Her position today takes her to thirty five different countries around the world as she steers Lend Lease’s work towards realising its aspiration to be a leading sustainable organisation. Among her list of achievements, Maria was a Co-founder of the Green Building Council of Australia where she was responsible for overseeing the building of ‘green’ accommodation for the 2000 Olympics.

In September 2007 former US President Bill Clinton invited Maria to join a high-profile panel to discuss ways to accelerate green buildings, as part of the Clinton Global Initiative in New York . Working in this high profile international arena has made Maria aware of the need to anticipate and empathize when it comes to interacting with a diverse range of clients. She was able to share the importance of this with the students at the seminar, as well as the need for good presentation, networking, planning and lifelong learning.

Her parting words of wisdom to students – “Acknowledge the past, plan for the future but most importantly engage in the present.”

Listed below are our award winners for 2009.

1^st Place in the Real Estate/Legal Major 2009:  Rachael Scott

1^st Place for Hospitality/Tourism Major 2009: Bonnie Olsen

1^st Place for the Marketing/Media Major 2009: Amy Schmitzer

Citizenship Award: Amy Schmitzer

Principal’s Award: Paige Cornell

Runner-up College Dux: Amy Schmitzer

College Dux: Rachael Scott

The Butler Memorial award winners for 2009:

(Awarded to students who have demonstrated academic excellence)

Tahleia Cooper                         Emily Paddison

Elise Hanlon                             Amy Schmitzer

Nemesia Hood-Lynch              Rachael Scott

Bonnie Olsen                           Katherine Silkman

It turned out to be the latter!  The evening started with a flurry of students turning up in the most amazing gowns.  Our female students looked like they had just stepped off the catwalk and the guys looked great in their suits and ties.

It was also lovely to meet the families of our students and to put names to faces.

We then sat down for a lovely three course meal and enjoyed the beautiful decorations put together by our staff and students.

The formal part of the evening commenced shortly after our meal and was, for me, the highlight of the evening.  We heard several speeches from staff and distinguished guests, all of which were inspiring in different ways, and then had the pleasure of seeing our students receive their diplomas and be duly rewarded for all the hard work they had put in during the year. 

It was also an opportunity to acknowledge students who had excelled in different areas during their year at Passmores’ Business College.

As a member of staff I found the evening particularly encouraging as I reflected on how much these young men and women had grown during the year in terms of their personal development and poise.  The 2009 Business College graduates would be an asset to any employee!

Our Newcastle Hospitality Course is always popular! It is an interesting and varied course which looks at training Newcastle students in both theoretical and practical elements of Hospitality. Students enjoy learning about Front Office Operations, Human Resource Management, Computer Studies and International Tourism Theory. The students also greatly benefit from practical subjects like Event Management where they, along with the other majors of Marketing Media and Legal/Real Estate, actually organize a fundraising event and have the satisfaction of presenting a cheque to their chosen charity. Always a highlight of the year!

The Newcastle Hospitality Course also includes excursions where students get to see how the large hotels work behind the scenes and includes the option to travel overseas and have an international experience.

So, if you’ve ever wondered about a career in hospitality, now’s the time to act. We would love you to be one of our 2010 Business College students.

Passmores’ Business College students are excitedly looking forward to the optional Europe Excursion. The students are set to fly out on 10 July 2009, with 4 countries on the list to visit including England, France, Switzerland and Italy.

The main places the students will visit are: London, Paris, Interlaken-Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, Venice and Rome.

From the spectacular castle’s of London to the bright lights of the Paris Moulin Rouge and everything in between, the student’s are sure to have a fantastic trip.

Proposed Intinerary

Countries Visited: 4 countries (England, France, Switzerland, Italy)

Main Places Visited: London, Paris, Interlaken-Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland,Venice, Rome

Download proposed itinerary european-educational-tour-2009

DAY 1, Friday, 10 July – Depart Sydney Airport

Meet at Hamilton train station to catch train to the Sydney International Terminal for our British Airways flight Sydney to London. Check-in Baggage. Enjoy duty free shopping before boarding overnight flight to Heathrow airport.

DAY 2, Saturday, 11 July

AM/PM – London orientation – Tower of London, Thames Cruise, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, London Eye

Transfer from Heathrow airport to Palmers Lodge and settle into rooms promptly. Today we explore London by red double decker bus. This city orientation takes you to all the major sights such as; the London Eye, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, The Thames River, Tower Bridge, St Pauls Cathedral, Knightsbridge, London City and more. After we have this city tour we make our way to the Tower of London for a guided tour of the Tower of London where you will see the Crown Jewels and where Henry the VIII’s wives met their death by scaffold. Afterwards we take a cruise along the River Thames stopping at the Big Ben, Westminster and the London Eye (optional) for students who want to ride the largest wheel in the world.  Leisure time in groups will be available this afternoon for further sightseeing.

