THE BRUNSWICK - Brunswick Secondary College

THE BRUNSWICKCongratulations to each of the following studentsfor the effort they have made to achieve their personalbest and for modelling to others the importanceand power of effort.Andy Farah Daffyd Lewis ScholarhipAndrew Farah is the recipient of a 2012 Daffyd Lewis Scholarship.This prestigious scholarship provides Year 12 male graduates withsignificant financial assistance for each of the years they are atuniversity. In 2012, Andy is studying Civil Engineering at RMIT.Together with music teacher, Wayne Simmons,I had the privilege of giving Andy a practice before the DaffydLewis Scholarship interview. It was an honour to hear Andy speakso openly about the genesis of his interest in construction andengineering and his intended career and aspirations.Andy began by explaining that the first times he accompanied hisbuilder father to work felt like a chore. He then described how, ashe began to learn more about the project management aspectsand people skills involved, he came to experience firsthand theincredible satisfaction of seeing an initial design become realisedin a final product.Andy was enthusiastic in outlining how and why he grew to lovethe work, saying it was clear to him at this early age this is whathe too wanted to do. He talked about studying Physics in Year11 and 12, and his fascination in learning the technical designprinciples involved in construction.He also discussed his major folio work in Visual Communicationand Design. A highly sophisticated architectural project, it demonstrateshis expert use of latest design technology and a complexunderstanding of environmentally responsible architecture.When we asked Andy what he did in his time outside of school,it was no surprise to hear him talk about experimenting withGeo Sketch Pad.He explained how he imagined particular clients and projects,exploring various options to meet their needs. In response to thequestion ‘Where do you see yourself in ten years time?’ Andyspoke of wanting to be established and secure in his job but stillinvolved in formal learning, outlining how his is a field wheretechnology and the possibilities it offers are continually changing.Most significantly to us, he discussed how he would also like tobe seen as ‘A strong member of his community.’Andrew Farah is a most worthy recipient of this substantial scholarship.He has shown consistent efforts to improve academicallythroughout his years at Brunswick Secondary College. This isdespite the significant personal challenges he suffered throughouthis father’s extended fight against and eventual death fromcancer when he was in Year 11.His strong personal motivation to succeed is related to the clarityof his goals. It also reflects an awareness of how important hiseducation is to his mother, deceased father and extended family.Andy spoke at the first assembly for 2012, communicating to allstudents the importance of taking advantage of every opportunitywhether it is the generous assistance of the VCE teachers atBrunswick or the scholarships that are more broadly available.Our school mission talks of our commitment to ‘the developmentof young people who live successful and constructive lives,with positive personal values and a strong sense ofcommunity…. young people who will become leaders in theirworld.’ We are very proud of Andy’s achievement and hisexample to others.CongratulationsAndy FarahMiranda WatsonMiranda Watson College DuxMiranda Watson’s academic commitment is clearly demonstratedin her achievement of an excellent ATAR (97.85) andselection into the course and university of her choice, a doubledegree in Arts and Asia-Pacific Studies at the Australian NationalUniversity. Equally impressive is the fact that Miranda waschosen for the 2011 Long Tan Award.This ‘All Rounder’ leadership award recognised the quiet andpersistent leadership that Miranda bought to all her classes andpeers throughout her six years at Brunswick Secondary College.Miranda was an outstanding role model in learning, demonstratingintellectual curiosity, collaboration with others and thehighest possible work ethic.Susan AhmedSusan Ahmed Assistant Principal’s AwardIn presenting the Assistant Principal Award to Susan Ahmed,Alison Sanza began with a quote from the French writerAnatole France: “To achieve great things, we must not onlyact, but also dream.Not only plan, but also believe.” Ms Sanza spoke next of howachievement cannot be measured by results or scores alone,but rather “Achievement and the success that follows, is thewarm comfortable feeling you get when you know you havedone the best that you can possibly do and that you havedreamed, planned, acted and believed.” Susan Ahmed did allof this, achieving higher than predicted results in each of hersubjects and demonstrating to her peers and younger studentsalike the great power of effort. In 2012 she is studyingEngineering (Sustainable Systems) at RMIT University.