Our speaker at our High Achievers' Assembly was 2019 College Dux Jessica Taffe. Jess shared her reflections on what success really looks like in Year 12 and how to find balance in a busy school life..

My name is Jess and I’d like to start by saying a massive congratulations to my classmates, the class of 2019! All our hard work and hours spent studying was worth it, we made it!!

This year I will be going to university, as many of my peers have chosen to do, and I will be studying Science at Melbourne Uni.

This year’s joint Mater Christi and St Joseph’s school production was the 1975 classic, A Chorus Line – High School Edition.

A Chorus Line tells the story of 17 dancers, auditioning for a Broadway show. The director, Zach, asks the dancers to recall memories from their childhood so that he can get to know them better and eliminate down from 17 to 8. While some characters relish the opportunity to talk about themselves, others find it an emotionally confronting experience.

Determined to make the most of her education, 2018 Year 12 student Saasha is driven by her desire to make a difference and create opportunities for others.

Saasha has long recognised the privilege of a good education.

2018 Year 12 student Jessica says being at Mater Christi taught her that women are strong and have the ability to bring about change in the world. Now she wants to study Law, do something meaningful and make the world a better place.

A change of direction in Year 10 ensured 2018 Year 12 student Maddison stayed engaged and motivated in her studies. At school and in life Maddison's approach is to trust her own instincts and make things happen.

Maddison says she “doesn’t really have any passions” but her approach to life, success at school and plans for the future, indicate otherwise.

2018 College Co-Captain Emily took every opportunity to be involved and to challenge herself during her time at Mater Christi.  Her self-motivation and passion to do her best paid off in more ways than one.

“I have loved my time at Mater.

Year 12 2018 student Katie is determined to become a Paediatric Neonatal Surgeon. If her Year 12 results and attitude to learning are any indication, she’s sure to achieve her dream.

After moving house several times, Mater Christi became Katie’s sixth school.

2018 Year 12 student Amber says choosing VCAL was the best decision she has made.

During her last two years as a VCAL student, Amber completed Certificate II in Small Business, Certificate III in Allied Health, Certificate II in Public Safety as well as Responsible Serving of Alcohol and Barista Certificates… and was awarded 2018 Upper Ferntree Gully First Year Firefighter of the Year.

2018 Year 12 student Claire has never wavered from her dream of joining a circus, even when faced with training four hours a day in addition to her VCE studies.

Last November, Claire’s dream became a little more real when she was offered a highly treasured place at the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA). Claire’s commitment has been extraordinary.

2018 Year 12 student Madeleine says she grew in confidence as well as academically at Mater Christi

While Madeleine regularly enjoyed academic success, she identifies her personal growth as equally significant during her time at Mater Christi.