Year 12

2020 has been a different but impressive final year for the class of 2020. The Year 12 students have been able to show resilience, determination and strength in ways they may not have known possible.

The year started with a Welcome Night which provided an opportunity for the students to catch up with each other and prepare for the year ahead before introducing their parents to their Pastoral Group Teachers. We were lucky enough to be joined once again by Dr Michael Carr-Gregg who provided an engaging presentation on how to Survive Year 12. The presentation provided students and parents with tips and tricks to help our Year 12s make the most of their year and achieve their personal best.

Another highlight of the year was the Formal, which was held at The Lincoln on Toorak. The Year 12 class spent the afternoon at hair and makeup appointments and getting glammed up for the night ahead. The Formal Committee worked hard to organise an event to remember and they certainly delivered with an amazing flower wall for photos, great entertainment from the MC’s and a fabulous dance floor.

Reflection Day was done a bit differently this year as it was held over Zoom but nonetheless was an incredible opportunity for the students to bond, be present and grateful and really think about how far they have come not only this year but since they started their journey at Mater Christi College. Prior to the day, students were delivered a package with affirmations from their peers, a letter from Shae Mayes - Head of Senior School and the Year 12 Year Learning Co-ordinators and a few goodies to remind them how well they were doing. Genevieve Bryant joined the day and provided some great tips about staying true to yourself and being the change, you want to see in your world.

The year has been full of surprises and excitement. It has been a pleasure to watch the year level adapt and grow through it all. It is sad to be parting ways, but we know that whatever is to come for this group will be nothing short of amazing.

Tara Baker and Grace Dillon Year 12 Year Learning Coordinators

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

VET continues to be a popular choice for many of our students. With the publication of GO VET, developed by the VCAA and providing advertising materials for Victorian schools, it has encouraged more students to consider a vocational subject. A VET course can be studied within a VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education or VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) program and provides nationally accredited qualifications.

This year, students at Mater Christi College have studied VET in vocations such as Animal Studies, Allied Health, Early Childhood and Care, Beauty Services, Equine Studies, Hospitality, Horticulture and creative industries.

Whether the student was enrolled in Hospitality at Mater Christi College or through another TAFE provider, all have had to adapt to an online learning platform. Through zoom classes, breakout rooms, virtual role plays, the students have continued their studies to meet the requirements of the certificate they enrolled in. At Mater Christi, the Hospitality students came up with a novel idea of running a delivery service called Mater Eats allowing the class to meet necessary competencies within the program.

VCAL 2020

Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) is an alternative graduation pathway. VCAL offers students the opportunity to create community-based projects, of their choosing, to meet outcomes within the program, so every year diverse programs are offered.

Through zoom classes we had Industry professionals deliver courses such as Certificate II in Public Safety, sessions with the Commonwealth Bank called Start Smart on investing and saving and worked with Yarra Ranges Tech School on a project called The Bees with Backpacks.

Many of our senior students were enrolled in a school-based apprenticeship and traineeship. Placements began in Term 1 and classes continued online with placements being replaced with professional learning activities. This was an opportunity for students to gain further knowledge within their field of study.

VCAL in 2020 although delivered very differently has still provided the students with a variety of learning opportunities.

Sara Mugridge VET and Pathways Coordinator