Students with future careers in academia and aviation were announced as the top two students in Western Australia at the presentation of the Beazley Medal for ATAR and VET courses for 2024 on Wednesday.
Ethan Yap, from Perth Modern School, and Kevin Castle, from Kent Street Senior High School, were presented with the medals for achieving the highest results out of the entire graduating cohort.
Kevin Castle from Kent Street Senior High School and Ethan Yap from Perth Modern School.Credit: Holly Thompson
Ethan won the Beazley Medal for the ATAR pathway, and also received a general exhibition, a subject exhibition for physics, subject certificates of excellence for chemistry, economics, mathematics specialist and physics, and a certificate of distinction.
It was also revealed he received a scaled score of more than 100 per cent in his mathematics specialist, economics and chemistry exams.
He said he had been in “complete disbelief” when he had received the phone call he had won the medal, and had asked if it was a prank.
“My parents were really overjoyed. My mum got the call before me so she was bursting to tell me, and my dad was really proud of me as well. So I’m just grateful I’ve had such good support from my parents.”
Ethan said he believed planning out his week had helped him succeed.
“In my weekly plan, I had everything that I wanted to achieve for that week and in my daily plan, I started separating that into short 45-minute blocks, I could get everything done, and that helped me stay mostly sane,” he said.
Now study is over, Ethan said he was focusing on leaning life skills like cooking and driving – something he admitted he was not yet good at.
“My mom always tells me to stop trying to calculate the forces on the car and pay attention to the roundabout,” he said.
He is hoping to study mathematics and computer science next year, either at the Australian National University or the University of Melbourne, and may look at working in academia after that.
Kevin won the Beazley Medal for the VET pathway, completing his Certificate II in Aeroskills, and a significant number of hours in the workplace while at school.
He also received the VET exhibition and a VET certificate of excellence in the automotive, engineering and logistics industry area.
He said his advice was to “always make sure you submit work to the best of your ability”, even in subjects you don’t like.
Kevin said initially the aviation course offered at his school had only been available through the ATAR pathway, but that this changed when he reached senior school.
“It offered very similar courses as the ATAR course, so I was able to pick up general subjects instead,” he said.
“My parents were everything. They were my number one supporters, they always knew I could do something big.
“They were absolutely over the moon (when they found out about the Beazley Medal). My mum couldn’t believe it at all. We are all so, so happy.”
Kevin said he was hoping to celebrate the award with a steak dinner.
Education Minister Tony Buti said both students had received outstanding results.
Kevin and Ethan with their proud families. Credit: Holly Thompson
“These students are fine examples of the students of year 11 and 12 in the public education system, they have worked incredibly hard,” he said.
“They have achieved so much through the support of their schools, their teachers, and also their family.
“My congratulations to each of the 3722 senior secondary school students who will find out today that they have achieved an exhibition or award from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority.
“Congratulations on your success. What a wonderful way to celebrate the end of your time at senior secondary school.”
The schools with the highest number of general exhibition winners were Perth Modern School with 19 and Christ Church Grammar School, Hale School, Rossmoyne Senior High School and Willetton Senior School – all with three each.
Get the day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter.