Dear members of the MLMC community,

Welcome to Friday 13 August and the day we all hoped to be back on campus, but, alas, it was not to be for on Wednesday of this week our Premier announced a seven-day extension to lockdown No.6, with the five reasons for leaving home remaining in place:

• To get the food and the supplies
• To exercise for up to two hours
• For care or caregiving
• Permitted work or education if you can’t do it from home
• To get vaccinated at the nearest possible location.

Shopping and exercise must be done within 5km of your home or the nearest location and face masks remain mandatory when outside the family home.

While this news was not welcome, looking around our country and the world it is apparent that a lockdown was needed if we are to keep our communities safe.

As indicated in the last newsletter, this news and the very high likelihood that once students are permitted on campus, very few other visitors will be permitted, and with many other restrictions likely, this week the College Executive looked forward to calendared College events to finalise those which proceed remotely and those which must be postponed or cancelled.

We have tried to keep these events on the College calendar as long as we have been able to in the hope that they could run and in appreciation of the many who have worked to plan their success, but decisions needed to be made. We remain committed to ensuring our students have the safest and best possible educational programs, both curricula and cocurricular, within the limitations placed on us at this time.

Sadly many events will be impacted, many of which have been planned for some time as part of our 125 years celebration and our year of Service.

(1) Book Launch

A small group of dedicated staff and friends of MLMC have been working on a book of 125 stories of 125 years which was to be launched on Thursday 26 August. This launch has been cancelled, but we will look for a future opportunity for a similar event.

(2) Frayne Speech Festival

The Frayne Speech Festival is a celebration of word in which Mercy schools from around Australia come together in friendly competition with a focus on

• a speech choir
• debating
• public speaking.

This festival started in 1996 as a part of the centenary celebrations of our College and we were to host it again this year. Sadly this event has been cancelled and, in so doing, I wish to express my deep gratitude to the planning committee and to our students who have been working hard in preparing for the event.

(3) Wine Launch

Each year our Agriculture team and an Agriculture-Horticulture class (Year 9 or Year 10) carefully do all the work in caring for our vineyard and then crafting our vintage. The celebration of this process is a wine launch but, again, this year we must cancel this event and in doing so I again express my gratitude to all involved and look forward to the 2022 launch.

(4) Mercy Week

The last week of Term 3 is Mercy Week, which is our celebration of our heritage, an opportunity to give thanks to all those who came before us and an opportunity to raise money for Mercy Works. Again this year we will have a very modified week of celebrations:

• plaques were to be unveiled further explaining the history behind the name of each of our buildings. This will still occur, but in a much smaller event totally contained within our College staff and student cohort. I look forward to sharing this event with you in the future.
• visit to the Lilydale Cemetery. Each year during Mercy Week, we visit the cemetery to pray with and for past Sisters who have served our College. Hopefully we can continue to do this, but again with only students and staff from the College and with no visitor participation.
• Mercy Day. The last day of Term 3 is Mercy Day and our history is that this day is a huge celebration which is like a carnival. Our intent is still to celebrate Mercy Day in some way, but again only with staff and students on site if permitted. Outside rides, vendors and visitors will not be permitted.

(5) College Musical

The College musical, Matilda, remains an important event on the College calendar and one that involves many current students, staff as well as some Old Collegians helping us and this year some Class of 2020 cast members. Matilda has been two years in the making and the entire cast have been very resilient in the stop-start nature of rehearsals and preparation. I understand their commitment and the desire for the success of the event.

The musical has once again been moved and, for the last time, rescheduled to the last week of this term. We are doing everything possible to ensure it can be performed, however, for it to be successful, it must have an audience. A musical is an interactive event and to perform it without an audience is merely another dress rehearsal. If audiences cannot participate or audience numbers are so restrictive to prohibit success, it will not be postponed again, however, we will investigate an internal audience of students and the recording of the musical for family viewing. Ticketing advice for the musical will follow in the coming weeks.

