Asteer Saleem missed out on primary school. Today, she topped the state

Of the 131 students who topped the state in their HSC, no one appreciated it more than this young woman.

At eight years old, a time when most kids dream of Barbie dolls, sleepovers with friends and trips to Disneyland, Iraqi born Asteer Saleem had just one wish – to go to school.

Stuck in a war-torn country, Ms Saleem was ripped of an opportunity for a childhood education. By the time she fled to Australia, five years ago, she had missed out on primary school.

On Tuesday, Ms Saleem stood on stage, tears in her eyes, knowing she had just come first in a course for her HSC.

“During the time of us moving and leaving Iraq and the war, I couldn’t go to school. When I came here, I asked myself, am I going to make it up? How am I going to do it? I’ve missed so much,” Ms Saleem said.

Iraqi refugee Asteer Saleem missed out on a primary school education. Today, she defeated all odds to become first in class for her HSC. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

She never could have imagined the little girl who couldn’t read or write, would today be shaking the hands of the Education Minister, having just placed first in the state for Arabic Extension.

“I remember leaving everything behind. I just took a book with me, but I didn’t know how to read or write,” she said.

Still, her mum insisted she try to read it. And so she did; she picked up the book, written in Arabic, a foreign language, and read until the unfamiliar words made sense.

“That’s how I picked up Arabic, reading that book. And to this day, I love reading. I think that’s why I am heading into a field where there is a lot of reading in it. I want to become a lawyer in the future.

“We have been exposed to so [much injustice] and it pains me to see someone go through it. I think heading into the law field would be some kind of way of giving back to the world, [to Australia] for housing me here and giving me another home.”

“I don’t want any child in the world to go through what I did. And maybe if I become a lawyer, I will be able to help those children who were once like me,” Ms Saleem said.

She tears up. “It’s emotional thinking about it. It reminds me of all that has happened to get to here. It’s good to have my mum here knowing so many people don’t have parents with them. To those who are like me or kids who are facing hardships or challenges when it comes to your education, follow your heart.

“Do what you like to do and do what you want to do. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Believe in yourself. Confidence is the key.”

Asteer Saleem studied at Secondary College of Languages at Liverpool Boys Campus