The Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor The Honourable Marie Bashir AC CVO has acknowledged the leadership, commitment and achievement of 51 international students who attended NSW public high schools last year.
The Deputy Director-General Schools, Greg Prior paid tribute to the efforts of the students who were presented with certificates at the DEC International award presentation held at NSW State Parliament House on Tuesday 25 February 2014.
“It was a pleasure to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of international students in NSW government schools and the contributions to their school communities,” Mr Prior said.
The Minister for Education the Honourable Adrian Piccoli MP attended the event to congratulate the students.
Chinese student Xi Hallie Yang, who attended Killarney Heights High School, was presented with the Academic Achievement Award, for gaining an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) score of 99.7. Hallie was listed on the HSC Honour Roll and was dux of her school. She was also commended for her leadership as school vice-captain and for her work in fundraising for charities and volunteer work in the local community.
The School Service Award was presented to Cherry Bo Fernandez from the Philippines who attended Casula High School. Cherry was nominated for outstanding leadership as school vice-captain and her extensive fundraising and charity work, including organising ANZAC day ceremonies.
Certificates were presented to 35 Academic Achievement and 24 School Service award nominees who completed the Higher School Certificate last year. These international students attended 37 NSW government schools and represented eight countries – the People’s Republic of China, Vietnam, Korea, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Taiwan, Indonesia and the Philippines.
In 2013 3,887 international students attended 280 NSW government schools. Some 140 (or 23 per cent) of the 612 international students who sat the HSC appeared on the merit list of Distinguished Achievers for scoring more than 90 in a subject.
“All award recipients demonstrated outstanding academic and personal achievements and made valuable contributions to their school communities and we congratulate them,” said Mark Howland, Chief Executive Officer, DEC International.
“There are significant benefits to NSW from having international students in our schools. The program enriches our cultural diversity, establishes connections, builds networks and cross cultural understanding and expands the curriculum.”