Student of the Year
By BEV JORDAN
A love of production has earned Ethan Zammitt the title of Vocational Education School Student of the Year at the recent NSW Training Awards.
The 15-year-old from Acacia Gardens told the Hills to Hawkesbury Community News he was surprised to win the State award saying: “I am very grateful and humbled for the recognition but none of this would have been possible without the incredible support from teachers at school.”
Ethan enrolled in a Certificate III in Live Production and Services delivered by St Mark’s Catholic College, Stanhope Gardens when he was in Year 9, last year.
“To be honest I did not know what a VET course was,” he said. “I have a passion for AV and computers and was also part of the school’s Sound and Lighting Crew.
“It was through my interaction with various creative arts teachers, I learnt about the ability to do an entertainment course. I just thought it would be a really cool and fun course to do given my passion in the area.”
He said the added benefits of the VET course are that the competency-based learning course not only offers a nationally recognised Certificate III it also contributes towards the HSC and ATAR.
“It was very exciting that the school provided this opportunity. I saw it as an opportunity to complete a HSC subject early, reducing the load in year 11 and 12 but also that the course of study is in a vocational area I am passionate about and have a keen interest in.”
He has now completed his Cert III and will tackle the HSC subject at the end of November.
He is the lead coordinator for new technology at The Parish of St John XXIII in Stanhope Gardens where his team has been live-streaming and recording Sunday church services and events.
“It’s given me lots of practice,” he said. In fact, his team has produced 68 videos since April last year. My VET course has significantly improved my knowledge of sound and lighting.
It’s opened up a whole new world of information about the industry including performance agreements, risk assessments, and safety processes.”
He says while he would like to pursue a career in the entertainment industry when he finishes Year 12, his experience during the COVID-19 restrictions has opened his eyes to other opportunities.
He was congratulated on winning the NSW Department of Education award by Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly and NSW Minister for Skills and Higher Education Geoff Lee.
“It is a great honour to be recognised on a State level and I have no doubt Ethan will go on to be a great ambassador for vocational education and training in the industry,” Mr Lee said.
Ethan also volunteers for the Sovereign Order of Malta Australia providing Parramatta’s homeless with clothing and hygiene products.
