Queenwood acknowledges the Cammeraigal people who are the traditional custodians of the land on which the School is built and we pay respect to Elders past and present.
All information contained in this document is correct at time of printing. Visit QUEENWOOD.NSW.EDU.AU for up-to-date information.
We are delighted to share with you an overview of academic results for the Class of 2024. These exceptional young women have demonstrated remarkable strength, courage, and purpose throughout their academic journey. We congratulate them for their hard work and high achievement. These results are a source of pride for Queenwood and reflect our staff’s commitment to helping each and every girl reach their full potential. Thank you to our teachers for their care, passion and professionalism.
Thank you, as well, to the parents and families of the Class of 2024. You are our students’ first teachers, and we are honoured that you entrusted us with your daughters’ formal education. I extend my congratulations to you; you have helped make this all possible.
81 students completed the HSC and 15 students completed the IB in 2024.
ACHIEVED AN ATAR OF 85 or above
DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVERS:
AMELIA ABBOTT
EMILY ADAMS-MCCARTHY
CLAIRE BATTERHAM
ZARA BOND
MADISON BURNS
ANNA BURT
AMANDA CARNEGIE
EVIE NOBLE
OLIVIA OFFWOOD
LUCY PATERSON
SOPHIE PENG
CHELSEA PORRITT
GEORGIA RAE
FRANCESCA RAMPTON
SIANA ROGER
63%
OF STUDENTS WERE PLACED ON THE Distinguished Achievers List
HSC ALL-ROUND ACHIEVERS
BAND 6 IN 10 OR MORE UNITS
MADELEINE CHEETHAM
LUCY COLQUHOUN-THOMSON
ELLIE CROMBIE
BROOKE CUTTANCE
CHLOE GRAHAM-SMITH
VERA GU
GIULIA GUARDINO SILVA
AALIYA GUPTA
LENI HARVEY-PALMER
HEIDI HAYES
FLORENCE HEMMING
GISELLE HOLMES
SARAH HULL
CHLOE JURETA
ABIGAIL KILFOIL
MAYA LE HER
SCARLETT LINEKER
GABRIELLE MANKEN
OLIVIA MARTIN
AMELIA MASON
GEORGINA NAZAR
ANH NGUYEN
99.85
IB PERFECT SCORE 45/45 Penelope Jin 99.60
ADDIE ROLES
HARRIET ROSS
ASHER SCHONELL
JADE SCOTTS
ANNIE SEVE
CHARLIZE SMITH
MARIGOLD
SOTIROPOULOS
AALIA TAKHAR
STELLA TAYLOR
ZARA VAN HAMBURG
LEILANI VEITCH
CLEO VIDLER
OLIVIA WALLINGTON
KAIA WALLS
PENELOPE WHEELER
ELIZABETH WULFF
ABBY YE
BONNA YOON
3rd PLACE IN THE STATE FOR Business Studies Penelope Wheeler
All-round
HSC SCORE Penelope Wheeler 99.95 IB PERFECT SCORE 45/45 Yuexi Ren 14th PLACE IN THE STATE FOR Business Studies
Achievers List
BAND 6 IN 10 OR MORE UNITS
Amanda Carnegie
Aaliya Gupta
Abigail Kilfoil
Maya Le Her
Georgia Rae
Stella Taylor
Marigold Sotiropoulos 75% OF HSC STUDENTS
Penelope Wheeler
100%
OF HSC STUDENTS ACHIEVED A MARK IN THE TOP TWO BANDS IN:
BUSINESS STUDIES
CHINESE IN CONTEXT
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
DRAMA
MUSIC 2 AND MUSIC 1
TEXTILES AND DESIGN VISUAL ARTS
188 TOP IB AND HSC GRADES GRADE 7/A, BAND 6/E4
100%
OF IB STUDENTS ACHIEVED A MARK IN THE TOP TWO GRADES IN:
BIOLOGY HL
CHEMISTRY HL
PHYSICS HL
GEOGRAPHY HL MATHS AI SL
MUSIC HL
VISUAL ARTS HL
THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
HSC Showcase Nominations
ARTEXPRESS IS AN ANNUAL SHOWCASE OF EXEMPLARY ARTWORKS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S HIGHER SCHOOL.
