With tense moments opening HSC results behind them, Nowra Christian School captains Caleb Mackie and Jasmine Dickinson told the South Coast Register about the incredible adventures ahead of them.
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Jasmine’s passion for working with children will take her to the UK, where she will nanny for a year.
With countless hours of babysitting under her belt, she’s prepared for the task and relieved to have a break from studying.
“It’s going to be a massive change, I’m very excited for what’s next," Jasmine said.
“I didn’t want to go straight back into schooling, I wanted to have that break. I’ve been working so hard for 13 years, especially the last two years, it will be nice just to be able to breathe a bit.
“I wanted to go overseas, go travelling, then this came up and I thought, ‘That’s me.’”
Her journey starts in February.
Caleb’s dad and brother have served in the navy, and he would like to do the same.
Despite positive feedback about defence work from his family, he’s approaching it with caution.
“I’m passionate about music, and I’m applying for the navy’s gap year program with a long-term plan to be a musician,” he said.
“I don’t want to commit to five or six years (in the navy) and hate it.”
Headmaster Rob Bray said Caleb was one of 65 students from local families who served in Australian Defence Forces.
“The navy is very much part of the fabric of our school,” Mr Bray said.
In sending off Caleb and Jasmine, Mr Bray noted he was encouraged by the attitude of graduating students.
“They see the world as, not, ‘What’s in it for me?’” Mr Bray said.
“They ask a different question, ‘How can we make a difference for others?’”