VET Student of the Year
Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle recognises the value of Vocational Education and Training in secondary schools as a pathway to further study and employment by giving students an opportunity to apply their learning in a real world environment. This award recognises the achievements of a Year 12 student who has excelled in the area of Vocational Education.
All secondary schools are invited to nominate one Year 12 student who best represents the characteristics and qualities of a vocational student. Criteria such as passion, developing expertise and skills, persistence and commitment, leadership and teamwork capabilities, communication and initiative, and a willingness to go ‘above and beyond’ are all considered in the discernment of the final awardee.
Applications close 21st August, 2026.
Criteria
Schools are invited to put forward one nominee for this award.
Nominees must:
- Be undertaking a Vocational Education and Training course as part of their HSC (they may be completing a VET course at school, and/or undertaking a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT), and/or undertaking study through External VET (EVET) providers).
- Be in (completing) Year 12.
Applications
The VET Leader of Learning should complete the application using the online form below, assisted as required by the nominee’s VET teacher, Work Place employer (if applicable), Careers Adviser, Principal. The application should be endorsed by the School Principal.
Each nominee will be required to attend a Teams video interview with the panel as part of the discernment process. It is expected that these interviews will be held in Term 3, weeks 7 – 8.
A certificate recognising the nomination of the student as a finalist will be presented to the student by a representation of the CSMN VET Pathways and Partnerships team in weeks 8 – 9.
Guidelines
Guidelines for completion
- Why have you nominated this student for the award?
You may want to cover:
- Training/studies
- Industry knowledge
- Personal skills
- How has this student shown growth during their vocational course?
You may want to cover:
- Academic growth
- Challenges overcome
- Demonstrated improvement in any aspect of the course
- Demonstrated leadership
- Initiative, persistence
- Outline how the student has excelled in their vocational course
You may want to cover:
- Practical skills – working to industry standard
- Application of knowledge and skills
- Workplacement employer feedback
- Teamwork
- Taking pride in their efforts to achieve competencies
- Any other comments
- Supporting documentation:
You may wish to include:
-
- Employer reports/letter of support
- Photographs
- Relevant Certificates/award
Award
Schools are welcome to present their nominee/finalist at their own Year 12 Graduation/Awards Ceremony in Term 3.
The Diocesan VET Student of the Year awardee will be presented at the Diocesan Awards Evening in 2027. The recipient will be recognised with a certificate and glass trophy.
VET Student of the Year Nomination Form
This award recognises the achievements of a Year 12 student who has excelled in their area of Vocational Education. This is not a traditional academic award issued to a student for achieving the top mark in a VET examination. Schools are invited to put forward one nominee for this award. Submit your nominations via the form below.
