VCE Achiever
Blake Connell – Scotch College
This month’s VCE Achiever, Scotch College student Blake Connell, has a reputation for his leadership, community service and public speaking.
Most recently these interests have led to his involvement in ‘Voices: The Carrical Project’ which aims to raise awareness of mental illness. Participants in the project visited Carrical House in Hawthorn and spoke to residents about their experiences of mental illness. ‘The most striking element of the stories I heard from Carrical residents was an intense longing to reconnect with a world with which they lost touch.’
Blake believes these conversations helped reconnect the residents to the outside world; it also had a profound impact on Blake. ‘I jumped on board to work hands-on with people with mental illnesses and it has been an eye-opening experience.’
Blake drew on these insights to contribute to the poignant theatre performance component of ‘Voices: The Carrical Project’ which deals with the stigma attached to mental health. The performance will be performed by Scotch College students at the 2009 Melbourne Fringe Festival.
Passionate about helping others in the community to develop their life skills, Blake also tutors refugee children in Sunshine.
Another one of Blake’s interests is public speaking. As the captain of the Public Speaking Club at Scotch College he has participated in many events and was a Victorian semi-finalist in the Plain English Speaking Award and Rostrum Voice of Youth. In addition, Blake was selected as a Victorian representative for the United Nations Youth Association national finals. This experience will no doubt assist him in his chosen career path in international politics.
At school Blake has worked with his teachers and other students to expand public speaking and debating programs. He holds lunchtime training sessions for students to practise their writing and presenting skills.
Another initiative Blake instigated is the well-received ‘speaker breakfasts’. Presenters were invited to speak on ‘world affairs’ and answer students’ questions. Guest speakers have included the human rights advocate and author Julian Burnside and former Telstra CEO Ziggy Switkowski. The aim is to expand students’ general knowledge and their ability to question and think critically.
Blake is convinced that public speaking is an asset that all students should have and is the key to being able to communicate with and persuade others. ‘This ability is a vital vehicle of change.’
The VCE Achiever Award is coordinated by the VCAA to recognise the efforts of VCE students in promoting community involvement in their local school and wider community. VCE Achievers actively participate in such activities as the arts, environmental protection, aged care, hospitality, local council initiatives, fundraising and public speaking. Monthly finalists receive a three-month subscription to the Herald Sun, and in December one overall winner will receive a notepad computer donated by Lenovo Australia. Students in government, Catholic and independent schools may apply for the award in 2009 by using the application form on the VCAA website (Excellence and Awards > VCE Achiever Award).
