Academic Highlights 2020

Congratulations to the Class of 2020 Throughout this year of upheaval, Meriden girls have HSC Highlights for Meriden Students proven they are unstoppable. The release of HSC results for the Class of 2020 was a celebration of the students’ – 58% of students received an ATAR of 90 or more tenacity, hard work and optimism, which have endured – One student awarded the highest possible ATAR, 99.95 natural disasters, a pandemic, a period of remote learning – 19% of students named as All-Round Achievers and adaptations to almost every aspect of school life. – 1st in state in Biology (equal 1st), Community and Family Studies The future is bright for Meriden’s Year 12 cohort and the (equal 1st), and Spanish Beginners School community congratulates the students on their – Placings within the top 9 in the state in 7 courses exceptional achievements. We look forward to hearing – 379 Distinguished Achievements (Band 6 results) of their next steps as they make their mark on the world. – ARTEXPRESS, ENCORE, OnSTAGE and SHAPE nominations – Multiple offers received to study at top USA universities – Meriden ranked 17th in the 2020 HSC Schools Ranking*

Meriden’s HSC students celebrate their fantastic results with their teachers and Principal, * Sydney Morning Herald 18.12.2020 Dr Julie Greenhalgh Excellence abounds...

All-Round Achievers Top Achievers in a Course

All-Round Achievers are those students who have achieved POSITION IN results in the highest band possible in at least 10 units NAME COURSE THE STATE of HSC courses. Thirty Meriden students were named on the 2020 All-Round Achievers List. Olivia Arvanitis Biology Equal 1 Brydie Arkell Julie Noussair Belinda Ji Community and Family Studies Equal 1 Olivia Arvanitis Joanna Sams Christiana Stone Spanish Beginners 1 Grace Blomfield Angela Shan Grace Li Spanish Beginners 2 Amber Broadbent Niki Shao Olivia Arvanitis Science Extension 2 Julia Chung Mingxi Shen Isabella Fang Christiana Stone Yennis Li Chinese and Literature 4 Shameen Gaffoor Christine Su Julia Chung Biology 6 Teresa Ho Isabelle Tran Shameen Gaffoor Mathematics Advanced Equal 9 Belinda Ji Anthea Trang Catherine Wang Economics 9 Anna Jin Catherine Wang Joanna Kontogiorgis Grace Wang Grace Li Helen Wang Melanie Megale Lydia Xu 2020 Freja Newman Sabrina Yang Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank Natasha Nguyen Cindy Zhang ATAR % OF MERIDEN STUDENTS 99+ 16% 95+ 37% 90+ 58% 85+ 66% Median ATAR – 92.4 (state 72)

Class of 2020

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Excellence abounds…

Dr Julie Greenhalgh and Mrs Christine Kenny with 1st in Course recipients Olivia Arvanitis, Christiana Stone and Belinda Ji

Excellence in Music Ninety-two per cent of the Music Extension cohort attained a Band 6 result. Oboist, Gahyun Lee, has received offers from the Royal College of Music, London and the Royal Academy of Music (University of London) to undertake a Bachelor of Music (Oboe performance).

Ten Meriden students were nominated for inclusion in the annual ENCORE concert, a showcase of the most outstanding HSC Music performances and compositions. These musicians were nominated for their performances: Elizabeth Dawson, Isabella Fang, Mary Geng, Gahyun Lee, Claire Pak, Eunice Park, Celina Ren and Elizabeth Ring. Grace Blomfield and Eva Tarbox produced extraordinary original music and were nominated for their HSC compositions.

Dr Julie Greenhalgh with Julia Chung who attained the highest possible ATAR of 99.95

Excellence in Mathematics Shameen Gaffoor attained equal 9th place in Mathematics Advanced. This excellence was reflected in the outstanding performance of her cohort with fifty-six per cent achieving a Band 6 result compared to twenty-three per cent in the state. ENCORE nominees Mary Geng, Grace Blomfield, Gahyun Lee, Eunice Park, Meriden students excelled at the highest level of Mathematics Elizabeth Ring and Isabella Fang with Music teachers, Ms Annemaree McLeod with sixty-two per cent in the top band for Mathematics Extension 1 and Miss Bridget Hann, and Director of Music (Pre-K – 12), Ms Jodie Spooner Ryan and eighty-three per cent for Mathematics Extension 2.

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Excellence abounds…

Excellence in Drama 1 2 Brydie Arkell and Freja Newman achieved marks of 97 in Drama and Charlotte Brennan, Freja Newman, Saffron McKeown and Elizabeth Ring received nominations to perform in the HSC Drama showcase, OnSTAGE.

