By Lia Bichel
ABOUT 180 people gathered at the Narre Community Learning Centre (NCLC) last week to celebrate the achievements of outstanding students.
The centre’s youth department held its annual graduation ceremony on 7 December in the new VET building in Malcolm Court.
Ten students also received awards for excellence.
Youth Manager Sarah Cairncross said many of the students who graduated and received awards had overcome adversity to gain an education.
“The graduation is a wonderful way to recognise, support and celebrate the wonderful achievements of our students,” she said.
“The graduation for me personally highlights all of the positive, rewarding and proud moments of my job.”
Young mother Emily Kilpatrick completed her senior VCAL and a Certificate II in Business this year and said the graduation ceremony was a great way to end her three years at the NCLC and recognise her fellow students.
“Every student was recognised in some way or another with all our achievements from the year,” Emily said.
“The formalities were amazing. It felt as if it went so quickly, I really didn’t want the night to end. Being able to spend the night with my classmates and my tutors and just have one last night as a big family, it was a perfect end to a wonderful experience.”
Roxy Knight, who is also a young mother, received the Award for Excellence during the ceremony.
Roxy had completed her CGEA II this year and said she was looking forward to attending NCLC next year to complete her VCAL certificate.
“I was very excited to win an excellence award at graduation, I did not expect to,” she said.
Ms Cairncross said both Roxy and Emily were an inspiration to their peers and tutors.