Ms SPENCE (Yuroke) (14:58:03) — (13 550) My constituency question is for the Minister for Education. What support is available for year 12 students in the Yuroke electorate currently undertaking their Victorian certificate of education (VCE) exams? Often the pressure of exams can make finding the positives difficult. While academic achievement is important, young people in the Yuroke electorate and across Victoria should also feel proud of how far they have come in their studies to date. As many in this place know, there is more than one way of getting the qualifications or job you want, especially as the Andrews Labor government is making Victoria the Education State by restoring TAFE and improving our education system across the board. I congratulate all Yuroke VCE students on their efforts, and I look forward to passing on any information that the minister can provide to students in the Yuroke electorate.

Response:

I thank the Member for her question. I know she takes a deep interest in the education of young people in Yuroke.

I am pleased to advise the Member that all students in Yuroke, including VCE students, are beginning to experience the benefits of the Andrews Labor Government’s $5 billion investment in building Victoria as the Education State.

The secondary schools in Yuroke focus on providing both academic and vocational pathways, recognising that skills and jobs pathways are just as important as academic pathways. For example, Roxburgh Secondary College and Craigieburn Secondary College are partners in a Trade Training Centre which offers Automotive, Furnishing, Electrical and Hospitality across the two schools. In addition, Roxburgh Secondary College is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and offers excellent VET programs directly to its student. Both schools have rich and engaging VCAL programs in addition to their outstanding VCE programs.

I am sure the VCE students at these schools who have just completed their exams have done very well. I would also like to congratulate the students at those schools who have this year completed their VCAL qualifications.

The principals and teachers at these schools are working to achieve excellent outcomes for all their students, including their VCE students. Each of the principals is part of a VCE Community of Practice where they share ideas and resources about how best to support VCE teachers and VCE students. It is great that the principals have such a commitment to the success of all young people in Yuroke, not only to those in their own school. In addition, there is a VCE network of schools across Yuroke where VCE teachers work together too.

Each of the secondary schools provide programs and support around study skills and exam techniques, and managing stress and anxiety. Individual counselling is also available.

Careers counsellors in each school are especially important in guiding students to TAFE, University or employment options. There are so many choices of pathways nowadays especially within the TAFE sector that has been revitalised through the investment of the Victorian government.

The Hon James Merlino MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for Education
Minister for Emergency Services