Keen learners lose ‘L’ plates

By Rebecca Fraser
The Narre Community Learning Centre (NCLC), during National Adult Learners Week, recognised the academic and personal achievements in 2005 of tutors, learners and young students.
The NCLC’s preCertificate of Applied Learning (CAL) group was named class/group of the year.
The group is part of a pilot project for Year 10 students, who may be on the point of leaving school.
It aims to help them see the importance of education and training, and make informed choices for the future.
Tutor Lydia Ropiha said the group had been challenging and rewarding.
“I was initially concerned that I would have to spend more time controlling the class than actually doing training,” she said.
“While it is true that some days I felt little was achieved, I later found out through the students’ reflective writing they actually absorbed what I was trying to get through to them and expressed their appreciation and saw the value of the lesson,” she said.
On Friday, the Sharing Between the Generations award went to the Share and Care Group.
This group, formed more than 20 years ago, provides opportunities for the centre’s older learners to break their boredom and become socially active.
Delene Lynex was also named the NCLC Tutor of the Year for her work over the past two years as a first aid tutor.
Ms Lynex runs Lynex Healthcare and Training Services in Narre Warren as well as volunteering her services at NCLC.
A spokesperson for the centre, Ms Lynex said she tried to ensure her students were competent with all elements of their training.
Gwen McKinnon was named the NCLC volunteer of the year in recognition of her work over the past decade.
Ms McKinnon is currently enrolled in the Introduction to Community and Event Volunteering course and continues to volunteer in Certificate of General Education for Adult classes.
The NCLC Learner of the Year was Dorothy Pouponneau.
Ms Pouponneau first attended the centre in 1992. Since then she has studied floral art, cooking, embroidery, folk art and craft. In 1994 she joined the Literacy Class for people with slight intellectual disabilities and was a class regular until 2002.
She has also undertaken the mainstream Certificate of General Education for Adults and has now learnt the alphabet and can recognise simple words.
The NCLC Youth Award was presented to Kirsty Utley, a Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) student who is also undertaking her senior school certificate.
A spokesperson for the centre said Ms Utley had been able to successfully juggle fulltime study with parttime work and was working hard to become a mechanic.
“She has developed into a confident young woman and is continuing to blossom into a selfdetermined, respectful and positive student who is a joy to have in the VCAL group,” she said.