Three of Stawell Secondary’s top year 12 students will embark on a new chapter of their lives in Melbourne after university offers were released this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Olivia Simpkin said she was relieved after receiving a first round offer to study a bachelor of psychology with honours.
“I was so happy and relieved,” she said.
“I want to end up being a clinical neuropsychologist so now I am one step closer to reaching that goal.”
Ms Simpkin had to overcome adversity throughout her final schooling years to reach the tertiary accomplishment when she had spinal surgery in late 2015.
“I have scoliosis and I am still recovering from the surgery,” she said.
“I mostly feel pain while I am sitting down or standing, so it was quite difficult to study at times.”
Ms Simpkin said she was looking forward to the year ahead and the challenges it posed.
“Having independence for the first time will be a challenge, I have lived with my parents for so long but now I will be living alone and doing more things independently,” she said.
Another of Stawell Secondary’s top year 12 students, Erin McClure, will take a gap year before moving to Melbourne to study at Monash University.
“My first round offer was global studies but I am hoping to accept my second round offer which was a dual bachelor of global studies and science,” she said.
“I wanted to take a gap year to earn some money, it will be a good backing for when I move to Melbourne.
“Stawell is a smaller and remote town and there is so much happening in the city so I am really excited and looking forward to meeting new people.”
Ms McClure said a strong support network of family, friends and teachers provided the grounding for a successful 2016.
Stawell Secondary dux Sienna Amarant accepted an offer to study at the University of Melbourne.
“I will be doing a bachelor of arts and looking towards international studies,” she said.
“We worked really well as a team, we had study groups and really encouraged one another,” she said.
Principal Nick Lynch said he wished the students well.
“Whether it is travel, university, an apprenticeship or work, it is important students find the pathway they want and that schools help them get there,” he said.