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ContentsStudent Achievements in the CommunityPLC’s mission is to prepare young women to lead active purposeful lives. Already, our students are making their markin the wider community, achieving at national and international levels and contributing to society in meaningful ways.Global Science bid for PLC studentYear 10 student, AbbeyMardon, is one of only twoWestern Australian high schoolstudents who competedin an international sciencecompetition in the United Statesin June.Abbey recently took part inthe International BioGENEiusChallenge finals in Bostonafter winning the BioGENEiusChallenge of Western Australia.The Challenge gives someof WA’s top high schoolstudents the opportunity towork alongside experiencedscientists to complete their ownbiotechnology research project.Abbey Mardon (Year 10) with hermentor, Dr Sasha Jenkins.Abbey spent several months conducting research, which willultimately enhance the competitiveness of the Australian livestockindustries.Mentored by Dr Sasha Jenkins from The University of WesternAustralia’s (UWA) Natural and Agricultural Sciences faculty,Abbey’s research investigated enhancing the removal of biologicalphosphorus in the waste treatment process in piggery farms. Herresearch will help to improve manure management systems, andincrease profits through reduced fertiliser costs.Abbey’s interest in this topic began during primary school, whereher school was situated opposite a lake. She became interested inlooking after the lake and its inhabitants and learned there wereproblems with algal blooms caused by high levels of phosphorus.“I was very lucky to be paired with Dr Jenkins as her research at thetime was about a way of reducing the phosphorus entering ourwaterways,“ Abbey said.Abbey was encouraged to enter the competition by PLC staffmember, Ms Lana Salfinger. Ms Salfinger introduced Abbey’s Year8 Science class to the Challenge and Abbey was excited by theopportunity to work on a “real life“ science project. Ms Salfingerassisted Abbey with her application and encouraged her along theway. “I really look up to her, as she makes science exciting but at thesame time allows us to see how it is useful in real life,“ Abbey said.Simpson Prize Runner UpYear 10 student, AdelaideCrossing, was this year namedState Runner Up in the SimpsonPrize, a national History essaywriting competition for Year9 and 10 students throughoutthe country.Adelaide travelled to Canberrawith 15 other students fromacross Australia earlier thisyear to accept her award fromMinister for School Education,Peter Garrett.While in Canberra, Adelaideattended a special twodaystudy programme thatincluded visits to ParliamentHouse, the Australian WarMemorial and the NationalMuseum of Australia.Adelaide Crossing (Year 10).This award recognises her outstanding exploration of theANZAC story through her essay, which focused on the topic ofWhy has Australian commemoration of ANZAC Day increased inpopularity in recent years?Adelaide’s approach took a different angle, with the basis ofher argument formed around the idea that the increase inpopularity has been led by the Australian youth. “To the young,the observance of Anzac Day is as much a commemoration offallen soldiers and those who serve today, as it is a celebrationof a proud national identity,“ she said.Adelaide believes that ANZAC Day is currently the bestopportunity Australians have to celebrate and identify withwhat it means to be Australian.She was inspired to enter the competition by her passionfor History and to commemorate her grandfather, whom shenever met.Science and Innovation Minister John Day said the winning researchprojects were very relevant to the State and would have “real lifeimplications“.“These exceptional students have achieved wonderful results underthe stewardship of their mentors from the WA science community,“Mr Day said.19