ENCORE PRESENTS A SELECTION OF OUTSTANDING MAJOR WORKS BY HSC MUSIC STUDENTS IN NSW INCLUDING PERFORMANCE AND MUSICOLOGY.
Nominated 2024 Encore Chelsea Porritt
VISUAL ARTS
SCARLETTE LINEKER
EVIE NOBLE
OLIVIA OFFWOOD
LUCY PATERSON
ENGLISH EXTENISON 2 MAYA LE HER
TEXTILES & DESIGN
EMILY ADAMS-MCCARTHY
ISABEL COPE
ELLIE CROMBE
CHLOE GRAHAM-SMITH
SCARLETT LINEKER
EVIE NOBLE
CLEO VIDLER
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE
AMELIE ADAMS
MADELEINE CHEETHAM
VERA GU
OLIVIA MARTIN
CLEO VIDLER
ELIZABETH WULFF
GROUP PERFORMANCES
'BROTHERS OF THE FOLD')
AMELIE ADAMS
MADELEINE CHEETHAM
HEIDI HAYES
ELLA O'HARA
ELIZABETH WULFF
'THE HEART OF SUBURBIA'
CHARLIEZE BOLAND-HILL
AVA GALLOP
SYDNEY MOSS
MATILDA TOWNSEND
‘A RENAISSANCE’ VERA GU
OLIVIA MARTIN
CHELSEA PORRITT
CLEO VIDLER
Tertiary offers
The majority of the 96 students in the Class of 2024 were accepted into their first choice universities and courses of study.
341
TOTAL NUMBER OF UNIQUE TERTIARY COURSE OFFERS MADE TO STUDENTS BY AUSTRALIAN HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS.
207
EARLY/DIRECT ENTRY SCHEME OFFERS PRIOR TO THE RELEASE OF ATARS
96% OF STUDENTS RECEIVED THEIR FIRST OR SECOND PREFERENCE OF COURSE OFFER
3 students accepted scholarships to study at international prestigious institutions
CREATIVE ARTS
SOCIETY AND CULTURE
MANAGEMENT AND COMMERCE
EDUCATION
HEALTH
ARCHITECTURE AND BUILDING
ENGINEERING AND RELATED TECHNOLOGIES
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
NATURAL AND PHYSCIAL SCIENCES
A snapshot of subject achievements from the Class of 2024.
100% of HSC Chinese in Context students received a mark in the top two performance bands (Band 5 or 6)
100% of IB Maths AI SL students achieved a mark in the top two performance bands (Grade 6 or 7)
100% of IB Biology HL students received a mark in the top two bands (Grade 6 or 7)
100% Chemistry HL students received a mark in the top two bands (Grade 6 or 7)
100% of IB Physics SL students achieved a mark in the top two performance bands (Grade 6 or 7)
3rd place in the state for HSC Business Studies Penelope Wheeler
14th place in state for HSC Business Studies Marigold Sotiropoulos
100% of HSC Business Studies received a mark in the top bands (Band 5 and 6)
100% of IB Geography HL Business Studies received a mark in the top bands (Grade 6 and 7)
100% of IB Theory of Knowledge students Business Studies received a mark in the top bands (Grade A or B)
100% of HSC Visual Arts students received a mark in the top performance bands (Band 5 and 6)
100% of HSC Drama students received a mark in the top performance bands (Band 5 and 6)
100% IB Music received a mark in the top two bands (Band 6 or 7)
100% IB Visual Arts received a mark in the top two bands (Band 6 or 7)
100% of HSC Textiles and Design received a mark in the top two bands (Band 5 or 6)
100% of HSC Design and Technology received a mark in the top two bands (Band 5 or 6)
Meet the girls: introducing some of the students from the Class of 2024.
ACADEMIC
SUBJECTS
ENGLISH ADVANCED
MATHEMATICS
ADVANCED
BIOLOGY
CHEMISTRY
ECONOMICS
COCURRICULAR
HEAD PREFECT
QUTE PROJECT
ROWING
ROUGH EDGES
IGSA SWIMMING
POST-QUEENWOOD
BACHELOR OF COMMERCE AND BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
What advice would you give yourself as you enter Year 12?
