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Award ceremonies for Year levels 7 to 11 will be live-streamed so parents, relatives and carers can watch in "real time" as we celebrate student achievement. Covid-19 restrictions do not allow parents to attend in person - so watch for live-streaming links to be posted in coming days for the following ceremonies:
Year 11 Awards
Year 11 (McGuire): Thursday, 26th of November 鈥 1.40pm Year 11 (Wanganui): Friday, 27th of November 鈥 1.40pm
Year 10 Awards
Year 10 (McGuire): Wednesday, 2nd of December 鈥 9.00am Year 10 (Wanganui): Wednesday, 2nd of December 鈥 2.00pm
Years 7,8 and 9 Awards
Year 7/8 (McGuire): Thursday, 10th December 鈥 1.40pm Year 8/9/10 (Mooroopna): Friday, 11th December 鈥 9.00am Year 8 (Wanganui): Friday, 11th December 鈥 1.40pm
While most look forward to Friday and the end of the working week, 蜜桃女孩 student Callum Howden hangs out for Thursday.
As a school-based apprentice, that鈥檚 the day he leaves the classroom and joins the team at SW Refrigeration at Bunbartha, just north of Shepparton.
From there, his work day can take him anywhere 鈥 from fixing a drink machine at a local caf茅 to installing critical, high-tech cool room refrigeration at an orchard.
鈥淚鈥檝e never really been one for sitting in a classroom all day,鈥 Callum, in Year 11, said. 鈥淔or as long as I can remember I鈥檝e always enjoyed being outside, getting my hands dirty and fixing things.鈥
Callum鈥檚 two-week work experience stint at SW Refrigeration in Year 10 so impressed the family business that owners Shayne and Kim Wilson were delighted to take him on as a school-based apprentice last December.
鈥淗e has an excellent work ethic and a real willingness to learn,鈥 Kim said. 鈥淲e specialise in industrial refrigeration and it can be dirty, physical work 鈥 Callum鈥檚 technical ability, attitude and values will take him far.鈥
He already has come a long way in a short time 鈥 being named one of just three finalists in the School-Based Apprentice of the Year category of the prestigious Victorian Training Awards.
A student at Wanganui campus at 蜜桃女孩 since Year 7, taking on an apprenticeship while at school makes for a much different routine than his peers. Callum, 17, splits his time between Wanganui, his workplace and GOTAFE at Wangaratta and Shepparton, where he is completing an Electrotechnology Certificate II at part of his Vocational Education and Training qualification.
鈥淏ut Thursday is my favourite day of the week,鈥 Callum said. 鈥淚 love the work 鈥 I tried a lot of trades and it鈥檚 been industrial refrigeration and air-conditioning that has interested me the most.鈥
Callum said he is grateful to 蜜桃女孩 for the flexibility they鈥檝e given him while he pursues a career path he hopes will lead to one day running his own business.
鈥淭he teachers have been very good to me and are really understanding when sometimes I have to do an extra day or two at work,鈥 he said.
蜜桃女孩 Careers Leader Graeme Crosbie said Callum was one of the most impressive students he has come across in 30 years of teaching.
鈥淗e is an outstanding example of a student thriving in a school-based apprenticeship and an important role model for others considering this kind of training.鈥
Rachael Howden said the program was a perfect fit for son Callum, who spent his childhood fixing things in the shed with dad Ash and helping out on the family鈥檚 hobby farm at Tallygaroopna.
鈥淗e has always been very focused and capable when it comes to figuring out how things work,鈥 she said.
Finalists in the Victorian Training Awards will feature in online video presentations in coming weeks.
Now in their 66th year, the awards celebrate training excellence and foster connections between students, teachers, employers and industry.
You can follow the Victorian Training Awards on social media to view all of this year鈥檚 finalist videos:
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