Evening – London’s West End – Theatre District

We make our way to London’s theatre district, which comes alive at night. Here we will have a group meal at some trendy London restaurant before students have the opportunity of being entertained by some of the best talent in the world. West End is renowned for its exciting and dramatic musical theatres and a trip to London without seeing the theatre in the West End should not be missed! This will be electric. (optional)

DAY 3, Sunday, 12 July

AM/ – London Sightseeing – Changing of the Guard, St Pauls

This morning we make our way to Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of the Guard. From there we make our way to Trafalgar Square and onto St Pauls Cathedral to feed the birds. Visit attractions by hop on hop off bus that provides a comprehensive audio commentary of all the major sights we are seeing.

PM – London Sightseeing/Shopping

London is yours. Explore the City of London, British Museum or Madam Tussauds to see all your favourite wax figures. Shopping is just as tempting and varied at stores that line Oxford and Regent Street. Visit Bond Street were famous labels are found at Harrods and many boutiques in the Knightsbridge area.

Evening – London Town – Jack the Ripper night tour

This evening go back to the hostel and dress for a night on London town! There is so much to see and do but at least we can have the leisure of doing it as we please. After a busy day sightseeing there are no official plans for this evening so we have flexibility to enjoy the ambience of our surrounds and do what takes our fancy as a group. Students may want to do a Jack the Ripper Tour and tread in the footsteps of the world’s first recognised serial killer. Visit murder sites and follow the case of the Whitechapel murders.

DAY 4, Monday, 13 July

AM/PM – London to Paris – Dover Crossing

This morning we drive to Dover for our ferry trip. Admire the White Cliffs on our Channel crossing from Dover England by Ferry to Calais, France. From Calais we drive through the glorious French countryside taking in the sights on our way to Paris.

Evening – Paris by Night – the “City of Light“

Tonight we see the “City Lights of Paris”.  Something magical happens when evening sets in Paris and the best way to explore this city is by foot. We walk to the Eiffel Tower and go up this monument for magnificent views of the city and visit the Champs Elysee and the Arc de Triomphe. Afterwards we Cruise down the river Seine with many of the main sights lit up along the way. The best way to enjoy Paris is to just get lost wandering the picturesque streets in the Latin Quarter. With French pastries, shopping, entertainment and quaint cafe’s in abundance we will be up late I can guarantee.

DAY 5, Tuesday, 14 July

AM – Paris Sightseeing by bike

Bike tour – ride leisurely through Paris like a true Parisian! See all the famous sites and undiscovered areas, cruising down quaint little streets, stopping at a French bakery in the Latin Quarter, and feeling Paris come alive.

See the Undiscovered Paris, for example on our bike tour we see; a stray cannonball from the revolution, Paris’ ancient 1,000 yr. old wall, secret gardens and passageways, the most expensive restaurant on earth, the most famous but anonymous French graffiti artist, Victor Hugo’s huge house, a hidden monastery in the centre of Paris, WWII bullet holes and famous movie spots (Ratatouille & Da Vinci Code).

PM – Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory and Venus de Milo

Unquestionably one of the world’s great museums, the Louvre is a magnificent setting for some of history’s greatest works of art. Here you will be guided through this vast museum to help you discover the wonders of this great world treasure. Your guided visit is focused around 3 Worldwide famous works: the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory, and Mona Lisa painted by Leonardo da Vinci at the beginning of the 16th century. Once we have seen all the main works you will then have time to explore this wonderful museum for yourself.

Evening – Paris shows

Tonight you might want to take up the option to visit the Moulin Rouge. This risqué world-famous cabaret has been playing to audiences since 1900. The Moulin Rouge is famous for its French cancan, still features feathers, rhinestones and sequins, fabulous settings, original music and of course the most beautiful girls in the world. All brought up to date by computerised lighting. Students are not required to participate. For those not wishing to see the Moulin Rouge other sightseeing/shopping can be scheduled. (optional)

DAY 6, Wednesday, 15 July

AM/PM/Evening – Paris – at Leisure Day

Today is left open so that it will be relaxed and give greater opportunity to visit attractions that are of particular interest to the group. A visit the Palace of Versailles or Euro Disneyland may become available.

DAY 7, Thursday, 16 July

AM/PM – Interlaken – Lauterbrunnen – Switzerland

Today Swiss Rail whisks us out of Paris into Interlaken where we then make our way to Lauterbrunnen, a Swiss Village in the Bernese Oberland. Lauterbrunnen lies deep in a glacier valley surrounded by 72 waterfalls at the foot of the Jungfrau Mountain, the highest mountain in Central Switzerland. After we have settled into the hostel we have free time to wander around this picturesque village with spectacular scenery – waterfalls, Heidi houses, cuckoo clocks and cows with bells.

Evening

Enjoy a leisurely evening in magnificent Lauterbrunnen; enjoy what it has to offer.  Try some famous Swiss chocolate, fondue or do some shopping and pick up a real Swiss army knife (good luck getting it through customs). Dinner…Swiss style, if we are lucky we might get to see a Swiss Folklore show and some yodelling.

