Term 1 saw a busy and productive start to the year at Preston Campus, with students engaging in a wide range of learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
A key highlight of the term was the Work Learning Placements, which ran from 23 March to 2 April. This program provided students with valuable real-world experience across a variety of industries, helping them to develop employability skills, build confidence, and explore potential career pathways. Feedback from employers was overwhelmingly positive, with many students commended for their attitude, effort, and willingness to learn.
It has also been fantastic to see a number of our Year 11 and 12 students begin or continue their School-Based Apprenticeships, which remain a highly valued pathway at the College. These opportunities allow students to gain hands-on industry experience while continuing their education, supporting strong post-school transitions.
In addition, our Sport Academy students undertook their work placements in the final week of term, with many gaining experiences in a range of sporting environments. These placements provided students with practical insight into the sports industry and helped further develop their skills and understanding in real-world settings.
Our Year 10 students also had the opportunity to attend excursions to the Banyule Nillumbik Tech School as part of their STEAM studies. During these sessions, students focused on developing their own business ideas, with a strong emphasis on marketing and advertising. They designed business logos and created promotional materials to represent their brand. A highlight of the experience was the hands-on use of technology, where students utilised laser cutters to produce their own wooden keyrings featuring their designs, as well as creating custom stickers to take home. These excursions provided an engaging and practical insight into entrepreneurship, design thinking, and modern manufacturing processes.
Many students also attended an excursion to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, where they experienced one of Melbourne’s largest international events. During the visit, students explored a range of career pathways linked to the event, including engineering, media, marketing, logistics, and sporting operations. They also enjoyed the atmosphere of the event while gaining insight into the scale and complexity of delivering a world-class sporting spectacle.
In the sporting arena, we celebrate a significant milestone for the College. Congratulations to the Senior Girls Cricket Team, who were crowned champions of the CGSAV Indoor Cricket competition towards the end of Term 1. This achievement marks a historic moment as the first premiership won by a girls’ team at Parade College. The team’s success is a testament to their commitment, teamwork, and determination throughout the competition.
A special thank you goes to Mr Shoesmith for his expert coaching and guidance. His dedication and support played a crucial role in the team’s success, and this victory sets a strong foundation for future girls’ sport at the College.
Throughout Term 1, there was also a strong focus on maintaining high standards in punctuality, student appearance, and adherence to College expectations regarding mobile phones, with a clear expectation of no phone use during the school day. Students responded well to these expectations, demonstrating a positive commitment to arriving on time, wearing the correct uniform, and following College guidelines. As we move into Term 2, these areas will remain a key focus to ensure consistency and uphold the high standards of the Parade community.
Term 2 is shaping up to be another exciting and productive period for our students. Our VCE-VM and ERPP students will once again be preparing for their next round of Work Learning Placements, scheduled to take place from June 15 to June 26. Students are currently busy organising their own placements in areas of personal interest, continuing to build valuable workplace skills and career awareness.
Our Sport Academy students will also undertake their placements from 22 June to 26 June, further strengthening their experience and understanding of the sports industry. There will also be a wide range of sporting opportunities throughout the term, with many students representing the College across a variety of sports. We look forward to seeing continued participation, teamwork, and success both on and off the field.
Overall, Term 1 has showcased the strength of our Preston Campus community, with students demonstrating resilience, engagement, and a willingness to embrace new challenges. We look forward to building on this momentum in Term 2.
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