Belmont High School’s Cameron Ricchini shares his year 12 journey juggling study, swimming and work

Waking up at 4.30am is just the tip of the iceberg for what was Belmont High’s Cameron Ricchini’s year 12 routine.

Cam Ricchini from Belmont High School competed at a national level for swimming this year while completing Year 12. Picture: Alison Wynd

Belmont High School student Cameron Ricchini spent most of his senior year waking up at 4.30am.

The 18-year-old competed at a national level for swimming this year while completing his year 12 studies.

Mr Ricchini said he’d completed two year 12 units last year to be able to juggle his school, swimming and work commitments throughout 2023.

He said he performed well in his swimming meets throughout the year, including one that fell on his 18th birthday.

“I came away with seven golds, three silver, and a country regional record, which was pretty good,” he said.

Cameron Ricchini said he was pleased with how he juggled his studies with swimming and job commitments. Picture: Alison Wynd

“And then a couple of weeks later, I was up in Sydney for the School Sport Australia swimming nationals.

“I came away with two golds and a silver up there, so that was a big highlight of the year.”

Mr Ricchini said his routine outside of competitions consisted of waking up at 4.30am to go straight to training, come home for breakfast before heading to school, after which he would go to training, to arrive home for dinner at around 7pm.

He said he then did a few hours of study before going to bed to do it all over again the next day.

He also worked two days a week at a swim school.

Mr Ricchini said the support from his school, parents and swimming coach were key to his success.

He is hoping to get into physiotherapy, but also has back up plans that will lead him into the competitive course.

Mr Ricchini said it was both nerve wracking and exciting to be getting his final VCE results so soon.

He will be among thousands to wake up to study score and ATAR results on December 11.

“You’re intrigued to see how you go, but it also then marks the start of a new era in our lives,” he said.

“It’s pretty exciting.”

The Geelong Advertiser will have rolling coverage of the top performers from each of the region’s schools on December 11.

Originally published as Belmont High School’s Cameron Ricchini shares his year 12 journey juggling study, swimming and work