1 Drama teacher, Ms Sonia Byrnes, with OnSTAGE nominees Charlotte Brennan and Elizabeth Ring 2 OnSTAGE nominee Freja Newman

Excellence in Languages Excellence in academic and sporting performance Languages continue to flourish at Nioka Thomas has been invited to undertake tertiary studies and join the Meriden with Christiana Stone and champion water polo team at the University of California, Irvine, in 2021. Grace Li taking out the top two Nioka is the first female athlete from outside the USA to join the team placings in Spanish Beginners. Yennis Li and she will be training under renowned Head Coach, Dan Klatt, who, completed her studies in China in addition to being Head Coach at UCI, is also the Assistant Coach to the and achieved 4th place in Chinese US Women’s National Water Polo team which won gold at both the London and Literature. and Rio Olympics.

Excellence in History and Social Science All History Extension students attained the top band while sixty per cent of Ancient History students and forty-one per cent of Modern History students achieved a Band 6. Catherine Wang came 9th in the state in Economics leading the forty-six per cent of Economics students at Meriden who achieved a Band 6. Catherine has received offers from both Macquarie University and the University of New South Wales for Co-op Program scholarships for actuarial studies.

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1 Meriden’s Head of History, Mrs Cheryl O’Loan, with HSC History students Saskia Rees, Brydie Arkell, Joanna Kontogiorgis and Teresa Ho 2 Year 12 Coordinator, Mrs Sharna Kershaw, with Catherine Wang who placed 9th in the state in Economics

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Excellence abounds…

Excellence in Excellence in Design and Technology Engineering Eloise Bennett’s eco clothing range, which she designed Studies and produced for her HSC Design and Technology Major Annalise Tran has received Work, was nominated for Shape 2020. Eloise chose to an offer from UTS for the address her concern about climate change by creating a WiEIT Co-Op Scholarship company that produces ethically-made pyjama sets inspired for Software Engineering by the Australian landscape. as well as an offer from the University of NSW for the Alexandria Lam Women in Engineering Scholarship. Alessandra Rainer Excellence in Applied Science has been shortlisted Belinda Ji combined the training required of an elite junior for a Civil/Structural golfer with excellent academic results. Belinda achieved Engineering Scholarship equal first place in Community and Family Studies (CAFS). at UTS. Her peers also excelled with thirty-six per cent of the CAFS cohort achieving a Band 6 result compared to five per cent Annalise Tran has received in the state. scholarship offers from UTS and University of New South Wales

Excellence in Science Meriden students excelled in Biology with Olivia Arvanitis achieving equal first place and Julia Chung 6th place. Olivia Arvanitis added to her success with a 2nd place in Science Extension.

Belinda Ji who placed 1st in the state in Community and Family Studies, with Applied Science teacher, Mrs Rikki McMillan

Excellence Excellence in in English Visual Arts In English, seventy-eight Anthea Trang’s per cent of students Visual Arts Major Work attempted the more was nominated for challenging English ARTEXPRESS. Anthea’s Advanced course and paintings explore the forty-four per cent volatility of ambition of these students and how it can drive achieved the top band. individuals to success All students in English and contentment or Extension 1 and 2 recklessness and disaster. attained results in the top Science teachers, Mrs Esther Seo-Hung (left) and Dr Jocelyn Laurence (right), with two bands. Mrs Tara Richards, Head of Science, and Olivia Arvanitis who placed equal 1st in the state in Biology and second in the state in Science Extension

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Some of Meriden’s high flyers…

Julia Chung Olivia Arvanitis

ATAR 99.95 SUBJECTS STUDIED ATAR 99.9 SUBJECTS STUDIED HSC All-Round Achiever Biology HSC All-Round Achiever Biology 6th in state in Biology Chemistry Equal 1st in state in Chemistry Dux of the School English Advanced Biology Economics Prefect 2020 Latin Continuers 2nd in state in Science English Advanced Extension At Meriden since Year 7 Latin Extension English Extension 1 Prefect 2020 Mathematics Advanced Mathematics Advanced At Meriden since Year 7 Mathematics Extension 1 Mathematics Extension 1 Science Extension

Grace Li Niki Shao

ATAR 99.9 SUBJECTS STUDIED ATAR 99.85 SUBJECTS STUDIED HSC All-Round Achiever English EAL/D HSC All-Round Achiever Community and 2nd in state in Mathematics Extension 1 At Meriden since Year 7 Family Studies Spanish Beginners Mathematics Extension 2 Economics At Meriden since Year 8 Physics English Advanced Spanish Beginners English Extension 1 English Extension 2 Mathematics Extension 1 Mathematics Extension 2

