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Letter of appreciation for making a difference

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If you have been following our blog you will already know about the hard work our VCAL students did to ensure the Milking Cow and Goat Project (run by the Rotary Club of Healesville) was a success. By raising over $1000 they were able to pay for 5 acres of maize seed to be planted and grown, ensuring that the Kenyan children have a regular supply of food. If you missed the previous articles be sure to click the link below to bring yourself up to date with all the good work the kids have been doing.

This week our CEO, Gus Seremetis received a thank you letter from Wilma Best (Project Manager – Rotary Club of Healesville) and we thought it would be nice to share with the community their appreciation.

I am writing to thank the Foundation VCAL students for their outstanding achievement, having raised $1018.00 to support orphans and needy village children at a primary school in Kariakomo Parish, Chogoria, Meru, Kenya. The orphans and poor village children have little or nothing and this Rotary humanitarian project is striving to feed and nurture the children using sustainable farming methods.

I came and presented slides and provided information to the students, in the presence of their teachers and I really felt the empathy for these Kenyan children from these VCAL students. My visit was as a result of meeting Tony at a meeting of my club in Healesville. Now the funds raised by the students are already helping the children.

There is a 30 acre plot watered from a river and as Manager I am attempting to raise enough funds to plant the remaining 15 acres in seed and bananas to reduce hunger and help the children achieve at school. The VCAL funds were enough to buy Maize seed to plant five (5) acres. Maize is a staple food and when available it is eaten all year round.

I sincerely hope you will pass on this message of thanks to the student group as I really admire what they achieved with the encouragement of their teachers.

Yours sincerely
Wilma Best

Other articles of interest
YVCS Students making a difference – posted 17-09-2015
YVCS Students making a difference – posted 08/07/2015

To find out more about UYCH youth education services click here or call 1300 835 235

YVCS Students making a difference part 2

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You may have read our blog  “Students making a difference” posted 08/07/205 about our two VCAL Foundation classes at the Yarra Junction campus of Yarra Valley Community School raising money to support orphans and primary school children in Kariakomo Orphanage in Kenya through the Milking Cow & Goat Project run by the Rotary Club of Healesville.

The students managed the project with one goal, raise as much money as possible to make a difference. The main fundraisers that took place were a sausage sizzle and raffling off a trailer load of wood. They drew the crowds in with the smell of a BBQ and once a sausage had been sold, they tempted the public with a chance to win firewood to keep them warm during winter.

Originally it was hoped that the students would raise enough money to buy a goat or two for the community, but with the money raised they have been able to pay for 5 acres of maize seed to be planted and grown, ensuring that the Kenyan children have a regular supply of food.

The students of YVCS raised over $1000 which is a great achievement and showcases their dedication to this project. To say thank you for all their hard work they were invited to celebratory BBQ hosted by Healesville Rotary, with club members Wilma, Bruce and Don providing a lovely lunch to be enjoyed any all in attendance.

YVCS students enjoyed bacon and egg rolls and sausages and onion on the BBQ. Once the food was all gone, Wilma Best, Project Manager for the Milking Cow & Goat Project, presented the students with a framed certificate of achievement and appreciation.

“The fundraising project has been a great experience for the students, teaching them not only entrepreneurial skills, but helping them to build their social conscience in reaching out to other children in the world, not just in their own backyard.” Willa Vale –  VCAL Foundation Teacher

Well done to all involved! 

To find out more about UYCH youth education services click here or call 1300 835 235

Baking a Great Relationship

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Lemon delicious, pavlova, fruit sponge with custard, birthday cakes, cupcakes and even an impossible pie! It sounds like a menu you may find in a bakery. In reality, this is a small sample of the delicious foods that the students of Yarra Valley Community School (YVCS) have been making in conjunction with the good folk of the Warburton Lyrebird Day Club.

The Warburton Lyrebird Day Club was established in 1995 to address the concerning level of social isolation felt by many veterans and senior community members in the Warburton region.

The club meets every Wednesday at the Redwood Centre in Warburton. YVCS students from the Yarra Junction campus attend each week (and even through the school holidays) to assist with setting the tables, preparing the main meal, making the dessert, serving the luncheon guests and cleaning the kitchen after mealtime. Students assist lunch members into the dining room, serve their drinks and make sure that needs are met.

“I love going each week and supporting my older community members. They get to enjoy a big lunch and catch up with fellow community members. Each week we cook for them, talk with them and hear great stories…every week is full of laughter and fun.” – Sarah YVCS Yarra Junction campus

Lunch guests pay $12.50, receive a three-course meal and are invited to participate in social activities. Games such as Mahjong, solitaire, scrabble and other card and board games are played weekly.  The money raised each week then provides the meal for the next week.