(6) Year 11 Debutante Balls

As previously advised the three Year 11 Debutante Balls have been moved to the last week of the September school holidays in the hope that they can proceed with dance floors and table numbers sufficient enough to make it a successful event. With the possibility that these cannot proceed in that time frame, we will investigate 2022 options and again advise you as soon as clarity is possible. We will find some way to ensure that this ‘rite of passage’ proceeds, the question is simply when.

(7) General achievement Test (GAT)

The GAT has once again been postponed and we await advice of the future date. Students affected by this change will be advised as soon as the College is advised.

(8) Year 7 2022 Testing

Testing has been postponed and once again the College will advise families as soon as it is possible for it to proceed or if an alternative process is found. Again, this testing is about collecting data to help in transition and student placement. This process will not prevent 2022 Year 7 students in 2022 in transitioning to the College.

Other significant events like the Year 12 Celebration Ball have been postponed until later in the year, in the hope that with only College staff and students they can proceed, although at an outside venue.

There are many events that have been reimagined and done remotely thanks to the flexibility of staff and our community have worked very well.

Over the last two evenings, leaders at our College — after a long day of remote teaching— have been conducting pathways interviews for our 2022 Year 10 and 11 students’ families to ensure an informed subject selection process. This has been facilitated after an extensive Careers interview process, all of which I understand has been very productive and well received. Hopefully our student pathways process is successful in helping our students find their chosen vocations.

Planning is well under way for online Zoom meetings for Student Progress Interviews (SPIs) and Year 7 2023 interviews later this term.

We live in uncertain times. We continue to plan, replan, re-evaluate and reimagine College events to ensure the best possible student experience and to ensure the best possible learning opportunities for our community.

I understand that many in our community are struggling in a range of ways, whether that be a loss of income, loss of family connection or simply struggling being in lockdown and coping with remote learning. Hopefully no-one within our community is suffering with the loss of loved ones by this dreadful virus as I know of some who have lost family members oversees. Please know that you all remain in our thoughts and prayers.

If you are in need of any help, please contact the College. If students are struggling in remote learning, please encourage them to use all the resources available to them whether that be Google Classroom, Studiosity or Edrolo. If students need wellbeing help, our College Counsellors are available to them online.

Lastly, I commend to you that we must remain positive and look forward with hope. We will find a way through current difficulties. Please encourage students to see this time of remote learning as an opportunity. It is a time when many other distractions have been removed and students can concentrate on their learning and in expanding their interests through reading or other research.

I hope to see all our students back on campus very soon and the resumption of excursions and other activities.

Personal Pars

Sadly, members of our community grieve with the passing of loved ones:

• Yvonne Richardson, grandmother to Seth (Year 7) and Jay (Year 10) Barnes.
• Orly Ty, brother to staff member Mr Ed Ty, who passed away in the Philippines due to COVID-19.

Let us remember Yvonne and Orly in our prayers, May perpetual light shine upon them. May they, along with all the faithfully departed, rest in peace.

In the spirit of Catherine

God bless

Philip A Morison
Principal

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Celebrated each year on 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates the death of Mary and her bodily assumption into Heaven. Because it signifies the Blessed Virgin's passing into eternal life, it is the most important of all Marian feasts and a Holy Day of Obligation. The Feast of the Assumption is a very old feast of the Church, celebrated universally by the sixth century. The feast was originally celebrated in the East, where it is known as the Feast of the Dormition, a word which means “the falling asleep”. Pope Francis said that the Virgin Mary is a symbol of how God often works though the poor and unknown to carry out His plan for redemption.

O Mary, Our Dearest Mother
We ask for your powerful intercession, that we, like you may look with compassion on all we meet this day.
Help us to live with the deep peace that you knew from joyfully accepting God’s will.
Though you knew sorrow you never failed to love those around you
Though you knew pain you willingly put the needs of others before your own.
Help each of us, as People of Mercy, to live God’s calling and by coming to know your Son, Jesus, give us the peace that surpasses all worldly things.
Mary, Mother most Holy,
Pray for us.

