Speech Night 2024: two major awards

This year’s Speech Night was a celebration of academic excellence, and we are proud to recognise how much of it belonged to our international students — who took the stage for academic awards including the Academic Honour, awarded to students in the top 10% of their cohort, and for top-of-subject recognition from Year 5 through to Year 12.

Two major awards

Sam To, Year 12, from Vietnam, received The Cameron Cup — awarded to the student who best exemplifies the College motto, Unity, Christ, Learning. It is among the most significant awards the College gives, and it is not an academic prize: it recognises character.

A second international student, in Year 12 from China, received The Mark Fenton Boarding Citizenship Award, presented to a student who has made an exemplary contribution as a citizen of the Boarding Village.

Not every achievement gets a trophy

While not every achievement is marked by an award, every student’s effort is valued here. Each step forward counts, and this year’s recipients are a reminder to every international student of what persistence earns.

One of the evening’s keynote students arrived at the College with limited English. After completing the High School Preparation Course at John Paul International College, they moved into the main school and went on to excel — a path many of our graduates would recognise.

None of this happens alone. Our homestay families and the International Student Services Office have been central to helping these students thrive, academically and personally.