Reuben chooses school and rises to the top

When Reuben Schonveld set out to prove to ‘everyone’ that he was capable, he never imagined just how capable he was.

In September 2006, Reuben won a Vocational Education and Training Regional Award for Hospitality. This followed on from successful week-long work placements at the Granville RSL and the Sydney Tower Restaurant, both organised by the Canterbury Bankstown Career Connections Local Community Partnership.

So where was Reuben before all this success?

He left home at age 13 and dropped out of school soon after that. He was often in trouble with the law and eventually police gave him a choice—go back to school or go to juvenile detention.

That offer of a choice seemed to get Reuben on track. In 2004, he started year 10 at Bankstown Senior College. With support and friendship from teachers and peers, Reuben realised he liked school and decided to complete years 11 and 12.

Because he wanted to learn how to cook and prepare healthy meals for himself, Reuben decided to pursue VET Hospitality. He now cooks for his friends, and the healthy meals have helped him to lose 40 excess kilos.

In 2007, Reuben has gone on to face new challenges. He was accepted to university and is now studying for a bachelors degree in applied science, with a major in forestry, at Southern Cross University in Lismore.