Tarneit Senior College VCAL students have given back to their local community by building and donating cubby houses
Year 12 Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) students at Tarneit Senior College have constructed eight cubby houses as part of their studies.
Two of the cubby houses were donated to a local kindergarten and primary school, with the remaining cubbies sold to school staff for their children.
The money raised went towards establishing a training café at the college, which will be used to teach future VCAL students how to use a coffee machine and other service-related skills.
The innovative project was created when the college invited VCAL students to discuss a project to undertake during the year to give them a voice.
Jamie Calleja-Bailey, Leading Teacher for VCAL/ VET Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting at Tarneit Senior College explained that students were keen to build something to give back to the kids in a kindergarten they work with, as well as the college.
‘The cubby house project will continue to benefit students at the school for years to come,’ Jamie said.
Jamie said the project shined a light on the value of the VCAL program, while creating strong community connections.
‘The project has allowed students to feel valued and empowered and has given them a sense of worth in their education,’ he said.
Bunnings Warehouse in Hoppers Crossing donated $1,500 worth of materials and tools to the project.
Exciting changes are coming to senior secondary education
There are some exciting changes coming to senior secondary education in 2023, which will give students greater flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop the skills to succeed in further education, work and life.
In response to the 2020 review into Vocational and Applied Learning Pathways in Senior Secondary Schooling, Victoria is moving to a new integrated senior secondary certificate that will bring together the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and VCAL.
As part of a reform of senior secondary school pathways, two new pathway options will be offered to students in years 11 and 12 from 2023.
The VCE Vocational Major is a new two-year vocational pathway that will replace intermediate and senior VCAL and will be embedded in the VCE system.
The Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) will replace foundation VCAL and is designed to support students transition to the VCE Vocational Major, entry-level VET or employment.
Students will have the opportunity to learn more about the new pathway options through their course counselling sessions in 2022.
Find out more
For more information about the
review and reforms visit review into vocational and applied learning pathways in senior secondary schooling.