‘Not an easy journey’: Brother of Oatlands crash victim Veronique Sakr reveals incredible HSC success

Michael’s little sister died in a tragedy that shook the nation, but on Wednesday the 18-year-old received an ATAR anyone would be proud of.

The Sakr family have survived one of the most traumatic tragedies any family could hope to never deal with after their youngest daughter was killed by a drunk and drugged driver, but with HSC results at last revealed, they finally have a reason to celebrate.

Michael Sakr, older brother of 11-year-old Oatlands crash victim Veronique Sakr, today discovered he had achieved an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 96.10, one of the highest in the state.

His mum, Bridget Sakr, was “absolutely wrapped” with the result, Michael said, having made the merit list for top marks in Business Studies, Design and Technology, Economics and English Advanced.

At 18 years old, the St Patrick’s College graduate has suffered more grief than many people will deal with throughout their lifetime, having lost his little sister Veronique four years ago in a tragedy that shook that country, and his father to pancreatic cancer just last year.

The loss of his sister shaped the rest of his journey at high school, forcing him to be more resilient, strengthen his faith and “understand the bigger picture in life”.

At St Patricks College in Strathfield, Year 12 students Michael Sakr (right) with classmates Anthony Loulach, Tadhg Murphy, Marcus Abal and Callum O’Neill all finished with an ATAR above 90. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Tragedies like that have improved who I am as a person, and what really matters to me,” he reflected.

“You sort of want to dedicate your work to them, as well – being my sister, and my dad.

“It’s definitely not been an easy journey, but that sacrifice and hard work is a lesson that I’ll with for the rest of my life.”

Michael was in good company at his all-boys independent Catholic school on Wednesday with classmates Anthony Loulach – ranked 10th in standard Mathematics – Tadhg Murphy, Marcus Abal and Callum O’Neill – ranked fifth in vocational Construction – all also receiving ATARs over 90.

Principal Vicki Lavorato hosted the returning students for a celebratory barbecue and was proud to see the boys “punching above their weight”.