St Mary’s College Broome teacher Vicki Thompson is one of four finalists in the running to be named WA Trainer of the Year. 

The college’s Learning Area Coordinator ‑ The Arts and Technologies, Ms Thompson has a passion for providing positive opportunities for young people, particularly through dance. 

Through the VET Certificate II–III dance course, her students have performed in Broome and much further afield, including tours to Perth, Sydney, London and Paris, with plans to reach New York in 2020. 

Ms Thompson said providing such experiences helped to develop students’ personal growth, and she had seen her students achieve great success. 

“My dance students have travelled beyond the realm of their own expectations, creating and performing dance works in many professional environments and reaching out to thousands of people,” she said. 

Always keen to upskill, Ms Thompson has developed a broad skillset and continually pushes her own boundaries. 

“I am excited to continually network, research, discover new opportunities and explore my own boundaries as a teacher and learner,” she said. 

“It is essential to keep my own creative thought process stimulated and to engage my students with the drive and enthusiasm to develop their own creative works. 

“Although our remote location in the Kimberley region can cause difficulties, my work offering students an extension of knowledge, setting high standards and helping them to develop their own viewpoint as part of the Australian community of dancers, is very satisfying as an educator.” 

The WA Training Awards recognise and reward the outstanding achievements of apprentices, trainees and vocational students, and the contribution to training made by trainers, training organisations and employers. 

Winners will be announced at a Presentation Dinner on Friday 13 September and will receive $3,000 to further their training or kick–start their careers.

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