Blake Brennand has just been awarded the 2023 Kicking Goals Scholarship through Foundation Barossa.

Blake, a year 11 student from Nuriootpa High’s Inclusive Education Centre, aspires to gain employment when he finishes school as a tradesman, and in the future have his own business/self-employment. Blake is currently completing Certificate II in Construction to gain a better understanding of each trade area before he decides which one is the best. For Blake, an important part of the scholarship is the opportunity to be mentored by John Hughes.

John has slight Cerebral Palsy and has always wanted to put together a scholarship that enables a student with a disability to go further. The Kicking Goals Scholarship is designed to take a student in the Barossa region further into education, with the ultimate goal being employment. “I would value the mentoring and the chance to have someone to talk to with career advice and being a young adult beginning the next chapter of life after school,” said Blake.

Outside of school Blake’s determination to succeed is also clear and has impressively competed in The Special Olympics in bowling, soccer, and basketball.

“Blake is a very impressive young man”, said John Hughes, “Blake performs well at school, and has been acknowledged with both academic and personal development awards at school. I am very much looking forward to mentoring Blake, helping him create opportunities for an apprenticeship where he can be on-the-job learning, and seeing him further develop his interests in the construction industry.

Blake had put a lot of work into his interview and came ready to answer questions with a PowerPoint he had prepared.  “I think Blake may end up mentoring me!”, added John.

John Hughes, Kicking Goals Scholarship Recipient Blake Brennand and Annabelle Elton-Martin.