Luke Jackson Year 10 Sports Award

At 197 cm and possibly still growing, Luke Jackson is part of the Basketball Scholarship programme at Willetton SHS. A WA Basketball League player since under 12’s, Luke has also played state level Basketball in the U/16 and U/18 age groups. He has been awarded the Most Valuable Player in school teams, for his club the Willetton Tigers and this year was awarded the WA Basketball League Player of The Year. Luke was invited to Basketball Australia’s Centre Of Excellence selection camp earlier this year and was one of only 3 Western Australian boys to be selected to represent Australia at the 2017 FIBA U/16 Asian Championships. The team known as the Australian Crocs.

One would think his sporting future lies with Basketball ..But wait.

Luke is also a talented AFL player playing local football with Bullcreek/Leeming. He achieved selection in the NAB AFL Under-16

State team this year, the team that caused an upset and took out the national title,  the first WA team to win since 2012. 

Quote from the AFL website 

‘The 15-year-old ruckman has made a recent switch from basketball and his athletic prowess and ruck craft throughout the Championships was special. Jackson's competitiveness – his desire to fight for loose balls at ground level and then follow up to the next contest, with second and third efforts, was impressive.’    

This competition is considered to be the first stepping stone to the AFL draft and I think the scouts were out in force as Luke won a place in the NAB AFL Academy Level 1 group in late August. This level 1 academy group, consists of 22 players eligible for the draft in 2019 of which I am told Luke features in the top 10.

So playing at the top level in both AFL and Basketball. He might have one more year that Mum and Dad can balance that before he decides AFL or Basketball. What a fantastic position to be in. We wish you well Luke and I am sure this award is one of many you will receive throughout your sporting career. 

Jessica Banks Year 10 Arts Award

Before Jessica Banks started at Willetton SHS I visited Rostrata PS for their final year 7 assembly and noticed the expressive face of the little girl in the front row. So really it was no surprise to me that less than one year later little Jess was the only Year 8 to have a main role in the School’s musical production for Joseph and The Technicolour Dreamcoat, playing Rueben, Joseph’s brother. She is a drama teacher’s ideal student replacing another student who was unable to continue in the role. 

Whole school productions at Willetton only occur every two years but Jess did not let the grass grow in the meantime. She was a member of the Drama Club in year 8 and 9 meeting before school and participating in the Yohfest Drama festival both years and she was the MC of the Year 9 Drama showcase last year 

The Willetton Musical Production this year was Cinderella and what better role could Jess play than that of Joy the wicked stepsister? Jess put her heart and soul into the part, spending many hours rehearsing and perfecting the songs and her lines. She is a strong mentor to the younger drama students and her enthusiasm and dedication to Drama makes her the ideal candidate for this award.

Jess is studying ATAR Drama next year and hopes to pursue the Arts at university, maybe trial for the WA Academy of Performing Arts and who knows next step Broadway?

Duli Jayalath Year 10 Community Spirit Award

The winner of the year 10 Community Spirit award is Duli Jayalath.

Duli is a fabulous example of the community spirit that exists at Willetton. Student Councillor in Year 8 and peer leader in year 9, Duli has been a member of Interact since Year 8 and is now acting in the role of secretary in her third year with the group.

From the time she started at Willetton Duli has always looked for a way to help others. In Year 9 she applied for and was accepted into  the Zero2hero camp where she undertook the mental health training to assist her fellow students and provide a support to those who felt at risk. 

Duli is currently completing her Bronze Duke Of Edinburgh award. Her community service for this award has included assisting at the Rotary Fair for the past two years a volunteer role she really enjoys. She also attended the Rypen Rotary youth Programme of Enrichment Camp in 2017

When I was asked to nominate a student to be the Year 10 representative on the Student Health and Well Being Committee Duli was the first student who came to mind. Her response to me was, “I would really like to be involved in that.” The committee was set up to reduce stress and anxiety at school through promoting a variety of mindfulness activities in the classroom and schoolyard. Duli has been very actively working in this committee promoting events such as No Technology Tuesday and was appointed as spokesperson to the school staff meeting last month and blew me away with her preparation and poise as she spoke to about 120 staff members to report on the achievements of the group.

Duli would say her proudest achievement in all of her community activites would be the activities and achievements that she has been a part of in Interact in particular the Baby Bundles that the Interact group helped coordinate and which were sent to help needy young families in PNG.

Duli has loved the friendships she has made in all of these activities. Duli pictures Community Service and giving back as being part of her life throughout her life.

Jae Brieffies Year 10 Academic Award 

Jae Brieffies is one of our Gifted and Talented programme scholarship students. This puts her in the top 3% of the population based on academic potential and she is currently the top performing student in that programme (go the girls!) 

Since she began at Willetton in Year 8 2015, Jae has achieved outstanding academic results with straight A’s in most years except for a couple of sneaky B’s in Year 9. She is a focussed and motivated student who takes her studies very seriously and has equal strengths in the Maths/Science and Humanities areas. 

Parents and grandparents here tonight will not believe that at times Jae has to be dissuaded from studying too hard. I am happy to say that despite this Jae lives a full and well rounded life. She is a talented cellist and plays in the school orchestra. She has shown a strong commitment to school activities by performing in several school productions, playing in the Senior Orchestra and the school netball team. Jae is Vice President of Interact in 2017 and has been an active member of the group since Year 8. She is working towards her gold Duke Of Edinburgh award and will be travelling to Vietnam with the school early next year. 

If you were to ask Jae what the biggest highlight for her has been in recent years I feel sure she would say the prestigious Simpson Prize awarded to her by the History Teachers Association of Australia. To win this national award Jae had to write an essay on the significance of the Western front in WW1. Her prize was travel to the Western Front including two weeks In Europe with other state and territory winners visiting various historic sites, a 14 year old history nerds heaven. 