In November 2015 The Warburton Day Club will celebrate 20 years of providing meals to the community through volunteer support and passion. The students of Yarra Valley Community School are extremely proud of their role in supporting such a great initiative and the feedback received from the seniors has been great.

Check out the The Lyrebird Club Facebook page

Our students are a dedicated bunch who embrace the community and do all they can to assist throughout the year. The projects they undertake are designed to assist them with tasks that can lead to further education and employment. If you require more information on our youth education services click here or call 1300 835 235. With two convenient locations we’ve got the valley covered when it comes to education.

Image of a Lyrebird day club member
Image of a Lyrebird day club member
Image of a student assisting at the Lyrebird day club
Image of a student assisting at the Lyrebird day club
Image of a Lyrebird day club member
Image of a Lyrebird day club member
Image of a Lyrebird day club member
Image of a Lyrebird day club member
Image of a student assisting at the Lyrebird day club
Image of a student assisting at the Lyrebird day club
Image of a student assisting at the Lyrebird day club
Image of a student assisting at the Lyrebird day club
Image of the students learning how to use a hoist
Image of the students learning how to use a hoist

Taster courses a step in the right direction

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UYCH student Lavinia Lyons had always wanted to work with children, however she needed to know more about the industry and what was involved in gaining a qualification to enter this popular sector. The first step was to complete a three day Taster Course in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). From participating in that short course Lavinia then went on to enrol in and successfully gain a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Yesterday we had the opportunity to catch up with Lavinia over coffee to discuss her learning journey with UYCH in order to share her experiences with our readers. Anja Laukart- UYCH Traineeships Team Leader caught up with Lavinia and here is what she had to say.

Anja (interviewer) – “Lavinia what was your experience in completing the taster in ECEC prior to enrolling in the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care course?”

Lavinia- “The taster gave me an idea of what was required to successfully complete a qualification in ECEC (Early Childhood Education and care). I gained an understanding of what was involved in the accredited course and what it was going to cover. This gave me a realistic view of what to expect from being a part of the Early Childhood Education and Care industry and employer expectations which was really helpful.”

Anja (interviewer) – “How did the taster short course help you in deciding if the Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care course was right for you?”

Lavinia – “I liked what the course was about and was excited about doing my qualification. I knew what to expect before I started which was great. I found the environment positive and liked the fact that the trainer was easy to talk too.”

Anja (interviewer) – “Can you tell us some highlights of the course (Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care)?”

Lavinia – “I really enjoyed how the trainers made the course very interactive. Going to the child care centre next door to our training classroom was a highlight and a wonderful benefit to training with UYCH because the children’s centre (Long day care and OSHC programs) are right there outside the window. On our visit to the children’s centre the class walked around the centre to assess risks and observed the staff interacting with the children.  I also enjoyed book reading, playing with different toys, and understanding the importance of developmental stages of children. I really found the hands on activities cemented in my mind what the trainers were saying.”

Anja Laukart (interviewer) – “Since completing the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care course what have you been doing?”

Lavinia – “I have continued learning with UYCH, I recently enrolled in the Next Step Computers course to gain more skills and knowledge in IT. This is being held at the Mt Evelyn campus which is really convenient. I plan to look for work in the Early Childhood Education and Care industry next year.”

UYCH Community College would like to thank Lavinia for her time and sharing her learning experience with us. Maybe we will catch up with Lavinia early next year to see how her career plan is going.

If you would like to know more about our Taster and VET Qualification courses select the industry sector below.

Early Childhood Education and Care
Aged Care
Horticulture
Animal Care and Welfare
Community Service

For discuss your option please call Nina or Anja on 03 9736 1457

 

YVCS Students gain skills on mental health

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Yarra Valley Community School was successful in obtaining funding via Yarra Ranges Youth Services Resilience funding program. Using this grant we sourced and implemented a training program with all the Yarra Junction campus VCAL students. The training was called teen Mental Health First Aid (teen MHFA) which  was conducted in term 2 this year.

The course consisted of three full sessions of facilitated workshops which gives students the skills they need to recognise and help with mental health problems and the signs to look for in friends, and how to get the help of an adult quickly. Young people often help each other when they are feeling upset or stressed. The course gave attendees the tools needed to seek help and not take on the problems that a friend may be experiencing alone. Similar to the well-known physical First Aid the course covers the basics of mental health disorders which includes; how to recognise symptoms to help and when to call for external supports. At the completion of the three components the students were issued with a certificate which comes with international recognition.

The essence of the course is for the students to familiarise themselves with mental health language, supports and processes for referral within the broader community. The aim was to destigmatise mental health labels and increase the individual student’s mental health literacy.

