VET Trainer/
Teacher of the Year

 Mark Bokenham

Field of study
Primary Industries

Employed by
Association of Independent Schools of NSW

Region
Central & Northern Sydney Region

  • Mark Bokenham has spent the past six years developing the VET program in his school, with his love of primary industries and an extensive background in agriculture, he’s making a difference in the lives of students daily.

    Mark runs a beef enterprise in the Central Tablelands of NSW, and he embeds that real-world experience into his classroom with the help of new technologies and cutting-edge developments. He’s successfully tailored the curriculum to meet the needs of students from diverse backgrounds, and it’s his innovative teaching methods that have led to growing interest amongst the students. By incorporating practical, hands-on learning experiences at the college's Outdoor Centre, Mark allows students to engage in real farming operations. He underpins his teaching with strong industry engagement; collaborations with local suppliers and organisations mean that students are building their industry knowledge and networks in real-time. Mark’s passion for primary industries and his dedication to educating students via real-world activities is setting them up with stable pathways into a crucial industry.

Penny Mackay

Field of study
Hospitality and Business

Employed by
Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga

Region
Riverina Region

  • Penny MacKay began her career journey as an apprentice chef, where she experienced first-hand the transformative power of vocational education and training. After spending many years thriving in an industry she loved, Penny felt a pull to do more to make a difference in the lives of young people in her region. It was a big step for Penny to pursue a Bachelor of Education in Food Technology, but she took on the challenge so she could give back to her industry, her region, and the young people in her community.

    Now she’s truly living her dreams as VET Coordinator; her hospitality program has gone from a small group to over 55 students, and her business classes are consistently growing. Penny is committed to providing innovative learning experiences to her students, and she has been able to create linkages across VET classes and industries to provide students with the real-world experiences they need.

    As VET Coordinator, Penny oversees 173 students and builds collaborations with industry partners to deliver robust training in fast-evolving industries. Her commitment to personalised education ensures that every student feels valued and empowered to pursue their goals, and she’s helping to increase the teaching staffs’ capacity in her school as well. With even more plans to expand VET opportunities, Penny is showing just how innovative and crucial VET is for a community.

Neil O’Donnell

Field of study
Music

Employed by
NSW Department of Education

Region
North Coast & Mid North Coast Region

  • Neil O'Donnell is an accomplished music educator with more than 16 years of industry experience. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and has taught at various educational levels, including primary schools in Sydney and London. Neil brings his broad experiences to his role as an educator who encourages a love for music among his students. And his commitment to his craft equips learners with the necessary essential skills for success in all aspects the music industry; from event production, through to marketing and performance. 

    His innovative approach includes integrating technology into the classroom; using digital audio workstations to enhance students' hands-on learning experiences. Neil is committed to supporting his students' growth through industry engagement opportunities, such as in-studio activities and visits to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Neil’s dedication to the sector has seen a huge increase in interest and uptake from the wider school community. His passion for music education and dedication to his students ensures their longterm success as they move into the music industry.