Caitlin’s achievement marks the third year in a row a student at Subiaco’s Perth Modern School has been awarded the highest honour for WA’s top exam results.
“I was completely surprised and in shock when I found out,” the 17-year-old said.
“I learnt a lot about dealing with pressure, which was a big thing for me, and also about being diligent with study each night.”
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Mother Sally Revell said the family was in shock when they heard the news that their daughter had received the highest WA Certificate of Education (WACE) exam marks across five subjects.
Caitlin, of Churchlands, studied a “good mix” of subjects and sat exams in biology, chemistry, maths, physics, politics and law and literature.
“Caitlin’s work ethic is second to none; she put in so much heart, soul and focus as well as hours and hours of study – we were telling her to go to bed and she would be setting the alarm for 6.30 the next morning,” Sally said.
“She has always had self-motivation; whatever she chooses to do she gives it 110 per cent.”
Despite thinking she had failed her first exam of six, Caitlin said resilience was the most important lesson for students going into Year 12.
“The hardest thing is turning it around the next day and sitting the next exam – it really was about the high standards I placed on myself,” she said.
“I think as a year group we definitely supported each other, particularly towards the end. The teachers were equally as supportive and so many of them were willing to put in extra time when I had extra questions – I had a lot of questions to ask.”
Between her busy study schedule, Caitlin said art and athletics kept her going.
Perth Modern principal Lois Joll said the year group had three equal dux students, while the school also topped the 2016 ATAR ranking.
“It is a combination of a group of students that have great potential to do well in an environment that gives them that opportunity,” she said.
“We’re really proud of Caitlin; you can have the intellectual grunt but you have to combine it with resilience and focus.”
Caitlin plans to study a double degree in physics and engineering this year.