STUDY “like a maniac” and don’t be afraid to ask teachers for help were two pieces advice for Year 12 students from Rockingham high achievers Matt Goddard and Skyla Bowley.
The teenagers received certificate of excellence awards in the 2016 WA Certificate of Education and were part of the first Year 12 cohort to complete secondary school under the State Government’s new WACE reforms.
Former Kolbe Catholic College student Matt (17) received his certificate of excellence in applied technology and he also received a certificate of distinction and an ATAR score of 97.8.
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READ NOW“I used to have an hour break after getting home. From then I studied like a maniac, especially when I had a test coming up,” he said.
Matt said he only needed to study until he felt confident that he understood the topic.
He has applied to Curtin University to study a double major of screen arts and journalism and has started working as a videographer for a friend’s photography business.
“That’s been really fun and at school we made music and educational videos,” he said.
Matt said he enjoyed the whole creative process involved in making videos, from brainstorming ideas right through to post-production.
Former Living Waters Lutheran College student Skyla (18) received her certificate of excellence in English and an ATAR score of 88.3 but was more interested in pursuing a health science-related career.
Her study routine included asking lots of questions, studying with friends and working smarter, not harder.
“Studying with friends and teaching others is a good way to learn and ask teachers for help,” she said.
She said working hard during Year 12 had led to more opportunities being available to her now, as she wasn’t sure which direction she would take.
“Try your best and you don’t limit your opportunities, so you can do whatever you want to do,” she said.
Skyla has applied for occupational therapy or laboratory medicine at Curtin.
“I hope I like what I choose but there are general units in the first year and then I can decide which area I would like to specialise in after that,” she said.
They are anxiously waiting for news of university offers next Wednesday.
Other local students who achieved excellence awards were Esther Watts and Benjamin Wild from the South Coast Baptist College and Comet Bay College, respectively.
A record 4396 awards were issued in 2016, including 50 general exhibitions and 40 subject exhibitions.