Award Recipients
Congratulations to the 2009 Premier’s VCE Award recipients
Top All-round VCE High Achievers 2009
Shananthan Balachandran
Haileybury College
Putting in the hard yards throughout the whole year rather than cramming during assessment really pays off, Shananthan advises current Year 12 students. He urges students to work steadily and enjoy the year as ‘it will be gone before you know it’. Shananthan’s Year 12 studies included Specialist Mathematics, Chemistry, English and University Mathematics. He completed Year 12 Mathematical Methods and Accounting during Year 11. Playing basketball, soccer and cricket during the year also helped Shananthan maintain a balance between study and leisure. Shananthan also tells current Year 12 students ‘that if you don’t get the ENTER score you want there is always another way – it is not the be-all and end-all’. Currently studying Medicine at Monash University, Shananthan is not quite sure what he wants to specialise in but is considering either anaesthesiology or oncology.
Andrew Bennett
Trinity Grammar School
Andrew studied a mixture of subjects in Year 12, including Economics, Chemistry, Physics, Specialist Mathematics and English, on top of VCE Mathematical Methods which he undertook in Year 11. With an obvious love for Maths during Year 12, Andrew also undertook a Mathematics subject at the University of Melbourne. Andrew has continued his studies at Melbourne University this year where he is enrolled in a Bachelor of Science, which offers a variety of career options. Involved in hockey, table tennis and various clarinet ensembles, Andrew says it is important during Year 12 to know when to prioritise and to understand that study doesn’t need to be a top priority at all times. ‘You have to allow yourself to wind down and not get bogged down with study all the time.’ Andrew’s tip to current Year 12 students would be to work consistently throughout the year and not just during SACs or exam times, as it’s a very long year.
Sahil Bhasin
Mentone Grammar School
‘Don’t put your life on pause during the year – Year 12 is not just about the work’, says Sahil, to current Year 12 students. ‘While you need to try your very best, you also need to maintain a balance between living and studying.’ Sahil, who had already completed VCE Mathematical Methods and VET Multimedia in Year 11, studied Specialist Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English and IT in Year 12. Socialising is just as important as leisure activities – ‘it provides a good study break’, he says. Interested in pursuing a career in engineering, Sahil thought a double major in both Engineering and Commerce would be a good move, considering engineers now often work within business settings. He is currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Engineering and Commerce at Monash University. In addition to his studies at Monash, Sahil is also tutoring students from his secondary school as well as other schools in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
John Biun
Scotch College
Studying an array of Science and Maths subjects during Year 12, John has decided to pursue a degree in Dental Science at the University of Melbourne. John’s Year 12 subjects included Specialist Mathematics, English Language, Physics, Chemistry and University Chemistry at Monash University. He also studied Year 12 Psychology and Mathematical Methods in Year 11. He advises VCE students to do as many practice exams as they can, and not fall behind in their studies. ‘It is best to study throughout the year rather than just before exams or SACs,’ he says. ‘If you study the content consistently throughout the year rather than trying to memorise everything in a few days, it will be much easier to remember.’ In addition to studying hard, John also played tennis and soccer and was a member of the school choir. He says that, while it didn’t necessarily help his studies, it was ‘a fun way to have a break from study’.
Simon Bowly
Kardinia International College
With a family of engineers, a degree in engineering seemed like an obvious choice for Simon. Currently studying Engineering Science at Monash University, Simon is most interested in pursuing a career in Mechanical Engineering. Simon’s involvement in extracurricular activities such as hockey, debating and cross-country running helped his studies rather than impeding them during Year 12. ‘If you spend all your time studying you can get weighed down. Extracurricular activities are a good way to take your mind off the stress,’ he says. Simon studied Physics, Specialist Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, English and French. Simon said his teachers in particular were a great support during such a tough year – ‘they are so experienced and know what you need to do to succeed in Year 12’. Simon’s advice to current Year 12 students is, ‘don’t stress about the number you will get at the end of the year – it’s not everything – you can get a lot more out of Year 12 than just a score’.
James Cini
Emmanuel College
James found that picking subjects he loved and building good relationships with his teachers helped to get him through Year 12. Like a lot of Year 12 students, James also found it was important to keep a balance between study and having a life and his parents helped him keep this in check. James’s selection of VCE subjects reflected his keen interest in Maths and Science. He studied Chemistry, Physics, Specialist Mathematics, and English during Year 12, having already completed Year 12 Further Mathematics and Mathematical Methods in Year 11. James was also on the debating team and thinks it helped him get relief from the tension of Year 12. ‘It is a pretty full-on year so it is good to be involved in other things of interest to get your mind off study,’ he says. James is now enrolled in a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne, which he thinks will either lead to a career in Medicine or Engineering.
