The college was recognised as the best performing VET school in Australia with a gold medal winner, one silver and two bronze medals in the VET in schools category.

Principal Stephen Pares said it was a major event and a great honour for the college to have six students qualify from 12 categories. 

“To then have four of those students medal, places us as the most successful college in the nation,” he said.

“It is a strong validation of the quality of training that we provide. 

“We are very proud of the staff and students involved.”

Having been selected in the NSW VET in Schools squad by winning the 2015 regional competition in their category, the students made it to the biggest stage in VET.

They achieved the following results: National WorldSkills VETiS Gold Medal in Business Services - Rebecca Lakis-Smith, Jordon Peterson - Silver in Automotive, Courteney Newham - Bronze in Retail, Maddison Seaborn - Bronze in Information Technology, Macey Currie - Hospitality finalist.

Newman College VET in schools coordinator Tom Moriarty said the students were outstanding ambassadors, not only for the college, but also for NSW.

“Their patience, conduct and good humour were appreciated by the judges and team managers,” he said.

“Attending representative staff from our college were immensely proud of their efforts.”

Rebecca Lakis-Smith said: “When I realised I had won I was overwhelmed and my hands were shaking. 

“It’s been an amazing experience. 

“The support from the school, the organisers and all the competitors was fantastic, especially the NSW team which I was part of. 

“I made so many new friendships and won’t forget this for a long time.”

The WorldSkills competition is the biggest vocational education and skills competition in the world. 

More than 500 competitors from all corners of Australia converged on Melbourne Showgrounds from October 6 to 8 to compete in more than 50 skill categories.