GIFTED & TALENTED

2020 Graduate Success

The two graduates who topped the ATAR in 2020 were Gifted and Talented (GAT) students, Eunice Tan and Benjamin Seow. They now join the prestigious 99 Club.

Eunice (99.7) has received a Direct Pathway to study Medicine UWA and achieved a Subject Certificate of Excellence (top 0.5% of students in the State) for Mathematics Applications. She said ‘I am extremely grateful for the immense support and encouragement my teachers had given me throughout my ATAR journey. Without their effort and care, I know for certain that I would not be able to achieve this result.’

Ben Seow (99.65), who was Dux in 2020 and the Gifted and Talented Academic Ambassador Award winner, is going to study Mechanical Engineering at Curtin University.

Melville SHS is an established and well-recognised leader in STEM education; thus, it is no surprise to see it as a popular post-school career choice for our top achievers.

Other GAT high achievers include, LeAnn Yap, Ester Tan and Krishnan Harisheni.

LeAnn (98.5) received a Direct Pathway to study Medicine.

Esther (98.4) received a Subject Exhibition in Health Studies by achieving the highest examination mark in the subject. This is the fifth year in a row that Melville SHS has won this Subject Exhibition for Health Studies. Esther plans to further her interest in Health by studying Pharmacy at UWA.

Harisheni (97) received a Subject Certificate of Excellence for English (awarded to the top 0.5% of students in the State) and said about her English teacher and Gifted and Talented Coordinator: “Shout out to Mr Pearce for making English (the subject that I was barely passing) to the one that was my second top. You’re the best”.

STEM Slant and Medicine Bound

Melville recently received the Governor’s School STEM Award and proof of the outcomes are very prevalent in the subject choices of many of the school’s graduates in 2019. Australia’s future depends on students taking on the technologies of the future and the following students are going to now enthusiastically embrace STEM in their University careers. Melville SHS was in the top performing schools in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematical Methods because it had the highest performing students in these ATAR courses.

Two of the schools Gifted and Talented Students have been offered places in Medicine at UWA. Aden Lukan with an ATAR of 99.5 and Nipun Ratnayake are now among nine students from the school to gain entry into Medicine in the last five years.

Dux of 2019, Amir Aminy (99.10) was the top Chemistry and Physics student and is having a gap year in 2020. He hopes to start Medicine in 2021.

Cameron Brown is extremely passionate and talented when it comes to Mathematics and is going to study a double degree in Data Science and Mathematics and Statistics at UWA.

G&T students, Abhinav Saini and Joshua Hounslow are going to be involved with a STEM degree of the future in Mechatronic Engineering at Curtin University. They both made the most of his time at Melville by also being immersed in the Music in Focus Program and played trumpet in the Swing Band.

Linh Nguyen is off to study at the prestigious Melbourne University. She will study a Bachelor of Science before specialising. Jason Song (99.1) will also be studying at Melbourne University and will study a B. Commerce.

STEM Inspires Scientific Pursuits

Melville SHS has been inspiring students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects since the 2018 Leavers started in Year 7. This inspiration has led many top achievers going into associated degrees.

2018 Dux, Jessie Wang received an ATAR of 99.90 and has been accepted into the coveted B. Phil (Computer Science and Engineering) at UWA. The Bachelor of Philosophy only accepts students with marks over 98 and is a holistic four-year degree comprising a three-year bachelor’s degrees and a fourth year of honours.

Head Girl in 2018, Jamie Lau (ATAR of 97.65) is going to study Medicine at the University of NSW. She becomes the seventh student to gain acceptance into Medicine in the last four years.

Technology is the buzzword for this generation and Randy De Guzman (96.85) is studying a Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering and Computer Science at Curtin University. Head Boy, Charles Morley-Wong (ATAR 98.35) is also off to Curtin to study a Bachelor of Engineering. Rico Lee (95.65) and Anushree Arunkumar (95.70) have been accepted into a Direct Pathway – Masters of Professional Engineering at UWA.