Catherine Wang Sabrina Yang

ATAR 99.8 SUBJECTS STUDIED ATAR 99.75 SUBJECTS STUDIED HSC All-Round Achiever Business Studies HSC All-Round Achiever Chemistry 9th in state in Economics Chemistry At Meriden since Year 9 Chinese and Literature At Meriden since Year 7 Economics English Advanced English Advanced Mathematics Extension 1 Mathematics Advanced Mathematics Extension 2 Mathematics Extension 1 Physics Mathematics Extension 2

Teresa Ho Anna Jin

ATAR 99.6 SUBJECTS STUDIED ATAR 99.5 SUBJECTS STUDIED HSC All-Round Achiever Chemistry HSC All-Round Achiever Chemistry At Meriden since Year 7 English Advanced 11th in state in Chinese in Context English Extension 1 Mathematics Advanced English Advanced (2019) English Extension 2 Mathematics Advanced Prefect 2020 History Extension Mathematics Extension 1 At Meriden since Year 7 Mathematics Advanced Physics Mathematics Extension 1 Science Extension Modern History

Cindy Zhang Freja Newman

ATAR 99.5 SUBJECTS STUDIED ATAR 99.45 SUBJECTS STUDIED HSC All-Round Achiever Biology HSC All-Round Achiever Chemistry At Meriden since Year 7 Chemistry OnSTAGE nomination Drama Economics Deputy Head English Advanced English Advanced Prefect 2020 English Extension 1 Mathematics Advanced At Meriden since Year 7 French Continuers Mathematics Extension 1 Mathematics Advanced Mathematics Extension 1

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Some of Meriden’s high flyers…

Christiana Stone Angela Shan

ATAR 99.4 SUBJECTS STUDIED ATAR 99.3 SUBJECTS STUDIED HSC All-Round Achiever English Advanced HSC All-Round Achiever Chemistry 1st in state in Latin Continuers At Meriden since Year 7 English Advanced Spanish Beginners Mathematics Advanced Latin Continuers Prefect 2020 Mathematics Extension 1 Mathematics Advanced At Meriden since Physics Mathematics Extension 1 Pre-Kindergarten Spanish Beginners Mathematics Extension 2 Physics

Mingxi Shen Christine Su

ATAR 99.3 SUBJECTS STUDIED ATAR 99.3 SUBJECTS STUDIED HSC All-Round Achiever Biology HSC All-Round Achiever Biology At Meriden since Year 5 Chinese in Context At Meriden since Year 3 Chemistry English Advanced English Advanced Mathematics Advanced English Extension 1 Mathematics Extension 1 English Extension 2 Music 2 Mathematics Advanced Music Extension Mathematics Extension 1

Shameen Gaffoor Natasha Nguyen

ATAR 99.25 SUBJECTS STUDIED ATAR 99.25 SUBJECTS STUDIED HSC All-Round Achiever Biology HSC All-Round Achiever Biology Equal 9th in state in Business Studies Special Events English Advanced Mathematics Advanced Economics Prefect 2020 Mathematics Advanced At Meriden since Year 9 English Advanced At Meriden since Year 3 Mathematics Extension 1 Mathematics Advanced Personal Development, Mathematics Extension 1 Health and Physical Education Spanish Beginners Studies of Religion I

Wanning Cai Michelle Chen

ATAR 99.2 SUBJECTS STUDIED ATAR 99.2 SUBJECTS STUDIED At Meriden since Year 7 English Advanced At Meriden since Chemistry Latin Continuers Kindergarten English Advanced Latin Extension Mathematics Advanced Mathematics Advanced Mathematics Extension 1 Mathematics Extension 1 Mathematics Extension 2 Physics Physics

Jenny Lin Anthea Trang

ATAR 99.2 SUBJECTS STUDIED ATAR 99.15 SUBJECTS STUDIED At Meriden since Year 10 Chemistry HSC All-Round Achiever Business Studies Chinese and Literature ARTEXPRESS nomination Economics English EAL/D Prefect 2020 English Advanced Mathematics Advanced At Meriden since Year 7 Mathematics Advanced Mathematics Extension 1 Mathematics Extension 1 Mathematics Extension 2 Visual Arts Visual Arts

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Some of Meriden’s high flyers…

Grace Blomfield Joanna Kontogiorgis

ATAR 99.1 SUBJECTS STUDIED ATAR 99.1 SUBJECTS STUDIED HSC All-Round Achiever Chinese Continuers HSC All-Round Achiever English Advanced ENCORE nomination English Advanced At Meriden since Year 7 Geography At Meriden since Year 8 Mathematics Advanced History Extension Mathematics Extension 1 Mathematics Advanced Music 1 Mathematics Extension 1 Physics Modern History Physics

