VCAL ____________________________________Pages

THE YEAR THAT WAS

Some of the significant partnerships made by VCAL students this year were with the Cottage by the Sea Queenscliff, Clonard College, RSPCA, Scope, Jamie Oliver Ministry of Food, Red Cross and Rough Edges Kings Cross. The Year 12 students joined forces with the Year 12

VCAL class from Clonard College and raised $4,500 for Cottage by the Sea through their inaugural Bowls n’ Beats event. The evening consisted of barefoot bowls and live music and was held at the East Geelong

Bowls Club. The students presented the cheque to the Cottage by the Sea staff on a day visit where they joined the camp children for lunch and activities.

Throughout Term 3 the Year 12 students planned a

Sydney trip. The focus of the trip was orienteering around the city and community service in Kings

Cross through a partnership with St John’s Rough

Edges program. Learning Outcomes across all four VCAL strands were met through the planning and participation in this trip. Students braved torrential downpours to successfully complete the orienteering task that took them from the city to Bondi and back again. The Year 11s received their Scope Bronze Medallion in Working with People with Disabilities. As part of the certificate they attended Shannon Park Industries to work alongside people with disabilities. Students also conducted an accessibility audit on the buildings and grounds of SJC. The RSCPCA working with animals unit was a highlight of the Year 11 program. The students went on an excursion to the RSPCA farm in Burwood. Upon their return to school some students formed a partnership with Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS) and used their gardening skills to beautify their grounds, including the meet and greet area where families get to know the animals they are looking at adopting. The Structured Workplace Learning placement that students undertake on Thursdays and Fridays gives students the opportunity to enhance skill development, apply practical industry knowledge and meet units of competency for their VCAL studies. Many students have secured apprenticeships through their work placements, making this a vital component of SJC’s VCAL studies. We are very grateful for the employers who have hosted a VCAL student throughout this year. VCAL is a pathway into apprenticeships, traineeships, work and further study at TAFE. On behalf of all your teachers throughout your years at SJC we wish all the VCAL students who are leaving us the best of luck as they embark on their future endeavours. Thank you to the VCAL teachers and all College staff for your commitment to working with the students to ensure their academic and wellbeing needs are met.

Jake Cobb

Sydney Airport Sydney Airport

RSPCA AWARDS

Congratulations to 2013 Graduate Jake Cobb for receiving The Australian Vocational Student Prize for demonstrating exceptional skill, commitment and achievement while undertaking an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA) in Bricklaying as part of his senior secondary studies. Jake received a certificate and a cash prize of $2,000. Jake was an outstanding student and VCAL Leader and we congratulate him on receiving this recognition of his hard work and dedication. He is currently a first year apprentice with K & C McFarlane Bricklaying and we wish him success and happiness in his future endeavours.

- Leah Irving - VCAL Coordinator

This is what Jake had to say about his School Based Apprenticeship: I chose bricklaying because it is hands on and it would let me work outdoors. Right from the start I loved it. So Year 10 & 11, I did Cert II in Bricklaying and Blocklaying. In Year 11 I did VCAL and as a part of that I had to get a Structured Work Placement every Friday. I got work with Keith & Cain McFarlane and I loved it. So I decided to ask if I can do a School Based Apprenticeship with McFarlane Bricklaying. Every day I work I learn new skills and have different experiences and what I learn helps with the work at VET. Doing a VET and School Based Apprenticeship has helped me learn life skills, leadership, time management and discipline and that helps with challenges in my life and sport. I am very happy that I did VET, VCAL and my School Based Apprenticeship.

Jake Cobb - 2013 Graduate

Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food

VCAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

I was very proud to attend a ceremony at Federation Square, Melbourne to accept an award for the students’ efforts in raising money and awareness for women’s cancers through the Girls Night In Auction Night held in October, 2013. Our project was recognised as the best Integrated Project across the State. Congratulations to all the staff, students and parents involved and a big thank you to all the school community members who supported this initiative between 2011 and 2013.

- Leah Irving - VCAL Coordinator

YEAR 12 PHOTOGRAPHY

We were very fortunate to have professional photographer Roza Marciniak come into our class and deliver a 10 week photography course. My passion is 4 wheel driving. My family is heavily involved in 4wdriving, we regularly head out bush exploring this amazing country that we live in. When I was told that our photos were to be based on one of our passions I immediately chose 4wdriving as my topic. Here is a photo I took of our work Nissan GU Patrol, taken in the Avoca area of the Pyrenees National Park Victoria.

- Tim Neville

WALK FOR CHANGE

On 18 October the VCAL students walked (a few ran!) from Drysdale to Joeys along the Bellarine Rail Trail, to raise money and awareness for homelessness in the Geelong region. The preparation for the event really opened our eyes to homelessness in Geelong. We participated in an e-classroom with The Big Issue and investigated causes and responses to homelessness in our local area. We started the day at 9:30. The event took us most of the day to complete. Sheridan Stack and Chris Phelan both ran the whole way and made it back to school in 2 hours and 2 hours, 20 minutes respectively. An amazing achievement. Everyone made it back in time for the BBQ. The final group completed the course in 4 hours, 20 minutes. We all got to sit back have some of Mr Trupkovic’s famous chevape rolls and chat about the day. It was a 22km course with most of it on an uphill slope with an annoying headwind, but that didn’t stop anyone from having a crack. We managed to raise over $1,400 and we donated these funds to Minerva Community Services in the form of movie and hair vouchers. Minerva offers specialist support for women and children in the Barwon area who have experienced family/domestic violence. Thank you to the staff at Hot House Hairdressing for assisting us with providing hair and beauty vouchers to some needy Mums and to Village Cinemas for a great deal on movie gift cards for teens who are being supported by Minerva. Many thanks to all the family members and staff who sponsored us on our walk.

Sean Whelan

Year 12’s Last Day Year 12’s Last Day Walk for Change Bowls ‘n Beats

Tim’s Photography Tim’s Photography

Paintball

Boot Camp