To be kind to myself and acknowledge the progress I make, even the small steps!
What is one lesson from Queenwood that you will take with you?
There are so many! However, a key lesson is the importance of remaining optimistic even when things don’t go as planned; building resilience, and dealing with difficult situations.
What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I hope to be a leader in my community and help improve people’s lives!
What did you appreciate about the teachers at Queenwood?
Our teachers’ consistent enthusiasm, encouragement and willingness to help in any way at any time. They have been a crucial support network for us and have always been there for me in moments of stress when I needed reassurance (or a chocolate bar)! Their positive attitude to teaching and building a strong relationship with students is very inspiring and made an indelible impact on me.
What cocurricular activities were you involved in? How did you balance these with your studies? How did these help your other subjects?
Time management was a skill that was invaluable to balance a demanding schedule. A 4am start at the rowing sheds, a full day at school, then band rehearsal in the afternoon meant I had to be disciplined in maintaining nutrition, sleep, and motivation. I’ve also previously enjoyed playing netball, swimming, and working on the Q-Ute project. These were opportunities to recharge and balance school with my passions.
What advice would you give students starting at Queenwood?
For younger girls, I recommend you try as many cocurricular activities as you can, because there are so many fun opportunities behind doors you would never expect! For girls approaching senior years, I highly encourage building meaningful relationships with the girls and teachers around you, as connection with your peers is what makes school most enjoyable!
Of the School values, Truth, Courage and Service, which resonates the most with you? Courage has been the value that has most resonated with me. Reminding myself to be courageous in the face of uncomfortable or daunting tasks has allowed me to achieve many things I wouldn’t have if I had shied away. It’s also a trait I’ve had to develop through all years of high school, as in every year there’s a reason to need some courage!
As Head Prefect, what will you take from the role?
I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be Head Prefect, and it has been a very rewarding journey. I have grown as a young adult and will take with me many lessons of leadership, including the need for empathy, patience, and optimism.•
“A key lesson is the importance of remaining optimistic even when things don’t go as planned; building resilience, and dealing with difficult situations.”
ACADEMIC SUBJECTS
IB BIOLOGY HIGHER LEVEL
IB CHEMISTRY STANDARD LEVEL
IB ECONOMICS HIGHER LEVEL
IB LATIN HIGHER LEVEL
IB LITERATURE STANDARD LEVEL
IB MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS & APPROACHES STANDARD LEVEL
IB CREATIVITY, ACTIVITY, SERVICE
IB THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
COCURRICULAR
VICE HEAD PREFECT
DEBATING MODEL UN
ETHICS OLYMPIAD
DA VINCI DECATHLON ROUGH EDGES
VICE HEAD PREFECT
IB SCORE 45/45
What cocurricular activities where you involved in? How did you balance these with your studies? How did these support your other subjects?
I have participated obsessively in debating and public speaking competitions all through high school and also rowed and played tennis in the earlier years. Whilst it gets busy it has never felt like a burden because I genuinely enjoy competing with my friends and talking with our coaches. I like to think of cocurricular commitments as a break from my studies and studies as a break from other activities, so the balance finds itself.
What habit was most helpful for your studies?
I have the periodic table plastered on my wall so that it’s the first thing I see when I wake up, Latin pronouns on my bathroom mirror, and post-it notes about pituitary hormones floating around my room. Surrounding myself with my notes has been surprisingly helpful for memorisation - would recommend.
What advice would you give students starting at Queenwood?
What was key to your academic success?
Asking for help. I’m always bringing questions and practice essays to my teachers, and they consistently answer with enormous patience and depth of knowledge. The librarians are a source of wisdom, for academic referencing especially. My friends and I have become tutors and editors for one another. We are lucky to be so well-resourced and supported at school, and learning to make the most of it is my biggest piece of advice.
Queenwood is a safe space to try new things. If you fall, there will be people to help you get back on your feet and when you succeed, they will be there to celebrate with you. Make the most of your time with this community – take advantage of every opportunity, put yourself out there, and give everything you do your best shot.
What made you choose the IB?