Julie Noussair Helen Wang

ATAR 99.1 SUBJECTS STUDIED ATAR 99 SUBJECTS STUDIED HSC All-Round Achiever Biology HSC All-Round Achiever English Advanced At Meriden since Year 1 Chemistry At Meriden since Year 10 Japanese Beginners English Advanced Mathematics Advanced English Extension 1 Mathematics Extension 1 Mathematics Advanced Mathematics Extension 2 Mathematics Extension 1 Physics Visual Arts

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Performance in HSC subjects

The performance of each girl in each of her HSC subjects is indicated in levels, called Bands, from 1 to 6. Bands 5 and 6 are the highest levels. The table below shows the HSC subjects studied at Meriden in 2020, and achievement levels of the girls in these subjects.

% IN BANDS % IN BANDS MERIDEN’S % IN BANDS % IN BANDS MERIDEN’S 5 & 6 5 & 6 TOP MARKS IN 5 & 6 5 & 6 TOP MARKS IN COURSE AT MERIDEN IN STATE EACH COURSE COURSE AT MERIDEN IN STATE EACH COURSE

Ancient History 73.33 33.06 96 Japanese Beginners 92.3 35.16 93

Biology 66.66 30.54 97 Latin Continuers 100 88.73 92

Business Studies 69.69 34.91 95 Latin Extension 50 86.53 49*

Chemistry 85.09 42.86 95 Legal Studies 83.33 39.4 96

Chinese and Mathematics 100 68.39 95 85.29 52.46 99 Literature Advanced

Chinese Continuers 100 75.93 96 Mathematics 95.55 74.25 50* and 99 Extension 1 Chinese in Context 100 89.04 96 Mathematics Community and 94.44 83.86 98 81.81 33.53 98 Extension 2 Family Studies Mathematics Design and 68.08 24.5 95 100 47.19 94 Standard 2 Technology Modern History 95.44 37.13 95 Drama 92.85 47.16 97 Music 1 100 64.06 97 Economics 73.07 51.3 97 Music 2 100 87.78 97 Engineering Studies 80 33.5 94 Music Extension 92.3 68.5 50* English Advanced 86.5 63.31 97 Personal Development, English EAL/D 75 25.89 95 Health and Physical 68.41 34.19 93 English Extension 1 100 92.54 48* Education

English Extension 2 100 82.4 48* Physics 72.72 40.36 94

English Standard 6.66 11.49 86 Science Extension 75 6.89 48*

Food Technology 77.77 29.48 96 Spanish Beginners 100 40.77 99

French Continuers 100 63.57 93 Studies of Religion 1U 50 7.7 46*

Geography 72.72 41.5 93 Studies of Religion 2U 33.33 43.64 89

History Extension 100 20.54 47 Visual Arts 89.47 64.73 95

* MARK OUT OF 50 Hospitality Examination 68.75 31.54 91 (Kitchen Operations)

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 HSC highlights from previous years

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 % OF MERIDEN % OF MERIDEN % OF MERIDEN % OF MERIDEN % OF MERIDEN ATAR STUDENTS STUDENTS STUDENTS STUDENTS STUDENTS 95+ 35% 31% 24% 30% 40% 90+ 53% 51% 51% 57% 57%

Over the past decade, Meriden students have received top placings in the state in the following subjects: 1st Place 3rd Place – Business Studies 7th Place – Biology – Biology – Community – Drama – English EAL/D – Chemistry and Family Studies – History Extension – History Extension – Community and 5th Place – Design and Technology – Spanish Beginners Family Studies – Physics – Geography – Community and – English Extension 1 – Modern History – Visual Arts Family Studies – History Extension – Community 8th Place – Heritage Chinese – Japanese Beginners and Family Studies – Mathematics Extension 1 – Chinese in Context – Mathematics – Music 2 – PD/Health/PE – Senior Science – Modern History – Japanese Beginners – Legal Studies 2nd Place 4th Place 6th Place – History Extension – English Extension 1 – English EAL/D – Biology 9th Place – Mathematics – Chinese Continuers – English as a – Biology – Latin Continuers – Chinese and Literature Second Language – Economics – Latin Extension – History Extension – Senior Science – Mathematics Advanced – Chinese Context – Latin Extension – Ancient History – 2 Unit Mathematics – Community – Mathematics Extension 2 – Community – Engineering Studies and Family Studies and the top female student and Family Studies – Music Extension in this subject 10th Place – Science Extension – Modern History – Geography – Spanish Beginners – Music Extension – Modern History

