High Achiever Testimonials 2023

Charlie Billingham

What or who has been your inspiration for working hard?

I think that my drive to work hard came from trying to get a high enough ATAR so that I could get into the degree of my choice. I also wanted to make sure that I had no regrets about not working hard enough and to know that I did the best I could possibly do. Although a lot of my determination came from external factors, there were certainly a lot of internal drivers.

What advice do you have for incoming Year 12 students?

I would say that the most important thing is to be consistent each and every day and not have days or weeks of not doing any study, even if you don’t have any upcoming tests. I would also remind students to enjoy and embrace Year 12 after knowing how quickly the academic year goes by.

How have you dealt with hurdles and challenges?

One of the biggest challenges in Year 12 is staying focused and maintaining your drive for the entire year as there were times when I felt unmotivated and it was hard to keep studying. For me, I kept looking forward to little breaks such as mid-term, so that the year did not look so daunting.

What is your plan for 2023 and beyond?

I don’t really have any set plans at this stage and have not got a job in mind for the future as I have been prioritising my studies and just taking one year at a time. I hope to go to university next year and have been looking at going to Melbourne or UWA to study commerce.

Tom Edibam

What or who has been your inspiration for working hard?

Myself. The most important thing to me was not letting myself down and leaving the school with regrets or the feeling that I didn’t work hard enough. I wanted a final year and result that I knew was worthy of my ability.

What advice do you have for incoming Year 12 students?

1. Use your teachers as much as possible – they are the most invaluable resource you have.
2. Always keep in contact with friends. Working together picks out flaws you otherwise wouldn’t notice and the companionship assists in managing your mental health. Having someone to talk to during the year who does similar subjects is very helpful.
3. Plan out what you are going to study/work on in advance, most importantly during the exam periods when it gets very hectic and overwhelming.
4. Know when to stop – it is more detrimental than useful to keep studying past a certain point. When you are tired or information just isn’t going through your head, stop working and take a break/go to bed. An extra hour of study at midnight isn’t going to make up for the lack of sleep.

How have you dealt with hurdles and challenges?

When my brain was overwhelmed, I usually went to the gym or did something else physical to clear my head. I asked teachers first and foremost for clarification on questions concerning work and after a bad mark, I would identify the areas that needed the most work and focused on them for exam preparation.

What is your plan for 2023 and beyond?

For university, I hope to get into medicine and then onto being a doctor, though I am undecided on what type. If not medicine, I am also open to studying engineering or law. In the meantime, I will rest and refresh and get back into activities I dropped due to schooling commitments including a part-time job.

Eddie Gao

What or who has been your inspiration for working hard?

My inspiration has been the desire to become a better version of myself, always pushing myself further to explore more in different fields. I’m also fortunate to have had some hardworking mates and helpful teachers who supported me throughout my Year 12 journey.

What advice do you have for incoming Year 12 students?

Stay organised and keep yourself on top of everything as Year 12 can get very busy from time to time. It would also be beneficial to write everything in a calendar or diary.

Study smart, not hard; understanding the content rather than memorizing it. Doing 10 practice exams sometimes may not benefit you as much as reviewing the syllabus and identifying your weak spots.

How have you dealt with hurdles and challenges?

I have managed to maintain an optimistic and positive mindset throughout the year. I tried to tell myself that as long as I put an adequate amount of effort into the subject, then I shouldn’t be blaming myself regardless of the outcome. I also often listen to music to relax and recharge.

What is your plan for 2023 and beyond?

My plan for the future is to study computer science at university.

Ben Howe

What or who has been your inspiration for working hard?

The Christ Church environment is highly competitive with students achieving excellence in academic, sporting, and co-curricular fields, it has certainly helped spur my hard-working mindset. Moreover, with an eagerness for future success, by working hard and maintaining strong results, I believe I can expand the quality and level of potential opportunities I can pursue. Finally, with a goal of completing Year 12 with zero academic regrets, I ensured that regardless of my final ATAR, I personally know that I tried my best, worked hard, and fulfilled my academic potential.

What advice do you have for incoming Year 12 students?

It is important to understand that Year 12 is not a ‘sprint’. Always remain positive and prevent subpar test marks from diminishing your motivation as they present vital opportunities to improve for exams. Recall that consistency is the key to success, so develop an effective study technique that equates to the highest results; note that every student studies differently. Finally, although you may feel stressed and overwhelmed during exam periods, remember, if you’ve worked hard and effectively, this will be reflected in your results.

How have you dealt with hurdles and challenges?

Achieving several poor results throughout Year 12, I utilised my disappointment as a driving force to review my weaknesses and strengthen the ‘gaps in my knowledge’. Furthermore, during exam periods, I constantly reminded myself of the thousands of fellow Year 12 students across Australia, enduring similar challenges and working tirelessly to achieve their academic/co-curricular goals. Finally, when studying, I maintained regular breaks; including going to the beach or playing basketball at the park.