Student wellbeing during uncertain times

Mr John Rodgers
Deputy Principal — Pastoral Care

One of the hardest adjustments I have had to make during these uncertain times is to be able to go with the flow and deal with things that are out of my control. I have found this hard as I love to plan, know what is ahead of me and stick to my calendar. Constant change can be a major frustration. I trust this is the same for most people and so it is with a huge amount of empathy that I say to our community, that we need to be flexible, but strive to follow set routines and self discipline as much as possible.

Over the past few lockdowns, some students have seen the brief remote learning periods as an opportunity to have a small break from studies, believing that one or two days here and there will not make an impact on their learning. How tempting that must be, but equally how easily it can become a habit, with the consequence of falling behind the class. And so I return to my point of routine and self discipline, asking all students to ensure that all classes, including Homeroom are attended and the procedures we have implemented are followed.

Please know that the College is here to support families and assist where possible. Some of the ways we do this is through Homeroom, contact with the Year Level Leader or our counselling team who during lockdowns use Telehealth. The College also has an online check-in system called PULSE that allows students to indicate how they are feeling and reach out so that staff can promptly respond to their needs.

A new initiative that has eventuated from the latest webinar from the College Counselling team is a Parent Support Group. The group was initiated by some parents looking for a forum to share ideas and check if what they are experiencing is what everyone else is going through. Shared, common experience is often easier to endure. If you would like to join this group, let me know and I will forward details to you.

Please remember if at any time you need support, the College is only a phone call away. Stay safe and stay in touch.

The attachment below, courtesy of our College Counselling and Wellbeing team, provides some ideas to give some happiness to someone else which can make a huge difference during lockdown.

EACH presents a movie — Screenagers, The Next Chapter

Mrs Tina Tasiopoulos
School Wellbeing Coordinator

There is an exciting follow-up to the film Screenagers, titled Screenagers, The Next Chapter.

The film screening will be open to view for a two-week period, and is also FREE. Follow the link to register, and feel free to share. This is a great resource for parents, guardians, professionals, and anyone interested in skills to manage their tech use.

Click on this link: https://www.each.com.au/screenagers-youth-family-online-film-screening-2021/

Enrolments for Year 7 in 2023

Mrs Marilyn Ryan
Registrar — Students

Parents and guardians are reminded that applications for Year 7 in 2023 are due by Monday 23 August. For further information regarding Year 7 enrolment, please visit our website or click HERE.

Important dates

• Monday 16 August-Friday 20 August — Science Week
• Tuesday 17 August, Wednesday August 25 and Monday 30 August — Year 7 2023 enrolment interviews via Zoom
  
• Monday 30 August-Friday 3 September — Health and PE Week

Early offers

Ms Lauren Ferguson
Careers Leader

There are many tertiary institutions that are offering early entry into their courses for 2022. Applications are now open and they will close on various dates throughout August to December. If you would like more information about early entry for your child, please see the document attached below or contact the Careers team at the College for assistance.

If your child has received an early offer, it would be greatly appreciated if you could let me know so that we can celebrate your success.

The motivation to learn languages is always connected to the culture of a nation. Often, we can enjoy the language through expressions, words and customs learned in films, songs, stories, eating food or participating in a pastime.

During LOTE Week (2-5 August), students were able to engage in different cultural activities during lunchtime. Clara D’Angelo, our 2021 LOTE Prefect, hosted activities such as the film Shrek in Italian, an Italian quiz and the card games of scopa and briscola. Students also made creative origami creations and watched an anime film in Japanese.

Throughout the week, the lunchtime prayers were read by Year 12 students Clara D’Angelo, Masara Hanna Shmuni and Wiktoria Krawczyk in Italian, Arabic and Danish. These included the Hail Mary and a prayer of peace for Hiroshima Day, read in Japanese by Stephanie Martinez and Emma Di Paolo.

