January 2019 Exceptional Schooling
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9 1 0 2 NEWS JAN Top of the table: Nicholas Doan, Kartikeya Bisht, Kimberley Tay, Robbie Glyde, Evgenija Blazeska, Justin Liew, Principal Lois Joll, Ruo Yan Lee, Class of 2018 Georgia Henderson, Franklin Lou, Pooja Ramesh and Emily Tang. breaks ATAR State Record PHOTO COURTESY THE WEST AUSTRALIAN. Perth Modern School is once again the top ranked academic school in WA, achieving a record median Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of 97. This is an increase from the past two years of 95.55 (2016) and 95.9 (2017). The school in second place on the league achieved a median ATAR of 92.6—a signifi cant gap between fi rst and second place. Pooja Ramesh was awarded the Beazley Beazley Medal winner Pooja Ramesh said Medal: WACE and 55 students attained she was proud that she made the most of an ATAR of 99 or above. Pooja is the fi fth Year 12, had really enjoyed her subjects and student from Perth Modern School to win had done them justice. the top academic prize in the past eight ‘In the future I can see myself being a years. Kai Chen, Nicholas Doan, Sunny Lu, paediatrician and going overseas travelling Pooja Ramesh and Phil Yang achieved a and being part of Doctors without Borders perfect ATAR score of 99.95. and contributing as much as I can to Students from the Class of 2018 also research and medicine and being the best achieved 17 General Exhibitions, another citizen I can be.’ Pooja Ramesh is the fi fth student from Perth Modern to win the Beazley Medal in the past eight years. State record, and nine Subject Exhibitions. Outside of study, Pooja enjoyed dance, yoga These extraordinary achievements are the and Indian classical music which she is keen Throughout the year, Phil relaxed by playing result of our gifted and dedicated students to continue during university. badminton which he said was important working together with our committed, Phil Yang, who achieved a 99.95 ATAR, said for helping fi nd balance with his study enthusiastic and talented educators. This he felt very motivated throughout the workload. outcome did not just happen in Year 12, year, made sure had a plan and didn’t leave ‘I found the best thing about being at Perth it has been a process of many years in the assignments and studying until last minute. Modern is being with other like-minded making. From imbuing a love of learning in ‘I knew I needed to do the best I could to students who encourage each other to do the Middle Years to guiding and supporting reach my goal of a Melbourne Chancellor’s well and succeed.’ students in the challenging and fast-paced Scholarship as I want to study Computer environment of the Senior School, our Science at Melbourne University and I knew teaching and support staff have shown a the benefi ts of the scholarship would really Best in the West: WACE results high level of expertise and professionalism help me a lot,’ he said. in managing teaching and learning continued on pages 4 to 6. programs that inspire excellence. Page 15 Page 17 Page 35 in this issue Tour to Japan Connor off to Years 7 and 8 Cambridge River Cruise From the Principal Enriched curriculum supports students to be their best The enriched curriculum established for many years at Perth Modern includes a variety of innovations designed to inspire the minds of our students. At Mod, we realise the importance in creating a rich, diverse learning environment where students have the opportunity to explore a broad range of interests. Students are encouraged to develop thinking and entrepreneurship through 21st Century skills which includes collaboration, knowledge construction, self-regulation, real-world innovation and problem-solving and skilful communication which are embedded within the classrooms. Students are extended beyond traditional subjects to work on real-life projects and learn vital skills such as coding and problem solving. In Senior School, students are encouraged to undertake an Independent Research Project. This project is designed to support students’ transition to university as well as allowing them to explore, in depth, a topic they are passionate about. In addition, students are invited to participate in many activities inside and outside of school including a variety of clubs, interstate and international tours, sporting teams, The Class of 2018 have proved House activities, competitions, special programs such as debating, excursions, themselves to be a class above in incursions and day trips. Special guest presenters are regularly invited to the achieving the number one school ranking for the State, breaking the school to impart their special skills and knowledge in a chosen area. During record for median ATAR and winning their time at Mod, students focus on their personal best and are encouraged the highest number of School to be involved in all that the school has to off er. Curriculum and Standards Authority awards. I believe it is this value adding to a traditional secondary education, as well Pooja Ramesh is to be congratulated as the enormously talented students and teachers, that is producing the on achieving the Beazley Medal: WACE, outstanding WACE results being achieved by our students. As I said in an the fi fth time in eight years one of our interview with The West Australian— ‘We believe if we look after the kids, the students has taken home this medal. ATAR will look after itself.’ Well done also to the students who achieved the highest ATAR possible of 99.95—Phil Yang, Kai Chen, Nicholas Also held on 17 November, the Pin Ceremony for incoming Years 7, 9, 10 and 11 students Doan, Sunny Lu and Pooja Ramesh. was a delightful occasion to welcome our new students for 2019 and present them with their Sphinx badges in front of their families. The school orchestra performed magnifi cently and In addition, 17 students were awarded Year 7 Student Councillors Emanuel Foundas and Rishita Sarkhar spoke beautifully. a General Exhibition, proving the breadth and depth of our students’ The P&C held a fabulous Christmas Concert and Art@Mod Extravaganza for the school ability across a range of subjects. On community on Friday, 30 November. On top of a concert with Christmas carols to sing top of all that, eight students won along to, lots of fun activities were run including dance and music concerts, a community nine Subject Exhibitions, including and student art exhibition, raffl e and auction, games, face painting, hair braiding and a tree Roisin Callery who was the top of the decorating activity. Delicious food vans on site were also very popular. The various activities State in Ancient History and Biology. raised money for the Raise the Roof campaign, Friends of Music, Sustainability and the I also acknowledge and congratulate Cambodia Tour. Claudia Walton-McDermott for Prior to the P&C Extravaganza, a Charity Day and Variety Concert was a fabulous way for winning the Rob Riley memorial students to enjoy some time for wellness and to relax and have fun. More than $5000 was award as the top indigenous student raised to benefi t the charity,Ronald McDonald House. in WA. A lovely Remembrance Day ceremony was held near the War Memorial on the school The 2018 Year 12 Presentation grounds to honour and remember those who had given their lives on the battlefi elds in our Ceremony was held in the Tyler name. It was a fi tting and moving service that clearly impacted on those present. McCusker Sports Centre on Saturday, Students in Years 10 and 11 were invited to attend a presentation by former WA Chief Scientist 17 November. This very special event Lynn Beazley, who discussed her career trajectory and research background as well as her was a wonderful occasion for Year 12 current research and what science discoveries are being worked on in WA. students to have their hard work and Congratulations to Italian teacher Francesca Candaten who was a fi nalist in the WAATI many achievements acknowledged in Exemplary Teacher awards, Science Laboratory assistant Lorraine Osborne who was front of their families and peers. awarded with a Regional Laboratory Technicians Group Award for Laboratory Staff and 2 Perth Modern School | NEWS January 2019 Exceptional schooling. Science teacher Jamie Morris who was Lawrence also achieved 100 per cent • Joseph Newman in Year 9 was a fi nalist nominated for an ASG National Excellence in the Australian National Chemistry in the 1-minute Film Competition. award. Quiz. • The team of Fatima Merchant and I congratulate the following students on • Heberet wa Azaro, Reef Kitaeff and Conor O’Neill in Year 9 won the British their successes in Term 4: Henry Yapeter in Year 11 won positions Parliament Debating Championships at the National Maths Summer School. for WA. • Racheline Tantular, Benjamin Caulfi eld and Pooja Ramesh have been awarded • Esther Santoso in Year 7, Perri Hinton • Evgenija Blazeska and Parmida prestigious Fogarty scholarships for their and Huda Zaidi in Year 8 and Arthur Ghobanian from the Class of 2018 made undergraduate study at UWA. Caspelherr in Year 9 won First Prize for the fi nals of the WAATI examinations their year groups in the Dante Alighieri with Evgenija winning fi rst prize for the • Connor Redfern and Clementine Smith Society Italian Speech Competition. practical exam. from the Class of 2018 have been off ered a place at the University of Cambridge, • Fatima Merchant and Conor O’Neill • The Year 10 Boys team of Ben Caddy, Connor to study Computer Science and in Year 9 won the British Parliament Lachlan MacNeill, Imraan Aung and Clementine to study Law.