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Exceptional schooling. Exceptional students. Exception 4 Continued from page 3 The Perth Modernian Society has met twice this Term. The Society, although only having a small number of active volunteers, is very supportive of the School. Thanks to their efforts, scholarships are being provided to students in need (the Sphinx Foundation), historical material has been provided for the P&C’s Centenary book, records of past students are being kept and archived, pieces of furniture and memorabilia have been or are being restored by a working party and a selection of items is being produced to promote and build the alumni to raise money. Independent Public School: Much discussion, several meetings and consultation has been undertaken with the school community in regard to the school’s consideration to apply again to become an Independent Public School. Inevitably there are many different perspectives and positions to be considered with a particular focus on the identification of benefits to the school whist acknowledging and working to clarify and alleviate any concerns which have been raised. With the support of many staff, the School Council and the P&C the school will go ahead and submit an application to the Department of Education to be part of Phase 3. School Buildings: As many of you will be aware, the gymnasium remains one of the biggest challenges when it comes to ensuring a high quality of Former Student is New WA Governor Former Perth Modern student, respected Barrister and Philanthropist, Malcolm McCusker AO QC was announced as the next Governor of Western Australia on 21 March 2011. Premier Colin Barnett made the announcement at Government House after her Majesty The Queen approved the recommendation for the appointment of Mr McCusker to succeed another former Perth Modern School student, Dr Ken Michael. Perth Modern School > NEWS April 2011 Mr McCusker is currently a Senior Barrister, and together with his normal commercial and criminal legal practice, has lent his skills to several well-known public interest cases demonstrating a strong commitment to justice and equality. He is also a long-serving Chairman of the Legal Aid Commission and the Advisory Board of the Western Australian Constitutional Centre. He was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1982 and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2005. He was the WA Citizen of the Year in 2005, WA Citizen of the Year in 2010, Philanthropist of the Year in 2010 and WA’s Australian of the Year nominee in 2011. Mr McCusker, 72, is married to Tonya and has three children. He will formally take up the appointment from 1 July, 2011. Janet Holmes a Court and Malcolm McCusker building for students. There have been many plans and hopes for change over the past few years but unfortunately the Department’s financial constraints have seen little progress. Some further investigation is being undertaken with work in progress to gauge the possibility of sponsorship but the challenge is significant. Several science rooms are receiving a $1.3million government funded upgrade during this year. The school is working to identify and plan for the refurbishment or re-purposing to meet the current needs of staff and students in particular learning areas. With 2011 already off to an impressive start, I look forward to the remainder of our very special Centenary year.
al schooling. Exceptional students. Katy Champions Graphic Novel Literary Genre The Graphic Novel elective course in Year 10 English inspired Katy Bunn to be the first in the Girls’ Brigade to submit a proposal to the National Board to accept the Graphic Novel as a suitable genre and academic project for part of her application for the Queen’s Award, the highest international award in the organisation. Katy is commencing the two-year application process for the Award this year and will finish prior to turning 17. Her participation in the Graphic Novel Year 10 English elective helped develop her passion for storytelling and art, which she is now channelling into a Graphic Novel that will be an allegorical tale. Katy’s involvement in the Girls’ Brigade requires many hours of participation outside School. Completion of the seven part application for the Queen’s Award will take two years and requires six months of Community Service; a two hour written examination on national history, systems of Government, the history of the Commonwealth and Girls’ Brigade; two initiative tasks designed to provide service and support to the Girls’ Brigade; Church service for two years; weekly service to Girls’ Brigade and a final interview with the State Panel. The seventh part of the application is an academic assignment requiring at least six months’ work. Katy wanted to create a Graphic Novel, but it was outside any of the current academic offerings. It crossed over ‘illustrated book’, ‘creative Michael Taran Wins Fogarty Scholarship Volunteer Host Families Needed Overseas students will be arriving in July 2011 and require host families. There are two different programs, ranging from five to 11 months. Students will be arriving from countries including Chile, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany and many more. Gain friendships that can last a lifetime. So – whether you have cattle or poodle, six children or none, you have the perfect family. For more information please call Joyce on 9534 5823 or visit www.afs.org.au work’ and ‘visual media’ categories. This is what led Katy to make her successful appeal to the State Panel. She is now appealing to the National Board. Katy credits the Year 10 elective course with fuelling her interest in the Graphic Novel. In the course, she learned more about the process and skills required to create a Graphic Novel, and she has since built on those skills. Katy uses Photo Shop and Manga Studio to add to her inked drawings. She shared this process with the State Panel which led to her successful appeal. Recent Year 12 graduate from Perth Modern School and 2010 Beazley Medalist, Michael Taran has been awarded a university scholarship worth over $100,000. The University of Western Australia recently announced that Michael was one of 200 students recognised from around the state in the Fogarty Foundation Undergraduate Awards. Principal of Perth Modern School Lois Joll said that Michael was deserving of the scholarship. “Michael was an exceptional student at Perth Modern School and was named Dux of his year in general mathematics, specialist mathematics, economics, chemistry and physics.” “We are delighted that he has been awarded a scholarship and congratulate him on his academic achievements,” Ms Joll said. Michael’s scholarship, valued at over $100,000, includes payment of Higher Education Contribution Scheme course fees (HECS) and $1,000 per year. He plans to study medicine, inspired after a car crash in which he was injured when he was 12 years old. “I’m hoping to do maxillofacial surgery to do facial reconstructions,” Michael said. “If Michael’s study ethic continues in the same vein as when he was a student at Perth Modern School, I know he will do extremely well. He is an incredibly gifted and talented student and I’m sure that will transcend into his chosen career path,” Ms Joll said. Perth Modern School is proud to have helped develop a student of Michael’s calibre and the School community wishes him well in his future academic and career pursuits. Perth Modern School > NEWS April 2011 5
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News - Perth Modern School

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