5 May 2023

Students and teachers from Catholic schools were recognised at the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) Achievement Awards.

Celebrating the class of 2022, the awards recognise the achievements of young people completing a VCAL qualification, as well as the teachers and community partners delivering VCAL opportunities.

Student Award – School-based Apprentice/Trainee was presented to Hayley Dupas from Padua College, Mornington. Hayley demonstrated an outstanding attitude towards obtaining and completing her school-based apprenticeship/traineeship (SBAT) in 2022. She was proactive and positive in her project of developing a clear understanding of pathways to work in her industry. Throughout the year, Hayley was excellent in managing both her schoolwork and her SBAT commitments. By the end of 2022 and due to her exceptional achievements, Hayley was offered additional work as an education support officer beyond her SBAT.

Teacher Award – Team Teaching was presented to the teacher team from Assumption College, Kilmore, which aimed to provide a wide variety of opportunities for students to develop their knowledge and skills. Each member of the team possessed complementary strengths and skills, allowing their response to student needs to be dynamic. Throughout 2022, the team led students in projects across woodwork, cooking, sport and fitness, community projects, arts and crafts, community volunteering and agriculture. Congratulations to the team members for their commitment: Jessica Flavell, Anthony Fraser, Alexander Langdon, Daniella Larman-Yalda, Jennifer Pendlebury and Helen Perez.

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) Chair’s Award was presented to the VCAL Quality Assurance panel leaders. These leaders, including Fran Davey from Marcellin College, Bulleen, have been recognised for their outstanding contribution and support towards the delivery and promotion of VCAL through coordination of their quality assurance process, and as champions of VCAL in their schools and communities. Catholic leaders from schools outside the Archdiocese of Melbourne include Jan Miletic (Catherine McAuley College, Bendigo) and Hayley Wilson (St Joseph’s College, Mildura).

From this year, students will have the opportunity to participate in the VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate, which bring together the best of VCAL and the VCE.

[Banner image: Assumption College, Kilmore]