I chose the IB programme for its balanced approach to learning. It allows me to take six diverse subjects, and leaves room in each for independent academic research. I also appreciate that it focuses on personal progress (rather than ranking) which fosters a motivating, but non-competitive, learning environment.
As Vice Head Prefect, what will you take from the role?
As Vice Head Girl, I have loved working with Chloe, a strong body of prefects, captains, and dedicated executive staff to bring a school of amazing girls closer together. I’ve learnt that leadership is often not easy or glamorous, but it’s incredibly rewarding to see events come to life and have impact on the girls. I will take from the role a very full heart. •
“ I’ve learnt that leadership is often not easy or glamorous, but it’s incredibly rewarding to see events come to life and have impact on the girls. I will take from the role a very full heart.”
ACADEMIC SUBJECTS
IB BIOLOGY HIGHER LEVEL
IB CHEMISTRY STANDARD LEVEL
IB ECONOMICS STANDARD LEVEL
IB LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE HIGHER LEVEL
IB MANDARIN B STANDARD LEVEL
IB MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS & APPROACHES HIGHER LEVEL
IB CREATIVITY, ACTIVITY, SERVICE
IB THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
COCURRICULAR
DEBATING CAPTAIN
SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
NETBALL
TOUCH FOOTBALL
BASKETBALL
DA VINCI DECATHLON
DUKE OF EDINBURGH
RED SHIELD APPEAL
POST-QUEENWOOD
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY
IB SCORE 45/45 99.95 ATAR
What are top three experiences you had during your time at Queenwood?
House Music Festival was a standout event for me! Getting involved as a Year 12 student was very special as I got to make connections with younger students and be involved in the production of musical items that I am very proud of.
In Year 10, I was fortunate to participate in an international competition called World Scholar’s Cup, where my team and I travelled to Bangkok, then Yale University in America to compete. I met so many students from all over the world and it was also a great travel experience.
Year 12 camp was my favourite camp – I enjoyed all the activities (especially horse-riding) and I became closer to my friends and cohort. It was a great atmosphere and really showed the close bond of our cohort as we entered Year 12.
What cocurricular activities where you involved in? How did you balance these with your studies? How did these support your other subjects?
I am in two music ensembles, debating and did term sport. I occasionally
What do you hope to achieve once you leave school?
I am unsure, but I want to find out what I want to do through experience. I’ve found I’m interested in science, but I would also want to pursue studies in areas outside of my school subjects. I hope that what I do in the future challenges and interests me while also leaving a good impact on society.
What is the most surprising thing you have done at Queenwood?
participated in activities like Da Vinci Decathlon that were one-day. Not over committing and understanding what I can personally handle each term is important for balance. Consistent cocurricular activities are good as they take a small portion of time per week, and you can have a consistent timetable. Choose to keep the ones you love and enjoy doing – not a chore to do them. This is a welcome break from schoolwork. Sometimes you learn skills in the activities that help for studies, for example handling stress in a job translates to controlling pre exam nerves.
What was key to your academic success?
Figure out the way to study more efficiently. Personally, I found practice papers and high utility study to be the most effective as it makes me engage deeply and concentrate. I practise skills for completing the actual exam, and I remember much more when I do practice exam questions. This may not apply to all, but I chose subjects I enjoyed, regardless of difficulty level. I was much more motivated to work hard in the Higher Levels I enjoyed, so I didn’t find them tedious to study for.
Debating was a surprise to me because I didn’t consider trying it until Year 11, and public speaking had been daunting to me before. However, I found it was a skill that one can develop and that debating also relies on critical thinking. Through debating, I have learnt a lot about the world and found different ways to interpret and understand concepts. I think World Scholar’s Cup was a unique experience as I was able to travel internationally for a competition and meet people from diverse backgrounds. The competition itself was also unique in its content matter and format. •
“ Not over committing and understanding what I can personally handle each term is important for balance.”
COCURRICULARS
MODEL UN
POST-QUEENWOOD
BACHELOR OF COMMERCE
UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
What cocurricular activities where you involved in? How did you balance these with your studies? How did these support your other subjects?