Tertiary study Tertiary Courses University Offers The most popular tertiary courses chosen Preferred university destinations for Meriden’s by Meriden students over recent years HSC students over recent years OTHER – Arts, Communications, Marketing UNIVERSITIES* – Commerce, Business, Finance

– Design, Architecture MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY – Economics, Accounting

– Education, Social Work UNIVERSITY – Engineering, Biomedical Design OF SYDNEY – Human Movement, Exercise Science – Information Technology, Website Design UNIVERSITY – Law, International Studies OF NEW SOUTH WALES – Liberal Studies, Political Science – Medicine UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY – Music, Performing Arts SYDNEY – Science, Psychology – Visual Arts

* Includes local, interstate and international universities 10

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Academic highlights across the school

Commerce Six Year 10 Commerce students were awarded for their commercial acumen at the Blueprint Business Pitch Competition run by Western Sydney University’s School of Business. The competition challenges students to present a business idea that resolves a consumer need.

Third place in the competition was awarded to the Meriden team of Tasnia Awal, Vidiya Balacumar, Saaini Balakrishnan, Sandra He and Shirley Wang. Meriden’s second team, Emily Chong, Stephanie Cui, Prabhsharan Jabbal and Yi Sha She, came away with a prize from the Chancellor of the University.

Back Row: Tasnia Awal, Sandra He, Shirley Wang and Saaini Balakrishnan. Front row: Yi Sha She, Prabhsharan Jabbal, Emily Chong and Stephanie Cui

Design and Technology 1 2 Digital Technologies Isabella Morkos, Year 7, and Andrea Cheng, Year 8, received High Distinctions in the ICAS Digital Technologies examination, placing them in the top one per cent of students their age who participated. This challenging exam is sat by students in over twenty countries and assesses skills and knowledge in the areas of databases; graphics and multimedia; internet use and email programs; networks; operating systems and computer hardware; programming and scripting; spreadsheets and word processing.

Twenty Meriden students were awarded Distinctions 3 in the examination, placing them in the top ten per cent of participants.

Public Space Ideas Competition Molly Flanagan and Bianca Hales, Year 10, were recognised by planning-industry experts for the quality of the outdoor space they submitted to the Public Space Ideas Competition. The girls won first place in the Children and Young People Awards section for “A Bushland Space”, parkland they envisioned would provide equitable access to all community members and opportunities for intentional connections with nature. The competition invited people to submit ambitious designs that reimagined public spaces across greater Sydney.

Young Designer Award Isabel Wang, Year 10, received an Outstanding Young Designer award from the Whitehouse Institute of Design. Isabel won selection to participate in a Fashion Drawing workshop at the Institute. Fellow Design and Technology students, Lillian Havansky and Cheng Cheng, were named runners-up. 1 Isabella Morkos 2 Isabel Wang 3 Molly Flanagan and Bianca Hales

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Academic highlights across the school

English 1 2 3 4 ICAS English Awards Leah Har and Emma Xu, Year 7, along with Eunice Thi, Year 10, were presented with University of NSW Medals for their achievements in the ICAS English examinations. These prestigious Medals are awarded to students who receive the top score 5 in their age group globally.

Twelve Meriden students received High Distinctions in ICAS English: Jenna Aylett, Jeannette Chen, Leah Har, Selina Wang, Youya Wei, Ai-Yang Wu, Emma Xu and Meredith Xu in Year 7; Eleanor Kenyon and Cassandra Seeto in Year 8; Jemima Loane in Year 9; and Eunice Thi in Year 10.

ICAS English is conducted in over twenty countries around the world and tests students’ reading and language skills in a range of contexts. 1 Leah Har 2 Cassandra Seeto 3 Selina Wang 4 Ai-Yang Wu 5 Jeannette Chen, Youya Wei and Emma Xu

1 Gifted and Talented Tournament of Minds (TOM) offers teams of students the opportunity to solve authentic open-ended challenges that foster creative, divergent thinking whilst developing collaborative enterprise, excellence and teamwork. A Meriden team achieved the highest award attainable in this year’s TOM. The Merit award was presented to team members Vanessa Wu, Nikki Yi, Kitty Jiang and Audrey Zou in Year 9, Grace Shen and Teresa Yang in Year 8, and Ellie Dong in Year 7. Two other Meriden teams were awarded Tournament Honours. The members of these two teams were Paris Chia, Rebecca Starling, Bianca 2 3 4 5 Hales and Holly Webb in Year 10; Helen Liu, Sophia Yang, Sienna Kim and Edie Arkell in Year 9; Seeya Naik Panvelkar and Zara Chan in Year 8; Maddy Wood, Arshia Nanda, Sophie Yi and Olivia Lee in Year 7.

