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THE BRUNSWICK THE BRUNSWICK The first whole school assembly for 2013 celebrated the achievements of our 2012 VCE High Achievers. While proud of the success of all of our graduating students, the five award recipients profiled here were chosen for the College’s highest awards. Each student exemplifies our school values in significant ways and is a role model for others. We hope you find their stories and the excerpts from their assembly speeches inspiring and motivating. The full speeches can be read at www. http://www.brunswick. vic.edu.au/News/Latest%20News/Pages/ VCE-High-Achievers.aspx College Dux 2012 Shaikhoon Abdul Ghafoor The final day of classes for Year 12 is firmly entrenched in our calendar as Year 12 Dress-Up Day. Last year, Shaikhoon surprised us all by turning up in a stylish half man-half woman costume as shown. There was no surprise this year, however, when Assistant Principal, Heather Secomb presented Shaikhoon with his College Dux 2012 award. In preparing her speech, Ms Secomb had asked Shaikhoon’s Year 12 teachers to sum him up in three words. The superlatives flowed. One teacher responded with ‘The Ideal student.’ She explained how Shaikhoon always asked for and acted on teacher feedback, and knew how to listen, reflect and apply. In 2013, Shaikhoon has elected to study Aviation/Commerce at Swinburne University, Hawthorn. “Being Dux is not the only way to be successful; getting 100% on a test is not the only way to be successful. Academic success at school is not the only way to be successful. There are thousands of other ways. It could be making a new friend or learning a new skill, or for quiet people like me, just asking a question in class. Success can be measured by these very small things and you have to recognise this. If you can’t recognise a small achievement you will never achieve something big. Successful people know when they have succeeded and know when they have failed. And they will learn from all their experiences, good and bad.” VCE High Achievers 2012 “To Year 12, know that I am speaking from experience when I say that you guys are going to have an amazing year. You should also know there will be ups and downs. Just don’t give up. If you ever feel like it’s all too much, believe me, there are many people you can turn to for help. Your teachers will put in so much effort to help you do the best. In the end don’t let your ATAR define you. You don’t have to go into medicine or law just because you can. I didn’t need the ATAR I got for selection into my course but I still wanted to achieve it, because I knew I had the potential. And if your ATAR is not high enough for your chosen course, there are always other options. If you really want a high ATAR, be aware the VCE is a competition and treat it as such. You just have to work hard, do your best, know that you’re not perfect and learn from your mistakes. And that’s it really. That’s how you achieve success.” Assistant Principal’s Award Giuliana Leslie The Assistant Principal Award is given to a student who demonstrates one or more of the school values to a very high level. Assistant Principal Heather Secomb chose Giuliana Leslie as the 2012 recipient of this award. Giuliana is a student who showed persistence, responsibility and achievement in a year of great personal challenge. For the teachers who taught her in Year 12 or in earlier years, it was a privilege and reward to hear Giuliani’s words of appreciation. For all students who are coping with difficult circumstances, Giuliana’s words and outlook give hope and encouragement. This year Giuliana is looking forward to studying an Environment Degree at RMIT University in the city. ‘At the beginning of Year 12 my mum was diagnosed with cancer and initially before we got the 1st results back, we were unsure of her future. The last thing I wanted to think about was VCE. However, I realised that not only did I have my own future to face, but I needed to be strong for my mum. My one and only goal last year was to get into my chosen university course, but that can become extremely difficult when faced with so much happening outside of the classroom. I coped with the support of the amazing staff here at Brunswick. Not only were they helpful with accommodating my needs, but they also made me feel comfortable doing so. Sometimes there’s a lot happening at home, any of us can be in this position. Last year was tough but I got through it and managed to score well enough to get into my course. This is something I couldn’t have done without the incredible support of the staff, so if you have a problem, turn to those who know how to help you.” Daffyd Lewis Scholarship Tony Phan Daffyd Lewis was a Welsh Immigrant who left a trust to be used to fund scholarships for boys who may not otherwise be able to pursue tertiary studies. In 2012, we were delighted when Andy Farah became Brunswick’s first Daffyd Lewis scholar. In 2013, we are doubly thrilled to have another BSC student, Tony Phan, receive a Daffyd Lewis Scholarship. In 2013, Tony is studying his preferred course, civil engineering at RMIT. His ambition to become a civil engineer stems back to childhood where he recalls feeling mesmerised by large buildings’ ability to stand without falling over. This led to a fascination with Science and Mathematics that deepened throughout secondary school. When asked about the project he would most like to work on in the future, Tony said a sports stadium. He outlined his love of the MGC, the complexity of its layers and structures and its function in bringing together so many different people in the one building each week for the common purpose of supporting their team. “An Important lesson I learnt was effective study, don’t waste your time doing every question of every chapter, concentrate on the stuff you need to work hardest on and make sure the ideas of each topic are clear inside your head. Equally important, ask questions all the time. The person who asks a question is ignorant for five minutes, the ones who don’t ask questions are ignorant forever. Do the things you want to do in life, take every opportunity as it comes. I signed up for this scholarship not expecting much. I remember saying to my good friend “Wouldn’t hurt to try.” To get an interview alone was already far more than I expected. I had a week to prepare. Given the opportunity to become a Daffyd Lewis scholar was a great honour. I did everything I could to make a good impression at that interview. Now having this scholarship, I will receive significant financial support each year to help me during university studies. There isn’t much more I could ask for. My advice -Sign up for any scholarship or opportunity you can. Don’t be scared you might not get it, it can’t hurt to try.”