Aside from my final term at Queenwood I always strived to be involved in some sporting or cocurricular activity throughout the term, whether it was playing basketball through a more social lens or Tildesley tennis with a competitive one. For a short period of time I was also involved in Queenwood’s Galaxy Choir, though even the power of my peers’ voices and talent didn’t entirely cancel out my own tuneless one. Balancing these with my studies was as simple as planning out my time and using it wisely, alongside not excessively overloading myself with these activities to the point where they presented as a stressor rather than an outlet. In this way, these activities significantly helped with all my subjects as they pushed me to a level of productivity with my free time I wouldn’t have previously been able to reach – as I was aware I didn’t have an endless bounty of it.
What advice would you give yourself as you enter Year 12?
A piece of advice I’d tell myself entering Year 12 would be to enjoy it all more. The social events and the special activities reserved only for your year are something you only experience once – it’s okay to take a breather and allow yourself to be fully in the moment.
What did you enjoy most about Business Studies & Economics?
How have these skills helped you with other subjects?
What I enjoyed most about Business Studies and Economics was the way I would thread the knowledge I learnt from both subjects into my understanding of the world around me. Conversations at dinner, feedback from the news suddenly started making sense – I could have an authentic and founded opinion on issues that previously seemed far beyond my intellectual reach and reserved for a mature age group. The skill that, thus, applies to both subjects would be being able to tie in your own knowledge of the world as it begins making more sense to you into your work to enhance it; creating a feel of ownership and individuality about your efforts that strangely pushes you to become more accountable and disciplined regarding the work you put into every subject.
What is one lesson from Queenwood that you will take with you?
One lesson from Queenwood that I will take with me is the power of kindness. Countless small acts of kindness from girls, older and younger, have stayed with me throughout the years and entirely changed the way I act and treat the people around myself. From being a timid 3rd grader on the tennis bus and a Year 12 asking if I wanted to sit with her to a girl in the year below asking if I wanted a lift up Awaba as she saw me making the trek up on a humid afternoon, it’s these small acts that genuinely light up your day and push you to become a similar type of person.
What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I hope to – thankfully alongside a notable number of my peers – be a part of the change within the financial sector that levels out the power dynamic towards capable and able women where it has been previously undirected.
What did you appreciate about the teachers at Queenwood?
I will always appreciate the Queenwood teacher’s dedication to helping each girl succeed – a trait that extended far beyond the classroom and school hours.
Whether this presented as happily marking endless practice essays and papers, or offering in-depth advice at any given time, it was made clear we were our teachers top priority and undoubtedly pushed us all towards success.
Can you think of a time when you have been courageous during your time at Queenwood?
A time I have been courageous at Queenwood, would be having the courage to put my everything into my studies. There is a certain degree of reluctance about the notion, especially prevalent in younger years of schooling, which I can say was evident within myself; the security of being able to claim you ‘didn’t try that hard’ when a result you didn’t want manifests. It takes courage to openly entirely throw yourself into something when a successful result isn’t necessarily guaranteed, and it is a subtle, yet powerful act of courage I implore all girls to consider. It is better to know you have tried and failed than not try at all.•
ACADEMIC SUBJECTS
IB CHEMISTRY HIGHER LEVEL
IB ECONOMICS HIGHER LEVEL
IB LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE HIGHER LEVEL
IB MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS & APPROACHES STANDARD LEVEL
IB PHYSICS STANDARD LEVEL
IB SPANISH AB INITIO STANDARD LEVEL
IB CREATIVITY, ACTIVITY, SERVICE
IB THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
COCURRICULAR OZCLO
NETBALL
TOUCH FOOTBALL
BASKETBALL
RED SHIELD APPEAL
GUITAR BUILDING CLUB
POST-QUEENWOOD
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
BOND UNIVERSITY
IB SCORE 43/45 99.05 ATAR
What was key to your academic success?
The key to my academic success was cultivating a mindset of curiosity and resilience. I focused on understanding the "why" behind each topic, which made learning more engaging and meaningful. Coupled with disciplined time management and balancing work with breaks and my cocurricular activities, I was able to stay motivated and avoid burnout. Learning from mistakes, seeking feedback, and not being afraid to ask questions also played a crucial role.
What is the most unique thing you have done at Queenwood?
