Title

Emotional Farewell to VET Business Students

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Spring 29-11-2006

Publisher Name

The University of Notre Dame Australia, Broome

Publication Place

Broome

Abstract

The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Broome Campus has held an emotional ceremony to bid farewell to its departing Vocation Education and Training (VET), Business students.

Students from Broome, remote Aboriginal communities and regional towns have been studying business and clerical courses at the University since 1994, but from 2007* classes will be delivered by the Kimberley College of TAFE.

In a move aimed at strengthening their relationship and to keep courses available, the Notre Dame Broome Campus intends to offer Enrolled Nursing in 2007. Kimberley TAFE will offer preparatory courses to the Diploma. Students will be able to use the course as a possible pathway into its Bachelor of Nursing degree.

Students and staff along with Aboriginal elder and long time Campus supporter, Mrs Esther Bevan, gathered to celebrate the success of the Business course and to officially hand over to Kimberley TAFE.

In her blessing, Broome Campus Minister Sr Jill O’Brien sgs wished the students well with their future studies before Head of VET studies, Catherine Maughan, symbolically handed over the course to TAFE business staff, Sue Clarke and Mal Jarvie.

Ms Maughan said students will continue to have close links with the University as students will still stay at Notre Dame’s hostel during their week-long residential study block. Broome Campus staff will also continue to provide pastoral support.

Ms Maughan said the ceremony was emotional. “We’ve been doing this since the Campus was established 12 years ago and it really is the end of an era. Kimberley TAFE will now carry on the legacy started at Notre Dame and the students will still have access to good quality business courses,” she said.

*The University is in the process of gaining registration for the Enrolled Nursing and Teacher Assistant (Indigenous) courses. These courses will commence once the registration is approved.

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