THE BRUNSWICK THE BRUNSWICK VCE High Achievers 2012 cont... School Values Award Daniel Leggieri Daniel is a most deserving recipient of the 2012 School Values Award. In introducing Daniel at the assembly, Michael Bartley (his Year 12 Coordinator in 2012) emphasised the very humble and ordinary way that Daniel went about his role as a student at BSC, describing how he generously shared his talent in art and design and was known by all to be a supportive student and friend. Daniel exemplifies all six Brunswick Secondary College values- persistence, responsibility, respect, teamwork, excellence and achievement. His speech, printed in full here, demonstrates his courage and appreciation. ‘I’m here today to talk to you about my goals, those I have achieved and the ones I’m still trying to, as well as the journey I have undergone the past few years together with the one which is ahead. Towards the end of Year 10 to the start of Year 11 were the scariest moments of my life. To the majority of you who don’t know my story, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2010. In January the next year, I had surgery to remove most of the tumour. I recovered rather quickly and was back at school within 4 weeks. To see my friends and to get back into school was great, but there was still a long road to recovery. Fortunately for me I had the best family support as well as some of the most understanding teachers who helped me make a decision about me continuing my schooling. This school has every skill for you to achieve your potential in any path you take in life. This is the lesson I have learnt. The school is here to support you and it is up to you to use this time wisely. It doesn’t matter if you are doing VCAL or VCE and more importantly, it doesn’t matter what your friends or anyone else think. This is another lesson of many I have learnt. In life there are going to be people who tell you’ No, you can’t’ or ‘That’s impossible.’ There are going to be people who try and bring you down don’t let them get the better of you. Towards the end of year 11 I was facing my fear yet again. My tumour had started to grow and I was going to have to have surgery again. And once again I needed to make my decision about schooling, whether or not I continue with VCE or VCAL, or simply drop out. Mr Bartley helped me make this important decision. I also had a lot of encouragement from my friends. I did not go through with surgery the second time. By the start of a new year, 2012, I was in VCAL and had a VET course at Northland secondary College studying Visual Arts and contemporary craft. The year flew. I had 3 art exposes where some of my pieces of art were presented to the public. I was in a community program to help host and create the National Youth Week with the year 12 VCAL students at Brunswick. The year was great, helping others, working with people and meeting new people. There was laughter, there was sadness and there was fear, but more importantly there was happiness through the highs and lows. With anything you do in life, always think positive and be positive. I’m taking this year off schooling. I will try my own things, maybe get a job. I want to start creating t-shirts and designs. Don’t ever give up on something because it’s too hard. Don’t let anyone ever tell you can’t that’s impossible and don’t be afraid to ask for help and follow your dreams. As for my health it’s still a battle I’m fighting.’ Principal’s Award Siritrin Suwantevakup Siritrin Is the recipient of the 2012 Principal’s Award. The Award recognises the achievements of a student who has exceeded expected progress academically while also contributing to the school community. Siritrin was overseas at the time of the assembly. She will be profiled in a future Brunswick Star. In 2013 she will study Science at the University of Melbourne
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