One of the most surprising and unique experiences I had at Queenwood was being part of the Guitar Building Club. This venture was a blend of craftsmanship and creativity that I hadn’t encountered before. From shaping and staining the wood to assembling the electronics, it was an intricate process that allowed me to explore both artistic expression and technical precision. It was a fascinating process I was proud of, and it provided a refreshing balance to my academic life.
What advice would you give yourself as you enter Year 12?
If I could give myself advice entering Year 12, I'd say: "Be both the pilot and the passenger on this journey." To steer with intention by setting clear goals and staying organised. Also allow yourself to be the passenger sometimes by embracing the unexpected and learning from the turbulence. Don’t just aim for perfect marks, aim to feed your curiosity and find what you're passionate about. Find balance in the chaos of Year 12, laugh at the little things, and remember growth happens when you’re out of your comfort zone. Year 12 isn't just a year; it’s a mindset. So, fly high, but don’t forget to look out the window.
As a Red Shoe girl, what do you remember about Queenwood Junior School?
Yes, I proudly wore red shoes! What stands out most about my time at Queenwood Junior School is the environment of discovery and imagination that was cultivated. The vibrant celebrations like Book Week and the hands-on classes like drama, music, art, PE and science sparked a love for learning and exploration. These
early experiences fostered a sense of wonder and a curiosity about the world that has stayed with me. I will also never forget the F.A.I.L. acronym: “first attempt in learning” which I still live by today. I am grateful to my amazing teachers for fostering this passion and instilling these valuable lessons that guide me today.•
“These early experiences fostered a sense of wonder and a curiosity about the world that has stayed with me. I will also never forget the F.A.I.L. acronym: “first attempt in learning.” which I still live by today.”
ACADEMIC SUBJECTS:
ENGLISH ADVANCED
MATHEMATICS
ADVANCED
MATHEMATICS
EXTENSION 1
BIOLOGY
CHEMISTRY
PDHPE
COCURRICULARS
DUKE OF EDINBURGH
GYMNASTICS
POST-QUEENWOOD GAP YEAR –CLINICAL OPERATIONS
INTERNSHIP, VOLUNTEERING AT MATER AND ROYAL NORTH SHORE HOSPITALS, STUDYING FOR THE UCAT
What advice would you give yourself as you enter Year 12?
Enjoy the year because it is so much fun but passes by so quickly. Don’t take anything for granted; try to be present in the moment and, appreciate the experience. While it is a difficult year, take it one week at a time and focus on what you can control rather than dwelling on what you can’t. Don’t get caught up in the stress of the year and remember that it all will work out in the end.
What is one lesson from Queenwood that you will take with you?
I think that Queenwood has really taught me the value of friendship and community. Throughout my time here, I have always felt supported by those around me, whether it be my close friends, girls in my year, or by my teachers. I have come to recognise how this has created an environment where people are able to embrace and be comfortable with themselves, step out of their comfort zones, and truly strive to reach their full potential.
Can you share one of your most memorable Queenwood experiences?
Year 10 camp was one of my most memorable experiences because it was really fun and definitely brought me a lot closer to my friends and other girls in my year. Although it was challenging having to guide our own journey it was exciting being able to work as a team and take on the responsibility.
What do you hope to achieve once you leave school?
I hope to eventually study Medicine, and I aspire to be able to help people through my career. I also would love to travel and see the world, exploring different cultures and communities. But no matter where I end up, I ultimately want to be happy and find fulfillment within my life.
“Throughout my time here, I have always felt supported by those around me, whether it be my close friends, girls in my year, or by my teachers.”
What did you gain from participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award?
Participating in all levels of the Duke of Edinburgh award has taught me a variety of life skills. It has equipped me with leadership, organisational and problem-solving skills. It has taught me the value of service and giving back to my community, as well as how to work effectively in a team, both as a leader and a member. Through the adventurous journeys I also made many memories with my friends which we will definitely laugh about for a long time.