Jae is studying 6 ATAR subjects next year and is undecided which university options she should take in the future, with study overseas also a real possibility. There is no doubt that Jae is determined to achieve and perform at her very best at all times and we wish her all the best in the future.

 

Erin Strle Year 11 Arts Award 

This student is a passionate Arts student and an all rounder. 

She volunteers at Burrendah Primary School assisting with the music program 2014-2017 – helping prepare vocal soloists for auditions and assisting with orchestra and choir

She has also been a Member of WSHS string orchestra and choir for many years. 

She has had lead roles - Narrator WSHS production 2015 Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat

Lead role – Anna WSHS production 2016 Stories in the Dark

Supporting role – Fairy Godmother WSHS production 2017 Cinderella Enchanted

Supporting Role – Mrs Lyons WSHS Production 2017 Blood Brothers

2016 – MSJ Bootcamp scholarship 

2017 – 1st place Willo All Stars Competition

2017 Semester 1 Top student ATAR Drama and Certificate 2 Music

Outside school learns piano, voice and dance (ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary)

She has received an Academic Award every semester from Year 8-11

And has been a School Councillor WSHS Year 9-11

A worthy recipient of the Arts award, Erin Strle

Jordan Hoffmann  Year 11 Academic Award

The following student has a long list of credentials and is a valuable asset to the year group. 

He received a Prize in Australian Mathematics Competition in year 8

And - High distinctions in Australian Mathematics competition in years 10 and 11

- High distinctions in ICAS in years 8-11

- Distinction in Australian Mathematical -Olympiad in year 10

- 3rd place in have sum fun maths competition in year 10

- 2nd place in have sum fun maths competition in year 11

-- High distinction in the australian geography competition in year 9 and 10

- High distinction in australian national chemistry quiz in year 9

Top of physics ATAR, maths specialist ATAR and maths methods ATAR in year 11 semester 1, 6 A's year 11 sem 1

- Distinction in mathematical challenge for young australians in year 10 and 9 and high distinction in year 11

- In other areas of the school he has been Student of the year in year 8

- Student councillor year 9,10,11

- Peer mentoring in year 10 and 11

- Peer leading

Congratulations to our Academic award winner Jordan Hoffmann

Sophie Doran Year 11 Sports Award

The following student would give the Physical Education Department at Willetton a run for their money.

This student

2013 - selected for the School Girls State under 12's team

2014 - selected for the Southern Cross challenge under 14's state team and awarded MVP for the team

         - selected for under 14's National Championships for Willetton Tigers

 - awarded Best female trainer at WSHS

2015 -  awarded Best female trainer at WSHS

2016  - made reverse for under 16's State team

          - selected for the Australian Schools Championship division team at WSHS

  - awarded the Best Defensive Player of the year for Willetton Tigers

  - awarded the Robyn Marler Best All Round lower school student at WSHS

  - awarded Best female trainer at WSHS

2017 - selected for the under 18's State team

 - awarded All star award for under 18's WABL

 - selected for the School Sport public All Star team

 - selected for the Australian Schools Championship division team at WSHS

 - awarded the Best Defensive player for the year for Willetton Tigers

Congratulations to the student achieving the sporting award, Sophie Doran

Nikita Tcherkashnev Year 11 Community Spirit Award

This student is a remarkable young man and is a role model for his fellow peers and younger. His following achievements 

-Represented Australia in the World Futsal Championships in Orlando, USA ( in 2014, too far back to be included ?)

-Represented Western Australia in the Futsal OZ National Championship in Melbourne (in 2015, too far back to be included ?)

-Represented Western Australia in the Series Futsal Australia National Championship ( in 2016 ^same question applies)

-Currently part of three Futsal (indoor soccer) leagues 

-Stage Manager for musical production of Cinderella Enchanted in 2017

-School Councillor for the past 2 years and chosen to be a year 12 Student councillor as well. 

- Attended the Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (Rypen) 

-Volunteered at the 2017 SupaNova expo at the Perth Convention Centre

-Volunteers at the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul every Sunday

Congratulations to Nikita Tcherkashnev

Diane Tuxford Teacher Of the Year Award

Diane has been a teacher in the Health and Physical Education Department at Willetton for nearly 20 years.

Willetton SHS is part of a family dynasty for Di. Two of her three children have graduated from the school, her Mother recently retired as Head librarian and her mother in law still works as library officer. 

Originally a State League Basketball player for Rockingham and Cockburn, Di has a love of all sport and has spent her teaching career transferring this love to her students. 

There are many strings to Di’s bow, she has coordinated the Health Education programme, been a lead teacher delivering Vocational Education Certificates and taught ATAR courses, as well as the many years spent coaching students in many sports after school.

One recent and significant role Di has undertaken is the coordination of the Willetton Athletics team. Over the past two years Willetton has moved up to A division in the interschool competition and maintained its place in that division under her leadership. It is a mammoth task that takes up many hours of her time and sometimes causes sleepless nights but the athletes really benefit from the care and humour with which Di leads the team.

Di is at the peak of her career. She is enthusiastic and motivated and still taking on new challenges within the ever changing education environment. Over the past two years she has taught and developed the Year 11 ATAR Health Studies course and she is currently planning and training to take Willetton students on a trek to Vietnam early next year to assist them to achieve their silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh award.

The Head of Physical Education describes Di as quality. A lead teacher and a team player within the department with an outstanding work ethic. A teacher who has a positive and strong working relationship with colleagues and students. We are all delighted she has received this recognition for her hard work which often flies under the radar as Di goes about her business in a quiet, no fuss way.

This award serves as a great acknowledgement of a fabulous career so far and it is with great pleasure that I call on Rob Webster, President of Willetton Rotary to make the presentation.