Science at UWA was also the choice for other high achievers: Tom Featherstone (95.15) will study a Bachelor of Science (Physics) and Mathematics. Sophie Tremain-Hill (95.60) will study a Bachelor of Science (Pre-clinical Optometry) for a year at Curtin University then an Optometry degree at Flinders University. Molly Clegg (95.80) and Eliza Lock (95.65) are both going to study a Bachelor of Science – Occupational Therapy (Honours) at Curtin.

Health Winner

Congratulations to Rebecca Whitehurst who is the top student in the State in Health Studies and has become the Exhibition Winner in that subject. This is the third year in a row that Melville SHS has won this Subject Exhibition for Health Studies. She and Kate Burns received a Subject Certificate of Excellence as one of three students who were in the top 0.5% of students in Health Studies. Kate (with an ATAR of 94.35) has decided to study a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics and Statistics) at UWA.

Humanities High Achiever

Sarah Birch with an ATAR of 97.1 is going to follow her passions and do a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Modern History, Classics and Ancient History at UWA.

Graphic Design Media Star

Stella Gray Broun has won selection in the prestigious Year 12 Media Perspectives for her short film Well Number 7. The film is to be showcased in March at a short film festival and was selected by ATOMWA (Australian Teachers of Media WA).

Stella, who received an ATAR of 93.45 has been a part of the Graphic Design Media Specialist Program since Year 7 and then excelling in Visual Art & Design and Media Production course in senior school. In the league tables for Year 12 ATAR results, Melville SHS had leading courses in Design, Media Production and Visual Arts (based on the number of students who were in the top 15% of all students in the class).

Music Passion Leads to WAPPA Offers

Congratulations to Gifted and Talented student Kobi Simpson as well as Shaniqa Ratnasingam who have been accepted into WAAPA (WA Academy of Performing Arts). Kobi is going to study Jazz piano and is keen to have a career in performing and writing music. Shaniqa (ATAR 93.56) is going to study classical saxophone and hopes to use her degree to travel the world to study under other performers and teach music. She would love to one day join an orchestra. Both students said they were strongly encouraged and inspired by teachers Ms Ana Milas and Mr Lachlan Brooks-Crew.

STEM Inspires Scientific Pursuits

Melville SHS has been inspiring students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects since the 2018 Leavers started in Year 7. This inspiration has led many top achievers going into associated degrees.

2018 Dux, Jessie Wang received an ATAR of 99.90 and has been accepted into the coveted B. Phil (Computer Science and Engineering) at UWA. The Bachelor of Philosophy only accepts students with marks over 98 and is a holistic four-year degree comprising a three-year bachelor’s degrees and a fourth year of honours.

Head Girl in 2018, Jamie Lau (ATAR of 97.65) is going to study Medicine at the University of NSW. She becomes the seventh student to gain acceptance into Medicine in the last four years.

Technology is the buzzword for this generation and Randy De Guzman (96.85) is studying a Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering and Computer Science at Curtin University. Head Boy, Charles Morley-Wong (ATAR 98.35) is also off to Curtin to study a Bachelor of Engineering. Rico Lee (95.65) and Anushree Arunkumar (95.70) have been accepted into a Direct Pathway – Masters of Professional Engineering at UWA.

Science at UWA was also the choice for other high achievers: Tom Featherstone (95.15) will study a Bachelor of Science (Physics) and Mathematics. Sophie Tremain-Hill (95.60) will study a Bachelor of Science (Pre-clinical Optometry) for a year at Curtin University then an Optometry degree at Flinders University. Molly Clegg (95.80) and Eliza Lock (95.65) are both going to study a Bachelor of Science – Occupational Therapy (Honours) at Curtin.

Health Winner

Congratulations to Rebecca Whitehurst who is the top student in the State in Health Studies and has become the Exhibition Winner in that subject. This is the third year in a row that Melville SHS has won this Subject Exhibition for Health Studies. She and Kate Burns received a Subject Certificate of Excellence as one of three students who were in the top 0.5% of students in Health Studies. Kate (with an ATAR of 94.35) has decided to study a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics and Statistics) at UWA.

