Ten NSI students competed in the WorldSkills Australia National Competition at Sydney Olympic Park from 31 August - 1 September.
After three days of intense competition against the best in the nation, six NSI students emerged victorious, winning gold and silver medals in their categories.
• Jessica Martin, Restaurant Service - Gold
• Mitchell LaRosa, Web Design – Gold
• Keith Buckley, IT Software Solutions – Gold
• Alex Cowle, VET in Schools IT – Gold
• Angela McCauley, Retail Baking – Silver
• Christopher Schofield, Web Design – Silver
• Mitchell LaRosa, Web Design – Gold
• Keith Buckley, IT Software Solutions – Gold
• Alex Cowle, VET in Schools IT – Gold
• Angela McCauley, Retail Baking – Silver
• Christopher Schofield, Web Design – Silver
All four IT medal winners were coached and supported by the Hornsby College IT teaching team, while hospitality students Jessica and Angela were coached by the restaurant service and baking trades teaching teams at Ryde College.
The WorldSkills Australia National Competition is the largest and most prestigious skill and trade show in Australia, showcasing the nation’s best and brightest young professionals from 50 skill categories.
NSI gold medallist and North Turramurra resident Alex Cowle said he was excited receive his award.
“I was great to win but I was so surprised!” he said.
“There was some really great competition there; it was a really different experience for me.
“Overall it was just a really great way to learn and to experience the different ways my IT skills can be used.’
Medallists from the national competition will now be offered a chance to represent Australia as a Team Australia Skillaroo at the 42nd WorldSkills International Competition in Leipzig, Germany in 2013.
Kevin Harris, NSI Director, congratulated the students on their outstanding performance.
“This is by no means a small accomplishment – to compete against Australia’s best tradespeople and be proclaimed the very best of the best is an achievement I’m sure the students will never forget,” he said.
“I congratulate the students and all those who worked tirelessly to support our students to compete in the weeks leading up to the competition.”
“Over the years, NSI students have brought home gold to bronze medals, demonstrating that NSI produces some of the best tradespeople in the world.
“We owe this reputation greatly to our fantastic students and team of dedicated teachers.”