Students have quickly settled into the new school year at Korumburra Secondary College (KSC), including the Year 7 group beginning their journey there and the Year 12s who are looking to make the most of their final year of school.
KSC has 48 VCE students this year, up from 32 in 2023.
Fifteen of this year’s VCE group are undertaking a Vocational Major (VM), with that program having taken over from the old VCAL last year.
KSC principal John Wilson said a lot of effort has gone into building a high-standard vocational option for students over the last seven or eight years, with the current VM promoting excellent student work that leads into employment opportunities.
He credited VCAL coordinators and those running the VM program with their efforts to build valuable connections in the community that benefit students keen to boost their practical skills.
John said there is now a real blend between those undertaking VM studies and the rest of the VCE group, with classes such as English and Maths bringing the two groups together.
Breanna de Bondt has her sights set on a career in early childhood education and is already well on the way to achieving that as she starts Year 12 at KSC.
She is gaining experience through a placement at Karmai Children’s Centre, and will spend her Fridays at TAFE, combining VM subjects with maths and English when at school.
Breanna is also enjoying the support of the Head Start program, which works in seamlessly with the school and will provide ongoing support as she builds her career.
Jacquline Turton and Siena Lane are also beginning their final year of secondary school, both doing VCE.
They enjoy sport and are keen to take every opportunity to get involved in swimming, athletics and interschool activities, with the pair having completed VCE Physical Education while in Year 11.
Jacquline intends to study nursing and midwifery at Uni, with her VCE subjects this year being Biology, Health, Food Technology, English and Maths.
She is confident in the support available at KSC with Year 12 Coordinator Steve Scott having overseen the current VCE crop since Year 10.
“He’s someone you can talk to and feel comfortable because you know him,” Jacquline said of Mr Scott, adding that he understands the challenges of Year 12 and how to assist students to get the best out of it.
Siena is determined to make it a successful and fun year.
She is aiming for a career as a paramedic and is studying Health, Psychology, English, Maths and History for her VCE.
Alex Beach and Lily Lovell have begun Year 7, arriving at KSC from St Joseph’s Primary School Korumburra, a three-day orientation at KSC in September smoothing the transition.
“It helped a lot because I started to learn where things are and got to meet people as well,” Alex said.
She is excited about the chance to take a more practical approach to science than is possible at junior school level.
Both girls have brothers in Year 9, with Alex’s sibling Xander quick to show her around the school.
Lily said that being a sociable person has enabled her to settle in easily at her new school, adding that if there is anything she can’t find around campus she just follows Alex.