What areas of Service were you involved in during your time at Queenwood? During my time at Queenwood, I was involved in a few areas of service, all of which have taught me the value of helping others and giving back to the community. Among these is the service that I did as part of Duke of Edinburgh silver and gold, where I volunteered for the Kids Giving Back organisation, as well as being a peer support leader in Year 10.•
SUBJECTS STUDIED:
ENGLISH ADVANCED
ENGLISH EXTENSION 1
ENGLISH EXTENSION 2
FRENCH CONTINUERS
GERMAN
CONTINUERS
MODERN HISTORY
HISTORY EXTENSION
COCURRICULAR PREFECT
DEBATING
TAEKWONDO
MACLEAY
VOCATIONAL COLLEGE
ROUGH EDGES
98.70 ATAR
What habit was most helpful for your studies?
“ I am most proud of having helped to organise a fundraiser for the domestic and family violence arm of Rough Edges, Banksia Women…. I deeply respect that so much of Banksia Women’s work focuses on giving strong, vulnerable women a greater sense of agency in their lives.” Maya Le Her
What are top three experiences you had during your time at Queenwood?
At the end of Year 10, I was very lucky to go on an exchange to Germany for two months, where I lived with a beautiful host family and was immersed in German culture. While there, I found out that I had received the VM Medway Award, which I later used towards a brilliant poetry mentoring scheme with the poet Mark Tredinnick. Recently, my friend Claudia Stiertzel, who went on the German exchange with me, composed an orchestral score for one of my poems as part of one of her major IB Music projects — it’s been amazing to witness the work behind a completely different art form and to collaborate creatively with a friend.
What cocurricular activities were you involved in? How did you balance these with your studies? How did these support your other subjects?
I was involved in Debating from the start of Year 7, so it was very much an anchor throughout my time at Queenwood. Despite it taking up an entire evening every week, it never felt like I was having to manage my studies around it because it was simply part of the fabric of my routine. Debating has definitely been useful for essay-writing subjects like English and History because it taught me how to think under pressure and quickly come up with structured arguments.
Early on, I developed the habit of doing homework in the library after school, which meant that I could knock out quick tasks at school and do deeper work like essays at home. I found the separate settings really helpful for managing my time and shifting gears mentally.
What is the most unique thing you have done at Queenwood?
In Year 11, I had the opportunity to travel to Kempsey as part of a group of students and teachers. There, we met students from Macleay Vocational College and learned about some of the challenges faced by the community there. It was eye-opening and definitely reinforced to me just how privileged I am. The people we met were intelligent, hard-working, and often had great senses of humour despite their difficult circumstances. The experience put my own opportunities into perspective because it made me realise how much I had access to as a consequence of where I was born and the opportunities my parents had access to.
What areas of Service were you involved in during your time at Queenwood?
I am most proud of having helped to organise a fundraiser for the domestic and family violence arm of Rough Edges, Banksia Women, because I admire that the organisation focuses not only on ensuring the safety of women and children fleeing domestic abuse, but also on building up the women’s self-esteem through individual and group activities. I deeply respect that so much of Banksia Women’s work focuses on giving strong, vulnerable women a greater sense of agency in their lives.
As Prefect, what will you take from the role?
The flexibility of the Prefect role taught me that I could put myself forward for different responsibilities, from contributing to school assemblies to being part of fundraising efforts. While any Senior student could theoretically do this, having the role of Prefect meant that I felt entitled to ask to be able to do things I might not have had the confidence to ask for if I didn’t have the role. I hope to be able to bring this confidence outside of the context of the Prefect role. •
ACADEMIC
SUBJECTS
ENGLISH ADVANCED
MATHEMATICS
EXTENSION 1
MATHEMATICS
EXTENSION 2
CHEMISTRY
PHYSICS
GEOGRAPHY
COCURRICULAR
SCHOOL PREFECT
QUTE
ROBOTICS CLUB
OZCLO
DA VINCI DECATHLON
DUKE OF EDINBURGH
TOUCH FOOTBALL
SWIMMING
TENNIS
BASKETBALL
RED SHIELD APPEAL
MAHBOBA’S PROMISE
ROUGH EDGES
What cocurricular activities where you involved in? How did you balance these with your studies? How did these support your other subjects?
Over the years at Queenwood, I have been involved in various Music, STEM, academic and sport cocurricular activities that I have greatly enjoyed. Throughout Year 12, my involvement included the QUTE project, swimming and basketball. I found sport particularly helpful in balancing my studies and allowing me some time to unwind. On the other hand, the QUTE project was an ongoing learning experience and challenge that continued to develop my problem-solving skills and understanding of mechanical systems. I was also involved in Da Vinci Decathlon and Maths competitions which supported my studies.
