Life at St Catherine’s: Qingyu (Eva) Liang
Class of 2023

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

This is going to sound a bit sad, but I will forever remember the day before Year 12 Formal I fell from the stairs and twisted my ankle. Even though it was already the end of school time, my friends and the teacher were so caring, and I am so grateful for what they did, they even got me a wheelchair. I felt some mixed emotions when I was being ‘delivered’ to the School Gate in a wheelchair. Fortunately, I was able to go to the Formal the next day, and I had lots of fun carefully walking in heels.   

What co-curricular activities or clubs were you involved in? What did you learn from these?  

I was involved in a range of activities like Gymnastics, GSV Sports, Latin Club, and Chess Club from Year 7. GSV Badminton has always been my favourite GSV Sport and the joy of winning B Team Finals this year was phenomenal, and I am so proud of everyone. It was also such an honour to be the Cultural Diversity Captain for 2023, it has really improved my organising skills a lot, and enabled me to get to know what it feels like to be a leader that makes the decisions.    

What were your favourite subjects?  

Mathematics and the Sciences, not because of the subjects themselves, but because of the lively atmosphere my classes had. The supportive groups of people and lovely teachers have been my main motivation to do better and become more confident.    

Can you describe a significant academic achievement or project you’re proud of?  

I think we should value every little improvement we make compared to our past selves. Sometimes maybe it’s just that my SAC score has improved which may not seem very significant, but that would have saved me from my ‘low times’ and gave me the confidence to do better and continue to pursue my goal. So, I am really proud of myself academically for becoming better as I move through Year 12.   

How do you handle challenges or setbacks in your academic pursuits?  

My confidence gets knocked down by small things really easily, so at times when I don’t meet my own expectations, I tend to encourage myself first, so I have a stable emotional status. I would then move on to find the problems and solutions so I can avoid making such mistakes in the future and perform better.    

What do you plan to study post School?  

Psychology in Science.    

Where do you hope to study?  

Melbourne University.   

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

St Catherine’s has given me the environment and facilities to help to get the most out of my high school life and pursue my goal. The kindness that I felt from my teachers gave me more confidence and belief in myself, which has played a big part in helping me reach my goals.    

What are your short-term and long-term career goals after graduating from school?  

I would like to complete a Bachelor of Science first, and preferably become a clinical psychologist after completing the Masters degree.   

What skills or knowledge have you gained during your education that you believe will be valuable in your future career?  

I think I have been supported by many wonderful people that gave me a broad perspective on viewing things. This will make me more open minded and willing to accept different opinions which can benefit me a lot. It is also the support that I get from the School community that helped me gain the required academic knowledge and have the confidence in myself to be respected by others in my future career.    

How do you envision using your education to make a positive impact on your community or society at large?  

I hope I can help people to achieve better versions of themselves and feel more self-confident, because I believe everyone has the potential to do so.    

In 2023, the Year 12 theme was ‘Conquer.’ What does this mean to you?  

‘Conquer’ reminds me it is because we have the ability to conquer obstacles, that is why we will get stressed and overwhelmed as we are breaking through and walking up hills. The key is to have courage, not be afraid or scared, and not give up.    

What advice would you provide to future Year 12 students?  

Always remember during times you are feeling stressed and down, many others are feeling the same thing too. Take a rest when you need it because we rarely show our negative sides, and it gives the misconception that people are always in their best performance condition. They are not. So, it’s okay to stress but remember it’s never the end of the world and you will find your way out, with success.