2019 - A Big Year for Tory

Tory is presented with his certificate

So much can happen in a few hours. 

For Tory it was two significant events in anyone's life; the culmination of 12 years of schooling AND transition from child to adult.

On Thursday, 23 November 2019 Tory attended his high school formal looking impeccable in his suit with tie and received his Graduation Certificate.

Surrounded by his peer group and their parents and guests, teachers and others, he received his Graduation Certificate.

In a convenient stroke of luck, 23 November 2019 was the day before Tory turned 18, so at the stroke of midnight he gained the key to adulthood and all that goes with it. For a new 18 year old, the most important key is that they can now enter licensed premises without supervising adults and partake of the nectars of the gods.

It's that difficult period of one's life when some of your friends can join you at a bar and others can't. However, the good side is that when each friend turns 18, it's another reason to celebrate as the crowd at the pub expands.

Tory and Mum Meredith

Meredith attended the formal with Tory and his partner for the night, Lucy. They had arrived in a vintage vehicle that you can see in the photo below of Tory and Lucy.

From all reports, it was a pleasant night for all of them and after the formal, Meredith went home and Tory and mates went to the Alice Springs Casino shortly before midnight where they waited outside chatting until the clock struck 12 and then walked in, knowing they were all of legal age.

I understand Tory had his first beer in a licensed venue and then the group went to a friend's house to party with some of their not-yet-eligible mates. How very thoughtful.

At the time of writing, I haven't spoken to Tory, but my guess is that, like many of us, he probably overindulged and slept for most of the next day, his birthday.

Tory, Lucy and the Vintage Car

Now, with his formal schooling years behind him, the next thing is to find a job. We've all been there - our first job. Remember it?

Tory hopes to get an apprenticeship, preferably in electrical work and now that school has ended, at least until and if he begins an apprenticeship, it's knocking on doors seeing if he can find an employer.

If he gets an apprenticeship it will be back to school, but this time on-the-job training and trade school by block release. 

My experience in TAFE Queensland where we ran pre-vocational programs, suggests that students undertaking trades often do much better academically than they did at school. This appears to be because the topics being learned have a direct bearing on their "real world". As teachers, we were always pleased to see young people who had performed poorly at school come good and enjoying thier work.

As proud grandparents, of course we wish Tory every success in the future and as long as we can will help it happen. 

Robin

PS: Here's a shot of our young man on his first day of school. It's amazing what a difference 12 years makes.

Jan, 2007. Living Waters School, Alice Springs NT