Humanities High Achiever

Sarah Birch with an ATAR of 97.1 is going to follow her passions and do a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Modern History, Classics and Ancient History at UWA.

Graphic Design Media Star

Stella Gray Broun has won selection in the prestigious Year 12 Media Perspectives for her short film Well Number 7. The film is to be showcased in March at a short film festival and was selected by ATOMWA (Australian Teachers of Media WA).

Stella, who received an ATAR of 93.45 has been a part of the Graphic Design Media Specialist Program since Year 7 and then excelling in Visual Art & Design and Media Production course in senior school. In the league tables for Year 12 ATAR results, Melville SHS had leading courses in Design, Media Production and Visual Arts (based on the number of students who were in the top 15% of all students in the class).

Music Passion Leads to WAPPA Offers

Congratulations to Gifted and Talented student Kobi Simpson as well as Shaniqa Ratnasingam who have been accepted into WAAPA (WA Academy of Performing Arts). Kobi is going to study Jazz piano and is keen to have a career in performing and writing music. Shaniqa (ATAR 93.56) is going to study classical saxophone and hopes to use her degree to travel the world to study under other performers and teach music. She would love to one day join an orchestra. Both students said they were strongly encouraged and inspired by teachers Ms Ana Milas and Mr Lachlan Brooks-Crew.

Jordan Lukan and Mikael Setiaputra (ATAR of 99.75 placing him in the top 0.2% of the state) are part of a growing group from the school who are accepted into Medicine. Getting into Medicine is not just about doing well academically, but also involves doing well in the UMAT (Undergraduate Medical and Health Sciences Admission Test). Jordan’s UMAT of 172 (84th percentile) was outstanding. He volunteered as a St John’s first aid officer when at school and is now also volunteering with disabled children at Red Cross.

The UMAT challenges students in logical reasoning and problem solving; understanding people and non-verbal reasoning. The final ranking to get into Medicine is based on UMAT, ATAR and an Interview and is weighted 1:2:2 respectively. Approximately 65 ATAR students gain direct Bonded Medical Places (BMP) or 28.5. The rest are selected as post-graduate placements.

The school is aware of six students who have gained entry into Medicine in the last three years. Melville SHS is a Broadway Direct Pathway school that gives bonus marks for entry into Medicine and Dentistry.

Chiara Jil Fluri received a Health Studies Subject Exhibition for achieving the highest examination mark in an ATAR course.

Four students (Mikael Setiaputra in Physics & Mathematical Methods and Alyssa Davies, Adrian Gonzalez and Amberley Evans in Health Studies) were awarded Subject Certificates of Excellence for achieving in the top 0.5% of students in an ATAR course exam.

Jane Song is studying a Bachelor of Biomedicine with an assured pathway to Medicine at the University of Melbourne. Jane received the fifth highest result in the state with an ATAR of 95.95 and became the second highest state school student behind the Beazley Medal winner. Jane and put her success down to her amazing teachers. She said she was very proud to have received the results with no external paid tutoring or private tuition. Jane received a subject Exhibition in Mathematical Methods, a Certificate of Excellence in Chemistry and Maths and got 100% in three of her subjects.

Head Boy Owen Stanley is also at the University of Melbourne doing a Bachelor of Bio-Technology after his great result of 99.30 and achieving a Certificate of Excellence in Mathematical Methods.

Canningvale resident Paul Omodunbi received an early offer to study Computer Science and Systems Engineering at Curtin University. He received a fantastic ATAR result of 98.45.

Cosmo Batley has been accepted into the WAAPA Classical Piano Program.

Anatalisha Finn from Palmyra who has been part of the Melville SHS Gifted and Talented Program for the last five years was one of three students to join the elite 99 club with an ATAR of 99.15. Anatalisha has received a direct pathway into Medicine.

Another Gifted and Talented student, Max Wickham from Kardinya received an ATAR of 97.15 and has been a part of the Music in Focus program since he started high school. He is currently at WAAPA studying Jazz Guitar. He was part of the school’s Swing band that has been visited local primary schools to promote instrumental music courses.