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1 Nikki Yi, Kitty Jiang, Teresa Yang, Vanessa Wu, Audrey Zou, Ellie Dong and Grace Shen 2 Edie Arkell 3 Sienna Kim 4 Arshia Nanda 5 Rebecca Starling 6 Holly Webb 7 Maddy Wood 8 Sophia Yang 9 Sophie Yi

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Academic highlights across the school

1 History Historical Fiction Award Three Meriden students were awarded prizes for their entries in the Historical Fiction Writing Competition run by Sydney Living Museums. The grand prize went to Eunice Thi, Year 10, for her thriller that focused on the New Guard, an extremist monarchist group operating in Australia during the Great Depression. Esther Michail, Year 10, and Alicia Wang, Year 8, received Highly Commended awards. The submission by Anjali Kailasanathan, Year 8, was shortlisted.

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1 Rita Yeung, Sydney Tjonadi, Jessica Tan, Reiaura Ling, Chiara Freeman and Chanel Nammour 2 Jessie Lin 3 Jasmine Luo 2 3 Languages The ACER Assessment of Language Competence test draws on students’ sociocultural knowledge, cognitive skills and their knowledge of the structure and purpose of language. To achieve a High Distinction in both the reading and listening sections of the test is the hallmark of an outstanding student. The following students achieved this honour in 2020: Skye Blair for French Certificate 3; Chanel Nammour for Chinese Certificate 3; Chiara Freeman for French Certificate 2; Jessica Tan for Chinese Certificate 2; Andrea Cheng, Abisha Thevarajah and Rita Yeung 1 Eunice Thi 2 Esther Michail 3 Alicia Wang for French Certificate 1; Jessie Lin, Reiaura Ling, Jasmine Luo and Sydney Tjonadi for Chinese Certificate 1.

Literary Engagement Isabel Ye, Year 12, was recognised by the Australian literary journal, Kill Your Darlings (KYD), as a promising young writer. Isabel was awarded second place in their prestigious School Writing Prize. KYD is an esteemed literary journal that has been a launching pad for the careers of many young writers.

Isabel Ye

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Academic highlights across the school

Mathematics Sabrina Cao, Year 7, was awarded a prize in the Australian Mathematics Competition. Sabrina achieved in the top 0.3 per cent of students in her age group who sat the competition. The competition is run by the Australian Maths Trust and is the leading mathematics competition in the country.

Sabrina Cao

Ellie Dong, Stella Hong, Erin Du and Alison Chang

1 Music Australian Music Board Examinations Teresa Yang, Year 8, was one of three The Australian Music Examinations Board’s finalists at the Kendall National Violin qualifications are recognised as a national Competition. This competition is one benchmark in musical education across of Australia’s foremost performance Australia. Teresa Yang, Year 8 – violin, opportunities for young violinists. and Chaewon Park, Year 10 – cello, Amy Lee, Year 9, received the Platinum achieved their AMEB Licentiate Diploma Award in the 15 Years and Over in Performance (LMusA). This Diploma is Instrumental section of the online Bathurst awarded to just ten per cent of candidates Eisteddfod. Amy also placed second in 2 who attempt the qualification. the Great Composers Competition, Rising Four students earned their Associate Talents of Oceania & Asia, performing in Music, Australia (AMusA) diploma: Samuel Barber’s “Violin Concerto”. Alison Chang, Year 11 – flute; Ellie Dong, Mary Geng, Year 12, earned a Silver Award Year 7 – piano; Erin Du, Year 8 – cello; at the 9th Macau Piano Competition 2020. and Stella Hong, Year 9 – piano. The competition, which welcomes entrants Competitions and Programs from all around the world, is run by the Macau China Nation Cultural Innovation Heather Kim, Year 10, won first prize at the Association and the International 3 Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Music Educator Association. Competition in Bonn, Germany. Heather was also accepted into the State Intensive Year 12 students, Gahyun Lee and Isabella Program 2021 of Young Mannheim Fang, won grand prizes at the State Symphonists run by the Australian Solo Championships run by the Band Romantic and Classical Orchestra (ARCO). Association of NSW. Gahyun won the U/19 Double Reed section while Isabella won both the U/19 Mallet Keyboard and the Open Mallet Keyboard sections.

