WHEN Sam Shields logged on this morning to get his exam results for this year’s Higher School Certificate, he couldn’t believe his eyes.
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Three Band 6s in Mathematics (General), Senior Science and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) … the highest achievable level!
“I was shocked and then I started jumping up and down,” the Bowraville Central student told the Guardian.
“Then Mum came over and gave me a big hug and I’ve been smiling all morning.”
For Sam these hard earned results open the way for him to fulfil his dream of becoming a physiotherapist.
“With these marks, it certainly gets me started and makes me feel that I can achieve anything with dedication and hard work.”
And that is indeed how Sam approached his studies – working hard throughout years 11 and 12.
His mathematics teacher, Di Smith, said Sam’s approach had been consistent, thorough and inquisitive.
“He’s been a phenomenal student – I am over the moon,” Di said.
But Sam was not the only hard working student to achieve great things.
Fellow student Pyria Grace was also thrilled with her results: Three Band 5s and a Band 4 in Advanced English.
“I was paralysed with shock and then I burst into tears,” Pyria said.
“It’s such a good feeling – especially for the Advanced English because I had to do that through Distance Education.
“I feel so relieved – I am walking with a bounce!”
Pyria’s plan is to study secondary education at the University of New England and in the future move into theology.
Also smiling was school principal Malcolm McFarlane, who has watched results and career pathways of students grow ever since Bowraville Central's HSC program began in 2007.
“This was the first time the school had a student with Band 6s - it’s great for the school, as well as for Sam,” Malcolm said.
“It’s wonderful to think that he began at the pre-school here and after completing all his schooling in the community, he is walking into the future he wants.
“It’s a real testament to public education and to the team effort of teachers, parents and the students themselves.”