In the classroom, Year 7 and 8 Italian students were able to show their artistic flare by making carnevale masks. The Venetians used these masks as way to hide their identity and social status, which allowed them to interact freely with other members of society. Also, students in Mr Michael Modini’s Year 8 Italian class were lucky to make a deconstructed version of tiramisu using Italian sponge biscuits (biscotti), cream and chocolate topping. In the Year 7 and 8 Japanese classes, students were able to make their own ‘inkan’, which is a name stamp used like a signature. They carved their names in printing rubber using lino cutters and they enjoyed ‘stamping’ their names, which is still very much part of the Japanese culture.

It is wonderful to see how celebrating our differences can help us work towards a world full of peace and respect.

Unofficial Senior Cross Country Carnival

On Wednesday 4 August, while our Senior teams had a bye from EISM sport, the College ran a time trial session (pictured) for the students from these teams to gain some results for the upcoming EISM Cross Country Carnival. It allowed us to at least have some results in the bank in this ever-changing environment and provide some comfort that if we are unable to have a large MLMC Carnival due to the pandemic, we will still be able to form a team. Future time trials will (hopefully) take place for the students in the Rec Sport groups, those who were on camp and those students in other year levels.

Congratulations to the following athletes for winning their age group competitions:

• Year 10: Daniel Roper and Louisa Inglese.
• Year 11: Gabby Woods and Marcus Hamilton.

When students return to the College campus, cross country training sessions can resume. Training is held rain, hail or shine on Monday afternoons, 3.30pm-4.30pm, and Wednesday mornings, 7.00am-8.00am (breakfast provided afterwards). Students should meet at the Doyle Centre for all sessions. All fitness levels and abilities are welcome.

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Ross Napoli (Year 7 Orange) who recently passed a judo practical and knowledge test called a grading at the Hawthorn and Lilydale Judo Clubs. This is a difficult task and requires a great deal of practice. The grade is awarded by the presentation of a coloured judo belt. Ross has been awarded a white-yellow-black belt. Keep up the great work, Ross.

Congratulations also to Paddy Vanstan (Year 10 Blue) who finished fourth in the Victorian Gravity Enduro Tour Mountain Bike Series this year. It was his first competitive series. Unfortunately the last race of the series was cancelled, however, we look forward to more racing from Paddy in years to come. Well done!

If you have any student achievements, please email them to dwebb@mlmc.vic.edu.au

EISM reminders

With the Winter seasons of Year 8, 9 and Senior EISM Sport either underway or about to begin, students are asked to please remember the following:

• Check the Sport plans that are up on the Doyle Centre window at the beginning of every week and on the College Instagram story
• If you are unable to play in your team in a particular week, you need to let your coach know as early as possible
• Please be on time to the Doyle Centre on your sport day. All EISM teams need to leave at the start of lunch (occasionally earlier) to get to venues to play
• Uniform needs to be 100% correct to ensure no forfeited games. Hockey, soccer and football players must wear long navy socks (available at the Doyle Centre) and mouthguards must be worn for hockey. NO CORRECT UNIFORM, NO GAME.

Live fixtures for EISM matches can be found online at eism.org. Click on ‘Weekly sport’, then ‘Fixtures and results’ then ‘Junior’ (Year 8 and 9) or ‘Senior’ (Years 10-12) fixtures. This is particularly important as refixturing occurs due to recent lockdowns.

EISM results

The power of reading for pleasure has long been a focus at MLMC. This semester we clicked ‘refresh’ on our reading for pleasure practices for Years 7-9. ‘Reading 4 Me’, formally known as ‘Sustained Silent Reading’ (SSR), has a few new features. Students will notice a classroom library and a wider range of texts to select from. Students will be encouraged, as always, to develop their appetite for reading by talking about their book choices to their peers, teachers and family members.