DAY 8 – Friday, 17 July

AM/PM – Lauterbrunnen – Mount Jungfrau – Alpine thrills

The Jungfrau railway takes us from Lauterbrunnen to the Alpine Crossroads of Kleine Scheidegg at the Base of Eiger Mountain. From here a dramatic cog-wheel climb takes us into a tunnel through the Eiger to ascend to the Jungfraujoch, the highest mountain railway in Europe. The views on top of Europe are amazing; you will see the Aletschgletscher, Europe’s longest glacier. There is eternal snow all year round up here and we are 100% guaranteed we will see snow.

DAY 9 – Saturday, 18 July

AM/PM- Lauterbrunnen – River rafting

Today is reserved for adventure summer activities. River rapid rafting is the ultimate adventure and the Lutschine or Simme River rafting is going to be on the agenda today for those who wish to participate. (Optional)

PM – other adventure activities

Depending on time, this afternoon is reserved for other adventure activities of particular interest of the group, hiking, biking or even canyoning.

DAY 10 – Sunday, 19 July

AM/PM – Explore Venice

Today we rail past the Swiss border into Venice, Italy. Once settled into our hostel we will make our way to St Marks Square where we can feed the birds and see St Marks Basilica. Venice is one of those beautiful cities that you should take time to meander and find Venice’s hidden alleyways and canals and this is what we will do.

DAY 11 – Monday, 20 July

AM/PM – Venice – Islands of Burano, Murano and Torcello

Today we take a morning cruise between the different islands surrounding Venice. We visit Murano which is world famous for its unique glassware and get to watch a glass blowing demonstration. Continue on to Burano, a colourful fishing village well known for brightly coloured houses and handmade lace. Get to visit Torcello, with its 7^th century basilica.

PM – Venice by night

An evening of leisure to enjoy in Venice and see what takes our fancy. Tonight there is time to try an Italian dish, like pasta or pizza…I guarantee it won’t taste like anything you’ve had at home. Tonight why not shop or take a gondola ride through this city of water. (Optional)

DAY 12 – Tuesday, 21 July

AM/PM – Rome – the eternal city

On to Rome today, once settled into our hotel we will have the afternoon to enjoy.  Imperial Rome takes our interest afternoon as we make our way to the imposing colosseum for a guided tour. Afterwards we visit the Roman Forum which is where the old citadel of ancient Rome for a guided tour.

Evening – Rome by night

This evening we make our way to the Piazza di Spagna dominated by the Spanish steps, a good spot to have an Italian dinner. Rome is a great city to walk so later we walk to the Trevi Fountain where we can make a wish and have an ice-cream.

DAY 13 – Wednesday, 22 July

AM/PM – Rome – Vatican Tour

Today we get picked up from hotel for guided tour to visit the vast collection of art in the Vatican Museums and the exquisite Sistine Chapel. This is the best way to see these attractions as there is a limited wait time if your part of a tour. Afterwards we visit St Peter’s Basilica where we will see Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the ‘Pieta’.

DAY 14 – Thursday, 23 July

AM/PM – Rome – Leisure Day

Today is left open so that it will be relaxed and give greater opportunity to visit attractions that are of particular interest to the group. The option to visit the Pompeii and/or the Isle of Capri is available but dependent on whether our itinerary has ran to schedule. (Optional)

DAY 15 – Leave Rome – Friday, 24 July

Arrive Sydney – Saturday, 25 July

Leave for the airport for our flight home with Qantas Airlines. Due to the time change we arrive home early on the 25 May.

The 2009 student’s yearbook will contain great information and articles on their year at the Business College as well as student photos, memories and much more.

We are already looking forward to the finished product which will be released in Term 4 at the end of this year. All Business College students will receive an electronic copy at end of year.

The fundraising events give our Business College students some fantastic event management experience while also providing much needed funds for the different Hunter based charities.

The event management students have also started planning a number of events that we are looking forward to in Term 2.

“Being able to provide these types of tours for the hospitality and tourism students is a fantastic way for them to see the industry at work first hand” said Cristen Cable, Public Relations & Administration Manager for the Business College.

A fun and informative day was had by all.

The hospitality and marketing students are now eagerly awaiting confirmation of their Melbourne educational excursion as are our Real Estate and Legal Students looking forward to their Sydney excursion late June or early July.

Our annual excursion is a wonderful opportunity for participating students to open their horizons and experience new countries and cultures.

This year’s excursion to Europe is scheduled to leave on the 10th July 09 and return on 25th July 09, visiting England, France, Switzerland and Italy including Venice and Rome.

For more information on the business college students trip to Europe please contact Passmores.

If you wish to attend our final orientation day or to make further enquiries, please phone, fax or email us, advising us that you would like to attend and the number of people who will be accompanying you.

Download our 2009-Final-Orientation-Day-Invite