They say if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life.
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And a key to fulfilling that ideal work life is identifying the career that motivates the pursuit of knowledge.
That's one of the goals of Big Picture, a personalised learning strategy that's entering its sixth year at Canobolas Rural Technology High school.
In the Big Picture classroom advisors, or 'guides on the side', teachers Jessica Penberthy and Lou Rose, are 'fostering a love of learning' for 26 students, seven of which are in years 11 and 12.
Students are accepted into the program from year 8 after a detailed application process involving parents or carers.
They are still identified in school years but that's where the Big Picture's similarity with mainstream learning starts to fade.
Big Picture is described as 'real world' learning where students' education is tailored towards a vocation they identify with, although they may not realise it.
In simple terms, explains Ms Penberthy, a love of animals can be nurtured and guided towards a career like veterinary nursing.
Leaving school to learn is also a key strategy - internships are a part of the program from year 9, with the goal of securing traineeships and apprenticeships without the usual education markers like the Higher School Certificate.
That's not to say students leave school without the paperwork for tertiary education.
Instead of the HSC and an ATAR, a portfolio of learning is presented to universities or prospective employers. Last year
Ebony Hay became the first Canobolas' Big Picture student to start a university course using her portfolio while a number of students have secured traineeships and apprenticeships allowing them an early leave pass from school.
Key to the program is fostering a love of learning, not adhering to the traditional academic markers.
"If a kid wants to be a mechanic, why not let them go [be one]?" Ms Penberthy said.
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