Students Shine In And Out Of School
Illawarra Mercury
Thursday December 21, 2000
You don't have to be a hermit to do exceptionally well in the Higher School Certificate, according to the girls at St Mary's Star of the Sea College.
Almost 25 per cent of the school's students received University Admissions Indexes between 90 and 100 - about 40 students out of a year 12 class of 155.
Nearly all who achieved a high ranking had something in common.
They were involved in extra-curriculum activities during their HSC year.
``A lot of students who did well are not just academically bright, they are also very involved in the cultural aspects of the school, as well as community service," careers adviser Pam Halcrow said.
``It shows you can do well and be involved in other things during the HSC."
Eighteen-year-old Michelle McGavin was awarded an Order of Australia Certificate of Commendation last month for her charity work with Rotary International.
Michelle travelled to Nepal last year with an optical team distributing spectacles to the poor.
The trip meant three weeks away from her studies.
``I missed a couple of assessments and I had to catch up on the work, but other than that it didn't interfere too much," she said.
In fact Michelle performed much better than she expected, accomplishing a UAI of 93.25.
The highest scoring St Mary's High School student was Rebecca Mann with 98.25.
``Most who did well worked hard constantly," Ms Halcrow said.
Now the girls have their eyes firmly set on the future, planning careers in medicine, law, pharmacy, psychology and bio-technology.
© 2000 Illawarra Mercury
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