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Exceptional
Skills Recognised
The Australian Vocational Student Prize (AVSP) recognises
Year 12 students who demonstrate exceptional skills,
commitment and achievement while undertaking a vocational
education and training program or an Australian School-based
Apprenticeship. This has been awarded to Narelle Pignotti
who completed her SACE through the Flexible Learning Program
available at Tenison Woods College.
Ms Pignotti was studying Certificate III in Retail
Travel Sales while working in the travel industry. Through
the Flexible Learning Program and TAFE SA, Narelle was able
to use the contextual learning of her work place to be
successful in the completion of her SACE and Certificate
III.
Each year, the AVSP recognises up to 500 Year 12 students.
Students are nominated by their school principal and each
winner receives $2,000 and a certificate. To be eligible
for nomination, students must have:
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completed Year 12 in the year of nomination
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completed, as part of their senior secondary studies, a
vocational education and training program or an
Australian School-based Apprenticeship to at least
Certificate II level
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had their vocational education and training or
apprenticeship results recorded on their 2008 Senior
Secondary School Certificate, and
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Australian citizenship or permanent residency
Mr Joe Moriarty, Head of the Flexible Learning Program,
said, ‘Narelle has demonstrated great enthusiasm and passion
for her chosen vocation and her perseverance and commitment
is underlined by self management through concurrent fulltime
work, part time school and part time TAFE.’
As part of her learning Narelle has designed industry
standard travel plans for a range of clients and achieved at
such a high level that she has been a finalist in the 2009
Travelworld/Jetset Rising Star awards. In her TAFE and
workplace learning she has shown exceptional skills and
compassion in matching client needs to the services that are
available. ‘It is this key value of respect for the dignity
of the client that makes Narelle stand out,’ said Mr
Moriarty.
‘Narelle has undertaken professional development such as
travel to the Northern Territory and has produced high level
analytical reports for her work place, it is this skill that
also contributes to her recognition and success in her
workplace through the Rising Star nomination.’
‘Narelle has also used her skills to design and then carry
out her own international travel. She saw that this was the
way she could challenge herself to understand the industry,
and it demonstrates the high level to which she will push
herself in order to gain the knowledge and skills that have
extended her already outstanding capacity in her work and in
her VET learning.’
When asked about being awarded the prize, Ms Pignotti said,
‘I was really excited to discover I was chosen for this
particular prize, it was a complete shock opening a package
finding a letter of high importance from the Deputy Prime
Minister, Julia Gillard! I strive for excellence in my
studies and it is a great feeling to know my work is up to
such a high standard to be awarded this grand prize. I
would not have won this prize without the continual support
and guidance of Mr Moriarty and my Advanced Skills Lecturer
at TAFE, Ashim Datt.’
Ms Pignotti said that she will be using her winnings to fund
future study with her goal being to pursue a career
committed to supporting and benefiting the community. ‘It’s
great to get a boost towards my future education. My
overall goal is to give back to the community that gave so
much to me.’
‘Completing my SACE was a hurdle I tried to jump twice
before travelling overseas and learning a bit more about my
family’s background and myself. I now return to studies
with an open mind and keen enthusiasm for what lies ahead.’
The most exceptional recipients of the Australian Vocational
Student Prize are considered for the
Prime Minister’s Award for Skills Excellence in School
in the categories of: the highest achieving student in each
state and territory, the highest achieving Indigenous
student, and the highest achieving student by
industry category.
It is expected that Prime Minister’s Award winners for 2008
will be announced shortly.
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