachers continue to challenge and inspire our VCAL students and should be proud of their achievements. Congratulations to the graduating VCAL class of 2011.

Ms Kerry Martin VCAL Coordinator