Sophia Crouch
Ballarat and Clarendon College
A good place to study with a big desk and window was a must for Sophia in her final VCE year. Sophia’s Year 12 subjects were English, Further Mathematics, Physical Education and Australian History. She also studied Legal Studies and Health and Human Development in Year 11. Now studying Arts/Law at the University of Sydney, Sophia made the move from Ballarat to Sydney to follow her passion for human rights and social justice. ‘I’d love to be a social commentator on human rights or a barrister to be able to change society – a high court judge would be my dream job,’ she says. Sophia advises current VCE students to ‘definitely choose subjects you enjoy – I can’t stress that enough’. Sophia credits her teachers and family for their outstanding support throughout Year 12. ‘My teachers were amazing and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them. My family was also a great support and very understanding of the stresses that came with it all’.
Hannah Gould
Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School
Hannah is currently studying at the University of Melbourne and is enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in both Philosophy and Linguistics. She is also undertaking a Diploma of Modern Languages in Japanese. Hannah works as an exam supervisor for VCE exams and is involved in various leadership programs and events at Melbourne University. During Year 12 she studied Japanese, English Literature, Legal Studies, Philosophy and University Japanese on top of Year 12 Psychology and English Language that she completed in Year 11. Alongside her studies, Hannah was also named the State Finalist in Victoria for both the Plain English Speaking Awards and for the Japanese Speaking Competition where she went on to compete in the National Finals. Next year, Hannah is going on exchange to the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and hopes to do a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge in England.
Billy Hatfield
Melbourne Grammar School
Billy believes socialising with friends is one of the best ways to de-stress during Year 12. ‘You’re studying five days a week so it’s nice to have some time off,’ he says. Having already completed Year 12 Mathematical Methods the previous year, Billy studied Specialist Mathematics, Latin, Chemistry, Physics and English during Year 12. Amidst his busy study schedule, he was also involved in football and skiing, as well as playing the double bass as part of the school orchestra – he definitely worked out how to maintain a balance between study and leisure. Billy stresses that you ‘need to keep an active social life, because the moment you start not going out and absorbing yourself entirely in VCE is when it all gets on top of you,’ he says. ‘That’s not to say Year 12 isn’t hard work – it just means you need to find a balance between study and fun, and prioritise accordingly,’ he says.
Stephen Hughes
Xavier College
Having just finished one semester of a Bachelor of Arts degree at Melbourne University, Stephen has been accepted to commence studies at Yale University in Connecticut. Stephen applied to study overseas. ‘I wanted to expose myself to all the world has to offer,’ he says. Stephen undertook five VCE subjects in Year 12 – English, Chemistry, Biology, Specialist Mathematics and Classical Greek, and three VCE subjects in Year 11 – Mathematical Methods CAS, Latin and Japanese. He was also involved in two orchestras and a string quartet, played table tennis, tutored refugee and migrant children, participated in debating and public speaking and was a school prefect. His tip for current Year 12 students: ‘Be sensible about what you study. You’re not always going to get the marks you want, but if you put in a reasonable workload and you feel you have had a fair shot, then you have nothing to worry about’.
Eric Leung
Caulfield Grammar School – Wheelers Hill Campus
After a long decision-making process, Eric finally decided he would be most fulfilled pursuing a career in Medicine. Now enrolled at Monash University, Eric is busy studying in a Bachelor of Medicine/Surgery. Eric’s choice of subjects in Year 12 included English, English Language, Chemistry, Physics and Specialist Mathematics. He had already completed two Year 12 subjects in previous years, including Biology in Year 11, and Mathematical Methods in Year 10. During Year 12, Eric was involved in soccer, lawn bowls, debating, community service and was a house vice captain. He also volunteered at St John’s Ambulance, Victoria and attended the National Youth Science Forum in Canberra. For current Year 12 students, Eric’s top tip is ‘make the most of opportunities that come your way and be unafraid of trying something new – ultimately you just have to enjoy it for what it is,’ he says.