1 Heather Kim 2 Amy Lee 3 Chaewon Park

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Academic highlights across the school

Research and Critical Thinking Junior Ethics Olympiad Philosothon The NSW Junior Ethics Olympiad engages participants in The NSW Philosothon involves four students who compete as interesting ethical cases where they must consider a variety a school team but also as individuals in various age groupings. of perspectives and use ethical frameworks to arrive at a Students are presented with stimulus material from which they well-considered conclusion. The bronze medal in this year’s must propose a philosophical question and then discuss with Olympiad was awarded to Meriden’s Year 9 team of Apphia Jin, their peers in Community-of-Inquiry discussions. Jemima Loane, Helen Liu, Sneha Shygale and Jasmine Ye. The Meriden team of Vernica Mehta, Year 11, Sophie Massey, An honourable mention from the judges was awarded to Year 10, Jacinta Rees, Year 9, and Jenna Aylett, Year 7, placed third Meriden’s mixed team of Olivia Lee, Phoebe van Niekerk, overall in the competition. In their individual sections, Jenna placed Nynia Nguyen, Meredith Xu and Sophie Yi. first, Vernica placed second and Sophie placed third.

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1 Nynia Nguyen 2 Phoebe van Niekerk 3 Jenna Aylett 4 Sophie Massey 5 Helen Liu, Jasmine Ye, Apphia Jin, Sneha Shygale and Jemima Loane

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Academic highlights across the school

Parnassus Awards 1 2 3 4 Meriden students who have demonstrated deep learning through an original and evaluative critical analysis, report, creative work or invention that is based on extensive research are eligible for a Parnassus Award.

A Gold Parnassus Award is given to a student whose work displays outstanding rigour and merit, in both the finished 5 product and the research process behind it. The quality of the work exceeds normal expectations for outstanding work at the student’s present level of enrolment. The recipients of Gold Parnassus Awards in 2020 were Coco Chung for Business Studies; Clare Spicer for Ancient History; Rebecca Starling for her Independent Research Project in English; Helena Stefani for Design and Technology; Annabelle Strachan for Science; Liyang Yu for Modern History; and Shirley Wang for Commerce and English.

Philosophy Essay Competition Sarah Kostoglou, Year 12, and Dunja Dudic, Year 11, were awarded second and third places respectively in the Philosophy in Schools NSW Essay Competition. 1 Coco Chung 2 Clare Spicer 3 Helena Stefani 4 Liyang Yu 5 Dunja Dudic and Sarah Kostoglou

STEM Computational Thinking Young Entrepreneurs Abisha Thevarajah and Teresa Yang, Year 8, received Yvonne Lin and Shirley Wang won selection to participate perfect scores in the Bebras Australia Computational in the Young Entrepreneurs Program. Both students were Thinking Challenge. The girls were two of just twenty assigned to separate teams to work with students from other Years 7 and 8 students from across Australia to achieve schools. Yvonne’s team went on to win the grand prize in one hundred per cent and make the Bebras Australia 2020 the Young Entrepreneurs Program Sydney for their business Honour Roll. concept and plan. Yvonne then competed with her team in the Young Entrepreneurs Global Competition against budding The challenge is an interactive way to assess students’ critical, entrepreneurs from around the world. The team won the prize creative and computational thinking skills. for teamwork which was one of only six awards given.

Abisha Thevarajah Yvonne Lin

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Academic highlights across the school

1 Science ICAS Science Awards The ICAS Science competition tests students’ scientific skills where they are required to identify patterns and relationships in data, interpret and draw from a range of data and analyse and evaluate data from secondary sources. The achievement of High Distinction in this competition places the student in the top one per cent of the state. High Distinctions were achieved by Skye Blair and Paris Chia in Year 10, Eleanor Kenyon in Year 8, Jacinta Rees in Year 9, Emily Chen and Elena Whitfield in Year 7.

Science Olympiads The Australian Science Olympiads national program is for top performing Science students and culminates in the International Science Olympiads.

Meriden girls demonstrated that they are highly engaged in a range of scientific disciplines, with a large number of girls performing exceptionally in the first round of school-based examinations.

High Distinctions in Physics were awarded to Trisha Chari in Year 10 and Anna Zhou in Year 11. Michelle Oh in Year 11 gained a High Distinction in Chemistry. High Distinctions in Earth and Environmental Science were awarded to Paris Chia and Shirley Wang in Year 10, and Claire McKenzie in Year 11.

High Distinctions in the Junior Science Olympiads were awarded to Rita Yeung in Year 8, Jacinta Rees in Year 9, Skye Blair, Trisha Chari, Eunice Thi, Shirley Wang and Syfe Zhong in Year 10.

Science Olympiads Summer School Shirley Wang, Year 10, and Anna Zhou, Year 11, have been recognised as two of the country’s top performing Science students with invitations to the Australian Science Olympiads Summer School. The event is an enrichment program for secondary school students who perform at the top of their national cohorts in the Australian Science Olympiad examinations.

