BSSC Year 12 student, Mahdi Behari-Cadzow, has plans to combine his capacity for hands-on work with a career in the military.
“When I was younger I thought I’d like to go into the Australian Defence Force,” Mahdi says. “Then, in Year 8, when I got into woodwork, I considered becoming a carpenter.
“I’ve come full-circle and now realise I can complete an apprenticeship through the army.”
Mahdi does have concerns about being in the military given the unrest happening across the globe at present.
“Especially,” he says, “the Trump crisis”, which he fears will have a kick on effect on inflation and interest rates—with big impacts for his future capacity to pay off a house.
But, he says this is not a reason to change his mind.
Consequently, an Australian Defence Force (ADF) work experience Army Reserve Immersion Day—held at the local Junortoun base in early June—gave Mahdi and about 30 other BSSC students an insight into the opportunities and day-to-day activities of ADF personnel.
In the meantime, Mahdi is enjoying honing his skills through his BSSC subjects. He is studying Maths, English, Personal Development, VET Building & Construction, and VET Electrotechnology.
His favourites are definitely his VET subjects.
“In Electrotechnology we have been making and wiring up solar panels. I’ve learnt a lot about renewable energy—our family already has solar panels across our roof, but we haven’t invested in a battery yet.”
Recently Mahdi and his family were wishing they did have a battery. The massive windstorm that swept across southern Australia a couple of months ago took out a power pole in their street and left their street and homes in darkness.
“In Building and Construction we’ve been making the floors that will become the cubbies that BSSC sells at the end of each year.”
These ‘mini-houses’ teach students what is involved in creating many of the structures that go into building a full-size house. This joint project also fosters teamwork skills which are so valuable for learning how to cooperate and work alongside others.
“I really like the idea of working on big projects, so if I didn’t go into the ADF, I would do an apprenticeship so I could become a builder,” Mahdi says.
As someone who has always enjoyed maths and has excellent visual/spatial skills, Mahdi’s natural aptitude for building complex systems or structures from scratch have set him up for future success.
Winning the ‘Lisa Chesters Building and Construction Award’ two years running says a lot about Mahdi’s skill set.
Before he came to BSSC, Mahdi and his family explored numerous options for his VCE years.
“BSSC was the best choice with so many subjects and great facilities for the things I’m interested in and, I now realise, amazing teachers. I definitely recommend this college.”
Making so many new friends has been a wonderful but unexpected bonus to Mahdi’s time at BSSC. He’s found the culture at senior makes it super easy to connect with new people.
“I also love the support I get here. It’s like the college is really there for you—not just interested in your academic success, but concerned about your wellbeing too.”
The biggest challenge Mahdi faced was during the days leading up to the Step Up program.
“I was stressing out of my mind—so scared I’d fail,” Mahdi remembers. “Then, during Step Up, I started to realise how helpful everyone was.
“About two weeks after we finished Step Up I realised I didn’t need to stress,” he says, “and when I began failing one of my subjects, I saw just how much my teachers would support me.
“In Electrotechnology, Richard Jowitt welcomed all my questions and gave me lots of extra encouragement and information.”
For Mahdi, this not only helped him get his head around subject knowledge, it also built his confidence to question other teachers when he was unsure about something.
When he sits down to study, Mahdi often accesses online textbooks as well as websites that generate questions. His sister, a BSSC alumna, told him about this and he’s found it very helpful.
Key to Mahdi keeping any VCE-related stress levels well-regulated are the great friends he’s made at the college—and his girlfriend.
“Seeing how others manage their stress is helpful—I’m pretty impressed by some of my friends.”
“I play online games with my mates and I’m having a go at guitar, with the help of my girlfriend, who plays both bass and guitar.”
Mahdi is also very impressed by his parents who work hard and are incredibly resilient. He says he has watched them bounce back from all kinds of challenges.
“I’m grateful to have people like them—and my friends and girlfriend—in my life.”
“Keep trying!” is the advice Mahdi would love to go back and give himself.
“In Years 8 and 9 I stopped trying because I thought I wasn’t going to make it—I didn’t believe I was smart enough. It would have been great to have heard this kind of encouragement back then.”
