When did you join St Andrew’s Cathedral School?
I joined St Andrew’s Cathedral School for Year 11 (2024) as part of the Senior College scholarship programme. My first impression of the community was that everyone was really welcoming and genuine – both staff and students.
“My first impression of the community was that everyone was really welcoming and genuine – both staff and students.”
I distinctly remember that during the welcome assembly on my first day, Dr. McGonigle prayed for all of the new students to be grafted into the School community, and I really felt as if everyone was actively putting in the effort around me to make this happen and help me maximise my opportunities at St Andrew’s Cathedral School.
I instantly felt like the cohort was really interested in getting to know me, and that my teachers really wanted to understand how I worked and help me to succeed.
“I really feel as if everyone is so happy and grateful to be a part of St Andrew’s Cathedral School and to be spending time with each other.”
This impression hasn’t changed – everyone is genuinely so nice! I really feel as if everyone is so happy and grateful to be a part of St Andrew’s Cathedral School and to be spending time with each other – especially now, as seniors, where the support of our teachers and each other is the most important.
How has attending the School challenged your outlook/view of the world?
I think that transferring from a single-sex to St Andrew’s Cathedral School’s co-ed environment has helped broaden my outlook of the world. Hearing male perspectives in class discussions and lunchtime conversations induces and normalises collaboration between boys and girls.
“Hearing male perspectives in class discussions and lunchtime conversations normalises collaboration between boys and girls.”
In a single-sex environment it’s easy for the male opinion to be assumed and generalised, whereas in a co-ed environment we are more understanding of the opposite gender because they are tangible individuals; we are each other’s peers and friends.
This environment is thereby much more indicative of the post-school world; particularly university and workplace settings, so I think this exposure to an increased range of perspectives has challenged my worldview in an important and exponentially beneficial way.
“I think this exposure to an increased range of perspectives has challenged my worldview in an important and exponentially beneficial way.”
When you go to school each day what do you most look forward to?
I look forward to being productive and working towards my goals alongside both staff and students that want me to do my best.
Some of the best moments are actually in the study centre with my friends, helping each other to succeed and sharing the burdens of Year 12. It’s also great that we aren’t unhealthily competitive with one another and genuinely motivate our friends to excel in what they’re good at.
I also love that my teachers make a strong effort to extend me as a high achiever, supporting me with one-on-one feedback through major works and extension subjects while trying to ensure I don’t take on too much and remember to have breaks.
“The School continues to help me understand the importance of balance, and I think having a great group of friends around me has been a key part of this.”
The School continues to help me understand the importance of balance, and I think having a great group of friends around me has been a key part of this.
What is your proudest achievement at the School so far?
My proudest achievement would be my overall academic progress in the HSC course; ranking first in my English, History and Legal Studies courses last year and maintaining these ranks going into Year 12 with added extension subjects.
In the co-curricular sphere, I’m also proud of my debating achievements last year, including reaching the finals in both the ISDA Competition and the ANZ Oxford Schools Debating Competition; where I also individually ranked within the top ten speakers.
Is there a particular HSC subject you most enjoy? Why?
I would have to say Legal Studies; because it is most closely aligned with what I hope to do after school and is the class where we have the most interesting discussions. I love how topical and dynamic the course is; as we are constantly applying our syllabus-based knowledge to cases and law reforms that are happening in real-time.
The course has really fostered my interest in the legal system and reinforced my desire to further my study of the law after school.
Do you have a few lasting memories of St Andrew’s Cathedral School or a story you’d like to share?
Since I’ve only been at the School for a short time I don’t really look back on one prominent memory more than I do on the unique everyday experiences that St Andrew’s Cathedral School has to offer. I’ve loved being able to spend time with my friends in the city and join such a tight-knit cohort and school community.
“I’ve loved being able to spend time with my friends in the city and join such a tight-knit cohort and school community.”
I’ll definitely be graduating with great memories of all of the friends and staff who have supported me over the last two years.
What do you hope to do next year and in your future?
Next year I hope to study Law, probably coupled with Art, at either the University of Sydney or the University of New South Wales. This will give me the flexibility to further my interests in Legal Studies, English and History.
Long-term, I’m looking to practice as a civil law barrister and pursue becoming an author. I’ve worked on a lot of personal creative writing projects throughout High School, so with ample time, I’m hoping to work some of it into a complete novel and get it published.
In any case, I know I’ll find myself somewhere among writing, debating and literature.