What is your plan for 2023 and beyond?

Hawk Hughes

What or who has been your inspiration for working hard?

I’ve spent almost my entire childhood at Christ Church Grammar School and as such have been immersed in the school’s culture of excellence. A culture that pushes every boy to find their talent, and celebrates their success accordingly. This has fostered healthy competition amongst my friends to not only push each other to be our best but to strive to match each other’s successes. Seeing my closest friends perform at such a high level in so many different codes and interests – like Ethan Yem playing national grade hockey, Ben Kao’s Chemistry prowess, or Nic Cradock acting on network television – has inspired me to keep pushing and perfecting my talents.

What advice do you have for incoming Year 12 students?

Year 12 is a year of lasts, but the most important last of them all is that this is probably the last time you ever get to spend five days a week with your closest friends. The camaraderie that’s been fostering for the past 6 years of high school is so special, and something that you should really cherish. It is too easy to start hyper-fixing on exams, marks and studying but it is crucial you take the time out of your day to truly be in the moment with your friends. Those little jokes and chats during recess and lunch, or out on the weekend with the boys, are what make Year 12 worth it so don’t waste your year being obsessed with that final number score. Your mates are what you’ll actually remember when it is all said and done.

How have you dealt with hurdles and challenges?

Going outside and touching grass. Every year, I heard Old Boys come back and preach the benefits of taking a break and always thought it was irrelevant. It isn’t. In Perth we are so lucky to be so close to the ocean, the river, beautiful parks and trees – so much greenery and life – and taking time to just be amongst it has really helped me gain perspective and calm down. When you watch the dolphins swim in their pods at Rottnest, you realise that it’s all going to be okay.

What is your plan for 2023 and beyond?

I hope to be studying Law at university next year.

Harry Kailis

What or who has been your inspiration for working hard?

Throughout Year 12, the people I surrounded myself with pushed me to work harder and strive for opportunities beyond school. Gary Xu has always been my inspiration with his unrelenting attitude towards achieving his goals whilst keeping a balanced perspective.

What advice do you have for incoming Year 12 students?

For incoming Year 12 students, embrace the “work hard, play hard” ethos. Dedicate yourself diligently to your studies, ensuring you’re well-prepared for tests and exams. At the same time, I would advise not turning down opportunities to see friends and do the things you enjoy. It is possible to succeed both socially and academically in Year 12, it is only a matter of the correct time management.

How have you dealt with hurdles and challenges?

Having set good work practices in Years 10 and 11, I found that I was relatively well-equipped to handle the workload of Year 12. However, for everyone, there will be times when it seems as though there is more to get done than humanly possible. In these cases, I found that there was nothing to be gained by stressing the time you had already lost; the only real option was to prioritise the most important work and focus on the larger goal at hand.

What is your plan for 2023 and beyond

I intend on studying at university next year. What I study or where I will study it, is still a mystery to me.

Ben Kao

What or who has been your inspiration for working hard?

It may be cliché but definitely my parents. They inspired me through their relentless commitment to supporting me. Early mornings for volleyball, late night concerts for music and putting up with my shenanigans in moments of stress. Witnessing them do so much amidst their own struggles and responsibilities changed my perspective and motivated me to do my best to make their efforts along with my own, worthwhile.

What advice do you have for incoming Year 12 students?

I have two pieces of advice:

1. It is never too late to have the academic comeback of the century. Number-wise, after Semester 1 Exams, there are around 80% of your course marks up for grabs, so don’t be disheartened after an unfavourable start to the year. Moreover, the idea of “trying one’s best despite unfavourable circumstances” is a pertinent tenet that should be fostered and developed even beyond school; your persistence is a testament towards a strong mindset and will.
2. Find your balance between productive quality study and having fun in Year 12. It’s so easy to throw yourselves wholeheartedly into your academics, co-curriculars, sport and leadership pursuits; the balancing of that with treasuring every moment with your friends is something I struggled with throughout my Year 12 journey. When achieved, it is my hope that this balance can partake in championing a new era of personal satisfaction and leave future Year 12s blissful in its wake.

How have you dealt with hurdles and challenges?

By deconstructing the problem to its fundamentals and creating a system to see how I could maximise the benefits within the confined constraints. It may be harsh, but “getting on with it” is a must. Reminiscing or feeling sorry for yourself won’t overcome the challenges presented, one must take ACTION. For each subject, break down what content you must “memorise” and what is “applied skills”. Develop a system to do so: going through all past papers relating to a specific type of question, writing out model explanation answers, or revising your teacher’s OneNote. Understand that when preparing you should “focus on what you CAN’T do” and in the assessment you should “focus on what you CAN do”. Embrace the fact that you may not understand everything before your deadline but do your best regardless. Finally, use that feeling of regret, remorse or satisfaction and fulfilment as fuel to prepare early so you are more equipped for future challenges.