Reading 4 Me practices include a number of features aimed to empower and encourage our students to embrace this opportunity to grow their literacy skills. Student expectations are simple — choose your own book, of any genre, and have it with you to read at the allocated time in class. Teachers will also be modelling these practices while creating an environment to read in silence as well as time to share. In addition, students will be surveyed every few weeks, to help us to gain a deeper understanding of their reading habits.

Reading is the one gift that reaps endless and real rewards for children in adulthood, so we ask parents to stay tuned in to their child's reading habits and model reading for pleasure as an anywhere, anytime experience.

Attached below is the poster that is up in the classrooms. 

Why do we do Unit 3/4 practice papers and trial exams at MLMC?

A big question that some students and parents may be wondering about is ‘Why do we do practice papers and trial exams?’ Trial exams and practice papers are vital tools for student learning and exam preparation — with their value increasing according to students’ motivation, application and willingness to take and utilise feedback.

Watch this terrific TEDTalk from Doug Barton: 'What do top students do differently?' 

Improving knowledge and skills

Practice papers and trial exams are a proven, effective way to improve subject knowledge and skills — especially in the area of memorising/recalling information and applying skills to scenario-questions. Researchers (Roedigger and Karpicke, 2006) found that students who complete practice papers after receiving feedback from a previous practice paper or trial exam do better in a ‘final’ exam than students who don’t do practice papers and a trial exam.

Students practicing and personalising exam strategies that work for them

Trial exam week (and practice papers) enable students to apply learnt subject revision strategies (taught through the year), personalise and ‘tweak’ aspects of strategies that best work for them. Teachers mark papers then give rich feedback to students with suggestions for improvement. Productive students will take this feedback, reflect on it, problem solve and work more specifically on where they need to in the weeks ahead.

Identifying areas of strength and weakness…

Students are encouraged to not be ‘threatened’ or ‘intimidated’ or ‘anxious’ about a trial exam or practice paper — it’s not a ‘judgment’ on their capacity; rather, it is diagnostic. The practice paper or trial exam identifies gaps in student knowledge that lead to better self-awareness for where to focus revision strategies. Teachers mark these papers, then give students 1:1 feedback and suggestions for improvement — itself a process of deepening and consolidating learning.

… then setting revision goals for focus improvement

But, it is up to students to then develop and apply those strategies in their study routine. They should not ‘cram’ at the ‘last minute’ — but over the coming six to seven weeks spread out revision sessions to better embed content into their cognitive-memory (learn, time to forget, then re-learn, repeat). We have also been encouraging students to BECOME TEACHERS themselves. The National Training Laboratory suggests that most students only remember about 10% of what they ‘read’, 20% of what they ‘hear’ or ‘see’, but retain nearly 90% of what they learn through teaching others.

In the next newsletter, there will be an article detailing, ‘How are we helping students best-prepare for the exam period?’. If you have any questions, please contact any of the Barak Campus team during school hours.

Year 10 VET Sport and Recreation students had three wonderful days in the snow at Falls Creek, finishing up their on-mountain activities just as the latest lockdown was announced. Students spent the first day travelling to Falls Creek and snow shoeing with their packs on to their camp in the snow, while the second day was all about hiking and enjoying the views.

With fresh snow falling and perfectly clear skies, the students and staff enjoyed beautiful weather conditions. Their final day was spent on the slopes, with most choosing to go snowboarding while a few did downhill skiing. As the clouds rolled in on the final afternoon, so did the news of lockdown starting. The students made the most of their time on the mountain before heading home the next day.

