A Ballarat year 9 student has called on thieves to return his laptop so he can study a VCE subject next year.
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Brandon Cachia, a student at Ballarat Secondary College’s Woodmans Hill campus on Fussell Street, brought his personal laptop to school on October 11.
The 14-year-old left the computer in a locker, but when he went to collect it at the end of the day, it had vanished.
“To be honest, I thought I could trust people for just a few hours,” Brandon said.
Brandon and his mother, Kaisey, are speaking out in the hope somebody returns the laptop, which is a Predator Helios 300 model that is worth more than $2400.
It is black with a distinct silver Predator logo and decorative red streaks.
Ms Cachia, a single mother, said they had been able to purchase the laptop with assistance through a state government grant.
She decided to buy the machine after Brandon excelled in his school work and was approved to study computing at VCE level next year.
But Ms Cachia said she would struggle to buy a new laptop after last week’s theft.
“It’s devastating,” she said.
“Brandon had found something to put his energy into with studying computing, but then this happens.
“The school’s staff have done as much as they can, we just hope someone returns it.”
Ms Cachia said she reported the incident to Ballarat police at the Dana Street station the following day.
Officers said they would review CCTV footage from the school, according to Ms Cachia.
Woodmans Hill principal Simon Haber confirmed on Thursday the theft was the subject of an ongoing investigation.
“This is a very rare thing to happen, we’ve never seen anything like this before,” he said.
"We have zero tolerance towards any thefts at this school, and all cases are always followed up.
"We are continiung to work through this with the student and are in constant communication about where things are at."
Mr Haber said all students were told not to bring personal items to school.
He said there were several places where students could store belongings such as the school manager’s office.
Brandon said nobody was at this office when he went to store his laptop on October 11.
It’s believed the locker where Brandon left the computer was not locked.
Anyone with information about the theft is urged to contact Ballarat police on 5336 6000.
Alternatively, phone Ballarat Secondary College’s Woodmans Hill campus on 5336 7264.