Middle School

Student of the term

Yr 9

Chiara Patruno 9 Bryce

Chiara is a friendly and polite young woman who brings a positive attitude to class. She has been described by many of her teachers as “curious, engaged and really hardworking”. She is always actively involved in class discussions and is passionate about her decisions. She can articulate her thoughts well and listens to the opinions of others whilst engaging in a healthy debate. She has adopted a very consistent approach to revising the material after each lesson, and is proactive in seeking help when she doesn’t understand something. Her confidence in her ability as a learner has grown, and it is wonderful to see her striving for excellent results in all assessments and consistently working to improve her own standards. 

Chiara always catches up on work missed and is very generous in her support and care of other students in the class; helping them with the work they don’t understand. Chiara's Japanese teacher says she is very interested in Japanese culture and what the Japanese society thinks about social issues of importance to her. She is an excellent example of someone who meets challenges and grows from them. Chiara's mentor teacher has been extremely impressed by her community spirit, plant care abilities & book recommendations. 

Year 10

Alisa Sanelli 10 Red

Alisa has consistently demonstrated a remarkable work ethic, a thirst for knowledge, and a passion for learning that has inspired both peers and educators. Her Psychology and English teachers commend her on her passion for learning and a dedication to strive for excellence. Alisa stands out not only for her academic achievements, but also for her dedication to various extracurricular activities. Her involvement in the Academy debating team showcases her critical thinking and communication skills, as she collaborates on speeches and rebuttals. Furthermore, her literary skills were showcased as a young writer in the spring edition of the Australian Catholics journal, where she detailed the ability of young people to affect social change. 

Alisa’s commitment to social justice is also truly inspiring; she goes above and beyond to support her peers, always extending a helping hand and offering a sympathetic ear. In addition to her social justice endeavours, this student is also involved in the Academy Concert Band and Big Band, where she demonstrates her skills as a keen clarinet player, and an ability to work within larger groups to perform engaging musical pieces. 

DAV Swannie Award

A big congratulations to Florencia Herrera who has been awarded the prestigious DAV Swannie Award. 

The Swannie is awarded to the best speaker in each region and grade who has the highest average speaker score. It is named after Alan Swanwick, a long-time member of the Debaters Association of Victoria DAV and a pioneer of debating in Victoria. Florencia has been recognised as the Best Speaker for the C Grade (Year 10) in the Essendon region. Florencia is the recipient of this award for the second year running – an impressive accomplishment!

We are very proud of Florencia’s efforts and look forward to her contributions to the Academy Debating Team in 2024. 

Ms Sherine Baydoun

Public Speaking Coordinator