What is the most surprising or unique thing you did at Queenwood?
I think the QUTE project was the most unique thing I have done at Queenwood. This was an opportunity that was presented to students at the beginning of 2022 and is a project I have seen through until the end of Year 12. Through QUTE, not only have I gained knowledge and experience in car mechanics, but I have also formed many friendships with girls from a range of year levels.
What areas of Service were you involved in during your time at Queenwood?
During my time at Queenwood, I have been involved in various areas of Service including the Red Shield Appeal, Rough Edges and Mahboba’s promise. Each of these experiences was rewarding and all have encouraged my participation in other volunteering activities including Duke of Edinburgh and Mosman Youth.
Can you think of a time when you have been courageous during your time at Queenwood?
In Year 12, I delivered a speech on friendship to the school. Despite being very nervous about this, I displayed courage and was able to overcome these nerves. Queenwood has presented countless opportunities that have been outside my comfort zone, but through my participation in these, I have been able to build my confidence.
What is one lesson from Queenwood that you will take with you?
Queenwood has taught me many things, but most importantly, I have learnt to be willing to give things a go. This is a skill that has improved over my time at Queenwood and has allowed me to gain greater knowledge in my studies. It has presented me with various invaluable opportunities, such as the QUTE project. •
“Queenwood has taught me many things, but most importantly, I have learnt to be willing to give things a go.”
ACADEMIC SUBJECTS
ENGLISH ADVANCED MATHEMATICS
ADVANCED CHEMISTRY
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
PDHPE
VISUAL ARTS
COCURRICULAR
SWIMMING
ROUGH EDGES
POST-QUEENWOOD GAP YEAR –
NEW YORK CITY, SHORT COURSES IN VARIOUS ARTMAKING DISCIPLINES, CURRENTLY ATTENDING THE NEW YORK SCHOOL OF THE ARTS IN WOOD CARVING AND PRINTMAKING
What are top three experiences you had during your time at Queenwood?
Watching the amazing talent that shines at the Q-Factor has been my top experience at Queenwood.
The art exhibition that displayed our class of 2024’s major works was one of the best moments of my time at Queenwood. The speeches and the appreciation for our hard work was heartwarming and showed that culmination of a year of experimentation and artmaking resulted in such an amazing night was so rewarding.
The swimming carnivals were enjoyable and brought me closer together with people from all year groups while I participated in something I love doing.
What was key to your academic success?
Choosing subjects that I knew I would work hard in, generally choosing subjects I enjoy and find interesting, led to the ability to work consistently and diligently without too much of a headache.
What do you hope to achieve once you leave school?
I hope to further my art practice and undertake exploration and experimentation combining the fields of art making and chemistry. I aim to create new materials and innovate material practices to set my own artistic practice apart from the traditional ceramic practice.
What habit was most helpful for your studies?
Prioritising a good night sleep is my number one tip.
What is the most surprising thing you have done at Queenwood?
The Mission Impossible style adventure I undertook with a small group of Year 12’s and Mr G at camp was my most surprising and unique experience, with a few falls and scrapes along the way.
What did you create for your Visual Arts major works? How have these skills helped you with other subjects?
For Visual Arts, I created a ceramic series of childlike busts, using experimental and technical surface texturing and treatment to mare the figures with the deteriorating effects of natural disasters, which are occurring more frequently and severely in Australia due to the progression of Climate Change. The consistent efforts required to complete a refined and conceptually complex body of work have carried through to benefiting my attitudes and habits when preparing for the HSC.
Through the identification of property damage caused by severe and frequent flooding in areas of NSW and broader Australia, for Design & Technology, I created a housing solution that can adapt to a flooded environment. The skills I have developed whilst undertaking this project will benefit me in any course I choose at University, as persistence and hard work are the only way I have managed to complete two major works throughout Year 12.•
“The consistent efforts required to complete a refined and conceptually complex body of work have carried through to benefiting my attitudes and habits when preparing for the HSC.”
