St Michael's College

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton) (15:41): Thank you, Deputy Speaker. As you would certainly be a witness, I often speak about the outstanding schools in my electorate, and I am blessed that I have so many outstanding schools in the district of Colton.

Today, I want to talk about St Michael's College. I was lucky enough the other day to attend, on 11 February, their academic assembly and it fell into several categories. One category was the recognition of students of the highest achievement in a subject, based on the SACE achievement score, a recognition of the outstanding academic achievement which is awarded to those students who achieved an Australian Tertiary Admission Ranking (ATAR) of 95 or higher and/or an A grade in all subjects studied.

It also recognised those students who achieved merit certificates awarded by the SACE Board. I am pleased to report that there were 20 of these certificates awarded to 17 of the St Michael's students. On any fair assessment, this has been an outstanding result for the class of 2014. Each year I am amazed and proud of the performance of the college and its students. Interestingly, too—and I know you will be very pleased to hear this, Deputy Speaker—of the year 12 students there was a 100 per cent success rate for all those year 12 students who undertook SACE last year.

Those in attendance were treated to a spectacular assembly, which included a performance by the St Michael's College Big Band One. You, Deputy Speaker, would have enjoyed their swing/jazz rendition of Getaway. I congratulate the student musicians who took part and, of course, the director, Mr Tim Donovan, who again can be very proud of his student musicians. I was sitting alongside the principal, Mr Foley, and I saw a trombone solo by a very tall person in the band. I said, 'Gee, that gentleman certainly looks a bit older than the rest of the students. He must have been here a while.' The principal said that the 17 years that he has spent in year 12 have been his best years. Actually, it was a teacher and he did a great job. I commend his performance as well as those students.

What I want to do is read out the names of those students who were presented in the outstanding academic achievement category and their ATAR scores. I recognise Jake Gazettas, 92.9 with five As; Rachelle Moses, 94 with five As; Chantelle Bardadyn, 94.05; 95.9 for Thomas Reichstein with five As; 95.95 for Felicia Spadavecchia; 96.05 for Lucy Tweed with five As, 96.2 for Scarlett Parker; 96.35 for Hannah Schwarz with five As; 96.35 for Alicia Cardone; 96.6 for Ermiony Andrushenko and 96.95 for Concetta Spadavecchia with five As.

Also, there was 97.15 for Nancy Azzollini, five As; 97.35 for Adam Watts; 97.35 for Daniel Settimio, with five As; 97.35 for Alessandra Gorcilov, with five As; 97.6 for Julian Millevoi, with five As; 97.65 for Lauren Bottin, with five As; 98.05 for Michael Ucci, with five As; 98.3 for Sonya Lorenzoni, five As; 99.15 for Sabrina Sghirripa, five As; 99.25 for Chelsea Fortuna, five As; 99.4 for Eleanor Day, five As; 99.6 for Luke Butcher; and 99.7 for Adam Swan, with five As. These are outstanding performances by those students.

I also want to recognise all St Michael's students who conducted themselves last year in year 12 because, whilst we are recognising those who achieved outstanding academic excellence, we know that all students put in the best they can, and we should also recognise their contribution, which, of course, the college has done, and I do here again today.

It is a school that encourages all those students to strive to be the best they can be, and I know that St Michael's students continue to strive to be the best that they can be. I thank St Michael's for the contribution they make to our community. I thank them for what they do for the students in producing young people who are going to be great outstanding citizens of this state, this country and this world. As we all know, the child who knows how to read and write will be capable of anything.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hear, hear! The member for Mitchell.