Timothy Martin
Scotch College
Tim maintained a balance between study, sport, music and friends during Year 12, which he would recommend. Involved in hockey, tennis and Venturers, Tim also made time for the clarinet. ‘Every Friday night I would have Venturers and then sport on Saturday mornings. It really helped give me a period of rest,’ he says. Despite his busy schedule, Tim still managed a heavy workload of subjects, which included English, Chemistry, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics and Physics. He also completed VCE Biology in Year 11. His impressive results landed him a place at Monash University where he is currently studying Medicine. Tim encourages current Year 12 students to ask teachers as many questions as they can. ‘I was quite demanding but they were always happy to help me,’ he says. After completing his degree Tim hopes to work for the Médecins Sans Frontières, the world’s leading independent organisation for medical and humanitarian aid.
Miltiadis Paikopoulos
Xavier College
After completing work experience in Year 10 at a law firm, Miltiadis decided to pursue a career in corporate law. Upon completion of his Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne, Miltiadis will continue in a post-graduate Law degree. Miltiadis took on a heavy workload in Year 12 and says that, while it was a good year, it was also a lot of work and people need to be willing to put in the effort if they want to do well. ‘At the end of the year when the score came out, I knew no matter what I would have no regrets because I did the best I could possibly have done,’ he says. Having already completed VCE Accounting and Mathematical Methods, Miltiadis studied Specialist Mathematics, English, Latin, Ancient Greek and University Mathematics in Year 12. He credits his teachers for their support and his grandma, with whom he lived for some peace and quiet in the last three months of the year.
Natasha Robbins
Ballarat and Clarendon College
From the age of seven Natasha knew she wanted to be a lawyer, but it was her Legal Studies teacher who really steered her in the right direction. Enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts/Law at Deakin University in Waurn Ponds, Geelong, Natasha sees herself pursuing a career as a family lawyer in the future. She is also majoring in Journalism to keep her options open. Moving from her home town in Ballarat, she has easily settled into the challenge of living independently. In addition to her hectic study timetable, Natasha also works in a clothing store and at the Geelong Advertiser – a major daily newspaper. Natasha completed Year 12 Legal Studies and Further Mathematics in Year 11, and studied English, Australian History, PE and Psychology in Year 12. She was also heavily involved in extracurricular activities within her school, including netball, cross country running and debating, along with various leadership roles.
Christopher Shallue
St Kevin’s College
Combining an interesting mix of study with leisure in Year 12, Christopher is now enrolled in a Science degree at Monash University. In his degree Christopher has the freedom to pick and choose his own subjects, with the option to complete his course within two years. In 2011, he hopes to be studying at Berkeley, the University of California. Christopher played basketball six times a week and worked part time twice a week while studying five subjects during Year 12. His studies included Physics, Chemistry, English, Specialist Mathematics and University Mathematics. He also completed Year 12 Physical Education and Mathematical Methods in the previous year. He says that ‘having a life and doing the things you like doing’ during Year 12 is just as important as the study. ‘If you study and do nothing else you will get sick of it all really quickly,’ he says. Christopher hopes that his studies will help determine his career choice.
Andy Wang
Scotch College
Andy is currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne, with the aspiration to continue his studies in a post-graduate law degree, also at Melbourne University. Andy studied English, Specialist Mathematics, Accounting and Physics in Year 12, and worked hard in Year 11 with VCE studies in both Chinese and Mathematical Methods. With his Chinese heritage, Andy understands the importance of international business and the ability to communicate with Australia’s regional neighbours – this is what drove his passion to study commerce. Outside study, Andy’s hobbies ranged from football to poker to catching a movie with friends. He says that it is important to get away and give your mind a break from study. ‘Really balancing your study and extracurricular activities, as well as prioritising your workload, is probably the best advice I can give current Year 12 students,’ he says.
Michelle Yii
Presbyterian Ladies’ College
Michelle’s mother inspired her decision to study Accounting, although she always knew she would opt for a commerce-based field. Enrolled in a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne, Michelle is hoping to pursue a double major in Accounting and Finance. During Year 12 Michelle studied English, Chemistry, Accounting, Specialist Mathematics, University Accounting at the University of Melbourne and VCE Mathematical Methods during Year 11. Michelle enjoyed the fast-paced nature of university teaching. ‘It really gave me a taste of university and reaffirmed my love of Accounting,’ she says. Michelle was awarded Dux of University Enhancement Studies for Accounting. Michelle worked hard throughout the year but also set aside times where she could just go out and wind down. She says it is important to have the balance between work and play and to make sure you have a healthy mentality about what you can achieve. Michelle says that knowing there was a great future ahead really helped her get through Year 12.
Henry Bear
Centre for Adult Education
Henry was unable to attend the awards ceremony.