Here are some student reflections of the experience:

Camping in the snow for the first night of our camp was surprisingly good, besides how cold and wet everything got. It is something most people will never experience in their lives. The big dining table where we all could sit around was such a bonding moment. Waking up in the morning with fresh snow all around us was awesome! The sun was shining and the views were amazing. At the cabins, it was so warm and cosy. In the dining hall, there was polly pong (a really intense game of four-way ping pong). We got to learn new things about each other and make new friends. The best part was Thursday, with everyone just learning to ski and snowboard.
— Olivia Gardeniers (Year 10 Gold)

Despite being in the middle of a global pandemic, we were able to escape to a place where it felt as if there was no pandemic at all. Falls Creek will provide us with many memories for years to come. We had the best time and enjoyed it as much as possible before having to return home and be in lockdown. There were many stacks, games of poly pong and pool and plenty of time spent watching the Olympics and playing tunes. I loved snow camp and I can’t wait for surf camp later this year.
— Sam Wicks (Year 10 White)

Snow camp 2021 was one of the best experiences you could have. It was a long bus ride, leaving at 6.15am. It was chaotic when we got there as everyone rushed to put their waterproof clothes on as well as collect their snowshoes and then we were off hiking a few kilometres to where we camped in the snow. As soon as we got there we put up our tents and started digging out a table for us to cook on. It wasn’t a very comfortable night’s sleep. We went on a hike in the morning where we threw snowballs at each other and made snow angels. The next day we had snowboard lessons. We learnt how to do heel side and some of us learnt toe side. After the lessons, many of us stayed in the same groups and went down the slopes with each other. But it came to an end when the lockdown was announced and we had one last slope before returning to our cabins. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I hope that the Year 11 snow camp will be the same.
— Summer Edyvane (Year 10 Blue)

Snow camp 2021 was by far the best camp I have been on. The camp offered a variety of activities, including hiking with snowshoes, skiing and snowboarding. My highlight would definitely be just hanging out with my friends and skiing all day. Nothing better than that.
— Alice McCormick (Year 10 Bronze)

Mount Lilydale Mercy College welcomes another member to our community, Dimmi.

Dimmi joins our community as a support dog for one of our teachers, Mr Michael Dale. A two-year old labrador, Dimmi has undergone extensive training and has now enrolled in Paws for Assistance Dog Training, a certified training organisation that trains people and their dogs to undergo the Public Access Test (PAT). The PAT certification provides the owner and their dog with a license to work together in public areas.

Dimmi has been placed with Mr Dale to assist in his ongoing recovery from PTSD as a result of his time as a firefighter.

Dimmi has already made an appearance at the College, in class and around the grounds, and has been well received by both students and staff. Her calm and caring nature makes her perfect for a pat. All we ask is that students resist the temptation to feed her. Not an easy task when she uses her big dark eyes.

If you would like any further information about Dimmi, her training or how the College supports its community, please feel free to call me at the College on 9735 4022.

For the past 19 years, MLMC has participated in training a group of Year 11 students to become Yellow Ribbon Ambassadors. The emphasis throughout the training has been ‘It’s OK to ask for help’. Ambassadors are trained to know how to assist another young person to access help from an appropriate service and develop life-long skills such as effective communication. The program has been embedded in the school curriculum and has become part of the culture and ethos at MLMC.

We have been impressed with the quality of leadership from our young ambassadors and are extremely proud in the way they have demonstrated compassion, empathy and a willingness to empower others.

Each year the College conducts fundraising in August for Kids Helpline. This year’s fundraising event will be held in the near future, with Yellow Ribbon Ambassadors selling cupcakes and other sweets. They have also recently run workshops with Year 9 students (pictured), teaching them the skill of empathy.

The Yellow Ribbon program has an overarching aim to encourage young people to ask for help. Help-seeking behaviour is recognised as an important life skill for wellbeing and resilience. Yellow Ribbon aims to educate young people so that they feel comfortable asking for help within all kinds of typical, everyday situations; ranging from problems such as frustration, bullying, fears and phobias, family problems, school problems, homework, peer issues, drug problems, anger/conflict management, relationship difficulties, sadness, grief to thoughts of self-harming behaviours. The program originated in the USA in 1994 when Mike Emme, aged 17, took his life. Mike, like many young people, did not know the words to say or how to let someone know that he was in trouble and needed help.

