One of the major differences between the Higher School Certificate pathway that is offered at our College and that of traditional educational pathways, is the manner in which success is measured. In a traditional setting the ATAR is the measure of success. A Band 6 is the highest recognition for student achievement in a course with the most outstanding individual in each subject being placed on “First in Course Merit List”.  In Vocational Education and Training (VET) an equivalent recognition is the NSW Training Awards. The NSW Training Awards are conducted annually by Training Services NSW to recognise outstanding achievement in the vocational education and training sector. To be nominated for these awards is an outstanding achievement, to be a finalist places students in elite company.

It is outstanding that the following students have been nominated in the following categories:

Year 12 School-based Apprentice/Trainee

  • Jarrod Latham (Heavy Vehicle Diesel Mechanic)
  • Arcadia Meldrum (Tourism)
  • Ruby McGoldrick (Retail)
  • Lleyton Wilbow (Hospitality)

VET in Schools Student of the Year

  • Ellie Laws
  • Jenna Flowers
  • Taayla Murphy
  • Hayley Bell

Other nominations included Monique Schuberth who graduated in 2018 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year and Madeline Rudd, an ex-Newman student who completed her GAP year traineeship at the College in 2018, for Trainee of Year.

Congratulations to all the nominees on their achievement, it is recognition well deserved. Last week we received the news that the following students have been announced asfinalists:

  • Taayla Murphy – Finalist for VET in Schools – Student of the Year
  • Ruby McGoldrick – Finalist for School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
  • Arcadia Meldrum – Finalist for School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

The winners for each of the awards will be announced in Coffs Harbour at the Regional Award Ceremony on Friday 14 June 2019. We wish them all good luck with the knowledge that they have already achieved at the highest level.

As the premier awards for vocational education and training in NSW, the awards are a great way to receive recognition for the effort of our students, teachers and employers in VET education.