St Michael's College

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton) (15:19): Deputy Speaker, you and members would be aware of the many times I have spoken about the outstanding schools in my electorate, and today I wish to speak of St Michael's College. On Wednesday 17 February, I had the pleasure of attending St Michael's College's academic assembly. As usual, it was an outstanding assembly celebrating academic excellence and the achievements of St Michael's class of 2015. It was also a celebration of all students who successfully completed year 12 in 2015.

All speakers, including principal John Foley, acknowledged that, whilst this assembly was recognising academic excellence, it was also recognising and celebrating the achievement of all the students of the class of 2015. Deputy Speaker, you know as we all do that, for those not as academically adept, successfully completing year 12 is in itself an outstanding achievement for these individuals and students.

Interestingly and thankfully, St Michael's 2015 year 12 cohort had an amazing 100 per cent successful SACE completion rate. Underpinning this success is the attitude and ethos instilled into and observed by St Michael's students, that is, 'do the best you can' and 'be the best that you can be'. Importantly, St Michael's students will carry these attitudes and this ethos with them throughout their entire lives.

During the assembly we were not only presented with the students who had excelled academically in 2015 but treated to magnificent speeches by Principal Foley, 2015 dux Stephanie Laden, and a thought-provoking speech by Dr Neil McGoran, the CE of the SACE Board. We were also treated to an outstanding performance by St Michael's College Big Band One, and I congratulate band director Tim Donovan and all the wonderful young musicians.

Before I highlight the outstanding results of the class of 2015, I want to pay tribute and thank the St Michael's teachers and support staff for the work they have done and continue to do, not just those year 12 teachers but all the teachers and support staff who have helped build the solid foundation for these students throughout their time at St Michael's and which was the springboard for the outstanding results that were achieved.

Now, on with the results. I apologise to my Hansard friends, but I have them all listed here and I have to go rather quickly: Gabrielle Gonos, 89.6 ATAR score, five As; Isabella Marzouk, 90.45, five As; Lucy Cooper, 93.85, five As; Dominic Carzo, 94.4, five As; Shaina Blackburn, 94.5, five As; Luke Zille, 95.2; Joshua Smith, 95.2; Gabriella Owens, 95.5; Aleisha Zamperin, 96.2; Arora Nirbhay, 96.2, five As; Charlotte Billett, 95.6; Joanna Bulian, 96.7, five As; Emily Zott, 96.9, five As; Jacqueline Scaffidi, 96.9, five As; Olivia Papadopoulos, 96.9.

Joshua Jackson had an ATAR of 96.9 and five As; Beth Selby, 97.05; Samuel Cannata, 97.05 and five As; Joseph Luppino, 97.1; Claudia May, 97.25; Natalya Zupan, 97.4; Joshua Bilske, 97.4 and five As; Simon Pegoli, 97.45, five As; Jack Stewart, 97.55, five As; Bianca Brattoli, 97.55, five As; Jordan Evens, 97.7, five As; Esmeralda Stefanopoulos, 98.1 and five As; Sean McGowan, 98.4 and five As; Christopher Galimitakis, 98.4 and five As; Thomas Carey, 98.6 and five As.

Emma Foley is the principal's daughter, and it was wonderful to see the principal and how proud he was in presenting his daughter during this process. Emma got 99.2 and five As; Thomas Jacquier, 99.45 and five As; and the dux, Stephanie Laden, who made a magnificent speech, 99.9 and five As. That is an outstanding effort by the students of St Michael's but, as I said, to get a 100 per cent completion rate of SACE in year 12 for the 2015 students is in itself a remarkable effort.

When we had the Olympics, Sydney was lucky enough to have the chair of the Olympic Committee say, 'This is the best Olympics ever.' I know there was a reluctance by the college to say this was the best result ever, because it might put pressure on the class of 2016, but I have no doubt this was the best result ever for St Michael's, but, as opposed to putting pressure on this year's students, it is something they can aspire to match and meet.

I am blessed within my electorate to have so many outstanding schools. St Michael's is one of them, and I will continue to speak about all the outstanding schools, both within the public sector and the Catholic sector because they are all a part of our education system. As I said, I am very lucky to represent the seat of Colton and have so many good schools in my electorate.