On Wednesday 17th June, 25 Year 10 and 11 students were involved in the Beacon Foundation ‘Polish’ program at the Maryborough Highland Society. During the day the students participated in a dynamic course that helped them prepare for their careers through personal presentation and communication training.
These skills gave students the ability to conduct themselves appropriately when entering the world of work and throughout their employment.
The one-day highly interactive program included work ethic, deportment, grooming, employers' expectations, mock interviews, manners and etiquette.
The day was broken up with a formal sit down lunch where students had the opportunity to network with local industry representatives using the skills gained from the morning’s activities.
This helped to build the students self esteem and this will give them the “edge” in a competitive job market place.
A little about Beacon
The Beacon Foundation is a National not-for-profit organisation, that seeks to influence the attitudes and culture of Australians so that each young person develops an independent will to achieve personal success for themselves and their community.
A key strategy of Beacon is to initiate original and innovative projects that demonstrate solutions to youth unemployment and encourage self-help at the local level.
The implementation of these innovative projects relies on the support of local communities and the business community at a local and national level.
Thanks to Anne Brosmann from GLEN, Mr Barney Healy, Mr Graeme Forester, Debbie Linke and representatives from Maryborough Industries and the Central Goldlfields Shire.
Other students involved in the team project were Steph Wilson, Kristy Edwards, Chloe Farnsworth, Julie Hughes, Chloe Whitehead, Taylah Wright and Jessica Young.
During semester 1, students studying Year 10 Fabrics decided they would like to make something for the Black Saturday bushfire victims. They worked together in two groups to design and produce two patchwork and appliquéd quilts and two patchwork cushions.
Mrs Grant contacted Marysville Primary School and they were very appreciative of the students thoughtfulness and they will pass the quilts and cushions on to students in their school community.
VETandVCEFashion
On Wednesday 9th of September fourteen VET and VCE Fashion students from MEC will be participating in a Fashion Parade as part of Fashion Week in Bendigo.
The excitement is building in the lead up to the Combined Schools Gala Fashion Parade to be held at the Beautiful Historic Bendigo Town Hall, 7pm. Students and models entering are Free and all guest tickets on the night are $10, this includes light refreshments during interval. Textiles and Fashion students through out Bendigo are busily creating, designing and producing fabulous fashion garments for your enjoyment on this night. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our student’s work and appreciate their skills and achievements.
Many hours of hard work have been undertaken by students and teachers from the following schools:
Bendigo Senior Secondary College, Bendigo South East Secondary College, Flora Hill Campus, Bendigo South West Secondary College, Golden Square & Kangaroo Flat, Eaglehawk Secondary College, Maryborough Education Centre, Weeroona Secondary College, Catholic College Bendigo, Castlemaine Secondary College and Girton Grammar School
Many students from across the Bendigo region will be competing in a variety of design categories. We wish our students a fun and successful night. It would be great to see many families and friends supporting our students at the parade starting at 7pm in the Bendigo Town Hall. .
As reported in the last edition of the MEC Newsletter, the MEC Debutante Balls were held. These special events saw the presentation of eighteen debutantes and their partners to Central Goldfield Mayor Chris Meddows-Taylor.
What a wonderful occasion it was for the 18 Debutantes and their partners, family and friends. Congratulations to everyone for making both evenings such a success. It was such a special event for our debs and partners and we were all very proud of you.
Thank you to the Maryborough Highland Society for providing the venue, Pipes Bistro for the meal and their very generous donation, the Impalas Band, Bent Stems, Image Master Photography and to the MEC staff and the Maryborough Chaplaincy Committee members for their support.
The students had learned their dances well under the expert tutelage of Sandra Rich, Sonya Woodhatch and Sandra Field. All these students are to be congratulated on their poise and attention to the decorum of this special formal occasion.
Many staff have worked tirelessly over many months to make this event such a memorable occasion in these young people’s lives.
Sandra Field has coordinated the Debutante Ball for the last three years—this has been an outstanding contribution. She has been unfazed by any obstacle and has always been determined to ensure that these events are truly memorable for our students and their families.
A special thank you to:
Dance tutors: Sandra Rich and Sonya Woodhatch.
Dance Practice Music: Jenny Wagstaff for playing the music at practice and for the presentation dances.
Chaperones: Samantha Rothman, Doug Marr, Jenny Davis and Graeme Forrester
Comperes : Jeanette Palmer and Carl Rusbridge.
Presentation Comperes: Our Centre Leaders- Madeline Collicoat, Jordan Macilwain, Elizabeth Cutlack, Edwin Young and Shenai Dix.
Approximately $5000 was raised and will go to supporting the Chaplaincy program at MEC.
Thank you to everyone who supported the Debutante balls in any way.
On Friday 24th July, eighty Year 11 and 12 students from Maryborough Education Centre attended the Careers Expo at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Students travelled by coach, leaving at 9 am and arriving in Melbourne at 11 am. This event was promoted as:
“The Herald Sun Melbourne Career Expo” and is the premier education, training and employment exhibition in Victoria. This event showcases some of Australia’s finest tertiary institutions, training colleges, employers and State and Federal government initiatives, with a focus on the “boom industries of the new millennium”.
Students were able to seek information from the event exhibitors on a range of career pathways ranging from TAFE, Tertiary, Industry and Defence forces as well as advice on preparing for Year 12 exams and revision techniques.
On the centre stage students listened to a Success Panel - Sport and Fitness Featuring - Mark Thompson (Geelong AFL Coach), and Billy Slater (NRL Storm). They provided some motivating responses about being successful and setting goals to achieve the best possible outcomes in life.
The Expo was enjoyed by all students with the coach arriving back at MEC at 4 pm.
Thank you to the staff who organised and attended this event :Mr Mark Kane, Ms Raegan Schofield, Mr Doug Marr, Mrs Debbie Linke and Mr Graeme Forrester.
The students in the Year 11 Health and Human development, VCAL Personal development and Vet Community services (Childcare) classes experienced the many responsibilities as a parent of a new infant. Of course, the “Baby Think it Over” infant simulator doesn’t act like a real infant in every way. Baby doesn’t smile, laugh, throw up or wet its nappy, however the baby does cry and the students did not know when or how long it would need their attention. Sometimes it was at inconvenient times, including when they were sleeping, eating, studying or even when you are playing sport. Baby sitters had to be arranged! This was an assessment task and the work book needed to be submitted upon the return of the baby.
Terminolgy
“Baby think it over” - “infant simulator – baby
Care key- small plastic device that you use to care for the baby
Care sessions- caring for the baby by holding the care key in its back for the length of time the baby requires
Total parenting simulation- the time of the experience for caring for the baby
