2016 Valete Top Achievers
2016 Dux and Proxime offer sage advice to current senior students.
Class of 2016 Dux, Mark Rothery
When I was in Year 7, I listened to the Dux ' s speech and was motivated to be like him. I wanted that to be me, but my results didn’ t reflect that until Year 11, when I finally got motivated to put in the extra hours to achieve that result. I made a conscious decision to achieve my best.
In terms of subject choice, always choose passion. If you don’ t choose subjects you enjoy, you won’ t be willing to put the hours of study in. Choose something you are interested in and you will find yourself reading the topic for pleasure. While studying, I also participated in debating, which helped me use my brain in different ways and helped my essay writing skills. I did theatre sports as I like the improvisation and recovery of disasters on stage, and I also like to compete in online chess tournaments.
After year 12, I’ m heading to the USA with my family for a while, then I’ ll be starting at Sydney University studying a Bachelor of Arts, Advanced Science. Ideally, I would like a career in Maths – potentially software development.
I also plan to continue serving. There is a parish in North Sydney that opens their gates to the homeless on Tuesdays, and I remember one night, a homeless man came with his chess board and challenged me – and he won! I’ d like to spend time with him, and maybe I will beat him at chess one day.
Try your best, be happy with your result and embrace the journey. Don’ t do the HSC to get an ATAR, do the HSC to learn and have knowledge that will help you achieve throughout your life.
Class of 2016 Proxime Accessit, Max Mills
I began boarding at Riverview in Year 11 and this proved to be a turning point for me academically. Through the set study times, I found my results starting to improve, especially in the subjects I elected to study. I didn’ t bother playing the scaling game, I just chose subjects I wanted to learn about. If you can see yourself coming home to do a few hours of study for that subject, you’ ve made the right choice.
While studying, I still participated in cross country / athletics and orchestra. It was good to have commitments other than the HSC. I also loved to get out with the other boarders for a social game of touch footy or cricket, and the ultimate frizbee craze was a highlight for my year.
I’ m heading to Thailand next, volunteering for a year with the Cardoner Project to teach English to teenagers just outside of Chiang Mai, which is a great way of giving back. When I return, I plan to go to Melbourne for University and undertake a Science degree, but to be honest, I haven’ t even thought about what I want to do career wise. I’ ll continue helping out at the Two Wolves and doing night shifts for Theresa House with my dad.
People always say how much they enjoyed school in hindsight, so take that on board. Keep everything in perspective and make sure you enjoy the moments along the way.
18 | IGNATIAN | JULY 2017