10 August 2022

Murrumbidgee Regional High students' lofty career ambitions

| Oliver Jacques
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Three students display slice

Leo Forner, Victoria Gibbs and Ella Burns with their fat free Mars Bar slices. Photo: Oliver Jacques.

A future diplomat, criminologist and journalist at Murrumbidgee Regional High School (MRHS) have revealed their career ambitions during Education Week 2022.

Region Riverina caught up with MRHS Year 12 Wade site’s hospitality class, who took over the unused cafe at the Griffith Community Centre to serve hot beverages and fat free Mars Bar slices to the general public.

Teacher Rebecca Chapman said it was the perfect opportunity for the students to show off their culinary and entrepreneurial skills in a real-world environment.

“I’m very lucky, I just facilitate and they do all the work themselves,” she said.

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While the students did a roaring trade, most were intent on pursuing careers in disciplines other than hospitality, with some having lofty ambitions.

Leo Forner wants to study international relations at the Australian National University, with the goal of becoming a diplomat.

“I’m interested in what motivates people like [Russian President Vladamir] Putin and how they justify what they do. I love to learn about the competition between different ideologies,” he said.

“I want to do something where I can really make an impact.”

Leo also plays several musical instruments and writes and performs his own music. He is a member of the Murrumbidgee Regional Jazz and Blues Collection.

“I’d love to be a musician but that is such a tough career to pursue,” he said.

Threading an equally as difficult career path is Emma Morton, who plans to move to London to study criminology.

“I find it interesting to learn about the mentality of serial killers … and why people commit crimes,” she said.

Emma is on track for her chosen career, after coming first in her legal studies class this year. She spoke highly of her teacher Travis Payne.

Leo and Emma at cafe

Leo Forner and Emma Morton. Photo: Oliver Jacques.

Ella Burns wants to study journalism at the University of Technology Sydney.

“I like writing stories, it’s something that has always interested me,” she said.

Victoria Gibbs, daughter of Griffith Tennis Club star Mark Gibbs, plans to stay in town and work next year.

Most of the students to whom Region spoke to are also doing at least one gap year in Griffith to save money, as rising living costs make moving to a big city more challenging.

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“I’m working at Woolworths at the moment and might stay to keep earning money,” Leo said.

Education Week is an annual celebration of NSW public education and the achievements of students.

Education Week was held between 1 and 5 August and celebrated the theme ‘Creating futures – education changes lives’.

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