To celebrate their efforts in undertaking this at times confronting training, the students were treated to a warm homemade lunch each week followed by a game of basketball to unwind at the Yarra Centre in Yarra Junction.

“The students really enjoyed the course and gained skills that will assist them well into their futures which is what our education programs strive to do. Proud to have participated and warmed all those student belly’s”. Kerry Ditcham YVCS Student Wellbeing Officer

Huge warm and wonderful thanks to Denise Warmington for running this brilliant program.

Congratulations to the students who achieved their certificates. 

To find out more about our VCAL program click here or call 03 5967 1776 Yarra Junction and 03 9736 1457 Mt Evelyn.

VCAL Students get the green thumbs up

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Supporting Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Living within UYCH – Introducing the UYCH Growing Community.

The UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus has launched its very own community garden with the vision and aim of providing a general garden space for our students and community members to create and maintain their own gardens.  We hope the garden will encourage sustainable and environmentally friendly living within our community and provide people with the opportunity to create and utilise a garden space that they may not have an opportunity to do so in their own home. It is also a great concept to encourage and promote healthy eating and activity within our organisation and local community.

Historically the garden operated under Morrisons, however in the change-over with UYCH the Community Garden program was left unattended.  This year, our VCAL landscaping class have been working tirelessly to tidy and clean up any over-grown areas so new members could start using the garden and planting their seeds for the season.

There are 8 plots in total, 5 large and 3 small with a wood-fire pizza oven on site that can also be used by members. The use of the garden has already proven popular with departments of UYCH and past garden users from the Mt Evelyn Community already expressing interest and booking their garden plots.

Our Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) kids and our VCAL students in particular have already hired plots and have been busy planning their garden projects.

Some of our VCAL students for example, are currently working on a Social Enterprise that link to their work related skills units, in this case they are using the community garden to run a plant sales Social Enterprise called ‘Jeffery’s Garden’.  The aim of the Social Enterprise program is to re-engage our youth with the community and give them confidence and leadership skills. Jeffery’s Garden will be selling winter seedlings to the local community in Term 3 and they hope to continue this enterprise into Spring and Summer.  They want to provide the community with healthy and fresh home grown produce with 50% of their profits going towards the Guide Dog Association and Animal Aid and the remainder going back into the business to keep it running.

To reduce costs they are using recycled pots which have been donated by community members and recently they received a $50 donation from Bunnings Warehouse. They are grateful for any community contribution and ask if you have something you think might be useful including sharing your gardening knowledge please consider their needs. If you have any old plastic soft drink bottles or plastic pots, we have arranged a drop off bin in the kitchen at the Mt Evelyn Campus, 20 Old Hereford Rd.

Here’s what one of our students have to say about having a community garden at UYCH and what it means to them:

“As a part of the gardening group I am gaining knowledge and skills on how to take proper care for plants. I am enjoying working with my friends and doing something that I feel passionate about”. Gillian – VCAL Student

This is a very exciting addition to the UYCH Mt Evelyn campus and our local community. We can’t wait to see what plants, fruit and vegetables start flourishing from the garden plots.

If you’re interested in becoming a plot user, please fill in your details on our expression of interest form to or contact 9736 1457.

UYCH Mt Evelyn’s Biggest Morning Tea

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The Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea helps raise funds for world class research, prevention programs and support services for cancer patients and their families. This year our Pre-Accredited students decided to support the Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and host our very own morning tea in the office to show our support for everyone affected by cancer.

Our Introduction to Kitchen Skills class on the previous day had spent their class time preparing lots of delicious morning tea treats such as cookies, slices, cakes and even pumpkin soup. Other staff members and students also prepared some lovely homemade goods and bought them in to add to the morning tea buffet.

We had lots of attendees and contributors join the morning tea yesterday, making it a great success. Staff from all departments at Mt Evelyn as well as our Certificate III Animal Studies students and Pre-Accredited English students came along to show their support and to taste-test the sweets and treats provided for a gold coin donation. Here is what some of our staff and students said about the event:

“Today was about raising awareness to cancer and was good people could donate a gold coin to support the charity. It was also good to see people come together and enjoy the food” – Josh: Pre- Accredited student

“The morning tea went really well, it was a great opportunity for all staff and students at Mt Evelyn to mix” – Nicole: pre-Accredited Tutor

In total we raised over $80 for the Cancer Council which is a great effort and a real show of support throughout the organisation for Cancer Council’s mission to defeat cancer and help those fighting this devastating disease.

A big thank you to all the people who helped organise this event and who made a donation.

If you are interested in holding events for cancer research or would like to donate to this worthy cause visit www.cancer.org.au

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - UYCH Mt Evelyn Campus