Shirley has been invited to attend the Earth and Environmental Sciences Olympiad Summer School and Anna has been invited to the Physics Olympiad Summer School. The work schedule is intense and covers the equivalent of first-year university studies.

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1 Clockwise from top left: Skye Blair, Eleanor Kenyon, Jacinta Rees, Emily Chen, Paris Chia and Elena Whitfield 2 Claire McKenzie 3 Michelle Oh 4 Syfe Zhong 5 Anna Zhou

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Academic highlights across the school

Young Scientist Awards CREST Awards Five Meriden students were awarded prizes at the much- The CSIRO’s Creativity in Science and Technology (CREST) anticipated 2020 Young Scientist Awards ceremony organised Awards are a nationally-accredited awards program which aims by the Science Teachers’ Association of NSW. to support students to extend their skills in scientific inquiry through the development of individual projects. Year 10 students took out three awards: Shirley Wang won the Secondary AARNet Technology Award, Trisha Chari earned Year 10 students Annabelle Strachan and Adele Dang were Highly Commended in the Most Promising Award category, awarded Gold CREST Awards for 2020. This is a significant and Annabelle Strachan was awarded third place in the achievement involving over one hundred hours’ work, Investigation – Chemistry Years 9 to 10 category. substantial background research and creativity in both design of an experiment and in its real-world application. Year 8 student, Jacinda Tjiantoro, was awarded third place in the Investigations – Chemistry Years 7 to 8 category, Silver CREST Awards were presented to Brianne Tam and and Anna Zhou, Year 11, earned a Bronze Award in the Mahek Jain in Year 9, and Eduarda Da Costa, Trisha Chari Rowe Scientific Depth Study Award category. and Shirley Wang in Year 10.

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1 Jacinda Tjiantoro 2 Annabelle Strachan 1 Brianne Tam and Mahek Jain 2 Eduarda Da Costa

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Academic highlights across the school

Big Science Competition 1 The Big Science competition assesses students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Meriden students again achieved outstanding results in the competition including thirty-five Distinctions, which places the girls in the top fifteen per cent of students nationwide, and twenty-five High Distinctions, which places them in the top five per cent of students nationwide. High Distinctions were attained by Emily Chen, Olivia Choi, Annabelle Desmond, Olivia Lee, Keira Nguyen, Victoria Wu, Cordelia Xie, Meredith Xu and Sophie Yi in Year 7; Zara Chan, Andrea Cheng, Elaine Huang, Eleanor Kenyon, Seeya Naik Panvelkar, Alicia Wang 2 and Rita Yeung in Year 8; Jacinta Rees in Year 9; Skye Blair, Adele Dang, Rebecca Starling, Shirley Wang, Alice Yu, Elaine Zhang and Syfe Zhong in Year 10.

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1 Cordelia Xie, Olivia Lee, Meredith Xu, Seeya Naik Panvelkar and Sophie Yi 2 Olivia Choi, Andrea Cheng, Elaine Huang and Zara Chan 3 Annabelle Desmond 4 Keira Nguyen 5 Victoria Wu 6 Alice Yu

Meriden Academic Highlights 2020 Academic highlights across the school

Speech 1 Debating Meriden’s Year 10 Debating team was named Archdale Debating Champion for 2020. This competition is rigorous and challenging and team members Trisha Chari, Adele Dang, Sandra He, Joanna Li, Jennifer Pilarinos and Elaine Zhang proved themselves to be skilled and informed on a diverse range of topical issues. The team was undefeated throughout the tournament.

Festival of Speech The annual Festival of Speech requires participants to perform at an elite level in diction, tone, original ideas and engagement. Meriden girls excelled once again at this year’s Festival, progressing to the second round in every one of the five categories. In their final rounds, Liliane Spratt, Year 11, placed first in Senior Readings, Vernica Mehta, Year 11, placed third in Senior Public Speaking and Lael Sakalauskas, Year 9, placed fourth in Junior Poetry.

United Nations Voice of Youth Year 9 student, Jasmine Ye, won selection for the state semi-final of the United Nations Voice of Youth Competition. 2 3 4 Jasmine was required to outline a solution to a world issue in this highly competitive event. Jasmine spoke in an eloquent and informed manner about sustainability and the judges complimented her on her presentation.

1 Adele Dang, Sandra He, Joanna Li, Jennifer Pilarinos, Elaine Zhang and Trisha Chari 2 Liliane Spratt 3 Vernica Mehta 4 Lael Sakalauskas

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