VCAL Update

Throughout this Remote and Flexible learning period our VCAL students have been working hard to make their projects become a reality. We have had guest speakers, participated in workshops and are moving into the doing (often the most fun!) phase of the project learning. As a bit of an update as to what the Year 11 and Year 12 students are focusing on, here is a rundown for you.

In Year 11 VCAL the theme is Mixed Abilities. The students are working with SCOPE Victoria as well as various other local groups supporting young people with disability. As a part of the theme, in Literacy, we are reading a biography called ‘Crashing into Potential’. This book is a journey of resilience and hope as we follow Scott’s experience following an Acquired Brain Injury.

In Work Related Skills the students have been very engaged in with Crazy Ideas College Ballarat, GTECH and the City of Greater Geelong working on their Social Innovation Project. This week will be our pitch event, with community stakeholders to share our innovations and seek support which is very exciting. This is our first year participating in the partnership and we can see many benefits for our students in developing critical thinking/analytical skills as well as building out technical drawing skills using software such as CAD.

In Year 12, the students’ final year of schooling is quickly drawing to a close. Our students are completing Structured Workplace Learning where possible, some are locking down apprenticeships for 2021, which is a fantastic outcome, and others are exploring further study options for next year.

In terms of their projects, both classes are developing out their ideas around Mental Health and Domestic Animal Welfare. Some great work at home is happening, for example, Jasmine Millet is making dog rope toys from fleece, ready to donate and Noah Moon has created a short film raising awareness of cyber bullying, which was recently sent to all students via the wellbeing team. They Year 12 VCAL students have recently reached out to their Year 7 buddies, which has been well received.

There is a power of work happening behind the scenes and the VCAL staff are working to support all of our students to meet requirements and competencies for this year, but it is the students themselves that deserve to be acknowledged and commended for their efforts, enthusiasm and flexibility during the remote learning periods.