Wakefield’s top vocational students awarded
Published 12th December 2017
| 12 December 2017 |
A strong commitment to education and exceptional performance throughout the year has earned Balaklava High School student Chelsea-Rose Edwards top honours at this year’s Wakefield Regional Vocational Education and Training (VET) Student Awards.
The best and brightest VET students received recognition for their hard work and dedication as part of the 14th annual awards last week.
Last Tuesday (28 November) Wakefield Regional Council teamed up with Balco Australia to present the awards to local students who had excelled in their VET course or Australian School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship (ASBA).
Proud parents and friends attended the awards – held in Balaklava - and saw their talented bright sparks recognised for their achievements.
Long-time supporter, Balco Australia, once again sponsored the Awards through cash prizes, gifted to both the winner and two runner-ups.
Ms Edwards was the standout of the night, receiving the VET Student of the Year Award.
Ms Edwards’ exceptional participation throughout her Certificate III in Education Support, and high praises from course trainers, and VET Coordinator, earnt her the award.
The judging panel, a mix of Council’s Community Development Team, VET Pathways Coordinators and Balco Australia representatives, were also impressed by her commitment to five days a week of unpaid work experience at local primary schools.
Two runner-ups, Sarah Goldney and Shania Garrett, from Harvest Christian High School, were awarded Highly Commended Awards, and a Nomination Award was also given to all students in recognition of their submission.
Mayor Reid who presented the awards made mention during his speech of the difference VET makes to the lives of students in Wakefield, by providing them with high quality training to gain meaningful careers.
“The VET Awards are a great initiative that I enjoy being a part of each year. I am always amazed at the dedication and hard work of the young people applying,” Mayor Reid said.
Council’s Community Development Officer Holly Cowan also spoke on the night about the importance of young people having a supportive network around them when pursuing their careers.
“The success of VET Pathways for school students is dependent on commitment from a long list of people; the student themselves, their school, their training organisation, their parents and their employer or workplace host. These awards are all about recognising all parties for their contribution and commitment,” Ms Cowan said
Award recipients from the night are as follows:
Nominees
• Lachlan Franks – Certificate II in Engineering
• Shania Garrett – Certificate II in Kitchen Operation
• Sarah Goldney – Certificate II in Christian Ministry
• Liam Greenslade – Certificate III in Christian Ministry
• Claire Kemble-Jones – Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics
• Mitchell Lawrie – Certificate II in Construction Pathways, Certificate III in Christian Ministry
• Chelsea-Rose Edwards – Certificate III in Education Support
• Nathan Shepherd – Certificate III in Christian Ministry
Winner
• Chelsea-Rose Edwards – Certificate III in Education Support
Highly commended
• Sarah Goldney – Certificate II in Christian Ministry
• Shania Garrett – Certificate II in Kitchen Operation
Sponsorship Award
• Balco Australia
The VET Student Awards will be on again in 2018 so keep an eye out for next year’s dates.
For more information about the awards visit our website (www.wrc.sa.gov.au).
Download this media release and pictures from the awards here.
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