Real bright spark

By Casey Neill
FORMER Boronia Heights College student Matthew Commons was humbled by his outstanding VCE results.
He was one of 306 Victorian students presented with a Premier’s VCE Award on 21 July.
“It was a good honour, to be awarded for your achievements and for your hard work,” he said.
Premier John Brumby said the awards highlighted excellence and encouraged students to do their best.
“Each student is to be congratulated for their outstanding achievements, completing their studies with distinction and dedication,” he said.
Matthew scored a perfect 50 in his VET Electro Technology course.
He put the result down to hard work throughout the year, completing practice exams and reviewing what he had learnt.
“And just get it done – don’t wait to the last minute,” he said.
The course taught students basic electronics skills.
“We did small-circuit building and wireless modules,” Matthew said.
“It was a lot of theory but then we made our own renewable energy source in second year.”
Matthew’s major project was a wind generator. He wired a motor to generate current and charge batteries as it spun.
“It just interests me, I don’t know why really,” he said. “It’s hands on.”
Matthew is now a first-year apprentice electrical fitter with SP AusNet.
He landed the job at the end of Year 12 after an interview with the company for work experience during his course.
He works on the transmission side of power
“So I work in big switch yards and terminal stations,” he said. “Every day’s different, so that’s good,” he said.
Principal Kate Harnetty said Matthew was a “quiet sort of kid” and initially shied away from the award presentation.
“He wasn’t going to go because he’s a really shy kid,” she said. “He was so embarrassed.”
Ms Harnetty said it was “so pleasing” to see a state secondary school represented in the awards.
“It’s a real achievement for any of these kids but even more so for the state college students who don’t have the advantages,” she said.