Tenison Woods College recently held its annual Remembrance Day assembly to present the school’s prestigious ‘Flyers Award’.
This year’s award was presented to Year 11 student Craig Baker at the service led by newly appointed college captains Aden Clarke and Gael Chizungu.
Students participated in a prayer dedicated to remembering those who died or suffered during Australia’s involvement in all wars and armed conflicts.
Mount Gambier Community RSL President Bob Sandow shared with the students the brief stories of four old scholars of Marist Brothers Agricultural College, a predecessor of Tenison Woods College.
Anthony Casadio, John Friedricks, Reginald Van Leuven and Errol Kavanagh were all old scholars of Marist Brothers Agricultural College, but they were also all pilots, all of whom tragically died while flying.
Mr Sandow said he approached Tenison Woods College about nine years ago to create a scholarship to honour the men.
“This scholarship highlights the values of Tenison Woods College, and the aim of the scholarship is to reward a student who has given their all in every aspect of schooling life,” he said.
“The ‘Tenison Flyers Award’ came together after finding out there were four old scholars, who all died flying.
“Tenison Woods College/Marist Brothers Agricultural College gave them their wings, and the Defence Force taught them to fly.
“My wife and I fund the award on behalf of the Mount Gambier Community RSL and will continue to do so as long as we can.”
Mr Sandow said the award honours the sacrifice and service of those men and women who served their country in a variety of military capacities.
“It seeks to acknowledge a senior school student who has demonstrated their ability to go beyond what is generally expected of them, put others before themselves and have a strong sense of comradeship,” he said.
“Their service to the college community and beyond is an honour to themselves, their families and the college.”
Mr Sandow said Craig was a mature, motivated, and hard-working young man.
“He is a beacon of workplace ethics, leadership, tenacity, and positivity,” he said.
“Craig is currently undertaking two simultaneous Certificate III level programs (Forest Learning Pathways Program and Hospitality) and holds two jobs including one at the Tenison Woods College Sugarloaf Café, where he is completing a school-based traineeship (barista/front of house).
“He is also completing his SACE pathway at the college and takes pride in serving those within the college community with intention to improve everyone’s day.
“He is community minded, ensuring everyone is looked after in the Sugarloaf Café and is often putting in many more hours than required to support his work team, pre-empting high volume work periods without being asked to do so in a calm and friendly manner.”
Craig said he was surprised to receive the Flyers Award.
“I had not seen this coming at all, but I was really honoured to receive this award,” he said.
“My family was really happy to hear the news.
“It has been a great pleasure to win this award, but I would not be able to do it without the support of the people around me and being able to work in such a professional environment with such a welcoming team.
“Without the help I have received from Sugarloaf Café Manager Jenny Vanikiotis, and VET Academy of Hospitality Teacher Jen McCourt, I would have not made it this far.
“Both Jenny and Jen have been two role models that have supported me through this journey which words cannot explain.
“The Sugarloaf Café at Tenison has given me so much fundamental knowledge, that next year I will be completing another school-based apprenticeship with The Barry Maney Group, as well as also completing my SACE.
“I would sincerely like to thank my work team, friends, teachers and family members who have supported me along my journey.”
Mr Baker joins four other Tenison Woods College Flyers Award Winners: 2021 – Isabella Lamb, 2020 – Patrick McCourt, 2019 – Mitchell Watt and 2018 – Taylor Fatchen – Inaugural Winner of the award.