The Yellow Ribbon Program trains young people to become ambassadors and respond to crisis from their peers.

On Thursday 5 August our Senior VCAL students ran a successful Winter Market over recess and lunchtime. The market was part of the students' 'Doing business' theme and VET Certificate II in Business. The students are developing micro businesses and are given the opportunity to each create a business plan and pitch ideas to teachers and peers to gain the start-up investment.

Students made a wide range of products including candles, ceramic mugs, macramé products, paracord bracelets, screen printed T-shirts, fruit smoothies and sorbets. Through this, students have learnt entrepreneurship skills in creating websites and marketing along with vital 21st century skills of teamwork, problem solving and communication.

On the day, they also sold hot drinks and pastries from the Mercy — Catherine's Cafe van, which are always popular.

Money raised is reinvested into Catherine's Cafe, ensuring our van can continue to support the local underprivileged on Tuesday nights. Well done to all involved and a big thank you to those who supported the businesses.

As we continue to take a look back over 125 years of MLMC history, we look at the introduction of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) courses in providing our students with another avenue to learn and succeed to be their best. Many initiatives and projects that have been undertaken by the VET and VCAL students have helped the wider community of MLMC.

2004 — VET and VCAL

In 2004, the College piloted the VCAL program in Year 11. Ever conscious of how students learn in different ways, the College had investigated the possibility of having a "greater range of pathways that enhance successful transition from school to work and further education" and VCAL’s ‘hands-on’ approach seemed to be the right fit.

VCAL covers four core areas: literacy and numeracy, work-related skills, industry-specific skills and personal development. Its successful implementation paved the way for VET to also be introduced into senior studies with the units counting towards the student’s ATAR.

"Witnessing students finding their place and working towards their chosen pathway is the best reward for our holistic program," Applied Learning Leader Mrs Kristy Brown said.

Both of these vocational pathways have proven very successful and by 2020 there were 53 students enrolled in VCAL across Years 10-12 and 216 students undertaking a VET course. It has been stated that the College "continues to embark on various new initiatives to increase educational pursuits, both academically and vocationally, ensuring broad opportunities for all students".

The traditional trades such as engineering, building and construction, electrotechnology, landscaping, agriculture, automotive and plumbing or the option to follow a pathway in screen and media, music, allied health, animal studies, beauty services, salon assistant or early childhood education matches student interest and career directions through the provision of strong pathways.

"The VET courses above provide a snapshot of the most popular selected by MLMC students," VET Leader Mr Andrew Feher said. "Once studying a VET course, students are presented with opportunities to develop strong links with industry and local community employers. Students undertaking structured work placements or school-based apprenticeships improve their employment prospects and many are offered part-time or casual work."

Note: photos are from VCAL and VET activities in recent years, before COVID-19.

The VET Hospitality class had the opportunity to have a ‘pasta masterclass’ with our very own Ms Nadia Fragnito, author and blogger of The Vegan Italian Kitchen.

Ms Fragnito demonstrated the skills to make tria (rustic ribbon pasta) from scratch, sugo di pomodoro (slow-cooked tomato sauce) and ciceri e tria (chickpea and tria pasta). These recipes are all from southern Italy where Ms Fragnito has travelled extensively. Students spent the afternoon hand rolling pasta and creating different dishes, then they had time to sit down and enjoy the pasta feast.

“Learning to make these pasta shapes has been a fun experience and not as hard as I thought it would be,” Year 12 Silver student Linkin Tirchett said.

The VET Certificate II in Hospitality course taught at MLMC provides the students a year-long course gaining front of house and kitchen operations skills. Students have the opportunity to receive their food handling certificate, gain barista skills, as well as responsible service of alcohol qualification and gain key knowledge and skills for catering for in-house events such as the College’s wine launch, parent seminars and the upcoming 125 year celebrations.

The hospitality industry is an innovative one, with myriad career opportunities from entry-level roles right through to being chief executives.