As graduating students all over Australia worry about what their future holds next year, Year 12 Student Lachlan Smart already has his plan in action.
Lachlan, who is autistic, has been a student at Lumen Christi College since 2011 and began in Year 7.
For nearly six years he has had his primary carer Teacher’s Assistant, Shellee Garratt-Heatley, by his side and assisting him in every day student tasks and College life.
Shellee is full of praise for Lachlan’s development, “I’m very proud of Lachlan and how much he’s grown throughout his six years at the College, especially this year as he has become more confident, more independent and engages more with other students and adults in conversation”.
Lachlan’s growth this year, which has seen an improvement in his confidence, social skills and independence, can largely be attributed to his employment at the Gosnells City Library.
Lachlan began a work-place learning internship at the Library in 2015 and in January this year he was offered paid employment. Lachlan is independent in the work-place and does not require Shellee when he goes to work.
Lachlan says his favourite part of working at the library is “putting the books away,” an exercise which also benefits his organisation skills.
Lachlan can also be seen around the neighbourhood delivering catalogues direct to people’s mailbox. On Mondays after school, he and Shellee fold the catalogues in order for Lachlan to make the deliveries on Tuesdays or Thursdays, depending on the weather.
Lachlan is also a gifted artist and is currently working towards completion of his Certificate III in Visual Arts. His work will be on display, along with other Visual Art Students’ work, at the Annual Lumen Art Exhibition. Official opening Wednesday, 14 September at 6.30pm in the Performing Arts Centre. Public Welcome.