By Amy Oates
Christmas spirits were high with TAFE Gippsland’s Morwell VCAL students in late 2020.
They didn’t just select one project to tackle before the end of the year, they selected three! The aim was to help as many people as they could in the local area.
With restrictions easing, there were many activities that they wished to catch up on that they missed earlier in the year and were able to spread the joy around Gippsland for the festive season.
VCAL Teacher, Khy Grayling, oversaw these activities.
“It became a reality that more families would go without for Christmas, even simple household items that most take for granted,” Khy said.
Baw Baw Food Relief put a call out for donations towards their Reverse Advent Calendar. The idea behind the donations was to place a basic food item, from their list, in a hamper each day in November.
Food items included pasta, tea and coffee, beans, tuna and biscuits. The special element of the box were the Christmas treats including fruit mince tarts, chocolate and cake mixes.
“Senior students organised four generous boxes from donations by staff, students and their families at the Morwell campus as part of their personal development studies. The hampers were wrapped and delivered at the end of November, ready for distribution in early December to those in need,” Khy said proudly.
The Christmas cheer didn’t end there. Foundation/Intermediate students got creative with their work related studies project ‘Plan, Produce and Sell a Product’ by combining forces with a market stall at the Horticulture annual plant sale.
“Students created hand painted pots, Christmas gift bags and snow globes. VCAL students combined their project with the expertise of the Horticulture students with lucky buyers able to have their new plans potted up on the spot and ready to gift for Christmas,” Khy said.
Funds raised from the project will be put towards a new VCAL project this year.
To wrap up the Christmas joy the Foundation/Intermediate students took on their personal development project – a rejuvenated south courtyard. This has provided a pleasant retreat for Morwell campus staff and students to enjoy for years to come
“The courtyard was neglected and its existence wasn’t known to most that utilise the campus,” Khy said.
“Students researched appropriate plants that could survive in an exposed environment with heavy clay soil, and they created a large list of possibilities and plants were selected based on colour and structure.”
Khy said the project also involved raising awareness of the space and looking into the mental and physical benefits of spending time outdoors.
“These events highlight the great work that our VCAL students do and by working together we can create some great learning journeys.”
Bob from Baw Baw Food Relief (left) pictured with students Michael Eastwood, Kaiden Hainsworth and Scott Mackie.
Students proudly selling their market items - Joel West, Amber Jogis, Annie Fairbrother, James Ellis and Michael Eastwood
Morwell campus staff member, Jess, with her new plant and pot
Students working in the courtyard - Cheyne Kercheval-Kavanagh, Annie Fairbrother, Amber Jogis, Michael Eastwood