The Personal Best project allows Year 11 VCAL students to undertake an activity that they have a passion for, or is important to them. They are given the opportunity to work with a mentor to assist them to design, plan, and produce a project of their choice. These activities also enable students to refine interpersonal and employability skills by creating a presentation to be delivered to the cohort and also developing a visual portfolio.
Two fine examples of students’ projects this year were completed by Yasmin Riddiford (pictured above) and Flynn McDonald (pictured below).
Yasmin (Year 11 Purple) created an amazing mosaic artwork for her Personal Best project.
“I wanted to express my culture, to talk about it to my classmates and other teachers. It’s about my family, the Bundjalung mob, based on Yorta Yorta land. The white stones on the left represent the men in my family, while the women in my family are on the right and the big circle is the meeting place, which is the Broken River where my Pop lives on the river.”
Yasmin’s mother, Marina, creates mosaics and was Yasmin’s mentor for the project. “My passion is my culture. And I wanted to do something meaningful,” Yasmin said. It took all of Term 3 and a few weeks of Term 4 to complete the piece.
Flynn (Year 11 Bronze) put his amazing carpentry skills to use by designing and building a cubby house. Flynn’s dedication to his project has been outstanding, including early mornings and late afternoons to complete the cubby. Flynn intends to give the cubby house to one of his teachers for his grandchild to enjoy playing in.
Flynn was able to demonstrate the transferable skills he has developed through his VET and VCAL studies to manage his project. It was evident that he has a firm grasp of the occupational health and safety requirements and project management skills required to complete such a complex project. After completing his studies next year, Flynn intends to complete his carpentry apprenticeship.
Other Personal Best projects this year included a formed metal canopy for the back of a ute, resin tables, dog kennel, recipe books with videos, re-built motors, a handmade guitar, tennis racquet and many more amazing projects. Well done to all the students for their time and effort put into these projects.
Flynn McDonald with the cubby he made.
Mosaic by Yasmin Riddiford.
