Year 11 students from Sacred Heart College Kyneton have been part of an exciting, hands-on media project empowering them to become change makers in youth mental health.
Funded by the Murray Primary Health Network and facilitated by Anglicare, this podcast challenge fits seamlessly into the VCE Vocational Major curriculum, as well as building technical and communication skills.
Students researched a range of wellbeing issues including mental health, substance use and gambling harm, preparing a range of questions before hosting podcast interviews with local youth services and lived experience speakers.
The students found the experience of working with Ralph Barba and the team from Making Media eye opening.
“It was so interesting talking with people who have firsthand experience of these issues, I enjoyed hearing their stories and also learning how to think on the spot and signal others in my team when it was time for them to be involved in the interview,” Saffron said.
“I hope the podcasts reach people who may be struggling with similar issues and provide some support and information about ways to get help,” Liam said.
VCE coordinator Jodie Wattie said the Podcast Challenge was a great real-life experience for the students.
“They got to work with state-of-the-art equipment and professionals who work in the media,” Ms Wattie said.
“The experiences were highly engaging and motivating for our students and the increased confidence demonstrated by the students was a delight to observe.”
The podcasts are part of a Podcast Challenge involving schools across Victoria, offering the school with the most listened to podcasts the chance to win a $3000 podcast kit.
Sacred Heart College is competing in the challenge alongside schools in the Loddon Mallee region including Gisborne Secondary College and Kyneton High School.
The recordings have been edited and are now available to hear via podcast [www.bit.ly/SHCK2025_PodcastChallenge]. Anyone wanting to see the students and their guests in action, can visit [www.bit.ly/SHCK_2025PodcastFlipbook] to view a flipbook including interview videos.
All in the Vocational Major team would love readers to follow the link and listen to the podcasts, it’s a great way learn more about the resources available for support in the Macedon Ranges – and support the students in the Challenge.
