Gemma Pierce receiving her WACE certificate from Principal of Baldivis Secondary College Keith Svendsen at the school’s inaugural graduation ceremony in November.
Camera IconGemma Pierce receiving her WACE certificate from Principal of Baldivis Secondary College Keith Svendsen at the school’s inaugural graduation ceremony in November. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Baldivis student one of 8 VET Exhibition Award winners

Victoria RificiWeekend Kwinana Courier

BALDIVIS resident Gemma Pierce was elated when named one of eight 2017 WA high school graduates to receive the VET Exhibition Award.

To receive the prestigious award students needed to demonstrate outstanding performance in a VET Certificate II or higher.

The 18-year-old studied a VET Certificate III in education support at Tafe Fremantle education centre in Year 12 last year.

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“I also completed workplace learning during my studies at a local primary school,” she said.

“The course was awesome, it has given me so many opportunities”.

The Baldivis Secondary College student also received a VET Certificate of Excellence in subjects community services, health and education, awarded to students who achieved the requirements for the award but would not have satisfied all of the criteria.

She was also nominated for the VET Beazley Award but was unsuccessful.

Ms Pierce has left school her goal is now to become a primary school teacher and has ambitions to study teaching at Murdoch University but is waiting to hear if she was accepted into the course.

“I’ve been offered a job to do relief work at a local primary school and I’m excited to be starting soon,” she said.

“I’m able to apply for this course at Murdoch without completing ATAR studies because I completed Murdoch’s TLC110 university entry course, which went for three terms.

“It enabled me to gain a 70 ATAR score which I can use to pursue a teaching career.”

To gain a 70 ATAR score without sitting exams, Year 12 VET students must pass the TLC110 course, meet attendance requirements, achieve a grade C or better in general English, and pass the Western Australian Certificate of Education.

“I tell everyone that VET is the pathway to go as it gives you so many opportunities as well as workplace transferable skills I can use in the future,” she said.

Ms Pierce’s long term goals are to travel overseas and teach.

The awards, granted by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority Board, were given to senior secondary students who showed individual excellence in both ATAR courses and VET.

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