Today's students in tomorrow's world: Beaconhills College's Berwick campus was proud to showcase some stunning talent in its inaugural VCE Visual Arts and Technology exhibition last week. DIANA WELLS reports.
THE last week of VCE is a frantic time for any student - cramming for exams, filling in university or TAFE applications and, in some cases, trying to hold down a part-time job.
If taking a visual arts or technology subject, they have to compile that all-important portfolio - the result of creativity and final VCE project.
Year 12 students at Beaconhills are fortunate to have a new visual arts and technology centre to help them achieve high standards in both fields.
Kilns for glasswork and pottery, a printing press, laptops with the latest technology, scanners and the latest photographic equipment are all at their fingertips.
Nonetheless, it's ultimately a student's hard work, initiative and talent that results in an outstanding portfolio.
Head of visual arts Lesley Light is passionate about her job and inspiring her students to aim high. She also believes that giving students a chance to work with real clients is a way of preparing them for the next step in life.
"Students who have worked with clients get important feedback and some have designed an item specifically for a client," Ms Light says.
She points at a colourful and practical Lady Bug drawing table designed and made by year 12 student Juanita Pytellek, who aims to get into Deakin University to study media and communication, majoring in photography and graphic design.
"Juanita's piece is outstanding - we have entered her into Melbourne's Top Art Awards for this piece," Ms Light says.
"She has undertaken a massive workload this year with four portfolio subjects - we so much hope she gets her university place."
Another standout is year 12 student Ross Tsai, whose visual arts project is a game box and promotional poster called War of Warcraft.
Ross wants to study graphic design and visual communications, including advertising.
Ms Light says as it is the school's first exhibition in the new gallery, she wants the students "to own it", which is why they choose which piece of their work goes on display.
Head of technology Charlie Travis says the students' work on display made an impressive sight.
Like the visual arts students, technology and design students get to work with clients.
"A lot of testing goes on and products are made for a particular market - such as Juanita's children's reading table."
Head of visual arts at the college's Pakenham campus, John Irving, says there is also a huge amount of creative talent in all fields of art and technology design.
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