2008 Australian Vocational Student Prize Awarded to DESU Student

In 2008 Jeremy Smith graduated from the DESU with his Life Skills Higher School Certificate which was an accomplishment in itself. Jeremy first enrolled at the DESU in Year 5 because he has a medical condition that prevented him from attending a face-to-face school. Over the years he achieved many important personal goals. In Year 10 Jeremy commenced a work experience placement at Harvey Norman in Grafton. In Year 11 and 12, he participated in a TVET course at Grafton TAFE in Retail Operations and continued at Harvey Norman for the work placement component of the course. We were all very proud of Jeremy when he successfully completed his work placement and achieved a Certificate II in Retail Operations. At the end of 2008, the DESU nominated Jeremy for the Australian Vocational Prize. The prize recognises high-achieving students who completed their Year 12 studies while undertaking vocational education and training in schools or an Australian School-based Apprenticeship. We were thrilled to receive a letter from the Hon. Julia Gillard MP in July this year informing us that Jeremy had been awarded the prize. His name appears on a list of students from around Australia including students from elite private schools. Jeremy, his family and the DESU staff are all very proud of his achievement. Jeremy was especially pleased to receive the $2000 prize that went with the certificate. Congratulations Jeremy!