What is your plan for 2023 and beyond?

I hope to be studying Dentistry at UWA next year, before pivoting into the business sphere in the near future.

Orlando Keleman

What or who has been your inspiration for working hard?

Personally, I have motivated myself to see the best results I can possibly get. I am quite a competitive and driven person, so I can motivate myself most of the time. However, there were definitely times when I found it hard to sit down and work. My peers have also been good motivators as most students at Christ Church have a strong work ethic.

What advice do you have for incoming Year 12 students?

Try not to stress too much about tests and exams and just try to have a fun year being around your mates for the last time. Personally, I found that whenever I was stressing, it ultimately wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be so try and enjoy the last year of high school while still working hard.

How have you dealt with hurdles and challenges?

I try and look past it because there’s no point worrying about things that you can’t change. Speaking about it with your friends always helps as they can relate to you and my parents were also good support. Again, usually, the challenges aren’t as bad as you first make them out to be so try and stay positive.

What is your plan for 2023 and beyond?

I’m hoping to get an assured pathway into Medicine at UWA but if not that, Biomedical Science at UWA through the Bachelor of Philosophy. I haven’t fully decided yet so don’t stress about choosing what you want to do after school. I might even take a gap year to work and focus on footy out of school.

Travis King

What or who has been your inspiration for working hard?

My fellow peers and their unrelenting work ethic always drives me to put my best efforts on display and have a sense of pride in the knowledge that the work I complete is to the best of my ability.

What advice do you have for incoming Year 12 students?

Pay attention to your teachers, as much as it sounds like a given, or something to roll your eyes at, Christ Church provides the best educators who have a passion to help provide you with the opportunities and knowledge to succeed.

How have you dealt with hurdles and challenges?

After suffering a concussion and hockey tournaments stealing precious time at school as a Year 12, I faced a hard uphill battle to make up for lost time while still keeping up with new content. I had to learn that you can always seek help and that there are many people willing to support you.

What is your plan for 2023 and beyond?

I hope to find a career that I am passionate about as I believe that enjoying something is the key to doing it well. I will continue my efforts to achieve a professional hockey career and I look forward to developing my passions of surfing and traveling.

Charlie Mill

What or who has been your inspiration for working hard?

Many people in my life inspire me, including my family, friends, and teachers. In particular, my grandparents are a big source of inspiration for me. They are kind and hardworking and motivate me to do my best. 

What advice do you have for incoming Year 12 students?

I have two pieces of advice for the future year 12 students:

1. First of all, try to spread your workload evenly across the year. Work when there are no tests or exams coming up, and avoid cramming just prior to them. This will reduce your stress levels during the exam period and will set you up for success.
2. Second of all, maintaining a good work-life balance is key to avoiding burnout. Playing sport regularly and getting sufficient sleep each night will go a long way to improving your academic performance.

How have you dealt with hurdles and challenges?

I live by the idea that everything worth achieving is hard to get, with plenty of challenges along the way – because if it were easy no one would value it. Thus, I try to approach challenges and hurdles with a positive mindset, as every challenge I encounter and overcome takes me closer to my dreams and aspirations.

What is your plan for 2023 and beyond?

My dream is to study medicine at UWA. I will also keep playing soccer, and keep up my involvement with the North Cott Surf Lifesaving Club. I would love to travel with my friends, maybe around Europe, if I get the chance. I also plan on taking it easy for a bit, after the stressful Year 12 I’ve just had, I look forward to hanging out with my mates and girlfriend more often. For work, I might do pool lifeguarding, as well as tutoring.

Gourab Sharma

What or who has been your inspiration for working hard?

My inspiration mainly came from many of my teachers who continued to support me no matter what. Their drive to consistently help me regardless of my tediousness inspired me to work harder and make sure that I fully absorbed their teachings. My parents were also great inspirations as they would also continuously support me by making sure that I took breaks every now and then.

What advice do you have for incoming Year 12 students?

Make sure you understand that this year is your own journey and is fuelled by your own hard work and dedication. Don’t get stuck in a mindset where you compare yourself to others in your own or previous years. You can do this by setting small and achievable goals that fit your own specific progress and ensuring that you value these accomplishments, as each step contributes towards your growth. Even if you don’t seem to be achieving your goals, make sure you are not disheartened by this; small setbacks and losses are inevitable however, how you rise above these losses is what allows you to persevere.

How have you dealt with hurdles and challenges?

Having a chat with friends, family or my tutor about my troubles was a great way to process any of the hurdles that I was facing. They provided an external perspective that would usually put me on a good path to solving my problems. This was also a great way for me to vent any of my frustrations. Going on a run or playing sport with friends was also a good way to take my mind off school and realise that some of my issues were not worth stressing over.

What is your plan for 2023 and beyond?

I have absolutely no idea however, I do want to develop my interest in maths and continue to learn Chinese.