Congratulations to St Catherine’s School’s Proxime Accessit to the Duces, Alexandra Demetriou, who achieved an ATAR of 99.8. Alexandra attained a Perfect Study Score of 50 in Health and Human Development and as a Year 11 student in 2020, a 50 in Legal Studies.

Alexandra’s perseverance and determination are evident across both her academic and Co-curricular pursuits at St Catherine’s. Commencing in St Catherine’s Early Learning Centre4 Year-Old Kinder, Alexandra has always participated and achieved across many aspects of School life at St Catherine’s, through the ELC, Barbreck and our Senior School. 

Alexandra’s ability to maintain a high academic standard and exemplary learning behaviours, alongside the physical and time demands of her Co-curricular program are testament to her perseverance, determination, resilience and diligence and her broad range of sporting talents. 

Alexandra received Full Colours for Rowing in 2021, as part of the 1st VIII Crew that won Head of the Schoolgirls’ Regatta, a first in St Catherine’s Rowing history. She has represented St Catherine’s at Nationals in Athletics and Rowing, and was Sport Co-Captain this year, along with a GSV Cross Country athlete and an active participant in House activities, including House Cross Country and House Athletics. 

Alexandra received a Dark Blue Award for Academic Excellence, Outstanding Service to the School Award and a Light Blue Award for Performance in Rowing. 

We wish Alexandra well in her future studies and sporting pursuits and look forward to welcoming her return as a St Catherine’s Old Girl.  

Alexandra provides her reflections on life at St Catherine’s in her profile below. 

What have been some of the highlights of your time at St Catherine’s? 

Becoming the first Rowing crew to win the Head of Schoolgirls Regatta for St Catherine’s School. Seeing girls from previous years before me coming to support my crew and celebrating with us was one of the most special moments.  

I have always been proud to represent St Catherine’s across many sports such as Netball, Basketball, Athletics, Rowing and Cross Country, including representing my School at Nationals for both Athletics and Rowing. 

What do you plan to study post School? 

I plan to study Law and International Relations/Global Studies following Year 12. 

Where do you hope to study? 

Halfway through Year 12 I received an early offer from Australian National University in Canberra for Law and International relations.  

Has completing your two years of VCE within the COVID-19 pandemic changed your perspective?  

Two years of Covid-19 in VCE, and the unpredictability of the future, changed my perspective to focus on one day at a time. This allowed me to complete tasks I had set each day instead of being concerned about upcoming weeks and months.  

COVID has also changed my perception on recognising the importance of good health. As a result, I learned how essential physical activity is to break up studying and for my own wellbeing.  

What do you see yourself doing in five years’ time? 

I aspire to be towards the end of my university studies and commencing a career in International Relations/Law.   

Despite COVID-19 what will you take away from this year? 

I will take away the importance of having a balanced life. In Year 11, I thought the more hours I studied, the better it would be. However, I have learnt this year that quality is much more important than quantity. Allowing for a balance of physical and social activity helps your wellbeing throughout VCE. 

What has COVID-19 taught you that will be able to transfer into the next phase of your journey? 

COVID has taught me how to be resilient. We cannot control the future and what happens. I now know how to bounce-back from setbacks in life and how to remain focused and continually improve. 

How do you believe St Catherine’s and your teachers have helped you reach your goals? 

The teachers at St Catherine’s have always fostered a supportive environment. I have never been afraid to be curious and ask questions, which really increased how much I was able to learn. 

St Catherine’s also has amazing sport coaches and teachers, who help focus on our individual and specific needs to improve in our chosen sport, and balance this with our schooling. 

What advice would you provide to future Year 12 students? 

To only focus on yourself. It is so easy to become distracted in what people around you are doing, but it is your year and your VCE. Focusing on yourself is the most important way to succeed.